Georgia Board of Regents announces finalist for Kennesaw State presidency

Pamela Whitten

The Georgia Board of Regents announced Tuesday the finalist for the position of Kennesaw State University’s president: University of Georgia provost Pamela Whitten.

Whitten has been in her current position since 2014. As UGA’s chief academic officer, Whitten oversees instruction, research, public service and outreach, student affairs and information technology.

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“Dr. Whitten has great depth as an academic leader, both in her training as a scholar and experience as a faculty member and administrator. She brings exceptional understanding of how to run large, complex institutions in both public higher education and the University System of Georgia,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley said in a statement. “She is strongly committed to student success and engaging key stakeholders and understands the pivotal role public universities play in fostering educational attainment and economic development. Dr. Whitten has demonstrated enthusiasm for this important role. I want to thank members of KSU’s presidential search and screen committee for their hard work and look forward to working with Dr. Whitten and the entire KSU community.”

University System officials said they are planning a campus visit with Whitten and faculty, students and staff.

Whitten holds a Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in management from Tulane University.

Whitten interviewed in 2016 for the chancellor position at the University of Tennessee and was a finalist last year for the Iowa State University presidency, according to news reports.

Former Georgia Attorney General and Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens resigned as Kennesaw State's president in February amid several controversies and complaints that he lacked the administrative experience for the job.