I Spy: Travis Overton guides students
Reprinted from Diversity Works magazine
If you asked Coastal Carolina University students to describe Travis Overton, they would likely tell you that he is an incredible leader who is respected and appreciated for his guidance in their lives. In his position as dean of students, Overton serves as a generalist for students on the campus, assisting them with advocacy, addressing and resolving their behavioral concerns, supporting students through crises, and reviewing and developing policy that may affect students on the campus.
Overton's professional career path started very early. He was fortunate to be provided an opportunity with INROADS, the nation’s largest nonprofit source of paid internships for undergraduate, diverse youth, to participate in a full-time internship with Middle Tennessee State University immediately upon graduation from high school. During that internship, he worked in the Office of Student Affairs. That was his first opportunity to see how such a University department operated.
During his sophomore year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he pursued both bachelor's and master's degrees in business, Overton joined the management team of a collegiate apartment community, a position which he held throughout his college career. That position solidified his decision to pursue a career in higher education. While completing his master's degree, Overton worked as a resident director in housing, served as adviser to the gospel choir and the National Pan-Hellenic Council and completed a practicum in student affairs, working with student organizations. He subsequently transitioned to Coastal Carolina University as the coordinator of Greek life, later serving as the director of student conduct. In 2012, he obtained his current position as dean of students.
“This position was a mixture of supervising the student accountability process for the University and also finding global methods to support students through various challenges while attending school" said Overton about the allure of the position of dean of students. “This hybrid approach to the holistic development of the college student was very appealing.”
However, the position of dean of students is not without its challenges. It is particularly difficult when a student has a lot of potential, but the University is unable to help the student see that potential. “Our students come to the University prepared to grow and learn, so we want to provide that atmosphere for them. In case where a student is challenged with obstacles, that potential can be masked,” said Overton.
On the other hand, there are also rewards. And, according to Overton, “the most rewarding are those instances when a student realizes that potential and moves in the direction of that potential. To see a student grow is one of the highest rewards a University administrator can receive.”
In collaboration with numerous campus administration departments, including student life, athletics and the office of the vice president of student affairs, the Office of Dean of Students is continuously working to examine, expand and enhance the means by which students on campus come to feel connected to the University. Forging a connection to CCU is an invaluable facet of the student experience, leading to improved student retention and student success.
Overton advises all students to understand the roles of individuals in their lives, and, in the words of Mahatma Ghandi, to “Be the change you want to see in this world.”
For more information, Overton can be contacted via e-mail at toverton@coastal.edu or at 843-349-4161, and you can connect with him on Twitter @CCU_DSO.
