Dr. William R. “Bill” Crowe has been appointed interim president of Valdosta State University (VSU), effective January 1, 2026, according to an announcement from University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue.
Crowe will begin working alongside current VSU President Richard Carvajal on October 15, ahead of Carvajal’s departure for California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where he will assume the presidency starting January 20.
“We’re grateful to Dr. Carvajal for his nine years of steady leadership, his focus on student success and his dedication to South Georgia,” Perdue said. “As he passes the torch, we’re fortunate to welcome Dr. Crowe, who has a proven record across every level of higher education. His experience in advancing student success, guiding complex organizations and building partnerships makes him well-suited to serve as interim president and help faculty, staff and students to continue building on VSU’s success.”
The process for selecting a permanent president will be announced at a later date.
Crowe currently works at VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact and brings extensive experience in higher education administration. He has previously served as a college police chief, community college president, and senior faculty member in public service at the University of Georgia (UGA). Most recently, Crowe provided strategic direction at the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin where he supported initiatives aimed at improving student transfer processes across institutions.
“I’m honored to step into this interim position,” Crowe said. “Valdosta State has a proud tradition of serving students and communities in South Georgia, and I’m excited to support Blazer Nation’s mission. What matters most to me is helping students succeed and making sure faculty and staff have the resources they need to do their best work. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that.”
At UGA’s Continuing Education Center, Crowe led efforts that expanded online course offerings by over 200 classes and increased external revenue and enrollments by more than 150%. At Tyler Junior College in Texas—where he spent 25 years including 14 as president—the institution saw enrollment growth in both credit and non-credit programs and gained recognition for its academic achievements and athletic programs.
Crowe has also taught graduate courses on community college resource development at Ferris State University in Michigan for over a decade and was interim chancellor at Louisiana State University Eunice during the 2018-2019 academic year.
He holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin as well as an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Valdosta State University is one of four comprehensive public universities within the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1906, it now enrolls more than 10,000 students from across Georgia, all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and over sixty countries worldwide. The university offers more than 100 academic programs across various levels including associate through doctoral degrees along with certificate options.
VSU is recognized for its online education programs; it was ranked by U.S. News & World Report among top undergraduate business, nursing, psychology, computer science schools as well as social mobility performers nationally this year.
The university contributes significantly to its region’s economy with an impact measured at $385.3 million annually across six counties—Lowndes, Brooks, Lanier, Berrien, Cook and Echols—and supports more than 3,500 jobs locally.
In addition to academics and economic development efforts, VSU sponsors twelve intercollegiate sports teams competing in NCAA Division II—including national championship cheerleading and dance squads—and provides over 150 student clubs or organizations on campus.
Earlier this year VSU’s debate team won the first statewide Regents Cup Debate Series celebrating free speech among USG students.
