New president loves liberal arts mission

Georgia College & State University has finally named a new president, Dr. Dorothy Leland from Florida Atlantic University. However, who is this woman? What are her goals and ideas for the school?
As a professor of philosophy, she is very committed to the public liberal arts mission and what it means to the state of Georgia.
“I am a professor of philosophy, and I have a good liberal arts education,” Leland said. “This is important, because part of a president’s job is to articulate the ideals of a public liberal arts education and to make sure that the public supports that mission. You need a real passion for it.”
Dr. Leland is originally from Fillmore, a small farming community in southern California. Growing up, she never imagined that she would one day be the president of a university; rather, she dreamed of being a marine biologist. She went on to get her B.A. in English, an M.A. in American studies and a Ph.D. in philosophy, all earned at Purdue University. Her background has helped her prepare for her future job as president.
“I have worked in a variety of areas in higher education such as human relations, a number of academic programs, student support, been the vice president of over 17,000 students,” Leland said. “I know how to do many things, and I have a varied and solid background to bring to GC&SU.”
She was a visiting assistant professor at California State University, Chico, from 1982 to 1983, at the University of California, Santa Cruz, from 1981 to 1982 and at California State University, Northridge, from 1977 to 1981. Leland then went on to spend 11 years in administrative positions at Purdue University. From 1993 to 1995, she served as the inaugural director of Purdue’s Women’s Resource Office, and from 1984 to 1993, she directed an interdisciplinary doctoral program in English and philosophy.
During her tenure at Florida Atlantic, Leland served as the university’s associate provost from 2000 to 2001, executive director of university strategic planning from 1998 to 2001 and special assistant to the provost from 1998 to 2000. From 1995 to 1998, she served as the director of Florida Atlantic’s Women’s Studies Center and executive director of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. Leland has provided leadership for a comprehensive revision of the general education program and has chaired the university’s athletics advisory board.
She is very excited to take the next step in her career as president.
“I am indeed very thrilled,” she said. “I started out applying for the position because of the mission and reputation at GC&SU. By the time I got to campus and was there visiting, I was astounded by the talent and dedication of the students and faculty that it made me want to come even more. University presidents have unique opportunities to make a difference. They serve as a catalyst for the genius of others and as stewards of the academic and educational values of their institutions. Although the job of a university president is extremely demanding, the rewards can be significant. These rewards are expressed in the success stories of students, the creativity and brilliance of faculty and the ingenuity and dedicated service of staff. They are also reflected in the many benefits that a university brings to its community, state and region.”
“Both Dorothy Leland and GC&SU are very fortunate,” he said. “This is a match made in heaven. GC&SU, as Georgia’s only public liberal arts university, is on the fast track for becoming one of the nation’s best public universities. Both accomplishments and future expectations are high. The people here are warm, caring, competent and terrific. Dr. Leland comes to us with great energy, enthusiasm and aspirations for the faculty and students.”
The Presidential Search and Advisory Committee is also very pleased with the selection after five months of searching.
“I am tremendously pleased by the outcome of the presidential search,” said Dr. David Evans, chair of the PSAC and chair of the English, Speech and Journalism department at GC&SU. “I spent a great amount of time with all the candidates, got to know them quite well and saw how they responded to many different circumstances and questions. Throughout the process, Dr. Leland consistently provided concise but deep and thoughtful answers to the questions she was asked, displayed humane and egalitarian values and clearly indicated that she understands, and is dedicated to, the principals of our public liberal arts mission. I think she is an ideal successor to Dr. DePaolo — she understands the strengths and incredible value of what has been accomplished here over the past few years, and has a clear sense of what we need to do to continue to advance in our success.”
Leland will officially begin her tenure as president on Jan. 1, 2004. Until then, GC&SU gladly awaits the arrival of its new president. Brown, although sad to say good-bye to GC&SU, says he will help Leland have a smooth transition.
“It will be a great personal pleasure to share with her an orderly transition,” he said. “Although I have many personal regrets in leaving after only six months, I feel very good about passing the baton to a long term president who I believe will be very good for the university.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 21 2003. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry