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some assistance in their preparation. Some consider also attract students who need help in succeeding.
this to be a great challenge. I believe it gives MGA As this blended mission is implemented, the region
great potential that it has not yet realized. MGA should know that our primary focus is to meet the
has the opportunity to serve students from a variety higher education needs in Middle Georgia. MGA is
of backgrounds and if MGA creates the right mix here as a partner in economic development,
of programs and practices, we can help educate the educational attainment, and social progress. MGA
next generation of people who will choose higher is a great resource for the region, and we need to
education in Middle Georgia and stay here to help continue to find ways to build partnerships in our
the region’s economy grow. The potential to impact effort to play a role in growing and developing
the economy and society in Middle Georgia is the Middle Georgia.
hidden gem that MGA needs to find, and I believe
we are starting to uncover it. What are some of your impressions as you’ve
gotten to know the communities MGA serves?
What are your short-term goals as provost? The communities in Middle Georgia are filled with
What are some of your longer term goals for quality, educated people who care about the future
MGA? The first few months in the Office of the of this region. Everywhere I have been I have had
Provost have been very busy. Much of the effort has the chance to meet people who are passionate about
focused on organizing our work and helping find their community and want the next generation to
people’s passions and providing opportunities for live a little better than they did. It is our opportu-
individuals to use their skills to help MGA develop. nity to play a role in that future.
In the short-term, organizing the work in academic
affairs will take some time. We need to make sure Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m 44 years old,
that we offer the right courses, at the right times originally from Utah. I met my wife, Kristyn
and locations. This is a challenging part of the work Anderson, in Idaho, but she grew up in Georgia, in
we have. Making strategic decisions about which Cobb County. We’ve been married for 21 years and
programs to offer on what campuses is also an effort have seven children, ranging in age from 20 to 3. I
because every decision has positive and negative had lived for a time in Tennessee, and my wife and
outcomes. So, in the short-term, making sure we are I decided to raise our children in the South. Georgia
focusing people’s passions and interests in ways that has been a great fit for our family.
help the University move forward and organizing In my spare time, I really enjoy building things
the offering of programs and courses on each cam- and doing woodwork. I like to learn how things
pus will be the priorities. work and make them work better. I also enjoy doing
In the long run, MGA will only become more anything outside – running, hiking, biking, walking,
successful when it graduates individuals who go water skiing, wake boarding, etc.
on to add value to the societies in which they live.
Keeping a vigilant focus on the recruitment, reten- What are some things people would be surprised
tion, progression, and graduation of students will be to learn about you? I ran a marathon in 2009. I
the benchmark by which MGA’s long-term success have two sons who served as missionaries, one in
will be measured. MGA must make sure that it Brazil and the other in Portugal.
keeps student success as the focus and that other
interests don’t distract resources from that effort. Favorite quote? It’s one from Steve Jobs: “Your
work is going to fill a large part of your life, and
What is the most important message you would the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you
like to convey to the region about Middle believe is great work. And the only way to do great
Georgia State? Middle Georgia State is the region’s work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it
state university and should attract the best and the yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of
brightest students from across the region. It should the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” ■
10 MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
