A KSU/Atlanta Partnership
Jun 04, 2019 12:00 PM
Pamela S. Whitten, President, KSU
A KSU/Atlanta Partnership

Pamela S. Whitten was named Kennesaw State University’s 5th president on June 12, 2018, following a nationwide search. Whitten began her tenure on July 16, 2018, bringing with her a strong emphasis on expanding successful outcomes and meaningful learning experiences for students, boosting faculty research, and providing greater outreach services to the community.

Previously, Whitten served as SVP for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia (UGA). As the chief academic officer, she was responsible for overseeing instruction, research, public service and outreach, student affairs, and information technology.  During her tenure at UGA, Whitten worked with campus leadership to implement a number of enhancements and innovations to the learning environment, including reducing class sizes, enhancing advising services, and ensuring that all undergraduate students engaged in hands-on learning through internships, research, and other forms of experiential learning opportunities. Her office also identified three Signature Research Themes – improving human health, creating a more secure future, and strengthening communities – and spearheaded enhancements to grants administration and supported faculty hiring initiatives that dramatically increased UGA’s research activity. Through her leadership, the university also deepened its commitment to public service and outreach with new programs related to economic development, community revitalization, and cybersecurity.

Prior to serving as provost at UGA, Whitten was director for telemedicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center before she joined Michigan State University, where she worked her way through the faculty ranks and eventually served as dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

An internationally recognized expert in the field of telemedicine – the remote delivery of health care services and information – Whitten has conducted research with funding from multiple state and federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Commerce. She has published two books and more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters.

Whitten holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas, a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University.

INTRODUCTION: Karen Carlisle
INVOCATION: Norris Broyles