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| George W. Hynd is appointed as Oakland University's sixth president at the July 9, 2014, special board of trustees meeting. |
Rochester, Mich. – Following a national search, the Oakland University Board of Trustees has appointed George W. Hynd as the school’s new president. Hynd becomes the sixth president in the University's history, succeeding Betty J. Youngblood, who had served as interim president since July 2013.
Hynd, who formerly served as provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs for the College of Charleston (South Carolina), was selected after an extensive search led by a 12-member Oakland University Ad Hoc Presidential Search Committee headed by Board Chair Michael Kramer. The Dallas-based recruiting firm of R. William Funk & Associates assisted the committee. Kramer said that Hynd's credentials and experience as a college provost, dean and professor helped him stand out during the hiring process.
“George’s qualifications and abilities were a natural match for us at OU,” Kramer said. “We thoroughly reviewed all the candidates, each outstanding in their own right and George was the best fit to take us forward.”
As provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, Hynd was responsible for all undergraduate and graduate programs at the College of Charleston, including seven academic schools and programs at the College of Charleston North Campus and at Grice Marine Laboratory at Fort Johnson. Since assuming the role in 2010, Hynd has successfully managed an academic affairs budget of nearly $90 million and created new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in African American Studies, exercise science, archeology, public administration, finance and a degree completion program aimed at adult learners. He also led efforts to expand summer school online and distance education offerings, along with increasing recruitment efforts to first-generation and underrepresented students.
“I am very excited and committed to making sure that OU’s story is told in all spheres of influence,” said Dr. Hynd. “I want to make sure our faculty members have the resources to be successful and involve students in their scholarship.”
Hynd's appointment as OU president comes as the University continues to reach new heights in student population, academics and capital enhancements. During a July 2 open forum on OU’s campus, Hynd said he welcomes the opportunity “to go out and tell the story of what’s happening at Oakland University,” both locally and in Lansing.
Before coming to the College of Charleston, Hynd held positions as senior vice provost for education and innovation and dean and director of the Mary Lou Fulton Institute and Graduate School of Education at Arizona State University. Responsible for facilitating innovation and collaboration in educational programs across the university’s four campuses, Hynd’s accomplishments include creating an external funding office infrastructure to increase grant activity, facilitating faculty integration between the Institute and Graduate School of Education, and fostering various program-related development initiatives.
With more than 40 years of educational experience, Hynd’s career includes a number of other leadership roles at nationally-recognized universities. While serving as dean of the College of Education at Purdue University from 2003-2007, he created two new multidisciplinary centers – the Center for P-12 Engagement and the Center for Research and Engagement in Science and Mathematics Education. In addition, a $14 million development campaign led to a three-fold increase in the number of undergraduate scholarships and establishment of four new endowed professorships in the college. From 1979-2003, Hynd served in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Georgia, including chair of the Division for the Education of Exceptional Children, director of the School of Professional Studies and associate dean of Research and External Affairs.
Additionally, he has served as a clinical assistant professor of neurology at the Medical College of Georgia since 1981 and began his higher education career as an assistant professor of psychology at Northern Arizona University in 1976. Prior to that, he was a school psychologist in the Department of Education for the Territorial Government of Guam and worked as an elementary school teacher in Los Angeles.
With a background in clinical child neuropsychology, Hynd has authored, co-authored and edited 11 books, authored 57 book chapters and published 153 refereed journal articles, most of which focus on theoretical and clinical issues in the field of clinical child neuropsychology. He was director of the Center for Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology from 1987-2004, providing comprehensive neuropsychological and educational evaluation of children, adolescents and adults suffering neurological or psychiatric disorders. He also served as associate director of the Georgia Children’s Center from 1984-87 and director of the Psychoeducational Clinic from 1982-84.
Hynd earned an Ed.D. in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado; an M.Ed. in educational administration and supervision from the University of Guam; as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in psychology from Pepperdine University.
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Oakland University is a world-class academic institution located on 1,443 acres of wooded hills and meadows in Rochester, Michigan. A vibrant academic community, Oakland University currently enrolls more than 20,000 students, has nearly 100,000 alumni, and delivers more than 260 degree and certificate programs. The University provides a distinct educational experience and state-of-the-art facilities, student services, classroom technologies, research labs, internships and research opportunities with corporate partners.
