Jessica Williamson joins Eagle Nation as new director of Academic Success Center
Alumna and Double Eagle Jessica Williamson returned to her roots at Georgia Southern University in January when she joined the Academic Success Center (ASC) leadership team as its new director. In this role, Williamson will lead the department in providing proactive and student-centered academic support services to the University community. Read on to learn more about Williamson.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I have over 10 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, most recently serving as the director of East Georgia State College Statesboro. I served on the President's Cabinet, championed the Bobcat to Eagle (B2E) program and managed the East Georgia State College Statesboro Campus move to the Nessmith-Lane Center. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree from the University of Georgia.
Q: What interested you in this role and working for Georgia Southern?
A: What interested me was the ASC’s focus on student success. As a first-generation college student, I personally know how difficult college can be to navigate.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role?
A: Working with the amazing team that makes up the ASC. Every team member truly cares deeply about student success. Many have great ideas and I look forward to helping some of those ideas come to fruition. I am also looking forward to enhanced collaborations and new initiatives with campus partners.
Q: When did you start at Georgia Southern?
A: My first day as director was Jan. 4. However, I am a Double Eagle, so it feels like returning home.
Q: What makes the Georgia Southern Academic Success Center unique?
A: The ASC is unique in that we serve all students, no matter their major, GPA, classification, etc. We provide personalized support through peer mentoring, academic coaching and educational consultations, and workshops. We offer peer tutoring in a variety of subjects, as well as testing services.
Q: What would you like faculty and staff to know about the Academic Success Center?
A: The ASC offers academic enrichment to all students. Whether a student has a B and is looking to score an A, is looking for guidance from academically successful peers, or is trying to get back in good standing — the ASC is the place for them. Our testing center is nationally recognized, and our peer mentoring and tutoring training programs are College Reading and Learning Association certified.
Q: How can faculty and staff support the efforts and initiatives at the Academic Success Center?
A: The faculty and staff already do a great job partnering and collaborating with the ASC. I would say additional efforts can include encouraging students to seek guidance from the ASC from day one. This encouragement helps students start out on the right foot rather than waiting until there are academic issues.
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