Georgia Southern University Appoints New Associate Vice President

News Summary

Georgia Southern University has appointed John Stevenson as its first associate vice president for business engagement. With a strong background in corporate partnerships and business growth, Stevenson is set to lead the new Office of Business Engagement, fostering ties with businesses to enhance student learning and drive regional economic growth.

Georgia Southern University Welcomes New Associate Vice President for Business Engagement

In a thrilling development for both students and businesses alike, Georgia Southern University has appointed its first-ever associate vice president for business engagement, John Stevenson. An alumnus of the university, Stevenson graduated in 1996 and is set to lead the newly formed Office of Business Engagement. The university is on a mission to strengthen its ties with businesses, and Stevenson is just the person for the job.

The Mission at Hand

Stevenson will play a crucial role in promoting corporate partnerships, focusing on everything from research collaborations to philanthropy and enhancing student experiential learning opportunities with businesses. This initiative is aimed at not only uplifting the university community but also driving economic growth in the region.

Expertise That Counts

As someone who has successfully navigated the world of business growth and strategic partnerships, Stevenson is bringing a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously served as the chief executive officer of Padlock Capital Partners, where he made remarkable strides in expanding the company’s reach into the commercial real estate market in the UK. Under his leadership, Padlock Capital developed an impressive portfolio of over 25 locations in London, valued at more than £150 million. Talk about making an impact!

Before that, Stevenson was the managing director at Clear Sky Capital, where he oversaw investment projects across the United States, boosting their total capital value to nearly $250 million. His skill set doesn’t stop there; he has also excelled in areas like investment underwriting, acquisitions, operations, and asset management. With such a robust background, he is well-prepared to stimulate growth and partnerships at Georgia Southern.

A Track Record of Success

Earlier in his career, Stevenson made significant strides by helping to scale a startup hospitality franchisor from its inception to over 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada within six years. This achievement led to system-wide revenues that exceeded $125 million. Clearly, this is a man who knows how to turn ideas into action.

Bridging Gaps and Building Futures

Stevenson is enthusiastic about diving into his new responsibilities. He aims to create meaningful collaborations among businesses, students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. By doing so, he hopes to not only advance the university’s mission but also contribute to the community in impactful ways. His connection to Georgia Southern and the local area fuels his passion for this position, making it even more rewarding for him.

As the university sets its sights on strengthening partnerships, Stevenson’s arrival marks a significant step toward achieving a greater synergy between academia and industry. With his extensive background and impressive achievements, there’s a palpable sense of optimism about what the future holds.

What Lies Ahead

For students, this new office means more than just administrative changes; it opens doors to exciting opportunities for hands-on experience and potential career paths. For businesses, it signifies a chance to partner with an institution committed to fostering innovation and growth. Everyone is poised to benefit from this fresh initiative.

As Georgia Southern navigates this new terrain, the sky’s the limit for what can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of the university and the business community. The future looks bright, and with Stevenson at the helm of the Office of Business Engagement, there’s every reason to be optimistic about the road ahead.

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