Carvajal top VSU pick
Published 6:15 am Friday, December 2, 2016
- Submitted PhotoRichard Carvajal has been recommend to head Valdosta State University.
VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State University is one step closer to having its next president.
Dr. Richard Carvajal has been recommended for the position of VSU president by the Regents Special Committee, according to a Thursday announcement by Board of Regents Chairman Kessel Stelling, Chancellor Hank Huckaby and Chancellor-elect Steve Wrigley.
The committee recommended the regents consider and vote for Carvajal, according to a VSU press release.
Carvajal currently serves as the interim president of Darton State College in Albany. Previously he has held office as president of Bainbridge State College, vice president for student success services at Cascadia College, dean of student services at Independence Community College and associate dean of student services at Coker College.
“Dr. Carvajal’s experience as president at Bainbridge State and interim president at Darton State make him a highly qualified candidate,” Huckaby said in a statement. “Since joining the university system in 2011, he has demonstrated his strong ability to lead, and we believe he is ready to commit his future to the students, faculty and staff of Valdosta State University.”
A public forum was held Nov. 10 for Carvajal at VSU. During the forum, he spoke on how his past experiences would tie into his potential leadership at VSU.
“I’m excited to be here because I’ve spent the last year building a university from the ground up that’s trying to impact the region,” Carvajal said in the forum. “We have an opportunity to have a rich, full experience that is so much about what students can learn inside and outside the classroom. We should be making a huge difference in this region.”
Carvajal is one of four candidates interviewed for the position. VSU Interim President Kelli R. Brown was one of the finalists.
The Board of Regents will take action on the selection of the next president of Valdosta State University at the board’s teleconference meeting scheduled for Dec. 9.
Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.
