Atlanta — January 17, 2019

The Board of Regents today named Dr. Kyle Marrero president of Georgia Southern University. Marrero will begin his new position effective April 1.

“Dr. Marrero is the right person to lead Georgia Southern University as it continues to expand its footprint in Southeast Georgia,” said University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Steve Wrigley. “Kyle’s higher education experience, combined with his focus on strengthening academics and building community partnerships, will be an asset to Georgia Southern’s campus community and the region as a whole. On behalf of the Board of Regents and USG, I’m excited to welcome Kyle in his new role.

“At the same time that we welcome Kyle, we must also bid farewell to Interim President Shelley Nickel. She’s worked tirelessly on behalf of Georgia Southern’s students, faculty, alumni and staff. I’m grateful for her service to USG and proud to call her a friend.”

Marrero currently serves as president of the University of West Georgia (UWG), a position he’s held since 2013.

“Georgia Southern University is an incredible institution and I am honored to be chosen as its 14th president,” said Marrero. “The future is full of great promise for Georgia Southern and I am looking forward to working alongside the Eagle Nation - the great students, the distinguished faculty and staff and the passionate alumni and communities – as we soar to new heights across the region, the state and beyond.”

A national search for the next president of UWG will be launched at a later date.

About President Marrero

Under Marrero’s leadership, UWG has achieved records in enrollment, graduation rates, degrees conferred, fundraising and annual economic impact to the region. He has also worked to develop new student-centered partnerships within regional education and business communities. With the implementation of the Engage West! initiative, UWG won the 2015 national award for Innovation and Excellence, in the category of Leadership Development and Diversity, from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Also in 2015, the Chancellor’s Service Excellence Awards selected UWG as Institution of the Year and Marrero as President of the Year. Marrero founded the Carrollton/Carroll County Education Collaborative, focused on K-16 student success. The program is now a state model. He is currently serving as chairman of the steering committee for USG’s Comprehensive Administrative Review in its efforts to assess administrative support service and functions systemwide.

Prior to his appointment at UWG, Marrero served as vice president for university advancement at the University of West Florida, overseeing the university’s integrated marketing communications efforts, fundraising, development and alumni relations’ activities. Marrero’s background in the arts has taken him to 10 foreign countries as an artistic ambassador for the United States Embassies and 40 states as a singer and stage director. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Dr. Jane Redding, have been married for 23 years and have an 8-year-old daughter, Lily.

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