Clayton State University’s Social Mobility Summit provides a meaningful platform to evaluate the role of higher education as a key driver of social mobility and to identify ways that institutions of higher education can best partner with community stakeholders to promote social mobility. This Summit is designed to discuss common determinants of social mobility while also looking at the unique barriers present in the greater metro Atlanta area. The Summit will include panels, workshops, and discussions focused on issues related to social mobility, such as access to education, economic opportunity, and student success. This Summit is part of Clayton State University’s ongoing commitment to advancing social mobility on our campus, in the broader community, and throughout the state of Georgia.
Leadership
Dr. Georj L. Lewis – President, Clayton State University
Dr. Lewis, the sixth president of Clayton State University, started his career in higher education 30 years ago, and for the past 20 years, he has served in varying increasing roles of leadership to include Dean of Students at Georgia Southern University, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Indiana University, Vice President for Student Affairs at Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University.
In May 2019, Dr. Lewis was tapped to serve in his first presidency at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. He served in that role until February 2023 when he was appointed President of Clayton State University. Dr. Lewis is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta (class of 2024), the University System of Georgia Accelerated Leadership Academy (ALA), and Executive Leadership Institute (ELI).
President Lewis is active in the metro Atlanta community. He is the Chair of the Foundation Board for the ATL Airport Chamber, a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency (Metro RESA), One Goal Board Member, Learn4Life Leadership Council Member and Board Member of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Inc.
Dr. Lewis has received several awards, including but not limited to, a 2021 Pillar of the Profession by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). He is also a recipient of the Paragon Award for New Presidents by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Other honors include being inducted into the Edinboro University Hall of Fame as a football player; Honorary Membership in the Delta Epsilon lota and Golden Key Honor Societies; Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award; and a scholarship named in his honor, the Georj Lewis Leadership Scholarship at Georgia Southern University. Dr. Lewis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and is also a member of Impact Church in East Point, Georgia.
As a native of southwestern Pennsylvania (and one of the Biggest Pittsburgh Steeler Fans Around), Dr. Georj L. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science in Business/Accounting, a Master of Arts in Counseling/Student Personnel, both from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University. Dr. Lewis is blessed to be the husband of Mrs. Anchelle Lewis, and proud to be the father of Miles, Georj II, and Jazmyn and the grandfather of Taylor, Taliya, Miles Jr. and Tres.
Dr. Jill Drake – Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Clayton State University
Dr. Jill Drake brings over 24 years of experience in higher education to her role as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. She is a transformational leader dedicated to enhancing student success, driving academic program innovation, and fostering institutional partnerships.
Before joining Clayton State, Dr. Drake was the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Georgia Southwestern State University, where she spearheaded initiatives to improve student retention, expand academic offerings, and strengthen faculty development. Prior to that, she served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of West Georgia, where she advanced strategic priorities in new degree program development, co-curricular integration, and instructional innovation. Her leadership experience also includes serving as a department chair, during which she facilitated enrollment growth, cultivated community partnerships, and supported faculty excellence. Dr. Drake holds a Doctorate from the University of Georgia. She also earned an Education Specialist degree, a Master of Science degree, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University.
As Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Drake leads Clayton State’s academic programs, faculty development, and student support services. Her vision and leadership are instrumental in shaping the university’s future, fostering innovation, collaboration, and student success. Dr. Drake is married to Leroy W. Drake III, and they have two daughters, Maya and Camille.
Summit Executive Committee
Dr. Takeem L. Dean – Chair of Social Mobility Summit and Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Takeem L. Dean serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Clayton State University and brings over 20 years of experience in higher education leadership.
Most recently, he served as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he provided strategic oversight for residence life, student conduct and Title IX, student culture and belonging initiatives, educational opportunity programs, assessment, and divisional planning.
Dr. Dean began his career in residential administration at Seton Hall University, North Carolina Central University, and The Juilliard School. He later returned to his alma mater, Montclair State University, serving as a Community Director and Assistant to the Dean. His leadership experience also includes roles as Director of the Center for Student Involvement at Passaic County Community College, Dean of Students at Allen University and Johnson C. Smith University, and at Union College, where he served as Dean of Students before advancing to Assistant Vice President of Student Development and Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
His work is grounded in a strong commitment to student success, access, and persistence, with particular emphasis on engagement, leadership development, and supporting historically underrepresented students. Dr. Dean earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University, and later completed both an educational specialist degree and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration at Wingate University. He has also served in national leadership roles within ACPA and NASPA, reflecting his dedication to advancing the student affairs profession.
Dr. Deborah Deckner-Davis
Dr. Deborah Deckner-Davis is a Professor of Psychology at Clayton State University.
