Fort Valley State University president to step down June 30

Fort Valley State University President Ivelaw Griffith plans to step down June 30, according to an announcement late Wednesday from the University System of Georgia.

Griffith has been president of the historically black institution, about 100 miles south of Atlanta, since 2013.

“Dr. Griffith has overseen key changes in Fort Valley’s administration and operations to better serve students,” University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby said in the resignation announcement, which highlighted some of Griffith’s achievements, including raising admission standards and signing agreements with nearby technical and military colleges to boost enrollment and completion levels.

Fort Valley was one of 15 colleges Huckaby cited during a budget presentation earlier this year for having significant enrollment declines over the past few years. Enrollment at the school declined from a high of 3,896 students in fall 2011 to 2,594 students at the beginning of the current academic year. Enrollment declines led to a $7 million drop in revenue and layoffs of more than a dozen staffers in September, according to news reports at the time.

University System of Georgia officials on Wednesday would not comment further on the announcement. More information on the presidential search for Griffith’s replacement is expected in the coming months.

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