Brown first in VSU presidential finalist forum

Published 1:51 pm Thursday, November 10, 2016

VALDOSTA – Dr. Kelli Brown, who serves as Valdosta State University interim president, was the first of the four university presidential candidates to speak at a public forum.

The forums are part of an ongoing interview process for the four people named finalists for the job of VSU president.

In previous years, Brown was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College and State University, interim dean and professor at the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida, associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Florida and interim dean of graduate school and associate provost at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Bonni Cohen, presidential search and selection committee chairwoman, began the forum by asking Dr. Brown her vision for helping VSU maintain its relevancy, what she would do to ensure a successful presidency emphasizing three leadership traits she sees as most important.

Brown said she once planned to be a dentist, but soon realized that being bad at calculus and physics put a hitch in that plan. Thanks to an academic advisor she had early in her career, Brown found herself working as a dental hygienist while completing night classes followed by continuing on with a graduate assistance program for her masters, leading to her doctorate.

“The importance of this story is something that happens at VSU everyday,” Brown said. “Someone reaches out and opens a door. That’s exactly what you do as faculty and staff. That’s my story of how I got started. Students and their success have always been central to my work.”

She said she feels to be a relevant and comprehensive university that it is critical to be data informed and be accountable while differentiating itself from others.

“It is clear to me that institutions that thrive and survive will be those that have a niche and can articulate that niche,” Brown said. “I alone would not be able to ensure a successful presidency; it require all of us.”

To Brown, key leadership traits include trust and integrity, communication that is open and transparent and enjoying what one does everyday.

Once the floor was opened to questions, many took the opportunity to ask Brown how she would handle things as president. Most questions were asked by VSU faculty.

Brown shared her intentions of becoming more involved with business leaders and revitalizing stronger community relations.

When asked to further explain her vision and how she plans to make it a reality, Brown discussed her hopes of keeping VSU different by keeping it small.

“We need to figure out that ideal number,” Brown said. “We are a place that feels big but yet we are small. That’s a vision we can work for. I’m convinced once we figure it out, it’ll only get better at VSU.”

Another questions concerned increasing retention rates at VSU; she shared her experiences helping increase the four-year graduation rate at Georgia College and State University during her time as provost and vice president for academic affairs from June 2013 to June 2016.

“We’ve got to make sure that all of our students when they are here are being touched, that someone is reaching out to them,” Brown said. “We will never have 100 percent retention, but 80 percent is doable.”

The other three candidates will have a similar public forum. Dr. Richard A. Carvajal’s forum was held Nov. 10. Dr. Christopher Maples’ forum will be held Nov. 14 and Dr. Timothy Caboni’s will be held Nov. 17. All public forums are held at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theater on campus.

Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.