University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby has named Dr. Jessica Bailey as acting president of Fort Valley State University.

Bailey currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Fort Valley State. She will assume presidential responsibilities at Fort Valley State on May 16, 2015, and will become interim president July 1, 2015, after current President Ivelaw Griffith steps down June 30.

“Jessica has an extensive academic background in higher education and is well qualified to provide leadership at Fort Valley State during this time of transition,” said Huckaby. “With Jessica’s experience as part of the leadership team at Fort Valley, she can step in and ensure a thoughtful transition supporting our students and leading faculty and staff.”

In her previous position, Bailey held the position of dean for the School of Business and Economics at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. During her tenure she initiated an academic reorganization and secured a $1.25 million grant in support of the school. She also successfully chaired the school’s reaffirmation of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation.

Prior to her service at Winston-Salem State University, she served as dean of the Sydney Lewis School of Business at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Her primary responsibilities included administration of academic programs and school services, development and implementation of community outreach programs and supervision of faculty and staff.

Dr. Bailey earned two master’s degrees, a MEd in vocational rehabilitation counseling from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland and a MBA from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She later earned a doctorate in marketing also from the University of Missouri-Columbia.