Clayton State University Getting New President

Caption

T. Ramon Stuart will serve as the new president of Clayton State University.

Credit: University System of Georgia

A top administrator at Fort Valley State University has been tapped to lead Clayton State University.

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents named T. Ramon Stuart on Thursday as sole finalist for the Clayton State post. Stuart has been serving as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Fort Valley State since 2016.

“Dr. Stuart is a veteran leader in higher education who has done an outstanding job over his career of keeping a focus on how to help more students stay on track and succeed in attaining their college degree,” university system Chancellor Steve Wrigley said.

“His experience makes him at excellent candidate to lead Clayton State as it continues to increase student success, grow its campus community and expand its academic reach across metro Atlanta and Georgia.”

Stuart has played a significant role in enrollment and retention efforts at Fort Valley State, one of the university system’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Through his contributions, Fort Valley State has raised its student retention rate to the mid-70th percentile and increased the school’s graduation rate by 15%.

“Dr. Stuart is a proven leader who can help Clayton State University and its students, faculty, staff and alumni succeed,” said Regent Cade Joiner, who chaired the committee that helped with the search.

Before coming to Fort Valley State, Stuart served on the faculty at West Virginia State University, like Fort Valley State, a land-grant HBCU. His accomplishments there included developing an engineering degree program and increasing the number of high-school students earning dual credit by taking courses at the university.

Subject to final approval by the Board of Regents, Stuart will succeed retiring Clayton State President Tim Hynes.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Capitol Beat News Service.