Dr. Kina S. Mallard, 20th President of Reinhardt University, will resign her position as of June 30, 2020. The Board of Trustees has accepted her resignation and has appointed Dr. Mark A. Roberts, Executive Vice President and Provost, as Interim President effective July 1, 2020.
Kina S. Mallard
In her five years at Reinhardt, Dr. Mallard spearheaded a bold strategic plan that included increasing enrollment, bolstering student retention, growing fundraising, and raising the academic profile of Reinhardt students. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Mallard launched the Cauble School of Nursing & Health Sciences, oversaw the building of a new theater for Reinhardt’s growing theatre program, and further enhanced the University’s campus with a new residence hall and expanded Gordy Dining Center. In addition, under Dr. Mallard’s guidance, the University strengthened community partnerships and advanced the University’s reputation in the higher education landscape.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve. Steve and I fell in love with Reinhardt University and our wider community. Reinhardt will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we will be cheering the Eagles on from afar,” said Dr. Mallard.
“Dr. Mallard has provided exceptional leadership of the University during her tenure. We thank her for her service and wish her the best in her future endeavors,” said Board Chair Ken White. “Reinhardt has a long history of faith, learning, and leading. My fellow trustees and I have full confidence in Dr. Mark Roberts as he steps into the role of Interim President. We are confident Reinhardt’s students will continue to thrive during this time of transition.”
Dr. Roberts has been teaching and administrating in higher education since 1996. He joined Reinhardt as Vice President for Academic Affairs and English Professor in 2013, and became the University’s first Provost in 2016. During this time, he assisted with all aspects of the strategic direction of the University, including oversight of all academic affairs areas and serving as SACSCOC liaison for the institution. His work as an administrator has led to creating multiple undergraduate and graduate programs and securing federal, state and private foundation grants in support of higher learning, including grants from the National Science Foundation and Goizueta Foundation. Dr. Roberts is the editor of the international journal James Dickey Review and is a published author. His work has appeared in many journals and anthologies including Southern Writers: A Biographical Dictionary, Appalachian Journal, Southern Poetry Anthology: Contemporary Appalachia, and Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment.
The Board of Trustees will appoint a presidential search committee and launch a search later this year for the 21st president of Reinhardt University, whom they seek to have in place by June 2021. Both internal and external candidates will be considered as part of the search.
