As you’ll remember, we’ve identified areas where we saw the greatest opportunity for change — employee compensation, research collaboration and assessing the student experience. We are delighted to give you updates on each of these areas and thank our leaders in these areas for their collaboration, hard work and dedication in moving these important projects forward.
I am so pleased to announce that Chancellor Sonny Perdue has appointed University Attorney Kerry Heyward as interim president at Clayton State University. Kerry has been at Georgia State for two decades, leading the institution through its most impressive period of growth and change.
We are pleased to announce the creation of the Provost Search Committee. Through nominations and recommendations, we have identified and named a talented group of leaders representing a wide array of campus stakeholders to participate as members of the search committee.
The way our mighty Panthers played in the first-round game of the NCAA Tournament — against the overall No. 1-seed Gonzaga — was simply inspirational. After spending two days witnessing the character and maturity of our young men on the team, the leadership of their coach, Rob Lanier, and the brilliance of their staff, I continue to be so proud to be a part of Georgia State.
President M. Brian Blake says thanks to Georgia State’s outstanding employees for all that you do!
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, I want to assure you that we are here to support members of our community who are affected by this ongoing global crisis. The Office of the Dean of Students has been in close contact with students from the region, and many of our faculty experts have weighed in with context for the media and our community. The university stands in solidarity and support against all acts of injustice.
I’m a true believer that student engagement is central to student success. In fact, my own transition from industry to academia was because of an amazing student engagement experience at my first institution. I am very interested in initiating a multiyear effort to further enhance the student experience. We’ve built an incredible national reputation for our work in ensuring students achieve academic success. We want to be known as top in the nation for their overall university experience as well..
Georgia State’s research and innovation are so important to the state, region and world. Our uniquely diverse students, faculty and staff — in one of the most dynamic cities in the country — create far-reaching solutions to some of the most important global challenges. Over the coming years, I believe the university will develop new research and innovation drivers that will build upon our great foundation.
During my first 100 days, I heard over and over the very real concerns about compensation at Georgia State. I am committed to addressing this and I made it my top priority. I asked Human Resources to engage with an outside firm to move forward and conduct a salary study of all university employees. This study will continue and expand upon the work of the Provost’s Office to assess salaries and rewards to help retain our world-class faculty and staff. The work begins in February.
I recently had the honor of speaking to the university community as we gathered to pause and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I felt particularly honored to speak on behalf of Dr. King’s legacy during my early months as the first African American president of Georgia State. Our student body celebrates diversity and individuality, and, at Georgia State, we are far better together than we are apart. I believe that’s something that would make Dr. King proud.
