KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 1, 2024

Valerie Morris to lead one of Georgia’s top arts colleges in transformative year

Kennesaw State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ivan Pulinkala has named Valerie B. Morris interim dean of the College of the Arts, effective July 1. 

Prof. Morris served as the Dean of the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston (CofC) for 22 years, during which time she supervised the departments of Art & Architectural History, Studio Arts, Music, Theatre & Dance, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs in Arts Management, Historic Preservation, along with MAT programs in Choral Music and Theatre. 

“Prof. Morris is deeply committed to students and the arts, and we are thrilled that she will be leading the College of the Arts in this transformative year as we advance the artistic and academic mission of the College in alignment with the new KSU Strategic Plan,” Pulinkala said. 

During her time at CofC, Morris supervised the regionally acclaimed Halsey Center of Contemporary Arts and oversaw the design phase of the $50 million Simons/Cato Center for the Arts, home to the well-known Spoleto Festival. Her experience will be invaluable as the College of the Arts seeks to undertake a comprehensive design of the proposed Arts District at Chastain Pointe and cultivate philanthropic support through the ArtsKSU Ambassador’s Council. 

At CofC, she also expanded the undergraduate program, growing the program in both visibility and quality. Previously, at American University, she created the masters’ program in arts management, which grew to become one of the major arts management programs in the country. A founding member of the Association of Arts Administration Educators, Prof. Morris has served as the executive editor of the Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society.

“I am thrilled to be joining the College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University, and I am excited to meet the students, faculty, and staff. I am also looking forward to meeting patrons and donors at one of the many performances, concerts, musicals, or exhibitions this next academic year,” Morris said.