Brendan Kelly

Dr. Brendan Kelly is an accomplished academic leader who served as the president of the University of West Georgia (UWG) from March 2020 to September 2024.12 During his tenure at UWG, he achieved several significant milestones:

Professional Highlights:

• Led UWG through the COVID-19 pandemic, starting his presidency just a week before the pandemic's onset1
• Broke records in student retention, fundraising, and degrees conferred12
• Elevated the university's athletics program to NCAA Division I12
• Established two new colleges and one new school1

Career Progression: Prior to UWG, Kelly held leadership roles at several universities:

• Chancellor at University of South Carolina Upstate (2017-2020)
• Interim President of the University of South Carolina (2019)
• Vice President of University Advancement at University of West Florida (2013-2017)34

Academic Background:

• Earned a Bachelor's in Public Relations from Eastern Michigan University
• Obtained a Master's in Communication from Eastern Michigan University
• Completed a Ph.D. in Communication from Wayne State University3

Recent Appointment: On September 23, 2024, Dr. Kelly became the third president of the Arkansas State University System, succeeding Dr. Chuck Welch.34 He was selected by the ASU System Board of Trustees on June 5, 2024.5

Kelly is also a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities board of directors and was named "One of the Most Influential Georgians" by Georgia Trend and James Magazine.3