Cheryl Evans Jones

Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones has over 26 years of experience in higher education at Paine College. During her tenure at Paine, she has held several positions. Dr. Jones joined the faculty in January 1993 as a full-time Assistant Professor of Psychology. In 1999, she was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor and in 2001, she earned Tenure status. Dr. Jones was twice recipient of the "Evelyn Berry Teacher of the Year" Award (in 2002 and 1998). She was a recipient of the Vulcan Materials Company "Teaching Excellence Awards-2001" presented by Vulcan Materials Company and the Georgia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Inc. "in recognition of outstanding contributions to undergraduate education, student learning, and campus life." While at Paine College, Dr. Jones has held the positions of Coordinator of the Department of Psychology, Interim Chair of the Division of Social Sciences, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, Executive Assistant to the President which included Title III Coordinator and Director of Planning and Evaluation, and Acting Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Prior to her current appointment as Acting President, Dr. Jones served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Jones has advised and mentored many students as they matriculated through Paine College and completed their senior theses. She was recently recognized by Perry Broadcasting of Augusta as the "Education Professional of the Year."

Dr. Jones served as the College's Accreditation Liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) from 1996 to 2019. Professionally, she has served as a SACSCOC reviewer participating in Special Committee visits, Off-Site Review Committee visits, and On-Site Reaffirmation visits. She was the Self-Study Director for the College's Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) Institutional Self-Study during its application and candidacy stages. Dr. Jones has also served as an external evaluator with The Dawson Group of Virginia, Incorporated.

For five years prior to joining the faculty of Paine College, Dr. Jones was employed as a Clinical-Child Psychologist in Columbus, Ohio.

A native of Augusta, Dr. Jones received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology summa cum laude from Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee). While at Fisk University, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences. She received the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Clinical-Child/Development Psychology from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio).

Dr. Jones is an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church where she serves as a Ruling Elder on Session and Treasurer of the Ellis-Harris Presbyterian Women; she is one of two people who presents the Children's Talk during Sunday worship. In the Augusta community, Dr. Jones is Vice President of Membership for The Augusta (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and Treasurer of The Friends of The Augusta Chorale. Dr. Jones was initiated into the Zeta Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1979. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Augusta and also served on its Board of Directors.