Planning Committee

Co-Chairs:

Dr. Helen Bland
Professor, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Julie Gerbsch
Executive Director of Development

Committee Members:

Ashlea Anderson
Executive Director of IT Service & Delivery

Tabitha Atmore West
Business Manager for Academic Affairs

Rebecca Carroll
Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Kelsey Elam
Graduate Student, College of Arts & Humanities        

Dr. Brent Feske
Associate Dean, College of Science and Mathematics

Tobe Frierson
Assoc. Director of Admissions for Armstrong & Liberty Campuses

Dr. Andrew Hansen
Associate Professor, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Angela Harn
(Ex Officio) Communications Officer

Dorothy Kempson
Director, Liberty Campus       

Dr. Bridget Melton
Professor, Waters College of Health Professions

Dr. Marcus Mitchell
Lecturer, College of Arts & Humanities

Alisha Tolbert
Undergraduate Student, Parker College of Business   

Maliece Whatley
Senior Lecturer, Parker College of Business

Mark Whitesel
Associate Dean of Student Advocacy 

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Why We’re Involved

“To realize its expanded potential, the new University needs a broad-based conversation to answer the question, ‘Who are we now?’ I’m involved because I believe a participatory strategic planning process will help all of us answer this question.”

– Julie Gerbsch
Co-Chair, University Strategic Planning Committee
Executive Director of Development

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“The strategic planning process is empowering and allows everyone in the University community to help envision the future of Georgia Southern.”

– Helen W. Bland, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, University Strategic Planning Committee
Professor of Health Policy & Community Health

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“I’m involved because the strategic planning process allows the Georgia Southern community to make this institution how we want it to look in the future.”

– Alisha Tolbert
Senior
Parker College of Business

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“I’m involved because the Strategic Plan will provide direction for the ‘new’ Georgia Southern University and serve as a road map for the future.”

– Tabitha West
Business Manager-Academics
Office of the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs

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“I enjoy the opportunity to work together with colleagues, students and stakeholders. The discussion about who we are and where we want to go is energizing and unifying.”

– Mark A. Whitesel, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Students and Director for Student Advocacy

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“Planning for the future is one of the most important things we can do, and I’m excited to play a part in developing our plan. A well crafted Strategic Plan communicates to all stakeholders our direction and the focus of the new Georgia Southern University.”

– Dr. Brent Feske
Associate Dean of Outreach, Planning, and Community Programs
Professor of Chemistry

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“The strategic planning process is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to have a ‘voice’ in the long-term direction of the University.”

– Ashlea Anderson
Executive Director of IT Service and Delivery

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“The planning our committee is doing will benefit the entire Georgia Southern community because we’re including a cross-section of campus representatives in a series of meetings and Town Hall events to get feedback from all three campuses.”

– Tobe R. Frierson, M.Ed.
Associate Director of Admissions

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“The strategic planning process provides common ground across multiple interest areas that will help give the university and its stakeholders unified direction.”

– Andrew Hansen, Dr.P.H.
Associate Professor of Public Health

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“Strategic planning will yield common goals that leverage Georgia Southern’s strengths and speak to concerns raised by students, faculty and staff. Having a fresh and transparent set of priorities will allow everyone at Georgia Southern to know how and where to best direct their energies to cultivate the best learning and working environments on all three campuses.”

– Marcus Mitchell, Ph.D.
Lecturer of English

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“The strategic planning process allows me the ability to work closely with students, faculty, staff and community partners to lay a foundation of strengths and priorities for the university. I am glad to be a part of planning Georgia Southern’s new future!”

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“What I enjoy most about the strategic planning process is talking with my professors and fellow students about the university’s future and learning what they think are the best pathways to success. Every individual brings a new perspective or idea to the table, and I have the privilege of taking that idea and turning it into an actionable plan that will guide the University forward.”

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“I’m involved because we all have a unique opportunity to shape the direction of our university at this pivotal point in our history. Collectively, the work of the entire university will impact our students, employees and our community for years to come.”

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“It’s an exciting time at Georgia Southern, and I’m honored to be a part of the Strategic Planning committee. This plan will help us come together from our different campuses to map out where we want to be in five years. It’s a time to dream and focus on our future.”

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Subcommittee Members

The University Strategic Planning Committee greatly appreciates the time, talents and insights of fellow faculty, staff and students who volunteered to help us create the plan this year.  We have learned a lot through this work–and made many new friends, a plus!
Thank you so much again for your assistance.

Last updated: 8/7/2019