Kimberly Ballard-Washington to Serve as Fort Valley State University Interim President
Atlanta — June 21, 2013
Kimberly Ballard-Washington
University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Hank Huckaby has named Kimberly Ballard-Washington to serve as interim president at Fort Valley State University. Ballard-Washington is assistant vice chancellor for Legal Affairs for the USG and assistant secretary to the Board of Regents.
A national search resulted in the Board of Regents’ decision to name Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, provost and senior vice president at York College of the City University of New York, as FVSU’s next president, replacing Dr. Larry Rivers, who will serve through June 30, 2013 before stepping down.
Griffith will not take up the presidency until July 22, and Ballard-Washington will serve as the interim president from July 1 through July 21.
“Kimberly has the expertise and knowledge required to provide leadership during this important transition period,” said Huckaby. “We are delighted to have someone of her caliber in the University System who can step in and ensure Fort Valley State University stays on course and is ready for Dr. Griffith’s presidency.”
Ballard-Washington is a native of Montezuma, Georgia, having received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Georgia.
Following graduation, she worked for several years at General Electric Capital Corporation as a quality trainer.
Ballard-Washington continued her education at Texas Southern University School of Law in Houston, earning a Juris Doctor degree. She has practiced law for more than fifteen years, specializing in education law, with an emphasis in employment law and information technology law. She also conducts trainings in the areas of employment law, sexual harassment and cultural diversity.
Prior to her current position at the University System Office, Ballard-Washington served as an associate director for Legal Affairs at the University of Georgia, Athens.
She previously worked as assistant to the president for Legal Affairs and director of Equal Opportunity Programs at Valdosta State University.
Ballard-Washington was previously selected as one of the “Top 40 under 40” by Georgia Trend magazine and also has been an active volunteer with the United Way.