Dr. Catherine Wehlburg has been named president of Athens State University, a role she has held for a year in an interim capacity.
Wehlburg becomes the university’s 39th president and is the third woman to hold the position. She succeeds Dr. Philip Way.
“The board believes Dr. Wehlburg has the willingness to make any needed changes and adjustments in the months ahead to take Athens State to heightened levels not previously seen,” said Arthur Orr, chair of the Athens State board of trustees. “She is deeply committed to our university, and we have great confidence in her leadership.”
Wehlburg, who joined Athens State in 2021 as the university’s provost, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s and Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Florida.
“I look forward to partnering with all members of our community as we begin this new era at our historic and distinctive institution,” Wehlburg said. “Together we will continue to foster a spirit of innovation and academic achievement that has defined Athens State for over 200 years.”
Wehlburg is known for her work in outcomes assessment and has held the position of president of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. She also has received the AALHE’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
She currently serves as editor-in-chief for the New Directions for Teaching and Learning series and serves on editorial boards for several higher education journals. She also represents Athens State on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation board of directors.
She has served as a senior fellow at the American Association of Colleges and Universities and at the American Association of Higher Education.
