Jackson State University President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers today announced that Athletic Director Dr. Vivian Fuller has accepted the post of associate vice provost for Student Affairs.
“We are delighted to announce that Dr. Fuller has accepted this post. We honor people who have achieved success in their tasks and believe that she can bring her talents to Student Affairs. This is a strategic redeployment of talent.”
Meyers cited Fuller’s success in improving academic scores within the Athletic Department.
This academic year, JSU led the Southwest Athletic Conference with the number of student-athletes maintaining a 3.0-plus GPA while competing in their respective sports.
The university will conduct a national search for Fuller’s replacement, Meyers said.
Dr. Robert Walker, who has previously served as interim athletic director, will again serve as interim effective March 1, Meyers said.
Associate Athletics Director Nedra Brown will assume day-to-day duties of the Division of Athletics until Walker begins, she said.
Fuller will report to Dr. James C. Renick, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, and Associate Provost/Student Affairs Dr. Charles Smith.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Fuller, carrying forward the academic successes she has achieved in the Athletic Department into Student Affairs,” Renick said.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of my new role,” Fuller said.
“With her academic experiences at Sojourner Truth College before coming here and her ongoing experience in athletics, a critical component of student life, Dr. Fuller has walked with expertise, commitment and strength in both worlds,” Meyers said.
Fuller’s achievements in the Athletic Department are significant, Meyers said.
On Thursday, 137 athletes were recognized during a breakfast ceremony hosted by Associate Provost Smith. Of those, four recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA, 58 finished between the 3.5-3.99 range and 75 recorded between a 3.0-3.49.
In December’s graduation ceremonies were 13 SWAC All-Academic team members, six Chi Alpha Psi members (Athlete Honor Society) and 10 who participated in JSU’s Breakfast of Champions program (honors student-athletes with 3.0 GPA or better). Six members of the graduating class also won SWAC championships.
JSU has in years past struggled with meeting the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate, which is designed to ensure that student-athletes meet benchmarks in the classroom as well as on the field.