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FVSU Names New Interim VP of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

by Mechell McCrary


Posted on May 26, 2021


Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Maria Arvelo Lumpkin as the interim vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. She will begin her appointment on June 14, 2021.

Lumpkin has more than 25 years of experience in higher education having served as a leader in university administration, student affairs and enrollment management. Her extensive career background includes leadership roles in two of the largest university systems in the nation – the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the University System of Georgia (USG). In prior roles, she served as Associate Vice President and Director of New Student Success Programs at Albany State University; Interim Vice President for Student Affairs at Atlanta Metropolitan State College; and Chief of Staff at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Most recently, she served as the interim President of Saint Augustine's University, a private historically black college in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Under the new interim vice president, FVSU has committed to building upon its recent accomplishments in enrollment management and student development. The university experienced a 7.8% increase in student enrollment during the Fall 2020 semester despite the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

"With the selection of Dr. Lumpkin, an experienced and accomplished leader in higher education, I am confident we will continue to make great strides toward our commitment to student-centeredness and development," said FVSU President Paul Jones. "Her vast background in student affairs and leadership experience at both HBCUs and within the USG will help successfully advance our university's strategic priorities during this transition period."

Lumpkin earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Clark Atlanta University. She also holds a Master of Urban Studies degree from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Saint Augustine's University. In 2003, she received the Association for Case Teaching certification from Harvard Divinity School.

As interim vice president, Lumpkin will assume all duties and responsibilities of the role to include oversight of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and all the units that report to that office: admissions, financial aid, counseling, student life, residence life, student health and the Office of the Registrar.

"I am thrilled to join the Wildcat Nation during this exciting time in the life of the university. I find this era in our nation's history a very propitious moment to work with students to develop their fullest potential, " said Lumpkin. "I look forward to engaging with the talent-rich community of FVSU to build congruent bridges between academic and student affairs; and support President Jones in elevating the legacy of academic excellence and service that distinguishes the vision, mission, and strategy of Fort Valley State University."

A national search is underway to fill the position of Vice President for Student Affairs Enrollment Management.

 

Media Contact:

Mechell Clark McCrary | Mechell.McCrary@fvsu.edu


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