Office of Legal Affairs

Onica Matsika Schmidt serves as General Counsel and Chief Legal Affairs Officer for Middle Georgia State University, where she is a member of the President’s Cabinet. She advises the President and senior leadership on legal, governance, risk, and strategic matters and leads the Office of Legal Affairs across the University’s five campuses, with responsibility for the University’s legal affairs, institutional compliance, equal opportunity, and Title IX functions.

As the University’s chief legal officer, Schmidt oversees matters involving governance, regulatory compliance, complex transactions, employment, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, intellectual property, data privacy, and emerging technology. She also manages the University’s legal matters involving the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.

Before joining Middle Georgia State University, Schmidt served as Assistant General Counsel at Mercer University. Earlier in her career, she practiced corporate law at international law firms in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, advising private and public companies on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and other strategic business matters.

Schmidt has also taught as an adjunct professor at Mercer University School of Law and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She is actively engaged in civic leadership, with a particular focus on the arts, historic preservation and community development in Middle Georgia. She is a member of the 2026 Leadership Macon class, and her local impact has been recognized by Macon Magazine, which named her one of Macon’s “5 Under 40” leaders.

Schmidt earned her Juris Doctor with honors from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where she served as Managing Editor of the Indiana Law Journal. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of Georgia, with a minor in Philosophy.

Jenia Bacote serves as the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and University Title IX Coordinator for Middle Georgia State University. She leads the University’s compliance efforts related to Title IX and nondiscrimination, including the development and implementation of institutional policies and procedures, education and training, and the coordination of reports and complaints involving sex-based discrimination, sexual misconduct, and other forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment.

Ms. Bacote works collaboratively with departments across the University to promote compliance with federal and state law and University System of Georgia requirements and to support a safe, responsive, and supportive environment for the MGA community.

Prior to joining MGA, Ms. Bacote worked in higher education, legal, and corporate settings. Her experience includes higher education leadership and administration and civil litigation involving equal opportunity, civil rights, and disability law.

Ms. Bacote earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Psychology, from Emory University and a Juris Doctor from Mercer University School of Law, where she earned a Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Drafting. She also holds a paralegal certificate in Business Corporations.

Michelle Lewis serves as the Compliance Coordinator for Middle Georgia State University. In this role, she coordinates key institutional compliance functions, including the University’s Clery Act compliance program, programs serving minors, and responses to requests made under the Georgia Open Records Act. She works with departments across MGA to develop and maintain compliance processes, policies, training, and documentation consistent with federal and state law and University System of Georgia requirements.

Prior to joining MGA, Ms. Lewis worked in higher education and the legal field, with experience in academic advising, student services, and civil litigation.

Ms. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State University and a Graduate Certificate in Ethics & Compliance from the University of North Georgia.

Kiandra Thomas serves as Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Middle Georgia State University. She supports the University’s Title IX compliance program and coordinates education, outreach, and awareness initiatives for the MGA community. She works with students, employees, and campus partners to support the University’s response to Title IX matters and to promote a safe, responsive, and supportive educational environment.

Prior to joining the Office of Legal Affairs, Ms. Thomas served in MGA’s Office of Housing and Residence Life, where she worked closely with students, families, and University partners on student development, residential education, and community engagement. Her background in student affairs informs her work in compliance, education, advocacy, and student support.

Ms. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Information Technology from Middle Georgia State University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University.