Obituary: Courtney Nicole Salters-Henderson, BA’98, Student Mentor

Courtney Nicole Salters-Henderson
Courtney Nicole Salters-Henderson

Courtney Nicole Salters-Henderson, who spent much of her career helping Vanderbilt students develop their leadership skills through student organizations, died Jan. 26, 2017, in Nashville at age 41. She had been a member of the Vanderbilt community since her undergraduate days, and since 2005 had served as director of student organizations.

“Courtney’s optimism and quiet confidence infused students working through the challenges of leadership with enthusiasm and hopefulness. She helped many students be successful at Vanderbilt and in their personal lives,” said Mark Bandas, MA’79, PhD’85, associate provost and dean of students. “As her colleagues and friends, we are both pained by her loss and inspired by her life and work.”

Beginning her career in 1998 as an admissions counselor in Vanderbilt’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, she became assistant director in 2000. Two years later, seeking to make more meaningful connections with students, she transitioned to the Office of the Dean of Students as assistant director of student organizations and governance. In 2005 she was named director.

Salters-Henderson had an impact on many students, whether through the annual recruitment weekends she planned for underrepresented students as an admissions counselor, or the important lessons she provided to student leaders about accountability, conflict resolution and effective leadership. She played a critical role in advising Vanderbilt Student Government.

“Courtney was a dear and tremendous friend and mentor,” said VSG President Ariana Fowler, BS’17. “The patience, compassion and dedication she endlessly gave day to day were simply unparalleled in today’s busy world.”

Salters-Henderson had earned an MBA from Belmont University in 2008. She is survived by her husband, Ronald, and their son, Micah.

—MYVU