Columbus State University News

New Presidential Fellows cohort announced

September 28, 2026

Promotional graphic announcing the selection of the 2026-07 Columbus State University Presidential Fellows, displayed against a navy background featuring the university seal.

President Stuart Rayfield has selected her newest cohort of Presidential Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. This group of students and employees will continue partnering with her to help identify campus challenges that can be addressed quickly. Fellows serve as the eyes and ears of university leadership by identifying and suggesting ways to enhance the university experience for all.

“Fellows broaden our reach to all corners of the university by gathering open and honest feedback from their classmates and peers about what it’s like to study and work at Columbus State,” Rayfield said. “Our fellows continue to provide candid observations of what it’s like to be a Columbus State student or employee as we strive to practice servant leadership.”

The year’s Presidential Fellows cohort includes:

  • Dr. Benjamin Baker, associate professor, Department of Strategic Communication, Media & Film
  • JB Belle II, senior, Earth and space science
  • Jayde Colson, junior, management
  • Masiah Jones, junior, robotics engineering
  • Whit Gaines, head of library systems and eResources, Columbus State Libraries
  • Yvette Maxwell, academic success coach, Center for Academic Coaching
  • Lisa Nixon, executive assistant, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Nathariya Phimsoutham, sophomore, criminal justice
  • Dr. Lydia Ray, professor, TSYS School of Computer Science
  • Dr. Markus Weidler, associate professor, Department of History, Geography & Philosophy
  • Dr. Steven Wright, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH, associate professor of counseling education, Department of Teacher Education, Leadership & Counseling
  • Devin Yerkins, student account specialist, Student Account Services

Established during the 2024-05 academic year, Rayfield said she has already seen how the Presidential Fellows have expanded opportunities, removed barriers and streamlined processes to improve experiences for both students and employees. She pointed to recent successes that originated within the Presidential Fellows program: creating a Campus Leadership Council to build leadership-level awareness, hosting presidential town halls, authoring monthly email updates to strengthen campuswide communication with students and employees, and planning events focused on improving civil discourse throughout the university.

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR