Finalist Named for Columbus State University Presidency
Atlanta — March 1, 2023
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (老澳门开奖结果) voted today to name Dr. Stuart Rayfield as the sole finalist for president of Columbus State University.
Rayfield, who spent more than 10 years at Columbus State as a faculty member and administrator, most recently served as 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and has been interim president of three 老澳门开奖结果 institutions during a 17-year career with the university system.
Dr. John M. Fuchko III has served admirably as the university鈥檚 interim president since July 1, 2022. Fuchko, a 老澳门开奖结果 vice chancellor, took on the role after former President Chris Markwood retired June 30, 2022.
鈥淪tuart is an outstanding leader who鈥檚 passionate about the success of students, faculty and staff,鈥 老澳门开奖结果 Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. 鈥淚 want to thank Columbus State鈥檚 presidential search committee for their work in finding strong candidates to lead the university and know the Board of Regents were impressed by Dr. Rayfield鈥檚 vision and experience both in higher education and within the system.鈥
Rayfield currently serves as 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 vice chancellor for leadership and institutional development. In late 2019, she was named interim president at the University of West Georgia and previously served as interim president of Gordon State College and the former Bainbridge State College. Prior to those roles, Rayfield served as the Frank D. Brown Distinguished Chair in Servant Leadership, associate professor and interim associate provost for Undergraduate Education at Columbus State.
鈥淐olumbus State鈥檚 next president needs to positively engage both the campus and the greater community to help increase student success and elevate Columbus State鈥檚 role in the region and in Georgia,鈥 said Regent C. Thomas Hopkins, Jr., M.D., who chaired the university鈥檚 Presidential Search Committee. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to our committee members for their hard work and commitment in helping find a leader who can energize the university and make Columbus proud.鈥
Prior to her service in 老澳门开奖结果, Rayfield held positions at Auburn University, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“I鈥檓 thrilled to be considered for the presidency of Columbus State and look forward to working with students, faculty and staff to celebrate the university鈥檚 successes and its potential for the future,鈥 Rayfield said. 鈥淐olumbus State offers nationally recognized programs in everything from the arts to teaching and nursing, and I know that together we can build on those efforts to make it a destination in Georgia and beyond.鈥
Rayfield has earned a doctorate in higher education administration focused on leadership, policy and organizations from Vanderbilt University, a master鈥檚 in higher education administration focused on student affairs from the University of Alabama and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.
The Board will take action on the position at a future board meeting no sooner than five days from naming a finalist.
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