Atlanta — October 12, 2012

Dr. Valerie Hepburn has announced her plans to resign as president of the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick at the end of May 2013. Hepburn sent a letter outlining her intentions to University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby.

“Dr. Hepburn’s vision has led the transformation of the College of Coastal Georgia,” said Huckaby. “During her presidency, the College has become a very dynamic and growing institution, with an expanded footprint and vision to serve Georgia and the coastal region. I’ve known Dr. Hepburn as a colleague for many years, and she is one of the reasons the University System is such a vibrant force for growth in Georgia. Her contributions as president have been significant, and her presence will be missed.”

When she departs, Hepburn will have served as president for five years, having come to the College of Coastal Georgia in July 2008 to plan, implement and lead the institution’s transformation from community and technical college to a comprehensive, destination undergraduate academic institution.

Previously, she held administrative and faculty positions at The University of Georgia and Georgia State University, as well as adjunct positions at the Medical College of Georgia and Australian National University. For 20 years, Hepburn held senior leadership positions in health and regulatory agencies in Georgia. She continues to conduct research and consult in health and education policy fields.

Key milestones at Coastal Georgia include the addition of 10 new degree programs with nearly twenty tracks, accreditation by discipline for every educational program and reaffirmation for 10 years by SACS in 2012 with no improvements or actions required.

Other milestones include the initiation of innovative and impactful serving-learning as a core teaching focus, transformation to a high-quality residential campus with nearly all buildings new or renovated, development of a full athletic program with successful teams and accomplished student-athletes, record-breaking fundraising in every year, and a complement of student scholars with origins from more than 40 countries. One of the hallmarks of Coastal Georgia is the partnership between the campus and its communities.

Once Hepburn leaves the presidency, she will focus on research and teaching activities while assisting the University System on several health and education policy projects.

In making her announcement, Hepburn said “We have made great strides at Coastal Georgia – and now is the perfect time to attract a great academic leader. Our campus and community are in top form, our students are first rate and we are prepared to be the very best of a 21st century campus. I came to prepare the College of Coastal Georgia for greatness. With its students, faculty, staff, and community leaders, it is now ready to find its next leader and assume that mantle.”

Information regarding the search to replace Hepburn will be made available at a future date.

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