Atlanta — May 7, 2014

Robert Anderson has been named as the Vice Chancellor for Educational Access and Success for the University System of Georgia, replacing Lynne Weisenbach, who recently retired.

In his new role, Anderson will work with all 31 USG institutions on initiatives designed to increase college access and support student success. He will have oversight of a wide range of key initiatives, including Complete College Georgia, teacher educator preparation programs, and the USG STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiative.

“We were looking for someone with the experience and ability to jump in and push an ambitious college completion agenda forward,” said Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Houston Davis. “Rob certainly met our expectations and we are delighted he will be joining our team as we work across many fronts to ensure students are prepared for college and able to complete a degree.”

Anderson currently is executive vice chancellor for Administration for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and prior to this, was vice chancellor for Policy and Planning at the Commission.

In his work in West Virginia, Anderson acquired and managed several grants totaling more than $20 million and funded by organizations including the Lumina Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Complete College America, as well as a federal GEAR UP grant. Each of these grants has been targeted at improving college access and completion.

Anderson also serves as West Virginia’s State Coordinator with Complete College America and provides oversight for initiatives involving this national organization.

Prior to these positions, he served as director of Research and Planning for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and as an administrator and instructor at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina.

His scholarly focus has been in the areas of student access and financial aid policy with a particular interest in merit aid programs and their impact on institutional and student outcomes.

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Anderson holds degrees from The Citadel (B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation at The University of Georgia’s Institute of Higher Education.

He will begin his new duties in Georgia on June 2, 2014.

« News Releases