STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF DIRECTORY
306 Memorial Hall
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3564
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Dean of Students
306 Memorial Hall
Athens, GA 30602
706-542-3564 | dosadmin@uga.edu
Organization Chart
Biographical Info
Eric Atkinson serves as Dean of Students at the University of Georgia. He is responsible for overseeing the following departments:
- Engagement, Leadership, and Service
- Greek Life
- Student Conduct
- Student Transitions
- Student Veterans Resource Center
- Tate Student Center
- University Housing
He is also a member of the University’s Behavioral Assessment and Response Council (BARC), the Freedom of Expression Team, and co-teaches a First Year Odyssey (FYO) seminar with President Morehead.
Eric received his undergraduate degree from Troy State University and earned M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia. He has worked in UGA’s Division of Student Affairs since 1999.
Biographical Info
Jan Davis Barham is Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Tate Student Center. She is responsible for managing the operations of Tate to include facility services, Campus Reservations Events and Technical Services, Print & Copy Services, the UGA Card Office, the UGA Chapel, and the Center for Student Activities & Involvement, which administers the Student Government Association, University Union Student Programming Board, Pandora Yearbook, WUOG 90.5FM, the Graduate Student Association, and over 800 registered student organizations. Jan also oversees the Freedom of Expression Policy for the University of Georgia and serves as a member of the Behavioral Response Team.
Jan received her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 2004, her master’s degree from Appalachian State University in 1997 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1994. She has served as a Graduate Faculty member in the College Student Affairs Administration program at the University of Georgia for the last seven years. Jan has authored several published articles including Increasing Accountability in Student Affairs Through a New Comprehensive Assessment Model, and most recently co-edited a book, A Practitioners Guide to Assessment.
Biographical Info
Taylor Cain is the Director of Engagement, Leadership, and Service (ELS) where she leads a team in the direction and promotion of student engagement at UGA. The ELS portfolio includes student activities and events, 850+ registered student organizations, community engagement and service, leadership development, student governance, and student media. She also serves as the primary advisor for the Student Government Association (SGA).
Joining the University of Georgia in 2013, Taylor first worked directly with student organizations and has since served in several roles to include overseeing student activities and the programming board, student governance organizations, and first-year and transfer student experience initiatives. Over the course of her career, she has planned, executed, or consulted on thousands of events to include those with attendance of nearly ten thousand. In 2016, Taylor spearheaded the creation of a university-wide welcome experience later named Welcome UGA encompassing hundreds of events in the first six weeks of the fall and spring semesters.
Taylor serves as an advisor to the University System of Georgia’s Student Advisory Council comprised of all 26 campus’ student body presidents. She also currently serves as a member of the NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education) Foundation’s Board of Directors and as a National At-Large Governor on the University of South Carolina Alumni Association Board of Governors. She has previously served as the Georgia State Director and Foundation Ambassador for NASPA Region III.
Taylor holds a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Carolina. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration program.
Biographical Info
Barrett Malone serves as Associate Dean of Students within the Division of Student Affairs. In this role, Barrett provides administrative oversight and supervision to three departments, including Student Conduct, Greek Life, and the Student Veterans Resource Center. He also chairs the University’s Behavioral Assessment and Response Council (BARC) and is a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team.
Barrett previously served the University as Director for the Office of Student Conduct and was responsible for planning, implementation, evaluation and oversight of the University’s student conduct system. He also facilitated and served as the Hearing Officer for sexual misconduct hearings and coordinated and monitored appeals of all University judicial hearings.
A two-time graduate of UGA, Barrett received his B.B.A. from the Terry College of Business and earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law. Prior to joining the Division of Student Affairs, Barrett worked in the sports communications department at the University of Georgia Athletic Association, and after graduating from law school, entered the private practice of law for several years before returning to his alma mater.
Biographical Info
Dr. Nicole McConnell is the Director of Student Transitions (ST) where she leads a staff in the endeavor of supporting students during their key times of transition at UGA. The department of Student Transitions works to connect students to on-campus resources that will help them learn strategies to effectively navigate their collegiate experience. The ST portfolio includes Dawg Camp, Welcome UGA, and transition leaders as various transition programming opportunities.
Joining the University of Georgia in 2017, Nicole worked as the Assistant Director of Student Activities which included overseeing student activities and the programming board, first-year and transfer student experience initiatives, and the homecoming committee. Over the course of her career, she has planned, executed, or consulted on tons of events including those with an attendance of nearly 7,000. Previously, she served three and a half years in Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, working in residential life and housing.
Nicole holds an Ed.D in Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Georgia, Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial engineering Technology from Kennesaw State University (formerly Southern Polytechnic State University). Her research and professional interest areas include supervision, student involvement, biracial/multiracial student experience, and support of students in transition.
Biographical Info
As a Senior Coordinator for the Department of Student Transitions, Taylor supports the Dawg Camp Extended Orientation program. Dawg Camp allows participants to meet other incoming students and connect with current campus leaders in the spirit of UGA’s history and traditions over the course of multiple days. Dawg Camp provides a foundation for a successful college experience by exposing participants to student life, exploring common transition topics, and engaging in fun and dynamic activities. Taylor also works to help support various office initiatives to advance the mission and goals of the Department of Student Transitions.
Taylor received her B.A. in Communication Studies, with a minor in Psychology from UNC Charlotte, and her M.Ed. in Student Affairs from the University of West Georgia. One of my favorite parts of working at UGA is the relationships and support I am able to provide new and returning students. She is dedicated to student development, community building, and student success. She is looking forward to continue executing programs to best support students during their transitions. She loves Taylor Swift, spending time at the beach and going to visit family and friends in North Carolina!
Biographical Info
As the Assistant Director for the Department of Student Transitions, Victoria supports the Dawg Camp Extended Orientation program, a nationally renowned extended orientation program designed to assist students with their transition into the University of Georgia community. In her role, Victoria supports perspective, new, and returning students through dedicated programming that assists with the college transition. She also represents the Department of Student Transitions on the Welcome UGA committee which supports a university wide six-week initiative to help welcome and acclimate students to life at the University of Georgia.
Originally from Boone, North Carolina, Victoria received her B.S. in Social Work, with a minor in Non Profit Management, and her M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Appalachian State University.
Victoria loves connecting and engaging with the amazing students at the University of Georgia. She is dedicated to student success, well-being, and education and is excited to continue to grow the Dawg Camp Extended Orientation program. She also loves to bike, go to Orange Theory, and is Dolly Parton’s #1 fan.
Biographical Info
As Senior Coordinator for the Department of Student Transitions, Mackenzie advises the Transition Leaders, a group of student leaders who are passionate about helping UGA students navigate their UGA journeys. She also coordinates the Dawg Pack cohort program, which gives incoming first-year and transfer students the opportunity to build community, learn about campus resources, and receive mentorship from Transition Leaders during their first semester at UGA. Mackenize also oversees transfer student experience initiatives.
Mackenzie holds a B.S.F.C.S. in Human Development and Family Science and an M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration, both from the University of Georgia. She is committed to helping students find their community at UGA and creating an environment that fosters students’ learning and development. She loves finding new ways to meet students where they are and desires to help each student learn about the many ways UGA supports their college journey.