USC Upstate’s Kelly named U. of West Georgia finalist

University of South Carolina Upstate Chancellor Brendan Kelly has been named sole finalist for president of the University of West Georgia, the University System of Georgia announced Monday.

He would replace interim University of West Georgia President Michael Crafton, who announced his resignation in November.

West Georgia is that state’s seventh largest institution ranked by enrollment, which was 13,733, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

“USC Upstate is an incredible university community and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve this institution as chancellor,” Kelly stated Monday. “It is and always will be a true honor to be part of the University of South Carolina Upstate.”

Kelly has been chancellor of USC Upstate since March 2017. He previously managed the University of West Florida’s Division of University Advancement and chaired the Department of Communications Arts there.

Last April, he was also appointed interim president of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, preceding the retirement of outgoing President Harris Pastides.

“Dr. Kelly’s public university experience and consensus-building leadership make him the right candidate to help West Georgia’s push to be one of the nation’s top comprehensive universities … and believe Dr. Kelly will serve West Georgia’s students, faculty and staff well,” stated Board of Regents Chairman Don L. Waters.

Kelly is expected to receive final approval from the West Georgia Board of Regents within the next several days, according to the university.

While at USC Upstate, Kelly completed a strategic planning process, obtained increased state funding and led the creation of a university-wide integrated brand platform, according to West Georgia.

Kelly began his academic career in 2000 at Eastern Michigan University.