Ed Mirecki, director of student activities at the University, is leaving to take on a similar position at the University of Washington Tacoma. Jan Barham, the associate dean of students and director of the Tate Student Center, will take over his job until a permanent replacement can be found, probably in the summer, Mirecki said.

Mirecki will be the director for student involvement at the University of Washington Tacoma, with responsibilities similar to those he’s had at the University — where he works with organizations such as the Student Government Association, University Union and WUOG — as well as overseeing leadership programs, volunteer programs and recreational sports.

ED MIRECKI

“The campus is growing in some new and exciting ways, so to be there and be part of that growth, that’s what’s really exciting about this position,” Mirecki said of the University of Washington Tacoma.

The Tacoma campus is a branch campus, similar to the University’s Gwinnett and Tifton campuses. The University of Washington Tacoma campus has only been open for about 20 years, Mirecki said.

“There’s not often in higher education the opportunity to be somewhere where things are brand new,” he said. “That’s what really exciting to me, to be there from the beginning.”

The move to Washington will also bring Mirecki closer to his family — “to be a part of my nephew’s life, instead of just seeing him once per year,” he said.

SGA President Mallory Davis said Mirecki has taught her about herself and her position in the time she has worked with him.

“Ed is one of those special people that rarely come into your life,” she said. “The first time I met Ed, he scared me to death, but I quickly learned he cares the most about the students.”

Mirecki’s last day at the University will be Jan. 31, after which Barham will take over his position.

“I think she’s been a really strong advocate for students, so we’re not going to miss a beat with her taking on these responsibilities,” Mirecki said. Serving in that position for several months will allow her to help the eventual permanent replacement for the job, he said.

Although leaving in the middle of the semester is not ideal, Mirecki said he “can’t pass an opportunity like this up. It’s one of those things where the right opportunity comes along and you have to jump at the chance.”

He expects that students won’t notice much of a change.

“I think I’m successful as an adviser when no one even knows I’m there,” he said. He works to empower student leaders, and those student leaders and staff are doing an “amazing job” with or without him, he said.

Although he’s excited for the opportunity, Mirecki said it’s hard to leave the University.

“It’s been an amazing experience here,” he said. “It’s exceeded any of my wildest expectations. I’ve really fallen in love with the University of Georgia and the students here … it’s making it really hard to leave.”