After 40 years of dedicated service, Victor K. Wilson (BSW ’82, MEd ’87) retired from the University of Georgia in September 2023. During his career at UGA, he served as Assistant to the President, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and, most recently, Vice President for Student Affairs.

As Vice President for Student Affairs, Wilson served as the chief student affairs officer, overseeing a student affairs division of 16 departments and nearly 600 staff members dedicated to enriching student learning and supporting student development. He served on the President’s Cabinet, in the Senior Advisory Group and was a member of the University Council.

He began his career at UGA in 1983 as Director of Orientation and Assistant Director of Admissions. His early career led him to leadership positions at other higher education institutions, including Agnes Scott College and Northern Arizona University. From 2004 to 2013, Wilson served as Executive Vice President for Student Affairs at the College of Charleston, where he established a new student leadership center; improved health, safety, and residential facilities and services; and successfully advocated for enhanced diversity education. Wilson then returned to Athens for the remainder of his career.

Wilson has held leadership roles in several national student affairs organizations, such as the National Orientation Directors Association and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs. He also serves on the National Board of Directors for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and on the boards of directors for the St. Mary’s Health Care System, Athens Academy and the Red Cross of Northeast Georgia.

Wilson has authored numerous scholarly articles and given presentations on issues of race, ethics, crisis management and staff development in higher education. His service and leadership activities in the community have been recognized with multiple honors, including the President’s Award for Outstanding Service and Contributions to the National Orientation Directors Association, the Outstanding Master’s Graduate Award from UGA’s Student Affairs Administration Program, the Blue Key Honor Society Service Award and the UGA Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

UGA’s mission is so meaningful to Wilson that he supplemented his decades of service with generous philanthropic commitments. His gifts to UGA have supported the Arch Society, Blue Key, the Dean of Students Support Fund, Multicultural Services and Programs, UGA Miracle Dance Marathon and a variety of scholarship funds. Wilson also established a scholarship, named for his mother, for members of UGA’s Black Male Leadership Society.