The Division of Student Affairs is one the most influential administrative positions on student life. Departments under the division include Black Student Achievement, the Counseling and Testing Center, University Housing, Spotlight Programs Board, Student Government Association, Student Media and the Dean of Students.
And now, after 12 years of administrative service, the head of this department has stepped down. Former Vice President of Student Affairs Douglass Covey is returning to a faculty position this semester, at the College of Education and Human Development, teaching current students how to be the best educators when they move into the field.
“After nearly forty years as an administrator and twenty years as a Vice President, I’m excited at the prospect of returning to the College of Education as a faculty member with an opportunity to teach and contribute to program development. It’s a great capstone to a long administrative career,” Covey said.
Before an official replacement for Covey’s position is found, Allison Calhoun-Brown will serve as interim vice president for Student Affairs. Prior to this, Calhoun-Brown has had oversight of the Academic Advisement Center since 2008, where she employed the use of predictive analytics.
Previously, Covey would report to Timothy Renick, senior vice president for Student Success who would then report to Provost Risa Palm, but as she is also changing position, the chain of command is shifting.
“Everyone who reported to Dr. Covey will report to Dr. Calhoun-Brown. Dr. Calhoun-Brown reports to Dr. Renick. Dr. Renick reports directly to President Becker,” Jeremy Craig, communications manager for the Office of the Provost, said.
Renick said the university will conduct a national search to find a replacement, although the exact timing of this has not yet been determined. The selection process will involve staff, faculty and even students.
“We will have student representation on the search committee, and we will have finalists for the position present and answer questions in a public setting on campus and invite students to attend,” he said.
Covey acknowledged the weight of the department on the day-to-day university experience for students and the importance of finding a qualified head that truly represents the students.
“Student Affairs touches student lives in virtually every aspect of co-curricular life,” he said. “The chief student affairs officer is a student advocate and a partner with students in building the sort of student life experience they wish to have.”
Although his time is at an end in shaping student life and campus culture, Covey acknowledges the department’s achievement during his time as vice president.
“Our greatest success has been in developing a comprehensive student life experience,” Covey said.
This list of achievements includes the expansion of student services, such as the establishment of the Multicultural Center, Victims Services, Panther Food Pantries as well as a clinical model in the Counseling Center.
Twelve years ago, housing options only consisted of The Lofts and an apartment complex, but since then, student affairs has added over 4,000 new beds, allowing them to now house 5,400 students on campus, according to Covey.
“This has undoubtedly contributed to the enormous growth in the community of recognized student organizations which has tripled in size to approximately 500 groups,” he said.
He also prides the increase in campus activities including the addition of national speaker series, arena scale concerts and events at venues such as the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags.
“During his tenure, Dr. Covey has made major contributions to the success of students, leading initiatives that have improved student services and introducing programs that have greatly enhanced the student experience,” President Mark Becker said in an email that went to all Georgia State students to notify them of the change.
Covey knows the department isn’t a one-man show and emphasized this at his leave.
“Everything that we’ve achieved during the past twelve years can be attributed to the support and hard work of our dedicated staff,” Covey said.
