Laurel Donley named vice provost of student affairs at UNCSA

Laurel Donley has been named vice provost of student affairs at UNCSA, effective immediately, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Patrick J. Sims has announced.

Currently assistant dean of student development and director of high school life at UNCSA, Donley has more than 20 years of experience in various academic and student affairs positions, 10 of which have been in service at UNCSA.

“She is an accomplished and collaborative leader who has done extensive work in higher education health and wellness, which is one of our key Strategic Plan initiatives,” Provost Sims said. “In addition, she has both knowledge and experience in student development, and has worked with the full range of high school, college and graduate students. This considerable experience, paired with a master’s degree in higher education administration, made her the ideal candidate for this critical position.”

Donley was selected after a nationwide search.

“It is my greatest joy working with UNCSA students,” Donley said. “With compassion and kindness, we provide the support needed to help them reach their goals and grow into their unique artistic selves.”

Since January 2022, Donley has served as assistant dean of student development and director of high school life, which includes oversight of high school life, residence life, new student orientation, student engagement, student assistance and support (case management), and the Fitness Center. She served as interim director of high school life from July 2020 to December 2021.

Previously at UNCSA, Donley served as a clinical case manager and director of student assistance and support for eight years, from 2013 to 2021.

Donley came to UNCSA from Wake Forest University, where she served as director of campus support services for three years and was a CARE (Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation) coordinator for seven years. Previously, she was a medical social worker for the High Point Regional Health System.

Donley has been a leader in student mental health, serving on the UNC System Mental Health Task Force and as a panelist for the UNC Board of Governors’ initiative on Collegiate Mental Health: Current Trends and Challenges. She has also presented at numerous conferences and convenings, including the UNC System Student Success Conference. A founding member of the Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA) in 2011, she served as president from 2018-2020. HECMA has more than 800 active members.

“During and throughout the height of the pandemic, Laurel, in collaboration with then-Vice Provost Dr. Tracey Ford, displayed exemplary leadership by guiding COVID-19 initiatives at UNCSA and nationally with HECMA,” Provost Sims noted.

From 2016-17, Donley served as chair of Staff Council at UNCSA, developing several initiatives focusing on staff development and recognition. The standing ovation program that was developed under her leadership continues today. She received the Professional Staff Excellence Award in 2018 and was a Community Service Award recipient in 2015. She has been a Mental Health First Aid instructor at UNCSA since 2019.

Donley is a 2021 graduate of the University of North Carolina’s BRIDGES academic leadership professional development program. She has been a member of the Fordham University Parent Council since 2021 and a volunteer with the State Employees Credit Union (North Carolina) Family House since 2013.

She received her Master of Science in higher education from Drexel University and her Bachelor of Arts in human services from High Point University.

Donley succeeds Vice Provost Tracey Ford, Ed.D., who stepped down in March to become associate vice chancellor for student affairs for the University of Texas System Office of Academic Affairs. Associate Dean of Student Affairs/Deputy Chief Student Affairs Officer Steven Gallagher has served as interim vice provost since her departure.

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