Dr. Karen Head is the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and a Professor of English and World Languages, Editor of the Atlanta Review, Adjunct Professor at Georgia Tech, and a Visiting Scholar and Artist at Technische-Universität-Dortmund. She has an A.A. from DeKalb College, a B.A. from Oglethorpe University, an M.A. from the University of Tennessee, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska.
Her extensive administrative background is grounded by a scholarly output that spans several disciplinary lines, often as interdisciplinary work, to include work in the fine arts, education, social science, and broad-based humanities. Her scholarship about higher education rhetoric, especially in the area of technology-based pedagogical practices, has been internationally recognized. As a non-traditional student, she continued working throughout the years she pursued her A.A. and B.A. degrees. These experiences have been foundational for her ability to work effectively with industry partners. After two years at Missouri University of Science of Technology, where she founded the Center for Creativity and Innovation, she is delighted to return to the University System of Georgia where she spent seventeen years on the faculty at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Head is extremely active in community service—serving as the Chair of the Oglethorpe University Museum Board, as a member of the Georgia State University Perimeter College Advisory Board, Secretary of the Poetry Atlanta Board, and as a board member for the Ozark Actors Theater. A widely published poet, she served as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Fulton County, Georgia (2020-2022). She also serves as the Waffle House Poet Laureate, a title that reflects her outreach program to use the arts to encourage students in rural high schools to consider paths toward college, a distinction that has received extensive media coverage. She is a native of Georgia, and looks forward to continuing to serve the people in her home state.
Ray Whiting, J.D., Ph.D.
(706) 721-2326
Dr. Whiting attended Syracuse University where he received a BA in Political Philosophy. During his undergraduate education he received two awards: the Jonathan Chayat Memorial Award for Moral and Aesthetic Accomplishment, and the George B. Cressey Book Award, (for excellence demonstrated in a paper in the field of American History). After completing his undergraduate degree, he continued at Syracuse University entering a Joint degree program and received a Ph.D. in Social Science and a J.D.. During this time, he received the law school’s Lionel O. Grossman Outstanding Advocate Award.
After receiving his J.D., Dr. Whiting was certified in Conflict Resolution and was admitted to the New York State Bar. While completing his doctoral studies he actively practiced law in Syracuse New York, and established Accord Dispute Resolution, a mediation firm. In 1990, Dr. Whiting came to Augusta State University to teach in the department of political science. Over the next 17 years, Dr. Whiting rose to the level of professor and was recognized with three awards:
• Outstanding Faculty Member Award, (presented in recognition of Teaching Excellence)
• Louis K. Bell Research Award
• Richard S. Wallace Distinguished Service Award.
In addition, during this time Dr. Whiting was recognized as a Governor’s Teaching Fellow. Dr. Whiting is the author of several scholarly articles and a book entitled: A Natural Right to Die: 23 Centuries of Debate.
Dr. Whiting has held several administrative positions including: Special Assistant to the Vice President of Academic and Faculty Affairs, Special Assistant to the President, Assistant Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Associate Vice President for Project Management and Faculty Credentialing, Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Instructional Innovation, and Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs.
Alison Dong is the Faculty Affairs Coordinator in the Office of Faculty Affairs. She worked in the College of Education and Human Development before joining the Office of Faculty Affairs. Internationally, she has worked and researched in China and Mongolia in the areas of education and development with a concentration on marginalized students. In addition, she has taught in the Richmond and Columbia County School systems at the elementary school level. She earned a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education in international educational development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Brittany Hatcher currently serves as the Faculty Affairs Specialist for the Office of Faculty Affairs. She has worked at Augusta University for 6+ years and has worked previously in the Academic Success Center and the College of Nursing’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs. She is excited to be a part of the Faculty Affairs team using her expertise from retention, program development, and academic success. Brittany has a passion for working in the higher education sector and learning. She is a double alumna from Augusta University and holds a Master of Public Administration degree as well as a Bachelor Degree in Communication, Public Relations focused with a Spanish Minor. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys learning new languages, volunteering, and trying new foods.
Nakia has worked at the university for over 15 years. She is known for her initiative and ability to go above and beyond. Nakia has a passion for helping others in any capacity. She has a wealth of experience in business operations, human resources and onboarding, and event management. Lastly, she is known for her compassion, resiliency, and persistence to accomplish any goal despite any challenges she faces.
