Caring for students is our #1 priority!

The Office of the Dean of Students is dedicated to the holistic development of students at Augusta University by providing support and advocacy.  Our Office encourages and inspires students to meet their full potential and coordinates the multidisciplinary Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team, which provides centralized support, guidance, and intervention for students in the areas of:

Contact Us

Dean of Students

Summerville Campus

Bellevue Hall

706-737-1411

Email Us

On Campus Emergencies:
706-721-2911

Georgia Crisis & Access Line:
800-715-4225

Medical Emergency:
911

Other Frequently Used Links:

Open Paws PantryJags Care ResourcesMedical/Hardship WithdrawAl

Staff

photo of Scott T. Wallace, PhD

Scott T. Wallace, PhD

  • Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

Dr. Scott Wallace began his role as Dean of Students at Augusta University in June 2014. As a leader within the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs, he is an advocate for student growth and encourages a holistic college experience. Specific areas of support include the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Student Wellness, and Testing and Disability Services. He previously also supervised the Office of Student Life and Engagement; Multicultural Student Engagement; and the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.

 

Prior to Augusta University, Wallace served as Assistant Dean of Students for nine years at the University of Mississippi, fondly known as Ole Miss. During that time, he gained experience in the areas of student conduct, student organizations, student government, and policy management. Specifically, with student conduct, he honed his skills in conflict resolution by adjudicating more than 1,500 cases of non-academic student conduct. The latter part of his tenure at Ole Miss was spent working as the primary advisor to a Greek-lettered community of 6,200 students. Additionally, he served as the advisor to student government and managed the official recognition process of more than 300 student organizations.

 

Wallace earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he was a student athlete, playing Division I golf. He earned a master’s degree and PhD in higher education in 2005 and 2012, respectively.  He and his wife, April, have two children, Reed Thomas and Bonnie Grace.

photo of Simone Hicks, PhD

Simone Hicks, PhD

  • Associate Dean of Students

Dr. Simone Hicks began her role as Associate Dean of Students at Augusta University in June 2022. As a leader in this role, she works to ensure students who may be in distress have the support they need to overcome various challenges. Specifically, she chairs AU’s Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team; oversees operations of our Jags Care initiative; serves as a conduct hearing officer; and manages the Open Paws Food Pantry, the Student Emergency Fund, and other student advocacy initiatives.

 

Prior to Augusta University, Hicks was Assistant Dean and Director of Case Management at Scripps College in Claremont, CA. There, she worked to meet the diverse needs of students via weekly check-ins and consultations with parents, faculty, staff and other campus resources. She has held positions in community mental health, acute psychiatric units and college counseling centers. Her student advocacy, holistic in nature, emphasized an individual approach to care and led the case management department to be recognized for best practices for supporting diverse students, as noted in the 2021 book entitled “The Agile College” by Nathan D. Grawe.

 

Dr. Hicks earned a Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation services from Troy University in 2011; a Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling from Alabama State University in 2015; and a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Ohio University in 2018. Hicks is actively involved in the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) program, disability services organizations, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and was named among Alabama State University’s 50 under 50. Hicks enjoys mentoring youth, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

photo of Beth Caldwell, MSW

Beth Caldwell, MSW

  • CARE Case Manager

Beth Caldwell serves as Augusta University’s Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Case Manager where she provides hands-on support and solutions for students who may be struggling in various areas. She connects them with AU and community resources to meet their needs, academically, while also focusing on the overall holistic wellbeing of the student. 

 

Born and raised in Southern California, after high school, she joined the United States Army, trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was stationed Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Upon serving honorably as a 25B Information Technology Specialist. She remained in Augusta received an associate degree in social work from Georgia Military College in 2017. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from Augusta University in 2021. While at Augusta University, she was a work study in the Military and Veterans office, helping students utilize their military education benefits. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama in 2022.

 

Caldwell enjoys trips to the park and visiting family in California.

photo of Sontonia Browner, BSW

Sontonia Browner, BSW

  • CARE Case Manager
Sontonia Browner serves as Augusta University’s Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation (CARE) Case Manger where she provides hands on support and solutions for students who may be struggling in various areas. In her role, she connects students with AU and community resources to meet their needs, academically, while also focusing on the overall holistic wellbeing of the students. 
 
Born and raised in Elberton, Georgia, she came to Augusta University in 2018 to pursue her Bachelor of Social Work. Now, she is pursuing her Master of Clinical Social Work at Albany State University and will graduate next Spring. 
 
Browner’s interests include serving nontraditional college students and advocating for individuals with disabilities. In her spare time, she serves the Augusta community. 
photo of DJ (Daniel) Roberts, BSW

DJ (Daniel) Roberts, BSW

  • CARE Case Manager

DJ (Daniel) Roberts serves as the Augusta University Campus Response and Evaluation (CARE) Case Manager for Off-Campus Housing. As a collaborative member of the Dean of Students Office, he supports student success, recruitment, and retention by coordinating services for students who plan to live off-campus and not in on-campus housing. He actively engages the community to establish and foster partnerships with property managers. These relationships will help current and future students find their home away from home during their academic endeavors.   

 

Before Augusta University, Roberts interned with the Columbia County Adult Felony Accountability Court where he served as a staff member for Drug, Mental Wellness, and Veteran Courts. In this role, he worked with an interagency collaborative team that managed participant cases, treatment, and court requirements as they navigated substance use recovery and mental health treatment. In late 2020, Roberts retired from the United States Army with over 21 years of service and is a combat veteran with service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his military career, he served as Telecommunications Operations Chief, Recruiting and Retention Non-Commissioned Officer, and Radio and Communications Security Repairer. Additionally, he served as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, Master Resilience Trainer, Career Counselor, and Casualty Assistance Officer.  

 

DJ received his Associate of Social Work from the Georgia Military College in 2022 and transferred to Augusta University where he graduated with his Bachelor of Social Work in 2024. At both institutions, he excelled in his academics and graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha and Phi Alpha Honors Societies. He and his wife, Stacy, have one child, Jaxon Roberts.