KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 23, 2019

Tricia Chastain brings extensive experience to KSU

President Pamela Whitten has tapped University System of Georgia (USG) Executive Vice Chancellor of Administration Tricia Chastain to lead Kennesaw State’s administrative units. Chastain will assume the role of vice president of administration, effective May 6.

In addition to her position with the USG, Chastain also held leadership roles with the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the University of Georgia. She has worked on a number of key issues impacting higher education, including the launch of GAfutures.org, the state’s premier resource to help Georgians plan, apply and pay for college, and the rollout of OneUSG Connect to centralize payroll and benefits for the university system’s 48,000 employees. 

“Tricia is immensely qualified to serve in this role and brings a truly unique skillset to Kennesaw State,” said Whitten. “She has a demonstrated track record as an exceptional leader, an impeccable reputation, and, most importantly, a deeply held passion for helping students. I am thrilled to welcome Tricia to KSU and look forward to partnering with her to continue the journey we are on to make KSU one of the nation’s top-tier R2 research universities.”

In her role as vice president of administration, Chastain will provide strategic leadership and vision ensuring that the university maintains proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure operating efficiency. She will oversee day-to-day administrative operations, supervising human resources, facilities, event and venue management, process improvement and campus services, which includes housing/residence life, the KSU bookstore, dining services, parking and transportation and the health clinic. Chastain will report directly to the president and becomes the eighth female of the president’s 12-member leadership team.

As executive vice chancellor for administration, Chastain oversees the business operations for the USG and its 26 institutions in the areas of real estate and facilities, legal affairs, human resources, campus safety, communications and government relations.

Prior to joining USG, Chastain served as president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission where she led the administration of Georgia's 22 scholarship, grant and loan programs, including the lottery-funded HOPE programs and the Dual Enrollment program. Chastain also served as the associate vice president for government relations at the University of Georgia for four years. She began her career working with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson where she held a variety of positions over 11 years. 

Chastain is involved in several education-related organizations and has served on the board of the Ty Cobb Educational Foundation and the REACH Scholarship Foundation. She is a member of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2015 and was recognized in 2015 with UGA’s 40 Under 40 Award. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.