Title: Director, Office of Civic Engagement, Division of Student Affairs
Family: Wife of 19 years serves as Associate Pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church, daughter LaShundia who lives in St. Louis and works for the IRS.
How long have you worked at Georgia State? 24 years
What do you do on a typical day? There is no such thing as a typical day. Everyday is filled with new experiences and new challenges to connect Georgia State students, faculty and staff with community based organizations addressing the needs of others. I usually start my day at 7:00 a.m. working out in the Student Recreation Center, and I am at my desk by 8:30 a.m. --- if I don't have an 8 a.m. meeting in the community. Most day consist of meeting with community leaders, community based organizations, city agencies, faculty, individual students and student leaders to explore or plan community outreach initiatives.
What's your background? I've worked in corrections as a corrections caseworker, served as employment counselor on the high school and college levels as well as placed college students in co-op assignments to apply what they are learning in the classroom. I have a master's in Guidance and Counseling from Lincoln University (MO).
What do you do when you're not working? I'm active in recreational activities - working out, playing tennis and softball, bowling and traveling. A lot of my time is spent engaged in civic organizations from vice president of the Lincoln University National Alumni Association to serving on boards of non-profits. I serve as an usher in my church, on the higher education ministry and I co-facilitate a couple bible study with my wife for engaged couples.
What's your favorite thing in your office? I enjoy meeting with and engaging in community service projects with our students. It's always interesting and refreshing to see the level of enthusiasm and energy most young people bring to serving others. In a world where so many have so little time for others and it's truly a joy to work side-by-side with student's in making Atlanta a better place to live, work and play.
What don't people know about you? Most people probably don't know I have spent my entire working life in jobs that allowed me to make a difference in the lives of others. And my current job not only allows me to help others it affords me the opportunity to help hundreds of thousands of students to discover the talents and gifts they have that contribute to community building.
If you weren't working at Georgia State, what would your ideal job be? My ideal job would be executive director of a non-profit that develops and supports community leaders.