Director of Student Affairs

School of Public & International Affairs

Paul has directed SPIA’s Office of Student Affairs since 2002. He previously worked as an academic advisor and graduation certification office in Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at UGA. A native of Baytown, Texas, he often spent his summers as a child with his grandparents in Macon County, Georgia. Paul earned his bachelors degree in history from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas where he also lettered in track & field and cross country. After two years in Sweden, he arrived at UGA and earned a M.Ed. in social science education in 2000. He has also studied at UGA’s Institute of Higher Education. Paul is available to any SPIA student via e-mail at pdwelch@uga.edu and for remote office hours via Zoom Meeting ID. “I think the best action students can take is to read as widely as possible and not be afraid to explore new and different areas of inquiry. You get four years to dig into your interests before you enter the world of work. Do your best and don’t be afraid to go for it!”