University Names Alumnus as Director of Diversity Initiatives
Aiken, SC (04/16/2021) — The University of South Carolina Aiken (UofSC Aiken) is pleased to announce alumnus Jamel Antwon Hodges, Ed.D., will join the university as Director of Diversity Initiatives within the Student Affairs division.
Dr. Hodges comes to the university from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, where he served as assistant director of programming in the Office of Multicultural Services and Programs. In that position, Dr. Hodges developed and managed various programs, including seven identity-based student organizations with more than 300 active students. Additionally, he provided extensive support to Black, Hispanic/LatinX, APIDA, and native American students intersection of their identities within other areas of diversity (i.e., sexuality, gender, and socioeconomic status).
Before that, he served as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Albany State University, where he managed a professional staff of 12 and oversaw all operations related to recruitment. From 2012 to 2018, Dr. Hodges served in several roles at Augusta University. Beginning as an admissions recruiter, he next moved into the role of Manager of the Enrollment Services Center ("one stop shop"). Finally, he served as the Assistant Director for Communications, where he collaborated with several university offices to successfully engage and recruit students through strategic messaging and communication plans.
Dr. Hodges earned his Ed.D. in Educational Innovation at Augusta University. His dissertation focused on the recruitment and retention of Black students at Greenwood University. He has a Master of Public Administration from Augusta University. He is a UofSC Aiken graduate, Class of 2011, a Bachelor of Arts in Middle-Level Education/Mathematics and Science.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Ahmed Samaha, stated, "I am extremely excited to welcome Dr. Hodges back to our campus community to lead our diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. A South Carolina native and UofSC Aiken graduate, Dr. Hodges brings his own lived in experiences to the position, and, combined with his knowledge from other campuses, will help move our DEI department to the next level. Our community will be lucky to have such an outstanding leader as a resource as we continue to create an environment of inclusion and understanding."
Dr. Hodges will begin his appointment at UofSC Aiken effective July 16.
Media Attachments
The University of South Carolina Aiken (UofSC Aiken) is pleased to announce alumnus Jamel Antwon Hodges, Ed.D., will join the university as Director of Diversity Initiatives within the Student Affairs division.