Will Atkins serves as an assistant vice president in the Division of Student Life at UF. He supports offices and departments committed to creating world-renowned student experiences that allow Gators to engage, transform and thrive in an evolving global society. He is passionate about cultivating affirming and inclusive environments on campus and supporting students’ sense of belonging while in college. To that end, one of the most rewarding endeavors of his professional career was leading the nearly $10 million reconstruction project of the historic Institute of Black Culture and Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures located on West University Avenue. This project united Gators from different generations to celebrate history, culture and community through the re-construction process.

Atkins is a member of the 2009 UF Hall of Fame and was recently recognized as a 2021 “40 Gators Under 40” recipient by the UF Alumni Association. He earned his BS in recreation, parks and tourism from UF, an MA in higher education administration from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and is graduating this semester with his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from UF’s College of Education.

[Profile added in 2022 for the HHP Spring Awards. Atkins was recognized as an Outstanding Young Alumni.]

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