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November 20, 2025
25-129

Kristina Torres, University System of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ

Valdosta State University Presidential Search Committee Named

A drone picture of Valdosta State University's Front Lawn and West Hall.
ATLANTA - The Board of Regents of the University System of ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ (USG) named members of the Valdosta State University (ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ) Presidential Search Committee. The committee will conduct a national search for a permanent president to lead South ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ’s flagship comprehensive university.


Former ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ President Richard Carvajal announced in September that he had accepted the position of president of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, beginning Jan. 20, 2026. In October, Chancellor Perdue named Dr. William R. “Bill” Crowe as interim president, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Crowe began assisting Carvajal on Oct. 15.

“As one of only four public comprehensive universities in the state, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ is a cornerstone for South ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ. It drives more than $385 million in economic impact and opens doors of opportunity for students who become the teachers, nurses and leaders our communities depend on,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “The search committee’s top priority is to find an outstanding leader who will continue to strengthen ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ’s regional partnerships, boost students’ degree completion and help grow prosperity across the region.”

Members of the Presidential Search Committee are as follows:

  • Regent Haynes Studstill, committee chair
  • Regent and Board Chairman-elect David B. Dove
  • Regent Richard “Tim” Evans
  • Susan Boddie, Ph.D., president, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ Faculty Senate; assistant professor of voice and area chair, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ College of the Arts
  • Bert Brantley, president and CEO, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Joe Brownlee, region executive, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ Power
  • Nick Buford, regional public policy lead, Amazon
  • Kai Kemp, president, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ Student Government Association
  • John W. Langdale III, vice president, The Langdale Company
  • Teresa MacCartney, chief operating officer, USG
  • Corinna Robinson, president, ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ Alumni Association

“ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ began as a school for training teachers and still plays a vital role in educating South ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ, enrolling a majority of students from right here in ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓÆµ and partnering with local industries to build a high-skilled workforce,” Regent Studstill said. “I’m honored to lead this search and work with the committee to find the best candidate to carry forward Valdosta State’s proud educational legacy.”

The Presidential Search Committee will guide the first stage of the search. The system has retained Buffkin/Baker to provide executive search consulting services. At the conclusion of its work, the committee will forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to the Board of Regents for consideration.

The initial meeting of the Presidential Search Committee will be Dec. 1, at which time the members will be formally charged with their roles and responsibilities in conducting the search.

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