New Leadership Appointments Announced

Vice President for Student Affairs Hired

Shay Little, Ph.D., the vice president for student affairs at Georgia Southern, already had firsthand experience with Eagle Nation. Before her arrival at Georgia Southern, Little worked at Kent State University in Ohio where she served as special assistant to the president and vice president of student affairs. Before that, she spent 15 years at the University of Georgia and three years at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

“My daughter went to school here and graduated from Georgia Southern University while I worked in Georgia,” Little said. “I have first-hand knowledge about the experience Georgia Southern provides to its students, and I was very excited when I learned about this opportunity. I am thrilled to be joining the team at Georgia Southern.”

Little started her role on June 1, and leads a talented team that oversees a wide range of departments focused on student support and development including Campus Recreation and Intramurals, Counseling Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Health Services, Leadership and Community Engagement, Multicultural Affairs, Student Conduct, Student Accessibility Resource Center, Student Government Association, Student Media and University Housing.

“Dr. Little’s outstanding track record of progressive leadership experience and commitment to student success will make her the ideal leader for us at this critical time in our history,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero

Little has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baylor University, a Master of Science in counseling and student personnel services from Oklahoma State University, and a doctorate in counseling and student personnel services from the University of Georgia.

Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Named

TaJuan Wilson, Ed.D., has been named Georgia Southern’s first associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence. He plans to carry out an expansive list of goals with enthusiasm and an open ear.

“My primary goal as I begin my time at Georgia Southern University is to spend more time listening than talking,” Wilson said.

Enlisted to bolster the University’s efforts to develop a more inclusive culture, Wilson is partnering with faculty, staff, students and the community to initiate, define and implement the institution’s inclusive excellence initiatives, policies and programs.

“I want people to know that this work belongs to each of us,” Wilson said. “I’m not going to be successful operating in a silo, and I don’t plan to. It’s really going to require us learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable and real commitment to continue our momentum. I want our community to assume good intentions as we navigate this work together as an institution because in the end, we will all be better because of our engagement in Inclusive Excellence. My goal is to provide educational opportunities that foster this spirit and to ensure we’re taking care of our Georgia Southern University family. I want every member of our learning community to be accepted, understood, and celebrated for who they are and the unique qualities they bring to our University environment.”