Atlanta — May 3, 2007

Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. announced today that the University System of Georgia is embarking on a national search to fill the position of executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer (EVC/CAO). This is a senior leadership position that reports directly to the Chancellor.

Dr. Beheruz Sethna, president of the University of West Georgia, in Carrollton, Ga., has been serving as the interim EVC/CAO at the University System Office in Atlanta since last June. A search committee orchestrating a national search expects to recommend candidates for the position to the chancellor in August.

“The University System of Georgia is seeking an innovative and visionary academic leader who is familiar with higher education policy, research, and evolving national trends and strategies,” said Chancellor Davis. “The ideal candidate is an individual who understands academic culture and the leadership and management challenges of campus presidents and will use this understanding to leverage support for System initiatives that benefit students and the State of Georgia.”

The EVC/CAO is responsible for meeting the academic needs of more than 260,000 students and approximately 10,000 University System faculty members. The position provides leadership for a division that consists of approximately 250 employees and includes academic programs and planning, faculty affairs, student affairs, international programs, teacher-education initiatives, strategic research and analysis, and information and instructional technology.

The presidents of the 15 institutions in the System’s comprehensive university sector report to the EVC/CAO. These institutions mostly consist of Carnegie masters universities, but the sector also includes four institutions with limited doctoral programs – Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, the University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University.

“We thank Dr. Sethna for his outstanding service as interim EVC/CAO during the past year, but it is time to let him return his attention to his strong commitment to the students, faculty and staff of the University of West Georgia,” Davis said.

The chancellor appointed Dr. Dorothy Leland, president of Georgia College & State University, to chair the search committee. Committee members consist of:

• Dr. Virginia Carson, vice president for academic affairs, Georgia Highlands College;
• Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson, the University System’s associate vice chancellor for strategic research and analysis;
• Dr. Tom Maier, the University System’s interim vice chancellor for information & instructional technology and chief information officer;
• Dr. Gary Schuster, provost, Georgia Institute of Technology;
• Dr. Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction, University of Georgia;
• Dr. Robin Morris, vice president for research, Georgia State University;
• Dr. Barry Goldstein, provost, Medical College of Georgia;
• Dr. Randy Gunter, vice president for student affairs, Savannah State University:
• Dr. Nancy King, vice president for student success and enrollment services, Kennesaw State University;
• Dr. Virginia Michelich, vice president for academic and student affairs, Georgia Perimeter College; and
• Dr. Everette Freeman, president of Albany State University.

Parker Executive Search of Atlanta will assist in the search and recruitment process. Parker will advertise the position in a number of national education publications and assist the search committee with its work. The search committee will select approximately four unranked candidates to recommend to the chancellor, who will interview the finalists and make the final selection of the next chief academic officer.

« News Releases