Corey Wilson – Agnes Scott College

In the quiet, tree-lined streets of Decatur, Georgia, Agnes Scott College is a monument to tradition and transformation. Since its founding in 1889, the liberal arts college has served as a beacon for intellectually curious, socially engaged students ready to change the world. With accolades like being named the No. 1 Most Innovative National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report, Agnes Scott is known for blazing new trails while honoring its storied past.

One of the people ensuring that the balance between legacy and progress is maintained daily is Corey Wilson, the director of facilities for Agnes Scott College. A native of the Decatur area who has lived in the community for over 40 years, Wilson brings decades of operational experience and a deep personal investment to his role. Employed through Aramark, which partners with the college on facilities services, Wilson leads a team committed to an operationally sound campus to improve efficiency, uphold sustainability, and preserve the college’s historical beauty.

“At the end of the day, I don’t do the work alone—I partner with an amazing team,” Wilson says. “My job is to give them the tools, the recognition, and the support to do that work at the highest level.”

Agnes Scott’s campus features more than 30 buildings—many of them historic—and Wilson’s team is responsible for maintaining each one. From instructional buildings and residence halls to administrative spaces and faculty homes, the scope of his responsibilities is broad and demanding. And with historic structures come challenges.

“We deal with deferred maintenance constantly,” Wilson explains. “These buildings weren’t designed with today’s standards in mind, so bringing them up to code while preserving their character takes creativity—and funding.”

A notable renovation includes the complete overhaul of Hopkins Hall, a 19,140-square-foot building soon to house the college’s new Physician Assistant program.

“We knew the program was coming and the space would be available,” Wilson says. “So, we gutted the building, added a new elevator, and upgraded everything to be fully code compliant. It’s a blend of new labs and classrooms, and it’ll be ready to support students by 2026.”

Another major project wrapped up last fall: the renovation of Main Hall, a 44,000-square-foot building dating back to the 1860s. The building now includes student housing, career services, and the college president’s office. Wilson takes pride in preserving its historical essence.

“Students must walk into these spaces and feel the legacy,” he says. “That sense of history is part of what makes Agnes Scott special.”

Building toward sustainability

While honoring the past, Wilson is intensely focused on the future—especially regarding environmental responsibility. Partnering closely with the college’s sustainability department, Wilson’s team implements practices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and benefit the surrounding community.

“We don’t just throw things away,” he says. “We recycle metal, ensure e-waste is properly handled, and donate reusable materials, like large stone blocks, to local facilities that can make good use of them. It’s about being ready for tomorrow—it’s just the right thing to do.”

These practices aren’t just good for the environment—they’re good for the college. Sustainability has become a key factor in student decisions, and Wilson knows it.

“We’re attracting students who care about the planet. When they see how seriously we take sustainability, it strengthens their commitment to Agnes Scott.”

The college is also investing in smart energy management, with Wilson overseeing a campus-wide shift to automation.

“We’re 100 percent automated across our campus with Automated Logic,” he says. “Three buildings are still on Honeywell, but we’re phasing those out. It’s about efficiency, but also about reducing our carbon footprint.”

A people-first leadership philosophy

Wilson, who once envisioned a career in criminal justice before pivoting into operations roles with companies like CarMax, UPS, and EchoPark Automotive, has a leadership journey grounded in one principle: take care of people.

“Simon Sinek said, ‘Leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about taking care of those in your charge,’ and I try to live that,” Wilson says. “If I care for my team, they’ll care for the college.”

His facilities department includes over 30 team members: 22 custodians, nine technicians and five managers. Every Monday, his leadership team meets to nominate an “Employee of the Week,” with recognition based on 25 performance categories.

“We want to catch people doing things right,” he says. “When someone goes above and beyond, we celebrate it. That kind of recognition builds pride and retention.”

It’s a strategy that works. Wilson’s department boasts strong employee retention, which he credits to fostering a culture where everyone feels seen and valued. But he’s also considering that some of his senior custodial leads are nearing retirement.

“There’s a silver wave coming,” Wilson says. “So, we’re focused on bringing in new people now—ordinary people who can see how extraordinary they can be. We need to capture the knowledge before it walks out the door.”

Beyond campus

Wilson’s impact extends beyond campus. As a longtime Decatur resident, he actively participates in city committees and community engagement efforts, reinforcing Agnes Scott’s role as a good neighbor. He is also an active member of the Decatur Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a brotherhood rooted in the principle of Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor—a value he strives to embody through both his professional service and community involvement.

“We don’t operate in a bubble,” he says. “This college is part of the fabric of Decatur, and we are responsible for upholding that.”

Whether beautifying the campus to attract prospective students or ensuring compliance with new safety mandates like the state’s elevator door-lock monitoring requirements, Wilson approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness and pragmatism.

“Sometimes the biggest wins come from simple fixes,” he says. “If something’s broken, you fix it—that’s the same whether you’re running a car lot or a college.”

Even though Wilson is relatively new to higher education—having joined Agnes Scott in early 2024—his operational instincts and people-first approach have quickly made a mark.

“Managing people is managing people,” he reflects. “It doesn’t matter what field you’re in. But here, you get to see your work’s direct impact on students’ lives, and that’s pretty special.”

Agnes Scott College’s mission centers on cultivating change-makers—dreamers, doers, and difference-makers. Corey Wilson’s work may be behind the scenes but integral to that mission. Wilson exemplifies the ideals the college promotes by stewarding the physical environment with care, investing in his team, and remaining rooted in community values.

“We’re not just maintaining buildings,” he says. “We’re shaping experiences. Every clean hallway, every working elevator, every well-preserved historic detail—it all matters. It’s how we show students they’re in a place that cares about their future.”

And thanks to Wilson’s leadership, that future looks more sustainable, innovative and connected than ever.