The next chancellor of the University System of Georgia was at first unsure he wanted the job.
Rep. Hank Huckaby, R-Watkinsville, became more interested in leading the 35-college system after conversations with and encouragement from several people -- including Gov. Nathan Deal.
"Being a Georgia boy who got his degrees in the University System, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be doing this," Huckaby said Friday. "But I consider myself a change agent. Overall, I like challenges and the jobs I've had in state government have been challenging. This is what I enjoy doing."
The state Board of Regents Friday named Huckaby as the sole finalist to follow Chancellor Erroll Davis, who will retire when his contract expires in June. State law requires the regents wait 14 days before officially voting on the appointment, but as the only finalist Huckaby is virtually guaranteed the job.
The 69-year-old has more than 40 years experience in Georgia politics and higher education. The first-term lawmaker was one of Deal's floor leaders in the House and has worked for two former governors. He was Gov. Sonny Perdue's chief financial officer and ran the state Office of Planning and Budget for former Gov. Zell Miller.
He retired in 2006 from the University of Georgia, where he was the senior vice president for finance and administration. While there he managed the university's $1 billion budget. He also has worked at Gordon College and Georgia State University and taught at Georgia Perimeter College and Emory University.
"He knows how things are done in the state of Georgia and has the respect of everyone," Regents Chairman Willis Potts said. "He can explain why higher education is important to the state. He has the business acumen to run the system and he knows higher education. There is not a more credible individual than Hank."
Sources say Huckaby was Deal's preferred candidate for the job. Potts said Deal spoke with the regents about Huckaby, but stressed he was already on their radar.
"Rep. Huckaby is a proven and respected leader in our state," Deal said in a statement. "As we continue to face tough decisions in these austere budget times, Hank Huckaby will be a steady hand who can effectively communicate with all stakeholders."
The governor attended part of a daylong meeting when the search committee interviewed multiple candidates, although he did not ask questions or participate in deliberations.
While Deal's presence was unusual, governors often participate in chancellor selections, said several search committee members who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they signed confidentiality agreements.
It's common for governors to recommend candidates, develop position criteria and even meet with finalists, said Dave Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that advocates for education in Georgia and 15 other states.
As the next chancellor, Huckaby will lead a system grappling with cuts in state funding while enrolling a record number of students. He said the system is doing a great job navigating fiscal challenges but they need to see if the current finance model is the most efficient option.
"We need a plan in place for when we start getting more funding," he said. "We can't go back to doing business as usual."
Huckaby plans to visit campuses and speak with presidents, faculty and students. One of his first jobs will be to hire a new chief academic officer, as Susan Herbst is leaving to become president of the University of Connecticut.
And he will be called on to restore the damaged relationship between the General Assembly and the regents.
The regents made an extremely savvy political move, said Rep. Ed Rynders, R-Albany. "He's amiable and bright. They need someone who can get along with everybody."
Huckaby was chosen after a nationwide search and was selected over current college presidents.
His connections give him the skills to be the chancellor the state needs now, said Hugh Hudson, a professor at Georgia State and head of the state chapter of the American Association of University Professors. Huckaby appreciates the importance of the University System and will help the General Assembly understand that, Hudson said.
"At this point, what the University System of Georgia faces is not difficulty with the academic side, but difficulty with the misunderstanding some in the Legislature have about the system," Hudson said. "He is well situated to meet a particular need and bridge that gap."
There long has been tension between the regents and the Legislature. While lawmakers approve how much state money colleges receive, the regents decide how it is spent and set tuition and fees.
The relationship became more contentious as the recession hit and there was less money to go around. Legislators and Davis had heated debates over how colleges spend money, why they teach certain subjects and whether the University System was willing to implement the same cuts as other state agencies.
"We need to tell our story in a way that gets support and understanding," Huckaby said. "We need to develop a vision for where we should be in the next 10 years. We need to bring the Board of Regents, the governor, the Legislature and university presidents together on a vision we can all agree on."
About the Author
