Go back

Leadership Team

Dametraus Jaggers

Dametraus Jaggers, PhD.
Executive Director
(931) 221-6641
jaggersd@apsu.edu

  • Education: Bachelors of Business in Marketing and Master of Education in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel from Kent State University. Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 
  • Location: McReynolds 118A

 

Dr. Dametraus Jaggers is an experienced higher education leader, scholar and researcher. His has diverse experience in higher education student affairs, academic affairs and faculty roles. Prior to Austin Peay, Dr. Jaggers was the Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan at Tennessee State University. As the Senior Director of the Dowdy Multicultural Center at West Chester University, Dr. Jaggers provided leadership and strategic direction for student multicultural programming and student success initiatives.


 

Whitney Milliken

Whitney Milliken
Student Success Coordinator
(931) 221-7897
millikenl@apsu.edu

  • College: Arts and Letters
  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Master of Science in Organization Communication from Murray State University
  • Location: McReynolds 108

 

Whitney Milliken is a Clarksville native and began her career at Austin Peay in 2008. Her professional experience includes work as an academic advisor and student success coordinator working with CoAL students. Whitney has prior experience coordinating the Peer Leader program, teaching peer leadership courses, APSU 1000, and PASS 0900. Whitney is passionate about helping students be successful and helping them navigate their way through the college experience. 

Mary Lawman

Mary Lawman
Student Success Coordinator
(931) 221-6084
lawmanm@apsu.edu

  • College: Behavioral and Health Sciences
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Saint Joseph's College, Master of Science in Academic Advising from Kansas State University
  • Location: McReynolds 110

 

Mary Lawman has worked at APSU since the spring of 2017, helping students strengthen the skills that will help them succeed in college. Initially, with the Academic Support Center, Mary worked as the academic alert coordinator. She continues working with students in Student Success as an advisor and student success coordinator. Before moving to Ft. Campbell, Mary worked for McNeese State University as the Fort Polk program coordinator. She has also lived in Virginia and Heidelberg, Germany. Before frequent moves with the military, Mary worked for Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, as the assistant director of admissions.


 

Ajay Thompson

Ajay Thompson
Student Success Coordinator
(931) 221-7695
thompsonaj@apsu.edu

  • College: BSGS, Liberal Arts, Academic Focus & College of Education
  • Education: Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University, Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising from Austin Peay State University
  • Location: McReynolds 111
 

Ajay Thompson joined the Student Success team in July 2019. Ajay was formerly an Academic Advisor, and she wrote: "I love that I have the opportunity to support students as they make their transition into the University, help them overcome challenges, and connect them with opportunities to make their first-year experience at Austin Peay great." Ajay has previous experience in college student affairs and admissions. Ajay currently serves as an adjunct instructor for APSU 1000, APSU 4010, and PASS 0900. She has a Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.


 

Mark Gray

Mark Gray
Student Success Coordinator
(931) 221-7142
graym@apsu.edu 

  • College: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics 
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Education from University of Kentucky, Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from University of Kentucky, Master of Art in Business Education from Eastern Kentucky University, and Post-Master's in School Administration from Western Kentucky University.
  • Majors Advised: Engineering Technology, Mathematics, and Radiological Sciences.
  • Location: McReynolds 105

 

Mark Gray has over 30 years of experience in the field of education. Mark has worked at APSU for the last 12 years helping academically at-risk students succeed. First, with the TRIO Student Support Services program and now with the Center for Teaching and Learning, Mark has worked as an advisor and student success coordinator while at Austin Peay. Mark was also a teacher for ten years on the high school level, an adjunct instructor for four years on the community college level, and served as an Associate Professor for five years at Vincennes University. In addition, Mark’s career has included working for eight years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a soil scientist and conservationist.


 

 

 

 

 


 

Ryan Combs

Ryan Combs
Student Success Coordinator for First Year Seminar and the Peer Leader Program
(931) 221-6429
combsr@apsu.edu 

  • Education: Bachelor of Arts from Belmont University; Master of Sport Administration from Belmont University
  • Location: Miller 205

 

Ryan Combs joins the Student Success staff after working in APSU Athletics from 2016-2021. In the athletics department, Ryan served as the Director of Student-Athlete Development and oversaw the academic success of APSU baseball, volleyball, women’s basketball, and soccer student-athletes. Originally from Hazard, Ky, Ryan received his Bachelors and Masters from Belmont University, and is currently working towards his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at APSU.