UNG names head of Division of Student Engagement and Success

There is an appointment at the University of North Georgia, where Dr. Alyson Paul will head UNG’s reconfigured Division of Student Engagement and Success. Paul has served as North Georgia’s interim vice president of student affairs since last September.

From Clark Leonard, UNG…

Dr. Alyson Paul will lead the University of North Georgia’s reimagined Division of Student Engagement and Success, which was previously the Division of Student Affairs. In her new role as vice president of Student Engagement and Success, Paul is UNG’s chief student success officer.

Paul will spearhead UNG’s work to deliver on its four pillars of student success:

• Academic achievement
• Sense of purpose
• Well-being
• Belonging and engagement

Paul served as interim vice president for Student Affairs since September. She has held various pivotal roles, including leadership positions in Residence Life and Dean of Students in her 20 years with UNG.

“Her tenure has exemplified our university’s guiding principle: ‘Students first. Always,’” UNG President Michael Shannon said. “This mantra is not just a slogan for Alyson; it is the core of her daily work and interactions with our student body.”

Paul served as dean of students at UNG’s Dahlonega Campus from 2011-2018 before serving in the same role at the Gainesville Campus from 2018-2023. Moving from a campus with cadets, Greek organizations and student-athletes to a commuter campus with many students who are working adults and a large Latino population offered different opportunities to assist students.

“We talk about how our students have different needs on different campuses, and I really had the opportunity to see that first-hand,” Paul said. “That was a huge challenge but a great opportunity, and I learned a ton.”

She knows that UNG has the tools it takes to support students in finding a sense of purpose.

“I love UNG. I’ve gotten to see it in a lot of different aspects, being here 20 years, being on different campuses, meeting and working with staff and faculty and administrators in different roles,” Paul said. “We have strong faculty and staff who care about students.”

Working in Student Engagement and Success in new roles will be:

• Dr. Darcy Hayes, associate vice president for well-being, has served in progressive leadership roles within the division prior to her appointment as interim associate vice president and dean of students. This position will lead and coordinate Student Counseling, Student Health, Campus Recreation & Wellness, and Student Accessibility Services.
• Dr. Michelle Eaton, associate vice president for student success, who has served in progressive leadership roles within Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. She has experience in addressing barriers and creating intervention strategies to improve student retention in her most recent role as executive director of Student Retention and Success. In her new role, Eaton will work with Career Services, Testing, Orientation Programs, and Veteran, Adult Learner, and Transfer programs.

UNG will also soon hire a senior dean of students based on the Dahlonega Campus, a dean of students based on the Oconee Campus, and an associate vice president for student engagement.

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