Atlanta — July 23, 2024

University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named USG¡¯s Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Ashwani Monga, as interim president of the University of West Georgia (UWG), effective Aug. 19. 

UWG President Brendan B. Kelly announced in June he had accepted the role of president of the Arkansas State University System, which encompasses seven institutions in the state. The leadership transition between Monga and Kelly will begin prior to Kelly¡¯s departure at the end of August. 

¡°Under Dr. Kelly¡¯s leadership, UWG has created multiple new degree programs focused on Georgia¡¯s workforce, named a new college of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences and strengthened fundraising and student retention,¡± Perdue said. ¡°We wish him and his family well and are grateful to Dr. Monga for taking on this temporary role at such a critical time. Ashwani¡¯s previous administrative experience at Rutgers University and his academic leadership over the past two years across USG will help bring consistency and strategic insight to UWG ahead of a national search to find its next president.¡±

Details of the search will be forthcoming. At its conclusion, Monga will return to his executive vice chancellor role at USG. 

As USG¡¯s chief academic officer, Monga oversees systemwide initiatives related to academic programs and innovations, enrollment management and student affairs, student success, faculty teaching and research, the Georgia Film Academy, the Georgia Public Library Service, the Georgia Archives, and Georgia¡¯s virtual library, Galileo. He also holds a faculty appointment in the Scheller College of Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

¡°I am grateful to Chancellor Perdue for his trust in my ability to lead UWG in the interim while we begin a search to find a new president,¡± Monga said. ¡°President Kelly has done tremendous work, and I¡¯m looking forward to working with faculty and staff as the university builds on its momentum, helping students succeed in college and in their careers.¡±

Before joining USG, Monga served as provost and executive vice chancellor at Rutgers University¡ªNewark, where he was the university¡¯s chief academic officer. He was also on the faculty at Rutgers Business School, where he was a professor in the marketing department. Monga has also taught at the University of Minnesota; University of Texas, San Antonio; Ko? University, Turkey; and the University of South Carolina. He has won awards for his teaching, as well as commendations for research excellence. Monga¡¯s research on consumer behavior, particularly the psychology of time and money, has been published in the most influential journals of marketing. He has also co-authored a book, ¡°Becoming a Consumer Psychologist.¡± 

He earned his Ph.D. in business administration with a major in marketing, and minors in psychology and statistics, from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He earned his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India, and his Bachelor of Technology degree from the National Dairy Research Institute in Karnal, India. 

About the University of West Georgia: 

The University of West Georgia is one of four comprehensive universities within USG. Founded in 1906, the university is home to more than 12,700 students and boasts more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. It has locations in Douglasville and Newnan as well as the main campus in Carrollton. 

UWG is known for its online programs, which have consistently been ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Notably, its Web MBA and online graduate programs in computer information technology, nursing and education have all received recognition. The university offers more than 30 degrees that are 100% online and is USG¡¯s administrator for the statewide collaborative eCore program, which allows students to complete their first two years of college online. 

The university is also known for its vibrant campus life, having been named a Best Southeastern College by the Princeton Review and recognized as one of America¡¯s best-fit universities for students by Colleges of Distinction. Thirty-two states and 63 countries are represented in the student body, and the institution has over 150 student organizations. In 2024, UWG transitioned to become a NCAA Division I Athletics member.

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