����ֱ��

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2017

For More Information:
����ֱ�� State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

Dr. Tracy Pellett | Courtesy of the College of Coastal Georgia

GLENVILLE, WV – Dr. Tracy L. Pellett has been selected to serve as the twenty-fourth leader of ����ֱ�� State College by the College’s Board of Governors.

“It is with both gratitude and humility that I thank the ����ֱ�� State Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for this wonderful opportunity to serve as the next President of ����ֱ�� State College. My wife Heidi and I look forward with great anticipation and enthusiasm to becoming part of this respected institution and supportive community. ����ֱ�� State College has a tremendous history, a deeply rooted commitment to serving students and the ����ֱ�� community and I am honored to have an opportunity to work with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to help shape its future,” Pellett said.

Pellett is currently the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, Georgia. He previously held positions at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington as Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Education and Associate Provost for Academic and Student Life. He spent his early career as a middle school teacher.

Additionally, Pellett has led academic program development and review efforts, institutional strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and department, college, and university-wide improvement efforts. He is an advocate for student access, having supported infrastructure and faculty development to enhance online offerings, dual enrollment, and competency based instruction. Through a variety of creative partnerships and recruitment initiatives, Pellett has been instrumental in encouraging enrollment growth. He has also worked to obtain numerous grants and contracts to enhance instructional delivery, programming, and institutional capacity.

Dr. Pellett earned his Ed.D. in education from Brigham Young University, his Masters from Ball State University, and his BA in health and physical education from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

“I thank the members of the Search Committee for their hard work and all of the time they devoted to this important process,” said GSC Board of Governors Chairman Greg Smith. “The talented pool of candidates for the job certainly didn’t make our work easy but we strongly believe that Dr. Pellett will be a good fit at ����ֱ�� State and that the institution will benefit from his experiences and leadership.”

Pellett will succeed Dr. Peter Barr on July 1, 2017; Barr announced his intention to retire last year.

“President Barr has done an outstanding job enhancing ����ֱ�� State’s campus infrastructure and in encouraging needs-based and first generation students in attending college. Both Dr. Barr and his wife Betsy have been great institutional champions over the years, and my wife Heidi and I are greatly honored to follow them in such an important position,” Pellett said. “The ����ֱ�� State campus and community are a great fit for me professionally and personally. With student-centered faculty, a dedicated and collaborative staff, interconnected campus-community partnerships, and a proven track record of innovation, resourcefulness and success, it is evident why students graduating from ����ֱ�� State are in demand by employers and graduate schools.”

“While I will certainly miss the faculty, staff, students, and community support at the College of Coastal Georgia, ����ֱ�� State is one of the most creative, student focused, and supportive institutions that I now have the pleasure and humblest opportunity to be a part of, and I am looking forward to further strengthening those values with campus and community support, and encouragement,” Pellett added.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will now schedule a special meeting in the near future to consider Pellett’s confirmation as president once all materials are submitted by the College’s Board of Governors.