Wilson takes over as Student Services director

There’s a new Director of Student Services in town, and her name is Audrey Wilson.


The former director of the ASU OneCard office has replaced Nolen Mears who retired on Jan. 31, after 29 years of service to ASU’s students.


“Nolen Mears is a great person, and I am honored to have worked for and with him for the past 25 years,” Wilson said. “Mr. Mears did a fine job, and I hope that I can live up to his legacy.”


Wilson has also had a long career at ASU, starting as a student assistant in the Housing Office in 1988. It wasn’t until 1995, however, that she became a full-time employee at ASU as the Assignments Coordinator. Wilson then moved up in the workplace in 1998 when she became the Assistant Director of Residence Life. Once again Wilson moved up the ladder at ASU as the Director of the ASU OneCard office in 2004 where she was until recently.


“I enjoyed my position as the Director of the ASU OneCard office, but I was ready for a change,” Wilson said. “I applied for this position because I wanted to be more involved in the area of student affairs.”


As Director of Student Services, Wilson will be in charge of a wide range of areas from the judicial and drug awareness programs, to ADA Compliance and title IX Compliance.


“I think this position is special because in the student affairs area we get to work with the academic areas to develop programs that enhance and complement the academic experiences for students,” Wilson said. “At this early stage in my new position as Director of Student Services I feel the biggest change I can think of is to get the word out about what the Student Services office is, what services are offered and how students can apply and receive these services available to them.”


The party lifestyle seems to be in full effect here at ASU, and Wilson is well aware of the problem.


“I think many people have a preconceived idea that college life is just like the movies with lots of drinking and partying with very little studying and class attendance.” Wilson said. “I believe that this notion of acceptable behavior influences not only the students but the way others react to this behavior.”


Wilson will work in conjunction with other areas on campus when implementing programs that affect students and their needs.


“I would like to see student groups and student leaders work with the various offices such as the clinic and counseling center and the Student Life area to help educate students about the effects of alcohol and drugs can have on their bodies, their academics and their lives in general,” Wilson said. “Perhaps showing photos of a healthy liver next to one with cirrhosis would help people see some of the physical effects drugs and alcohol has on their body.”


Recently speaker Sarah Panzau spoke to ASU students on how life can change in an instant with drugs and alcohol.


“Panzau’s speech was a great way to inform the students about the effects of alcohol and drugs, but it appears that when we talk about alcohol and drug awareness we tend to focus on just the affects of alcohol,” Wilson said. “I think we should bring more awareness on the effects of drug illegal, prescription and over the counter drugs as well.”


Wilson recently worked on student programs for those with disabilities, particularly for the blind and deaf, but would also like to help those in wheelchairs through modifications to buildings as well. Wilson will work both with students directly and indirectly to help improve their lives at ASU.


“I will be working on various programs that my office will sponsor,” Wilson said. “I will also be working to help with accommodations for students with disabilities.”


Wilson will work directly with those students who must see her because of a discipline issue as well.


Wilson has just begun, but will be in her new position as Director of Student Services for the foreseeable future as she helps students get better access to the programs they need most. Students can get to know Wilson better and talk to her about programs that may help them by visiting her on the second floor of the Student Services area in the Hardeman building in room 203-B.