Southeastern names Summers Vice President for Student Affairs
Friday, October 28, 2016
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Eric J. Summers of Hammond, a Southeastern Louisiana University employee
since 2000, has been named the university’s vice president for student affairs.
His appointment follows a nationwide search and is subject to approval by the
University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, Southeastern’s governing body.
Summers has served as assistant to the vice president for student affairs since
2011, where he filled the roles of diversity educator, chief conduct officer, and
principal administrative officer.
“Dr. Summers brings to his new role a broad array of experiences in student affairs,”
said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “We are looking forward to working with
him to further enhance the engagement and success of our students.”
Starting as a residential housing coordinator, Summers advanced through several
positions at the university. He served as director of Multicultural and International
Student Affairs from 2001 to 2011, providing leadership in the university’s diversity
efforts. From 2007 to 2011 he served as conduct officer, in which he administered
the student disciplinary process and conducted hearings for alleged violations of
the Southeastern Student Code of Conduct.
A mentor for numerous students, Summers introduced Project PULL (“Promoting Unity
through Leadership and Learning”), a student development program, that provides transitional
support and guidance for minority first-year students. He helped create the first
African-American Alumni Chapter in cooperation with the Southeastern Alumni Association,
and has served on numerous committees, including the University Planning Council,
University Budget Advisory Committee, and the Institutional Effectiveness Committee.
Summers has served on the advisory board for the Columbia Theatre for the Performing
Arts, the Leadership Tangipahoa Board of Directors, and as advisor to the NAACP Collegiate
Chapter. He has been honored with the Southeastern Alumni Association’s L.E. Chandler
Award, presented to a staff or faculty member in recognition of their work with students.
A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a doctorate in education administration-higher
education, he also holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and
student personnel from the University of Mississippi, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology
from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg.