USG Staff Council Conference 2023

Brooks Keel, PhD, was appointed as President of Augusta University in July 2015. He previously worked for 20 years as a professor and researcher. Guided by his vision, AU has expanded its academic offerings and infrastructure. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Augusta College and doctorate degree in Reproductive Endocrinology from the Medical College of Georgia. He served on numerous boards and is a member of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and Society for Gynecologic Investigation.

Mark Thompson is the Interim Dean and the Maxwell Chair of Business Administration at Augusta University’s Hull College of Business. He earned his PhD in economics from Texas Tech University and has published extensively in the areas of business conditions, risk analysis, and healthcare management. Mark has previously held administrative and faculty positions at Texas Tech University and Stephen F. Austin State University. He also served as the State Economic Forecaster for Arkansas, where he provided economic and policy analysis to various state and local agencies.

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Jack Evans is a double alumnus of AU who joined our staff in 2005. As Director of Organization Change Management and Strategic Initiatives, he supports a wide array of projects and initiatives focused on process improvement and capability enhancement. During his tenure, he served on teams charged with leading changes as mundane as office relocations to the more significant initiatives including comprehensive website redesigns, name changes, university consolidation, and our recent health system merger.

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Rebecca Carroll is the Vice President of Human Resources (HR) at Augusta University and began her tenure in February 2022. She served as the Associate Vice President of HR and Chief HR Officer at Georgia Southern University from 2016 to 2022. Prior to her appointment at GSU, she served as Armstrong State University’s Chief HR Officer. Carroll received her undergraduate degree from Augusta University and master’s degree in Adult Education from Armstrong State University. She is certified as a Senior Professional in HR and SHRM Senior Certified Professional.

Sharri Peck has 23 years of experience in Human Resources at Augusta University.  She began her career with AU as an Employment Specialist and has moved up the ranks serving as the Assistant Employment Manager, Sr. HRIM Analyst, Manager HR Information Systems & Reporting, and is currently the Director of Classification, Compensation & Information Systems. Sharri received her undergraduate degree from Augusta University and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional.

Dr. Garrett Green is the Chief Diversity Officer and an adjunct professor in the College of Education & Human Development at Augusta University. He works closely with university leadership in developing strategies to build and preserve a campus culture that promotes the values of inclusivity. Dr. Green received his Doctorate in Education from Augusta University. He previously served as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement in the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs

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Dr. Scott Wallace began his role as Dean of Students at Augusta University in June 2014. As a leader within the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs, he is an advocate for student holistic growth. Prior to Augusta University, Wallace served as Assistant Dean of Students for nine years at the University of Mississippi. Wallace earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He earned a master’s degree and PhD in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Heather Roszkowski serves as the AVP Cyber Defense & Enterprise Chief Information Security Officer for Augusta University and AU Health, now Wellstar MCG Health. Prior to joining AU, she served as the Network Chief Information Security Officer of The University of Vermont Health Network. She also served on active duty with the US Army. She completed her bachelor’s degrees in Computer Information Systems and Business Management, master’s degree in Computer Information Security, and doctoral degree in Cybersecurity. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

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Since 2016, Leadra Collins has served as the Public Information Officer for the City of Augusta’s Utilities Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Fisk University and began her career in higher education administration at Paine College. She later became a math and science educator in the CSRA before returning to Paine College to work in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Georgia Association of Water Professionals, National Association of Government Communicators, and Leadership Augusta Class of 2015.

View Collaborating and Compromising Presentation

As a full-time lecturer, Roger currently teaches Project Management at Augusta University in the Hull College of Business. He graduated from Auburn University and the University of South Carolina with degrees in Mechanical Engineering. He worked 42 years at the Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) in engineering, project management, and program management positions. He was the Agile Coach for the first major agile project at SRS. He is also a Project Management Institute (PMI) instructor.

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Mr. James Sayno serves as Senior Director of Talent and Inclusion at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the world famous Masters Tournament, which is held each April.

The Board of Regents named Dr. Sonny Perdue the 14th chancellor of the University System of Georgia in April 2022. He oversees 26 public colleges and universities, and prior to becoming chancellor, Perdue was the 31st Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from 2017 to 2021. He also served two terms as the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 and was a member of the Georgia Senate from 1991 to 2001. Perdue earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia. He is also a veteran, serving four years in the U.S. Air Force.

Russell Keen joined Augusta University in 2015. As Executive Vice President for External Relations and Chief of Staff to the President, he manages operations for the Office of the President. He received a bachelor’s degree in Finance, master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University, and Doctorate of Higher Education degree from the University of Georgia. He is a graduate of the 2016 Class of Leadership Columbia County and serves on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Augusta, and Georgia Chamber of Commerce. 

Brennan Francois is the Chief Diversity Officer for Wellstar MCG Health, formally AU Health, and has served Augusta University for nearly 30 years. He previously served as a Patient Representative, staff Chaplain, and Associate Director of Spiritual Care. He earned his undergraduate degree at Southwestern Adventist University and his Masters of Divinity degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. Brennan is involved in the community in numerous ways: CEO of Dynamic Living, Inc., author of three books, Care Pastor of CHOSEN church, and Board chairperson of the Purpose Center.

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Angel Lovett is originally from Sylvania, Georgia, and has been employed with Augusta University and its affiliated entities for 22 years. She is currently serving Augusta University on the External Relations Team working for the Department of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement as Associate Director of Philanthropy. She currently serves as Chair of the Augusta University Staff Council and is proud to support the mission of Augusta University.

After a decade-long career as a local broadcast meteorologist, Rich Rogers returned home to his alma mater in 2016 to work in Web Services. He has been in his current role as a Web Developer since 2018. He joined the AU Staff Council in 2019, representing the Division of Information Technology for the past two years. Rich is the current Chair Elect of the AU Staff Council and has served as the Chair of its Administrative Committee for the past two years. He has also been very active in the Augusta University Alumni Association for more than a decade and served as its president from 2019 to 2021. Rich also serves outside of AU as a deacon in his church.