The Higher Education Administration program is proud to announce Justin Jeffery, Ph.D., as the recipient of the 2026-2027 Alumni Award. The award recognizes program alumni who have achieved a noteworthy and accomplished career in the field of higher education.
Jeffery is an alumnus of ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University’s Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs master’s program, where he laid the foundation for a meaningful and impactful career in student affairs leadership.
With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Jeffery currently serves as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Texas A&M University, providing administrative supervision for the Career Center, Disability Resources, Strategic Collaborations, Student Community Standards, and Student Life. He chairs the university’s Special Situations Team and oversees the Student Behavioral Issues Committee, playing a vital role in supporting students’ well-being and institutional safety. Jeffery also leads strategic planning and annual reporting efforts for his division and cultivates partnerships across Academic Affairs and University Health Services.
Throughout his career, Jeffery has worked in a variety of institutional settings, including small private colleges and large public research universities. His professional experience includes roles in residence life, campus activities, spirit and tradition programming, student organization development, leadership development, and community service initiatives. From 2014 to 2021, he served as Director of International Student Life at the University of Georgia, enhancing support and engagement for UGA’s international student population.
An engaged leader in the profession, Jeffery serves on the NASPA Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. In addition to his master’s degree from ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì, he holds a B.A. in Political Science from ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia’s Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education.
Jeffery values time with family and enjoys outdoor adventures with his wife, Lindsay Coco, and their two sons. He remains grateful for the foundation ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì provided in shaping his personal and professional journey in higher education.
