From Rural Mississippi to Rural Pennsylvania
Gibson brings experience and passion to student affairs job.
Raphael Clifton and Anessa Hodgson
Issue date: 3/8/10 Section: News
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Gibson is in her second year as the director of Student Life and Development and her third and a half year servicing the Lincoln University community. In addition to her role as director, she is also the Associate Dean of Students.
Everyday Gibson's tasks change as she oversees a number of services and programs on campus, including, Health Services, The Counseling Center, Upward Bound, The Men's Center, The Chapel, and Student Life and Development. Gibson describes her responsibilities as providing the services that students need to live comfortably and fosters an environment for success.
"We support, empower, and promote the success of students. It's what I do everyday" she said.
Gibson is the former Director of the McNair program at Georgia State University where she helped prepare undergraduate students for doctoral study. She also taught at Morris Brown College in Georgia for a short time. Now, Gibson serves the first Historically Black University and she appreciates the experience.
"It gives me a chance to work with students that look like me. It is a much more intimate setting so it gives you a great opportunity to have a one on one [relationship]."
Thus far, Gibson's most memorable experience at the university was witnessing the first new student orientation she attended in 2008. She was moved by the number of students of color all preparing to begin a journey toward higher education together.
"It was a pleasure to see that first class come in," she said.
Gibson has traveled a long way from the small rural town in Mississippi where she was born to become an important piece in helping Lincoln University students strive towards advancing the legacy. Her relationship with both her colleagues and students has helped the campus community flourish.
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