Athens, Ga. – Michele Howard, currently director of early college programs for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, has been named associate vice president for student affairs at the University of Georgia.
Howard will provide vision, leadership and supervision for six departments within Student Affairs: Academic Partnerships and Initiatives, Student Affairs Assessment and Staff Development, the Center for Leadership and Service, International Student Life, the LGBT Resource Center and Multicultural Services and Programs. Howard’s appointment is effective May 2.
She will report directly to the vice president for student affairs and serve as a member of the senior administrative and leadership teams for the Division of Student Affairs. She will also serve as the permanent liaison to the UGA Extended Campuses Executive Committee.
“Michele is a superbly talented leader, administrator and champion for students,” said Victor K. Wilson, vice president for student affairs. “We are thrilled that she will oversee these important areas for students and help to promote student success, foster an inclusive community, advance campus and community partnerships and enhance the overall quality of student life at UGA.”
In this role, she will supervise the directors and budgets of the departments she oversees and advise the vice president and other campus stakeholders on opportunities and challenges related these units. She will advance the development and enhancement of division programs and support efforts to strengthen the partnerships between Student Affairs and other campus units. Additionally, she will serve as an advocate for various student populations, including leadership and partnership in campus-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Howard expressed excitement at joining a creative and collegial division and campus.
“I am so impressed with the staff members I’ve met and their passion for working with students and creating a more inclusive community at Georgia,” Howard said. “I look forward to being a part of the innovative work being done to meet students’ needs.”
She previously served as director of student activities at Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois, coordinator of new student and parent programs at Georgia Southern University, director of student orientation and acting associate dean of students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and held several roles at UNC Charlotte, progressing to associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students and her current role as director of early college programs.
Howard earned her doctor of education in leadership studies in higher education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She holds a Master of Education in student personnel services and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics education, both from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
“I look forward to joining one of the most well respected student affairs divisions in the country,” Howard said. “It is a great time to be at the University of Georgia.”
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 19 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and emotional development. For more information, see studentaffairs.uga.edu.