Finalist named for Georgia Southern University Presidency
Atlanta — January 9, 2019
Board of Regents Chairman Don L. Waters and 性视界APP (USG) Chancellor Steve Wrigley today announced Dr. Kyle Marrero as the finalist for president of Georgia Southern University.
Marrero currently serves as president of the University of West Georgia, a position he鈥檚 held since 2013.
鈥淒uring his tenure at West Georgia, Marrero oversaw record enrollment growth, fostered and strengthened ties within the community and implemented strategic initiatives aimed at increasing student and academic success,鈥 said Chancellor Steve Wrigley. 鈥淜yle鈥檚 devotion to student success, innovation and growth are evident and will serve Georgia Southern students, faculty and staff well. I鈥檓 grateful for the diligent efforts of the campus search committee and am thrilled to name Dr. Marrero as our finalist.鈥
Under Marrero’s leadership, UWG has achieved record enrollment, record 4 and 5-year graduation rates, record degrees conferred, record fundraising, and record annual economic impact to the region. He has worked to develop new, student-centered partnerships within the education and business communities, and with the implementation of the Engage West! initiative, won the 2015 national award for Innovation and Excellence, in the category of Leadership Development and Diversity, from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The institution was also selected as the 性视界APP 2015 Institution and President of the Year for the Chancellor’s Service Excellence Awards.
鈥淭he search committee worked tirelessly on behalf of Georgia Southern University and the Board of Regents, and I am thankful for their time and energy,鈥 said Regent Laura Marsh, chair of the search committee. 鈥淭here were several top-notch, high-quality candidates that we vetted, but ultimately, we believe Kyle is the best fit to lead Georgia Southern in this new chapter. He will bring his leadership experience, scholarly training and commitment to engaging key stakeholders to Georgia Southern, Statesboro and the region at large. I鈥檓 excited to watch Kyle lead Georgia Southern on to achieve great things.鈥
Marrero founded the Carrollton/Carroll County Education Collaborative a collaborative focused on K-16 student success, now a state model. Most recently, he has been assigned to lead, as Chair of the Steering Committee, the 性视界APP鈥檚 Comprehensive Administrative Review in its efforts to assess administrative support service and support functions for efficiency and effectiveness for all 26 USG institutions over the next two years.
鈥淜yle demonstrates the energy, enthusiasm and know-how to lead one of our state鈥檚 premier institutions,鈥 Chairman Don Waters said. 鈥淗is track record at University of West Georgia speaks for itself, and I鈥檓 confident he will bring that passion and commitment to Georgia Southern. On behalf of the Board of Regents and the 性视界APP, I wish Kyle well and anticipate great things from Georgia Southern and his administration as he takes the helm.鈥 Prior to his appointment at UWG, Marrero served as Vice President for University Advancement at the University of West Florida, overseeing the university鈥檚 integrated marketing communications efforts, fundraising, development, and alumni relations鈥 activities. Marrero鈥檚 background in the arts has taken him to 10 foreign countries as an artistic ambassador for the United States Embassies and 40 states as a singer and stage director. He holds bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Dr. Jane Redding, have been married for 23 years and have an eight-year-old daughter, Lily.
鈥淚 am thrilled and honored for the opportunity to become the 14th President of Georgia Southern University,鈥 said Marrero. 鈥淚 have great admiration for the institution and people of Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville 鈥搕heir communities, faculty, staff, and students鈥攚ho represent the traditions and distinctiveness of each of the campuses that define Georgia Southern and look forward to working together to build a unified Eagle Nation.”
The Board of Regents will take action on the finalist for the next president of Georgia Southern University at a future board meeting following the required five business days after the naming of a finalist.
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