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President's Executive Team & Cabinet

Michelle Johnston

Michelle Johnston, Ph.D.

President
Johnston became president of Georgia Southwestern on June 1, 2024. She is the first female president in GSW history. Johnston previously served as president of the College of Coastal Georgia from July 2018 to May 2024. Prior to joining Coastal Georgia, Johnston spent more than 25 years in higher education administration, including as president of the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College in Ohio.

Rachel Abbott

Rachel Abbott, Ph.D.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Abbott became interim Provost on February 1, 2025., bringing 22 years of experience within the University System of Georgia. Prior to her tenure at Georgia Southwestern State University, she was at the University of West Georgia as an Assistant Professor. She received her Doctor of Philosophy in Health Education and Health Promotion from the University of Alabama in 2005. She holds a Master of Education from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Science from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of degree from Longwood College. For the past 11 years, Abbott has held the position of Dean of the College of Education. Her recent work has focused on partnering with local schools and the Georgia Department of Education to introduce registered teacher apprenticeship programs to rural school systems in Georgia. In addition, she serves as a chair on Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) accreditation review teams and as an invited member of the Evaluation Review Panel for the GaPSC. 

Jeff Hall

Jeff Hall, CPA

Vice President for Business and Finance

Jeff Hall returned to Georgia Southwestern in September 2020 and serves as the Vice President for Business and Finance. In this role, he supervises the offices of Accounting Services, Purchasing, Materials Management, Auxiliary Services, Public Safety, Student Accounts and Physical Plant. Jeff previously served as GSW’s Comptroller from 2010-2017 and Albany State University’s Controller for 3 years after that. He has also worked as an auditor for the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Financial Manager. Jeff earned both of his degrees from GSW, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in 2001 and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2005.

Dr. Gaye Hayes

Gaye Hayes, Ph.D.

Interim Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
Hayes has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, having previously served as Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. In that role, she played a significant part in the University's growth over the last several years. Hayes earned her Ph.D. from Georgia State University and her M.Ed. from the University of Georgia. She is a GSW alumna, having earned her Bachelor of Science from Georgia Southwestern. 

Stephen Snyder

Stephen E. Snyder, MBA

Assistant Vice President for Advancement, GSW Foundation Executive Director
Snyder joined the Georgia Southwestern staff in 2007 as a development officer before transitioning into the role of University Relations Director, where he served for more than 10 years. Prior to being named Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director to the GSW Foundation, he served as Special Assistant to the President. Snyder provides oversight for the Foundation, Marketing and Communications, Alumni Services, Annual Fund, Advancement Services, Development and Government Relations. Snyder earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern.

Extended Cabinet Members

Royce Hackett

Royce Hackett

Director of Information & Instructional Technology/Chief Information Officer
Royce Hackett came to GSW in 1997 as a member of the campus Information and Instructional Technology team. He was named the University’s Chief Information Officer in April of 2007, and is responsible for the integration of technology into the instructional and administrative missions of the University. Hackett earned his Associate of Applied Science from Columbus State University, and his Bachelor of Science and his Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Southwestern.

Luke Ellis

Luke Ellis

Assistant Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Luke Ellis has been very active in the world of admissions for the state of Georgia through his tenure with the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and now as Assistant Director of GSW Admissions for his alma mater. In this role, Ellis has led numerous campus tours that promote enrollment at GSW. He is also the strategist assisting the "road warrior" admissions counselors in their goals of record-breaking enrollment for the past 3 years. He serves as the president of the Staff Senate, as a general advisor to his fraternity Sigma Chi and assists with all efforts to uphold the values of the fraternity and positively impact the Greek Life community of GSW.

Mike Leeder

Mike Leeder

Director of Athletics
Mike Leeder has served as the University’s athletic director since 2014, focusing his attention on and raising funds for all 10 Hurricane sports. Previously, Leeder was the head coach of the Men's Basketball Program for 12 seasons. Leeder was named the Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year for the 2010-2011 season. Prior to joining GSW, Leeder served as head men’s basketball coach at Longwood University (1999-2003). He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Florida State University, and a Master of Science degree in education from Nova Southeastern University.

Jamie MacLennan

Jamie MacLennan, Ph.D.

President of Faculty Senate, Professor of Sociology, and Chair of the Psychology and Sociology Department

Jamie MacLennan joined GSW in 2008.  He is a Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Psychology and Sociology Department.  He also currently serves as the Faculty Senate President.  He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in 2005.  Dr. MacLennan studied social interactions among Appalachian Trail long-distance hikers for doctoral dissertation, completing an end-to-end hike of the 2,172.6-mile trail in 2003.  He is currently researching social-psychological factors related to the development of alcohol use disorder.