Dr. Stuart Rayfield began her tenure as Columbus State University's sixth president
on June 1, 2023. The University System of Georgia announced her appointment in March
2023.
An Alabama native, Rayfield earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rhodes
College in Memphis, Tenn. She then earned a master’s in higher education administration
focused on student affairs from the University of Alabama before earning a doctorate
in higher education administration focused on leadership, policy and organizations
from Vanderbilt University.
Prior to her service in USG, Rayfield held positions at Auburn University, Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, Tenn., Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro
and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Rayfield came to Columbus State in 2006 as an assistant professor, later holding the
Frank D. Brown Distinguished Chair in Servant Leadership. Along with teaching, she
directed the Servant Leadership Program, co-led the SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation
and co- developed the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program, Servant
Leadership track.
In 2015, she was also named interim associate provost for Undergraduate Education
at Columbus State. A year later, she accepted a role as interim president of the former
Bainbridge State College, where she co-led the college’s consolidation with Abraham
Baldwin Agricultural College.
She then immediately stepped into the role as interim president of Gordon State College,
leading the college’s transition to new leadership. In July 2018, Rayfield was named
USG’s vice chancellor for leadership and institutional development – stepping away
only briefly in late 2019 to serve as the interim president of the University of West
Georgia.
Rayfield last year also served as interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs,
overseeing the university system’s entire academic enterprise.
As vice chancellor for leadership and institutional development, Rayfield has led
support for USG’s 26 public colleges and universities as well as the University System
Office in areas that include management, leadership transitions and training and orientation.
