Ferguson named director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

Dr. Charles Ferguson has been named Valdosta State University's director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning. Ferguson will give guidance as the university strives to meet its goals and also help prepare VSU for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) reaccreditation review in 2000.

Before arriving at Valdosta State, Ferguson was the director for Special Projects of the Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He is a retired Air Force Reserve colonel with experience in total quality management and strategic planning. From 1971-1989, he was a professor in the Political Science Department of Columbus State University, twice serving as department chairperson.

One of Ferguson's recent projects included helping acquire and move 94 government houses to Sioux reservations in North and South Dakota. Ferguson worked with federal officials and tribal leaders to secure the houses from military bases, targeting them for American Indians in need.

Ferguson said he looks forward to his work on the VSU campus.

"People like to work here, and it shows," Ferguson said. "There's a real sense of accomplishment and forward-movement."

"We are very fortunate to attract Dr. Ferguson to our campus," said Dr. Hugh C. Bailey, VSU president. "He has had an outstanding career at the university level and in the military. He brings much experience that will be useful as we complete our self-study for reaffirmation of Southern Association accreditation."

Ferguson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina in 1963, his Master of Arts in 1968 from the University of South Carolina and an International Affairs Ph.D. from USC in 1975.

In his free time, Ferguson participates in "orienteering," a sport where competitors go into the wilderness with only a map and compass and must navigate nature.

Ferguson's wife, Linda, is a grant writer and proposal manager at Robins AFB. Children include Amanda, Patrick and David.