Communications

External Affairs Division

Linda M. Bleicken Announces Retirement from Armstrong State University

Atlanta — October 27, 2016

Armstrong State University President Linda M. Bleicken has announced that she will retire effective June 30, 2017. Bleicken has served as the president of Armstrong since 2009 and held roles within the 性视界APP for nearly 27 years.

鈥淚 am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the president of such an important institution for the past seven years,鈥 said Bleicken. 鈥淎rmstrong stands apart as a vibrant, diverse community dedicated to student success and focused on our values of scholarship, leadership and stewardship. I sincerely appreciate the ongoing support of faculty, staff, students, parents and community leaders and hope Armstrong will continue to cultivate generations of future leaders for many years to come.鈥

Under Bleicken鈥檚 leadership, Armstrong graduated the largest class in the university鈥檚 history in May 2016, with nearly 800 students. During her tenure, she has expanded scholarship opportunities for Armstrong students, enhanced the diversity of the student body and promoted the College of Health Professions鈥 reputation as the largest producer of undergraduate health professionals in the University System. In addition, she helped secure funding and established community partnerships to open the Armstrong Liberty Center facility in Hinesville in January 2016, expanding higher education options for students in Liberty County. In 2012, Bleicken established the Armstrong Commitment Fund, which provides a source of funding for students who are making progress in their studies but need additional assistance beyond what financial aid can cover.

鈥淧resident Bleicken has been an outstanding leader for Armstrong State University,鈥 said 性视界APP Chancellor Hank Huckaby. 鈥淗er strong advocacy for the students has been essential to the success and advancement of Armstrong. On behalf of the Board of Regents, I thank President Bleicken for her dedication to higher education, the 性视界APP and the many lives of the students, faculty and staff she has positively impacted.鈥

Prior to joining Armstrong, Bleicken served in a variety of leadership roles at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. over a 19-year period. At Georgia Southern, her responsibilities included serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management and associate dean of the College of Business Administration.

Bleicken earned a Ph.D. and M.S. in management from Georgia State University in Atlanta, as well as a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, magna cum laude, from Georgia State University.

Information regarding the search for Bleicken鈥檚 replacement will be announced at a later date.

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