Cook named vice president for student affairs

Congratulations to our Franklin College colleague Michelle Garfield Cook, who was named today as UGA’s next vice president for student affairs.

Cook is a veteran UGA leader and student advocate who has introduced numerous institution-wide initiatives benefitting students. She will succeed Victor K. Wilson, who is retiring from the university on September 30.

Wonderful news for our students and for the university:

As senior vice provost, Cook plans, guides and implements strategic initiatives and programs spanning the University of Georgia while also leading the Office of Institutional Diversity. She co-chaired the development of the university’s 2025 Strategic Plan and recently chaired the Presidential Task Force on Student Services and Support, which recommended the creation of a one-stop shop for student services at UGA.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to President Morehead for this tremendous opportunity to continue serving the University of Georgia’s remarkable students,” said Cook. “Throughout my 25-year career at UGA, I have had the privilege of working with devoted colleagues and friends to help our students maximize their immense potential, and I look forward to continuing this vital work alongside the exceptional team in the Division of Student Affairs.”

Cook began her career at UGA in 1998 and quickly assumed leadership posts devoted to student affairs. From 1999 to 2011, she served as both assistant and associate dean for student affairs in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, where she was responsible for student orientation, academic advising, student academic awards and graduation, among other student services. During her time in the Franklin College, she established the Office of Transfer Student Services—the first of its kind at UGA—to support transfer students transitioning to UGA. She also chaired the Dean’s Student Advisory Board.

From 2001 to 2004, Cook served as the inaugural Franklin Residential College dean, residing in Rutherford Hall and working closely with University Housing to launch UGA’s first residential learning community. In addition, Cook served as an on-site faculty member for the UGA at Oxford Program, where she taught an upper-division history course and served as a faculty advisor to UGA students at Oxford University in England. She has served as a senior faculty fellow with the Morehead Honors College, and since 2006, as a member of the selection team for recipients of UGA’s highest academic scholarship, the Foundation Fellowship.

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Image: Michelle Garfield Cook (UGA photo).