The Division of Student Affairs will have a few new staff members welcoming students back for the fall semester. Jeff Cathey, Frank Cuevas and Melissa Shivers will experience their first Welcome Week at UT Knoxville this year. Cathey came to UT during the spring semester as a new associate dean of students. Having both arrived on campus over the summer, Cuevas is the new executive director of University Housing and Shivers is the assistant vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs.
A native of Shelbyville, Tenn., Cathey graduated from UT Knoxville in 1995 and went on to earn a master’s degree in college student personnel in 1998. He worked in student activities on the Knoxville campus until 2001, when he headed west to accept an associate dean of students position at Colorado College in Colorado Springs.
“In Jeff’s brief period as an associate dean of students, he has demonstrated excellent organizational and interpersonal skills,” said Maxine Davis, dean of students. “Students enjoy working with Jeff because he has taken time to get to know them and their issues and concerns. He has been a great addition to our staff.”
Cathey is married to Maureen Verba, a UT alumna who also worked at the university. They have two children, Spencer and Rachel.
Cuevas joins UT Knoxville from Florida State University (FSU) where he served as the associate director for administrative services for University Housing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and a master’s degree in higher education, both from FSU. In May 2010, Cuevas earned a doctorate in education from FSU. He received FSU’s Maxwell Carraway Award in the spring, which honors an exceptional employee selected by university faculty, staff and students.
“Dr. Cuevas is a nationally known and respected leader within the profession,” said Ken Stoner, associate vice chancellor for student affairs. “We are extremely fortunate that he decided to join the UT family. In addition to his professional knowledge and leadership capabilities, Dr. Cuevas is a world-class human being.”
Originally from Naples, Fla., Cuevas grew up traveling state to state with his family during summers, working as migrant workers. While working on a farm near the FSU Tallahassee campus one summer during middle school, he became determined to one day attend the university. Cuevas and his wife Cathy have two children, Alyssa and Brandon.
Shivers previously served as director of the Depa
rtment of Intercultural Affairs at the University of Georgia. She attended Georgia Southern University where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She also received a master’s degree in education from Clemson University, and in May she will receive her Ph.D. in college student affairs administration from the University of Georgia.
“We are excited to have Melissa in the Division of Student Affairs,” said Tim Rogers, vice chancellor of student affairs. “Her experience and abilities, combined with her enthusiasm and passion for students, make her an ideal fit for this role. Melissa will undoubtedly be a great asset to our division, the campus and the community.”
Shivers joins Rogers and Stoner on the divisional administrative team. She is the current president-elect for the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, a regional association focused on the development and growth of student affairs practitioners and professionals. She also serves as a lead facilitator for the LeaderShape Institute in Champaign, Ill. LeaderShape is an intensive, six-day educational experience designed to equip young adults to become extraordinary leaders. In her spare time, Shivers enjoys visiting with and spoiling nephews Jhared and Jordan who live in Winder, Ga.
For more information on the Division of Student Affairs, visit http://studentaffairs.utk.edu.