She joined the Department of Psychology in August 2006, bringing a deep commitment
to applying developmental science to improve outcomes for children and families. With
a doctorate in developmental psychology, she centers her work on advancing equity
through evidence-based, two-generational strategies.
Over the past several years, she has spearheaded Clayton State University's Child Care Subsidy, a two-generational intervention designed to improve access to high-quality childcare for low-income parenting students pursuing a four-year college degree. This program embodies the transformative power of quality education for both parents and their children and is emblematic of two-generation poverty reduction initiatives. To date, CSU’s Child Care Subsidy has secured millions in federal and philanthropic grants and has served hundreds of parenting students and their children. “I’m honored to be part of the ongoing conversation around social mobility at CSU and look forward to exploring how we can deepen our partnerships with community agencies to accelerate this vital work.”
Taralyn Keese
Taralyn Keese is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences at Clayton
State University. She also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Minor in Social
Work program at CSU. She holds a BA in Psychology from Indiana-Purdue University Indianapolis.
She earned a Master of Social Work degree from Georgia State University and is pursuing
a doctoral degree in Sociology with a concentration in Race and Urban Studies there.
As a professional social worker for 15 years, she has worked with and advocated for
young women whose lives are impacted by familial, educational, economic, and political
challenges. As an educator, her expertise and research interests are in culturally
responsive pedagogy and praxis, DEIA faculty professional development, and inclusive
and equitable policy and program design in higher education.
Bridgette McDonald
Bridgette McDonald, Executive Director, Career and Professional Development, has worked
in Career Services at Clayton State University since January 2007. Prior to that time,
she served in Career Services at Southern Polytechnic State University, Mercer University,
and Hinds Community College. She holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling
and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Jackson State University.
She has held several leadership roles in the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers,
including serving as president and treasurer, Bridgette is incredibly active in the
local Atlanta area Chambers of Commerce and Workforce Development.
Bridgette has an extensive professional history in Career Services where she specializes in educating students and professionals on various career development topics such as resume and cover letter writing, job and internship prep, interview and salary negotiation techniques, college to career prep, and career change for professionals. She most enjoys assisting clients in telling their career stories, highlighting achievements and accomplishments in formats that are appropriate for Federal, non-profit, and corporate positions.
Jada Mitchell
Jada Mitchell has served in various roles in her 13-year tenure at Clayton State University.
She is currently the Executive Director of Student Success where she oversees the
Center for Advising & Retention, the Center for Academic Success, Student Success
& New Student Programs, and International Education. With almost 20 years in higher
education, her areas of experience include academic support, advisement, first-year
experience, nontraditional student services, registrar operations, and enrollment
services. Jada has a passion for engaging students, coaching them to overcoming challenges,
and supporting them in meeting their goals. Jada holds a B.A. in Journalism from Elon
University, a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University,
and an Ed.S. in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University.
Dr. Mya Richardson-Echols
Dr. Mya Richardson-Echols serves as the Dean of Students at Clayton State University,
where she provides leadership as the university ombudsman and oversees behavioral
intervention, first-generation student support, and campus-wide efforts in student
advocacy, care and well-being, and success. With over a decade of experience in higher
education and student affairs, she is committed to building student-centered strategies
that promote engagement, retention, and a strong sense of belonging.
Dr. Richardson-Echols earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Legal Affairs from Kennesaw State University, a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University, and a Doctorate in Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Georgia — Go Owls, Eagles, and Dawgs! Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and all things music and spending meaningful time adventuring with her husband and their three children.
Dr. Matthew Sansbury
Dr. Matthew Sansbury serves as Interim Department Chair of English and is an Associate
Professor of English at Clayton State University, teaching courses in Digital and
Multimedia Writing and Cultural Rhetorics. He served as the Director of First-Year
Writing & The Writers’ Studio and a Coordinator of the Peer Academic Mentoring Program
for several years on campus. Dr. Sansbury holds a PhD in English, MA in English, and
BA in English from Georgia State University. He has published work in Peitho, Kairos, and Computers and Composition Online as well as the edited collections Threshold Conscripts: Rhetoric and Composition Teaching Assistantships and The Rhetoric of Participation: Interrogating Commonplaces in and Beyond the Classroom.
A former Advanced Teaching Fellow at Georgia State University and Research Fellow at the Digital Archive of Literacy Narratives, Dr. Sansbury joined the Department of English in 2019 and has received multiple awards for teaching, scholarship, and service, including the College of Arts and Sciences Gene Hatfield Teacher of the Year Award (2024-25), Alice J. Smith Award for Clayton State Faculty Member of the Year (2023-24), and Kairos Service Award (2017). Recently, he was honored to serve as Macebearer for Dr. Georj L. Lewis’s Presidential Investiture and Deputy Faculty Marshal for all commencement ceremonies in 2024–25.