Dr. Stuart Rayfield named as replacement

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Steve Wrigley today announced he accepted University of West Georgia (UWG) Interim President Micheal Crafton’s resignation effective December 16, the end of the fall semester. Following his resignation as interim president and provost, Crafton will return to faculty in the Spring 2020 semester to teach in the College of Education’s Ed.D. of Higher Education Administration program.

 

Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Vice Chancellor for Leadership and Institutional Development at USG’s System Office, will lead UWG as interim president until a new president is announced. A national presidential search is currently underway.

 

“I am grateful to Dr. Crafton for his longtime service and commitment to UWG,” said Wrigley. “Dr. Crafton has spent more than 30 years within USG in various capacities, including as Interim Chief Academic Officer at the System Office. Our students have benefited greatly from his experience and loyalty.”

 

“I am confident that Dr. Rayfield will assume this leadership role seamlessly and with great dedication and enthusiasm. I am thankful for the efforts of both Drs. Crafton and Rayfield on behalf of UWG.”

 

“It has been a privilege to serve UWG as interim president and provost,” said Crafton. “UWG’s campus community is unlike any other, and working among some of Georgia’s best and brightest has been the privilege of my lifetime. I look forward to the next chapter of my career in higher education and will whole-heartedly support Dr. Rayfield during this time of transition.”

 

“UWG is a vibrant campus community with students, faculty and staff eager to share their thoughts and ideas on how to strengthen UWG for the future,” said Rayfield. “I am eager to hit the ground running.”

  

About Rayfield

Rayfield previously served as interim president of Gordon State College and Bainbridge State College. Prior to those roles, Rayfield served as the Frank D. Brown Distinguished Chair in Servant Leadership, associate professor and interim associate provost for Undergraduate Education at Columbus State in 2015. Prior to her service at USG, she held positions at Auburn University, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Rayfield earned a doctorate in leadership, policy and organizations from Vanderbilt University, a master’s in higher education administration, student affairs from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.