Javier A. McCoy, M.Ed., ‘13, is a higher education leader, student advocate, and servant leader whose work is grounded in one enduring belief: students matter most.
Affectionately known across campus as “Big Unc,” Mr. McCoy is known for his authentic relationships with students, his willingness to advocate on their behalf, and his commitment to pouring into the next generation of leaders. Whether through mentorship, organizational advising, campus engagement, or simply being present when students need someone in their corner, he strives to leave every student better equipped and more confident than when they first encountered him.
Throughout his tenure at WVU, Mr. McCoy has held several leadership positions, including Interim Director of the Center for Black Culture, Assistant Director for Inclusive.
Leadership & Intercultural Engagement, and Residence Hall Coordinator. Before joining WVU, he served as an Area Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life and as the Inaugural Coordinator of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Wheeling Jesuit University.
Mr. McCoy has served West Virginia University (WVU) since 2019 and currently serves as Director of the Center for Community, Connections, and Culture, where he leads efforts to foster community, belonging, meaningful engagement, and holistic student success. In this role, he also advises the Black Student Union and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), serves as advisor to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and serves as the campus advisor for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. His commitment to students and the university community has been recognized through several honors, including the Distinguished Service Award from the WVU Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life in April 2026 and the Mountaineer Value Coin from the WVU Dean of Students in December 2023.
Across each of these roles, Mr. McCoy has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to creating environments where students feel seen, supported, connected, and empowered to succeed. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in servant leadership, mentorship, relationship-building, and the belief that institutions have a responsibility to cultivate spaces where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Mr. McCoy is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he currently serves as District Director for the District of West Virginia. He is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Incorporated. Through his fraternal and professional service, he continues to champion leadership development, mentorship, scholarship, and service to others.
At the heart of Mr. McCoy’s professional and personal mission is a simple but powerful charge passed down from his mentor, “Mama” Sharon Smith Banks: “Students Matter Most!” He carries those words not simply as a motto, but as a guiding principle for his leadership, service, and life's work.
A proud graduate of The Illustrious West Virginia State University (WVSU), Mr. McCoy earned his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013 and later earned a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Salem University in 2020. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Leadership Studies at WVSU, continuing his commitment to leadership, student success, and the advancement of higher education.