CELEBRATING VICTOR K. WILSON
Following a distinguished career, Victor K. Wilson, who serves as vice president for student affairs at the University of Georgia, will retire on September 30, 2023.
This has been a labor of love. Students are the most important part of our institution. I hope my legacy will always exhibit my concern and care for our students. If anything, my hope was to make a difference in each of their lives.
Career Highlights
Served the profession of student affairs and higher education as student leader, alumnus, mentor, teacher, senior administrator and national leader for more than 40 years.
Served as director of new student orientation at University of Georgia from 1983 to 1988, director of new student programs at Northern Arizona University from 1988 to 1992, assistant dean of students at Agnes Scott College from 1992 to 1996, assistant to the president and then associate vice president for student affairs at UGA from 1996 to 2004, as executive vice president for student affairs at the College of Charleston for nine years, and returned to UGA as vice president for student affairs from 2013 to 2023
Held leadership roles in national organizations such as the National Orientation Directors Association and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and involved with several local community organizations, including serving on the boards of directors for St. Mary’s Hospital and the Northeast Georgia Red Cross
Earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Georgia, first enrolling in UGA in 1977, only 16 years after the university
formally integrated.
Recognized as a strong advocate for students and student development, particularly the inclusion and success of students from historically underrepresented groups, and has been a tireless champion for student success, supporting students while also pushing them to achieve their
full potential.
UGA Highlights
At the University of Georgia, Vice President Wilson’s leadership forged numerous successes in student support and engagement, positioning the university as a global standard in the student experience and the learning environment. Some examples include:
major initiatives in student well-being, belonging, engagement and experiential learning;
enhanced integration with academic life and student learning;
advancements in communication with and outreach to students;
unprecedented donor and alumni engagement in the co-curricular experience and student support services (including transformational gifts in support of the Fontaine Center, the Student Veterans Resource Center, and Let All the Big Dawgs Eat Food Scholarship), with $20 million raised for
UGA Student Affairs under his leadership;
major facilities improvements (including Black-Diallo-Miller Hall, the university’s newest residence hall, along with major renovations to Brumby and Russell residence halls);
leadership of student support and services through the COVID-19 pandemic;
a consistent commitment to continuing to build an open, welcoming and inclusive environment for current and former students (including the historic markers installed on the West Lawn of the Tate Student Center honoring the National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations); and
the establishment of several new departments including Engagement, Leadership, and Service,
Student Transitions, and Student Care and Outreach.
SUPPORT THE VICTOR K. WILSON
MEMORIAL HALL BALLROOM
MEMORIAL HALL BALLROOM
In honor of Wilson’s decades of transformative work, UGA President Jere W. Morehead announced a fundraising campaign to renovate the
Memorial Hall ballroom, which will become the Victor K. Wilson Memorial Hall Ballroom.
If you would like to support this initiative, please scan the QR code or click the link below:
