University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby has named Dr. Kelli Brown interim president of Valdosta State University in Georgia.

Brown currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. She will assume her position at Valdosta State on June 1, 2016, replacing Interim President Cecil Staton.

“Kelli is an experienced and talented leader in our University System,” said Huckaby. “Kelli is ready for this important leadership role at Valdosta State University, and I thank her for stepping forward and serving Valdosta State, the University System and our state.”

Prior to joining Georgia College in June 2013, Brown served as interim dean of the College of Health and Human Performance and professor in the Department of Health Education & Behavior at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She has also served as associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Florida.

Brown has previously served as interim dean of the graduate school, associate provost, associate professor and professor of community and family health at the University of South Florida in Tampa. At Illinois State University in Normal, she served as department chair and professor of health sciences and held various other faculty positions at Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Brown earned a doctorate from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in education, a Master of Science & Education in public health and a bachelor degree in public health services from the University of Toledo in Ohio, and an associate of applied sciences in dental hygiene from the Michael J. Owens Technical College in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Meanwhile, the University System will announce plans for a formal presidential search soon.

“We appreciate the support of the faculty and staff of Valdosta State and the Valdosta community as we develop plans for a formal presidential search,” said Huckaby.