The University of West Georgia announced the appointment of Dr. André L. Fortune as vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (SAEM) effective April 13.
“I am eager to help lead the university and serve our communities during this unprecedented time,” said Fortune. “From what I have seen, UWG is well-positioned to be a leader in both online and in-person education.”
Prior to joining UWG, Fortune served as the chief student affairs officer at the University of South Carolina Upstate – the largest public regional comprehensive university in the Upstate of South Carolina.
He has previously served in several higher education leadership roles directing recruitment and retention initiatives at the institutional and academic college level, as well as overseeing traditional student affairs units.
Having previous experience in both recruitment and retention, Fortune looks forward to his career coming full circle at UWG.
“I recall beginning my higher education career as an admissions counselor, and the joy I felt helping people get to college,” Fortune said. “I later transitioned to focusing on retention efforts in academic and student affairs because I wanted to help people go beyond admission. Joining UWG as vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management allows me to serve in both capacities.”
Dr. Brendan B. Kelly, UWG’s president, called Fortune a “master of working collaboratively.”
“I am truly excited about bringing Dr. Fortune’s abundant experience in student affairs and enrollment, expertise, and servant leadership to UWG,” Kelly said. “He provides strategic leadership and is a master of working collaboratively to transform and enrich a university’s student experience.”
A first-generation college graduate and native of Kansas City, Kansas, Fortune earned his bachelor of arts degree in communication studies and a master of science degree in higher education administration from the University of Kansas (KU) and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
He has held leadership roles at both his alma maters, starting his career as an admissions counselor at KU prior to directing the recruitment efforts of the UNL College of Engineering. He later transitioned to directing multicultural affairs before being elevated to senior leadership positions at UNL and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Fortune is an active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and a host of higher education organizations. His research interests include student retention and persistence and higher education leadership.
A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Fortune credits his Sigma brothers, his family and a host of higher education administrators for providing him with a blueprint to reach his goals. He strives to do the same for the next generation of leaders.
“I am excited to meet UWG students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends of the university,” Fortune said. “I have dedicated my career to higher education, and I look forward to seamlessly aligning services, facilities, programs, policies and people to support student success when I Go West.”
Fortune enjoys spending time with his wife, Shanetta, and their three wonderful children, Jairus, Jayla and Jahrell. When not spending time with family or on campus, he likes volunteer coaching, reading, playing golf and basketball, and visiting amusement parks.
