The State Board of Regents on Friday unanimously selected a new president for Fort Valley Sate University.

Ivelaw Griffith, the provost at York College of the City University of New York, will begin July 22.

He was the sole finalist for the job and will be the college’s ninth president.

The current president, Larry Rivers, will step down June 30.

Kimberly Ballard-Washington will serve as interim president until Griffith arrives on campus. She serves as the assistant vice chancellor for legal affairs for the University System of Georgia.

About the Author

Keep Reading

President Donald Trump speaks at an event to promote his domestic policy and budget agenda in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC