September 28, 2016
Hon. Hank M. Huckaby
Chancellor, University System of Georgia
270 Washington Street, Ste. 7025
Atlanta, GA 30334
Re: Kennesaw State University
Dear Chancellor:
I write to request that I be considered for the Presidency of
Kennesaw State University.
Ihave long been passionate about the central role education plays
in our society, especially for students who lack the privileges many
others enjoy. I have personally experienced the life-changing nature of
education. I lost my mother at age 5 and my father at age 12. Two years
later, the uncle with whom I was living also passed away. My aunt
raised me until I graduated high school.
I spent summers working at a chicken processing plant, a glass
manufacturing facility, along with McDonald’s and the local hospital.
Part-time jobs during the academic year included a paper route and
other assorted opportunities. It was education that enabled me to
overcome these challenges and go on to a successful legal career with
service to our state as a County Commissioner, County Chairman, and
State Attorney General.
Government service is increasingly relevant experience for facing
the current complexities of higher education. Institutions of higher
learning understand that their leaders must have greater capabilities for
navigating the waters of funding (both government and private], a
myriad of legal requirements, and public accountability.Hon. Hank M. Huckaby
September 28, 2016
Iwould bring considerable public managerial experience to KSU
ata time it really needs it. As Chairman of Cobb County, | oversaw
approximately 4,200 employees and a $700,000,000 budget. Few local
governments have a triple AAA credit rating and have operated as.
smoothly as Cobb County.
As the chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission, I worked
with diverse stakeholders, forging consensus around shared goals. Few
of these successes were achieved without significant time, effort and
collaboration. One such example is the passage of Concept 3, a long-
range transit vision adopted in 2008. 1 am committed to the kind of
tireless work it takes to build consensus.
I would bring unique strengths to KSU: strategic relationships,
deep community ties, and a deep understanding of the broader context
in which KSU exists. Anyone who has worked with me knows that [am
not shy about calling it like I see it. But I am also not shy about
acknowledging what I don’t know, and working hard to learn. Whoever
the Board appoints as the next president of KSU will face a steep
learning curve, and | am committed to working hard to learn in the role,
while also bringing my strengths to bear.
KSU has grown exponentially over the past few years. But such
massive growth in such a short time has created its own challenges, and
some have become painfully clear over the past few months. The
institution needs administrative accountability.
To renew the core of KSU's mission, we must refocus on serving
students. In my view, the next president should focus on ensuring KSU's
affordability, comprehensively evaluating the budget to allocate
resources more effectively, and improving graduation rates so that
more KSU students can use their skills and education to better our
communities. For example, regarding affordability, | applaud Dr. Davis’
swift decision to discontinue the mandatory meal plan forHon. Hank M. Huckaby
September 28, 2016
commuting students. More concerning is that the leadership culture
allowed such a plan to begin with,
One of my top priorities will be to keep tuition and fees as low as
possible while ensuring that the faculty have the resources they need to
be successful in the University’s mission of teaching, research, and
service.
Lalso firmly believe in working to ensure the availability of
financial aid for students with financial need. KSU provides one of the
greatest educational values in the nation; no student should be
prevented by poverty from obtaining their education. Enhanced
scholarships and initiatives that boost student graduation rates are
essential.
As Attorney General, | have had the honor and responsibility to
serve ten million Georgians. I would humbly welcome the opportunity
and honor to continue my career of service to the community that has
been my home for over three decades. Thank you for considering my
candidacy for the Presidency of Kennesaw State University.
Thank you,
s__OR 0)
Samuel S. Olens