Laurel Donley

Laurel Donley was named vice provost and dean for student affairs in July 2023 after 10 years of service in student affairs at UNCSA and more than 20 years of experience in various academic and student affairs positions. 

Prior to her role as the vice provost and dean for student affairs, Donley served as assistant dean of student development and director of high school life, which includes oversight of high school life, residence life, new student orientation, student engagement, student assistance and support (case management), and the Fitness Center. She served as interim director of high school life from July 2020 to December 2021.

Previously at UNCSA, Donley served as a clinical case manager and director of student assistance and support for eight years, from 2013 to 2021.

Donley came to UNCSA from Wake Forest University, where she served as director of campus support services for three years and was a CARE (Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation) coordinator for seven years. Previously, she was a medical social worker for the High Point Regional Health System.

Donley has been a leader in student mental health, serving on the UNC System Mental Health Task Force and as a panelist for the UNC Board of Governors’ initiative on Collegiate Mental Health: Current Trends and Challenges. She has also presented at numerous conferences and convenings, including the UNC System Student Success Conference. A founding member of the Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA) in 2011, she served as president from 2018-2020. HECMA has more than 800 active members.

From 2016-17, Donley served as chair of Staff Council at UNCSA, developing several initiatives focusing on staff development and recognition. The standing ovation program that was developed under her leadership continues today. She received the Professional Staff Excellence Award in 2018 and was a Community Service Award recipient in 2015. She has been a Mental Health First Aid instructor at UNCSA since 2019.

Donley is a 2021 graduate of the University of North Carolina’s BRIDGES academic leadership professional development program. She has been a member of the Fordham University Parent Council since 2021 and a volunteer with the State Employees Credit Union (North Carolina) Family House since 2013.