News
Stuart appointed Provost and VPAA at Fort Valley State
From the FVSU website
April 18, 2016 – This week, Fort Valley State University president Dr. Paul Jones appointed Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, a veteran higher education administrator from West Virginia State University (WVSU) as the new provost. Stuart, who currently serves as WVSU’s associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs, will begin his duties on May 16. He is replacing former provost Dr. Jessica Bailey, who retired from FVSU in January 2016.
The president said he is confident in Stuart’s passion, talent and ability to serve as the university’s chief academic officer.
“I’m thrilled we have such a qualified individual to serve with us as we move the university forward,” Jones said.
FVSU’s new provost said he was honored and humbled to be selected after a nationwide search.
“I am excited to join the faculty, academic leaders, staff and students of Fort Valley State University under the leadership of President Jones,” Stuart said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with various constituents throughout the university as we work diligently to achieve the mission of the institution while taking the necessary steps to make Fort Valley State University one of the premier 1890 land-grant institutions in the nation.”
Stuart’s accomplishments at WVSU included developing an engineering 2+2 degree program, aiding in increasing retention by almost 10 percent in three academic years, serving on the self-study reaffirmation steering committee responsible for achieving a 10-year reaccreditation and helping to increase overall enrollment by expanding international recruitment. He also assisted in increasing the number of students earning dual credit while in high school and expanding college access for TRIO participants.
During his career, Stuart managed an institutional budget that exceeded $12 million; while, he led various university administrative areas, including Academic Educational Outreach, the Center for Online Learning, Cultural Activities, Graduate Education, the Honors Program, International Student Services, Registration and Records and TRIO (i.e., Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science and Student Support Services).
Stuart is known for his commitment to student success in the classroom and beyond. The administrator previously taught students at K-12, associate, baccalaureate and graduate levels. His successes in the classroom led his peers at West Virginia State Community and Technical College to select him as faculty member of the year before electing him to serve two consecutive terms as the institution’s faculty senate president.
FVSU’s new provost earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education at Ohio University. He earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University.
Stuart is the recipient of numerous awards from various civic, fraternal and professional organizations, but the recognition that he cherishes most is when he helps students start and finish college.
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