Eric Atkinson serves as Dean of Students at the University of Georgia. He is responsible for overseeing the following departments:
- Engagement, Leadership, and Service
- Greek Life
- Student Conduct
- Student Transitions
- Student Veterans Resource Center
- Tate Student Center
- University Housing
He is also a member of the University’s Behavioral Assessment and Response Council (BARC), the Freedom of Expression Team, and co-teaches a First Year Odyssey (FYO) seminar with President Morehead.
Eric received his undergraduate degree from Troy State University and earned M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia. He has worked in UGA’s Division of Student Affairs since 1999.
Jan Davis Barham is Associate Dean of Students. She is responsible for managing the operations of the Tate Student Center to include facility services, Campus Reservations, Event and Technical Services, Print & Copy Services, UGA OneCard Office, and Engagement, Leadership, and Service, which administers the Student Government Association, University Union Student Programming Board, Pandora Yearbook, WUOG 90.5FM, the Graduate Student Association, and the registration process for More than 800 student organizations annually.
Jan received her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 2004, her master’s degree from Appalachian State University in 1997 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1994. She has served as a graduate faculty member in the College Student Affairs Administration program at the University of Georgia for the last seven years. Jan has authored dozens of published articles including Increasing Accountability in Student Affairs Through a New Comprehensive Assessment Model, and most recently co-edited a book, A Practitioners Guide to Assessment.
Taylor Cain is the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Engagement, Leadership, and Service (ELS) where she leads a team in the direction and promotion of student engagement at UGA. The ELS portfolio includes student activities, student organizations, community engagement and service, leadership development, student government, and student media initiatives in the mission of amplifying the UGA collegiate experience. She also serves as the primary advisor for the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Circle Coordinator (advisor) for Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK).
Joining the University of Georgia in 2013, Taylor first worked directly with student organizations and has since served in several roles to include overseeing student activities and the programming board, student governance organizations, and first-year and transfer student experience initiatives. Over the course of her career, she has planned, executed, or consulted on thousands of events to include those with attendance of nearly ten thousand. In 2016, Taylor spearheaded the creation of a welcome experience later named Welcome UGA encompassing hundreds of events in the first six weeks of the fall and spring semesters.
Taylor also currently serves as the Foundation Ambassador for NASPA (Student Affairs Professional in Higher Education) Region III and as a National At-Large Governor on the University of South Carolina Alumni Association Board of Governors. She has previously served as the Georgia State Co-Director for NASPA Region III. Her research and professional interest areas include supervision and organizational management, college student voter and civic engagement, and student engagement.
Taylor holds a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of South Carolina. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. from UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration program.
