Bio

Susan was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Thomas and Maxine Coker.  She was raised in Lowndesboro,  attended Lowndes Academy, and is a 1982 graduate.  She then attended the University of Alabama, earning a BS degree, followed by Troy University to obtain a master’s degree in Education.  Susan spent 13 years in the classrooms of Montgomery. Autauga and Tuscaloosa Counties.  In 1999, Dr. Tom Umphrey recruited her to Shelton State to join her husband Barry.  Her first official title was Athletic Coordinator.  Susan was charged with consolidating many different aspects of the athletic department, including but not limited to, academic advising for student-athletes, budgets, travel, publicity and tournaments.   During this time, Shelton was fielding teams in Women’s Soccer, Men’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, softball and baseball.  She assisted with the publishing of media guides for each sport and her office became the hub for the Athletic Department.   She helped to establish a Start-Up Advising Day designed for student-athletes, started a competitive cheerleading team, added a dance team, began the Shelton State Homecoming activities, held All-Star Basketball games on campus and coordinated/hosted the Alabama Community College Conference Basketball Championships. Susan’s role with the College grew when she was named Assistant Dean of Students for Athletics and Student Activities.     A new area of the college was designed on the second floor to house the athletic offices along with student clubs and organizations.  Susan assisted coaches with all aspects of their programs and was a vital piece of many student-athlete’s time on the Shelton State campus.  She coordinated the Adopt-A-School program and planned events and activities that took Shelton athletes into the local elementary and high schools and also arranged tours of the Shelton campus for our partner schools.  She served as a liaison to high school athletes who were being recruited to Shelton and was a point of contact for 4- year coaches who were recruiting athletes to join their programs.  Susan was instrumental in giving Shelton State athletics a foundation of excellence and she worked tirelessly for both the coaches and the student-athletes during her 16 years at the college.

Since her retirement, she has worked part-time at Lowndes Academy. She stays busy with church and community endeavors but the majority of her time is spent being SuSu to her 2 grandboys, and she has 2 more on the way.