Carol Silvers, marketing and administrative coordinator in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office, joined Georgia Tech in 1993. She was hired as an administrative secretary in the dean’s office of the newly formed Ivan Allen College working with Dean Robert Hawkins, Associate Dean Fred Tarpley, and the dean’s assistant, Louetta Payne. She began by answering phones and questions, then handled Dean Hawkin’s correspondence.

“It was a different era then: Dean Hawkins dictated his letters, proposals, etc., or wrote them in long hand when he was flying, and I typed them up – on a typewriter,” said Silvers.

Silvers has continued to assist subsequent deans, but her main responsibilities transitioned to working with Development and Communications. She worked with the College’s original director of development, Ski Hilenski. 

This afforded her opportunities to learn about development, advancement, and stewardship of donors. Today, as the marketing and administrative coordinator for the College’s offices of Development and Communications, she has several key functions.  She makes calls for new donor cultivation; she prepares impact reports to donors that demonstrate how their funding contributions make a difference; manages a weekly calendar that goes out to the College and executives on campus; and manages logistics for key events such as the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Dean Jacqueline Royster describes Silvers as an “invaluable member of our team.”

For many years, Silvers has handled logistics for the college’s pinnacle events including galas, Founder’s Day celebrations, symposia, events presenting the Ivan Allen prizes for Progress and Service and for Social Courage, and our Distinguished Alumni Awards. These challenging events have spanned anywhere from one to five days and involved complex arrangements, invitations lists, RSVPs, catering, travel and space arrangements, security, and much more. Through these events, the College engages state, national, and international dignitaries including congressmen and senators, governors, prestigious business and global policy leaders. 

“Carol ensures a first-rate experience for our guests and oversees details small and large that realize the specific goals for each event and that represent the College in the absolute best possible light to our constituents,” said Rebecca Keane, Director of Communications for the College. “Year after year, the logistics for these events have been flawless under Carol’s direction.” 

Since beginning at the Ivan Allen College, Silvers has seen her three children through college and into successful careers:  one daughter is a veterinarian, another is a registered nurse, and her son is an entrepreneur who runs a successful commercial construction business. In the midst of often long hours at the office, and a commute to Stone Mountain, she finds time to care for her husband Dale, two dogs and a cat, and stay active and engaged with 10 grandchildren. 

On April 17, Silvers was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes employees that have contributed 25 years of service to the College.