Interim president to take over at KSU June 30

As Kennesaw State University’s President Pamela Whitten prepares to exit from the university, Kathy “Kat” Schwaig, chief academic officer and provost, will take over as interim president beginning June 30. Schwaig was appointed to the interim role by University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley as leaders decide who will become the next president. Whitten is leaving the role to become President of Indiana University, effective July 1.

Since her arrival at KSU in 2002, Schwaig has supervised the deans of KSU’s 11 colleges and previously served as head of multiple university entities. She is also credited with improving the reputation of Coles College of Business as their part-time MBA is ranked among the top 25 in the nation.

Per Wrigley, Schwaig “has great passion for Kennesaw State University and has built a reputation as an exceptional leader” at the university. “I appreciate her willingness to serve and know she will continue to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students and leadership to help KSU achieve its goals,” Wrigley said in a USG news release. In describing Schwaig, Wrigley said she has been responsible for “all aspects of the university’s academic mission,” including planning, budgeting, supervising and reviewing instruction, research and continuing education.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Kennesaw State as interim president,” Schwaig said. “Because of our great students and the dedication of KSU faculty and staff, we enjoy significant momentum and focus in the areas of enrollment growth, student success and research funding. Working collaboratively with all university stakeholders, my objective as interim president is to continue KSU’s extraordinary trajectory towards becoming one of the best R2 institutions in the nation.”

Schwaig held faculty positions at Georgia State University and Baylor University prior to joining KSU. She will serve in the interim role until such time as the University System of Georgia determines next steps in searching for a new President.