The Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management for all programs and services within Student Affairs. Dr. André L. Fortune is dedicated to working collaboratively to transform the student experience and enhance student success from recruitment through graduation and beyond.

Prior to joining UWG, Fortune served as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at the University of South Carolina Upstate, the largest public regional comprehensive university in the Upstate of South Carolina. He has previously served in several higher education leadership roles directing recruitment and retention initiatives at the institutional and academic college level, as well as overseeing traditional student affairs units.

A first-generation college graduate and native of Kansas City, Kansas, Dr. Fortune earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies and master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Kansas (KU), and his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). He has held leadership roles at both his alma maters, starting his career as an admissions counselor at KU prior to directing the recruitment efforts of the UNL College of Engineering. He later transitioned to directing multicultural affairs before being elevated to senior leadership positions at UNL and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Dr. Fortune is also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. His Sigma brothers, his family, and a host of higher education administrators provided him with a blueprint to reach his goals. An active member of NASPA and a host of higher education organizations, Dr. Fortune strives to do the same for the next generation of leaders.

His research interests include student retention and persistence, as well as higher education leadership. Dr. Fortune enjoys spending time with his wife and their three growing children. When not spending time with family or on campus, he likes volunteer coaching, reading, playing golf and basketball, and visiting amusement parks.