After 20 years of opening her doors to the first set of students, Covenant University has her first female Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA). She is Mrs. Shola Coker, a 2007 graduate from Department of Psychology, Covenant University.
Addressing the University Chapel yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, said the Board of Regents of the University has appointed Mrs. Shola Coker as the new DSA following the completion of term of the former, Professor David Imhonopi.
Professor Adebayo conveyed the gratitude of the Board and University Management to Professor Imhonopi for being a remarkable steward; serving dedicatedly and tirelessly during his tenure, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Mrs. Shola Coker holds a Masters in Managerial Psychology, Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management and she is a member Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria, Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.
She joined the service of the Counselling Unit of Covenant University in 2013, and has served in many committees of the University. These include, Student Support Program (SSP), Onesimus Project, Convocation Planning Committee (CPC), Covenant Illuminations (Coordinator), Sports Committee and the Covenant University Scholastic and Aptitude Screening.
She is an active member of two research clusters in the University, and successfully got the Martha Farrell Fellowship Grant for Sexual Harassment Trainings in Higher Institutions in October 2021 and she is a board member of the Hebron Start-up Lab. She also currently serves as the Vice President, University Relations on the Covenant University Alumni Association Leadership team.
Mrs. Shola Coker has attended and facilitated many training programmes directed at issues of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment, Counselling for Security and Psycho-Social Wellness, Career and Professional Women, Awareness on Climate Change, and Emotional Intelligence for Women.
In her remarks, the new DSA, Mrs Coker, said she is honoured to have been found worthy to be appointed in this highly exalted office. She envisions a highly disciplined army of new generation kings and queens who are responsible, innovative, excellent in their academics, mentally and emotionally sound and able to contribute to solutions globally.
According to her, as an alumnus, the vision the Chancellor had from inception will be fully driven to manifestation in the lives of all students of the University.
A Regent of the University Board, Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, was on ground to pray for the former DSA, Professor David Imhonopi; the new DSA, Mrs Shola Coker; and Sub-Dean, Mr Gordons Adebayo for a successful transition and fruitful tenure of the new leadership.
Mrs Coker is the third Eagle of the University to hold the DSA position at Covenant University. Interestingly, her father, Pastor (Dr.) Olu Olulana, was the first Dean of Student Affairs at Covenant University.