Members of the University of West Georgia Community,

It is my privilege to announce the naming of Dr. Jon Preston as the University of West Georgia's next provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, effective Dec. 1.

Jon, a resident of Carroll County, has served within the University System of Georgia for 26 years and is currently the dean of the College of Computing and Software Engineering at Kennesaw State University.

As provost, Preston will serve as our university’s chief academic officer and dean of the faculty. As such, he will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of all academic plans, policies, priorities, and innovations to ensure the university’s curriculum remains vibrant, relevant, rigorous, and meets the highest levels of academic attainment.

Dr. Preston will lead our university’s team of collaborative deans and administrative leaders, building upon the strengths of the institution’s academic programs and promoting our high-quality, transformative student learning experience to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

I am thrilled to have Jon join our leadership team and the campus community. As a strong advocate for broadening participation, advancing student success, and encouraging curricular innovation, he has led the development of interdisciplinary academic programs and collaborated with faculty and leaders across multiple universities, and we are eager for his thought-partnership and expertise as we advance UWG toward our next chapter. I look forward to working with Jon in his engagement with the academic affairs enterprise, faculty, and the entire campus community. 

Dr. Preston had this to say about joining UWG:

“As members of the local community, my family and I have benefitted from the cultural and academic strengths of UWG, and I'm excited to become even more connected to UWG and serve the faculty, staff, and students as provost. UWG is well-positioned to lead higher education forward in so many ways, and I look forward to working closely with our faculty, staff, and industry partners to advance excellence and opportunities for all students.”

Prior to joining KSU, Preston served on the faculty at Clayton State University and Georgia Tech. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from Georgia Tech and his doctorate in computer science from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of four children and enjoy traveling and hiking in Georgia's state parks.

Finally, I would like to publicly thank Dr. David Jenks for his service as interim provost over the past 17 months. He has served the university and led the Division of Academic Affairs through a variety of challenges and a time of significant transition. I am grateful for his service and hope you will join me in thanking him as we welcome Dr. Preston.

We are eager to bring Dr. Preston on board in the next month and connect him across campus and the communities we serve as he begins in his new role.

Best wishes,

 

Brendan B. Kelly, Ph.D.
President
University of West Georgia