Atlanta — January 13, 2009

University System of Georgia Chief Operating Officer Rob Watts announced today that the Board of Regents has approved the permanent appointment of Dr. Valerie Hepburn as president of the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) in Brunswick. She has served as the college’s interim president since July 1, 2008.

“Dr. Hepburn has had the challenge of leading the College of Coastal Georgia through its change of mission,” Watts said, referring to the institution’s ongoing transformation from a two-year community college to a four-year state college. “The College of Coastal Georgia is on a very aggressive schedule to offer its first baccalaureate programs in fall 2009. Internal and external constituencies of the college have confirmed that Dr. Hepburn has the right combination of skills and talents to make the transition at Coastal Georgia a success. She has done an excellent job in the interim position.”

Regent James A. Bishop, whose district includes the college, agrees. “The College of Coastal Georgia obtained the necessary accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer four-year degrees much more quickly than anyone expected, and I credit Dr. Hepburn with making that happen. In all respects, she is the perfect fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead for the College of Coastal Georgia,” he said.

Hepburn was assistant dean of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) College of Public Health when she was called on to serve as CCGA’s interim president. She had held that position since 2007 and also was an adjunct professor at Georgia State University and the Medical College of Georgia. She previously served as associate director of the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University from 2003 to 2007, and director of the Division of Health Planning and director of planning and data management at the Georgia Department of Community Health from 2000 to 2003.

From 1990 to 2000, Hepburn served in leadership positions with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, including assistant commissioner and executive director of the Southwest Georgia Regional Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Board. During the 1980s, she also worked in the Office of the Secretary of State at the Georgia State Capitol, first as director of legislative relations and then as director of administration and government relations.

A consultant and advisor to the University System of Georgia’s Health Professions Education Task Force, Hepburn holds a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from UGA (2006), a master of public administration from Georgia State (1987) and a bachelor of arts in political science from Agnes Scott College (1983).

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