Roberts-Betsch named vice president
Digest Extra

President David Potter announced on June 3 the appointment of Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch as the university’s vice president for Academic Affairs.

Betsch, one of three finalists for the position, has served as interim vice president for Academic Affairs since last July. She had been the Academic Affairs associate vice president since April 2000.

“Considering the valuable information on three finalists provided by the committee conducting the nationwide search for this top academic position, I determined that Dr. Roberts-Betsch was the best candidate among the very strong contenders,” Potter said. “Her experience, knowledge of North Georgia and her proven record of innovation and leadership make her the best choice.”

Potter added, “I feel that Linda is a strong advocate for North Georgia’s mission and will provide positive leadership to guide us in new directions.”

Roberts-Betsch already has some of these new directions in mind.

“As the new VPAA, I want to enhance the communication from and to our office from others, both on campus and with alumni and community folks,” she said. “In the fall, I will be starting a ‘Suggestion Box Lunch’ to begin this enhancement.”

No longer the chief academic officer on an interim basis, Roberts-Betsch is ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As the new academic year approaches she has several priorities in Academic Affairs.

“With the approval to create the Center of Teaching & Learning Excellence, I hope to work with the center's director, Dr. Irene Kokkala, to support innovations in teaching and learning and the concomitant faculty development associated with the use of technology in the classroom.”

Roberts-Betsch is also conscientious of the changing roles and needs of academic administrators and faculty members.

“We have already begun the process of increasing the autonomy of the deans and schools. I want to continue developing models and procedures in relation to this autonomy. I am most supportive of a review of faculty, department heads, and dean workloads. I have assigned each dean some faculty ‘release time slots’ to start the process of rewarding faculty for their participation in scholarship and service activities. We still have more work to do in the area of faculty roles and awards.”

The newly named VP said that another goal is to ensure that NGCSU receives SACS reaffirmation. She believes the university needs to review student-learning outcomes as related to the institution’s mission and to track if and how students meet those outcomes both in core curriculum courses and in their majors.

“I am most grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop into what I hope will be a collaborative and successful partnership between the greater NGCSU community and myself,” she said.

Roberts-Betsch began her NGCSU career in the Department of Nursing in 1983, was awarded tenure in 1988, and was named department head in 1991, a position she held until 1998 when she moved up to Academic Affairs. Three times she served as CEO of North Georgia’s Faculty Senate. Former Gov. Zell Miller appointed her to the Georgia Board of Nursing in 1997, and she was president of that board from 2002 until 2004.

“In my 22 years at North Georgia, the journey from faculty member to vice president has been one of many challenges and opportunities,” Roberts-Betsch said. “In every position that I have held on campus, I have learned so much from working with others at all levels that contribute to my understanding of the roles, issues, and concerns of faculty, staff, students, and administrators.”

The president expressed appreciation for the work of the search committee, headed by Tom Fox, dean of Natural & Health Sciences, then chaired by Education Dean Bob Michael upon Fox’s departure from campus for a trip overseas. Others who served on the committee were Laura Whitaker-Lea, associate dean of students; Associate Professor Eric Link; Faculty Senate CEO Robert Fuller; Carmen Mas, director of Academic Support Programs; Alice Sampson, Appalachian Studies Center director; Professor Judy O’Neal; Vice President for Business & Finance Mac McConnell; Leo Downing, department head of Political Science & Criminal Justice, and William Couch, a representative of the Student Government Association.

Roberts-Betsch earned her BSN degree in 1970, her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certificate in 1971, and her MSHE in 1975, all from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Her 1986 MSN and her 1988 DSN degrees were from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

This page last modified on: Monday, 13 June 2005 17:07:10 -0400 by University Relations    

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