ANN BAILEY, ph.d.

Dr. Ann Bailey began her higher education career in 1984 as a graduate student at Florida State University under the direction of Dr. Melvene Draheim Hardee. In 2017, Bailey retired from Mississippi State University as director of Housing and Residence Life and relocated to Destin, Florida, to launch a second career as a Senior Executive Search Consultant with Greenwood Asher & Associates, a higher education executive search firm. Ann’s search expertise varies from presidential, provost, and academic dean roles to vice president roles within the areas of student affairs, enrollment management, and advancement.

A Birmingham, Alabama native, she holds degrees from the University of Montevallo (B.S. in Counseling and Guidance), Florida State University (M.S. in Higher Education), and Mississippi State University (Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration). Bailey worked in student affairs and housing positions at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, early in her career and at the Mississippi Department of Education with the Governor’s Office for Literacy initiatives in adult education and adult literacy. 

Bailey’s involvement in SACSA began in 1984 when she attended her first conference as a graduate student in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and signed up for the New Professionals Committee. One role led to another over the years. Bailey was on the ballot for executive council leadership roles and eventually served as Local Arrangements Chair for the Biloxi 2002 Conference, and President-Elect, President, and Past President. She also served in various roles on the SACSA Foundation Board and regularly served as a judge for the Annual Case Study Competition. During her career, Bailey has actively participated in numerous professional associations, including NASPA and NASPA Region III, the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International, the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers, the Southeastern Conference Chief Housing Officers group, and the Mississippi Association of Housing Officers. Bailey currently serves on the Board of the Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics in Higher Education at Florida State University. She will always give credit and appreciation to the late Dr. Mel Hardee and “The LifeNet” for the introduction to SACSA and Mississippi State University for support of her continued involvement.