Champions for Children: Jason Umfress

Dr. Jason W. Umfress serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, GA. Entering his eleventh year in this role, Jason is responsible for managing the Coastal Georgia student experience outside the classroom, from recruitment through graduation.

Over his 24-year career in higher education, he has served in a variety of positions and currently holds a graduate faculty appointment in the Early College of Education at the University of Georgia. A first-generation college student, Jason earned a bachelor's degree from Delta State University (MS), a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia (GA), and a Ph.D. from Clemson University (SC).

A native of Hatley, Mississippi, Jason moved to the Golden Isles of Georgia in July 2014. Shortly after his arrival, he joined the Golden Isles Arts & Humanities Board of Directors, where he currently serves as Immediate Past President. Jason is a board member of Forward Brunswick, a former board member of the United Way of Coastal Georgia, and a graduate of Leadership Glynn County. He serves as chair of PorchFest Brunswick and was named a Brunswick “Big Wig” by the Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia Foundation in 2018.

Jason is a proud resident of the historic Old Town neighborhood in downtown Brunswick, where he and his husband, Josh, share their circa-1900 home.