Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1476674
Business and Economics at Ontario's University of Guelph, Blight is poised to lead. As a newcomer to both Wesleyan and the Middle Georgia region, Blight is energized by the part the college plays in the community and the world. "Wesleyan's strength is in giving women, and those who identify as women, the tools they need to graduate and lead," she explained. "Big ideas are born in small classrooms – classrooms where each student can be nurtured for their individual gifts and contributions. Small classrooms allow students to be seen, heard and valued, providing a safe place to author ideas, debate material, and challenge personal perspectives." The Wesleyan campus is known for offering a curated student experience with a focus on developing women who have the desire, skills, and confidence to lead. As the first college in the world to charter degrees to women, Wesleyan has been in the business of accelerating equality for women since 1836. "We create a space which prioritizes the female voice, female issues, and rights," Blight enthused. "We attract women who are committed to the pursuit of gender equality and know that the best way to reach gender parity is through the advancement of uniquely female spaces and places which protect and honor a women's perspective and autonomy." Blight also points out Wesleyan's strength in attracting international students. "We are an attractive option for many students and their families," she said. "At Wesleyan, you will never be just a number or get lost in the crowd. When considering sending their children abroad, international families want to know their daughters will be welcomed, safe, and supported." From the moment women step onto the Wesleyan campus, they can feel the culture of care that the college's faculty and staff so proudly provide, Blight explained. "There are no 300-seat lecture halls, no red tape, and no long wait times when seeking academic advice, internship opportunities, or wellness support," she explained. "We are a community first, and everyone on the Wesleyan campus is personally invested in the success of each student, both locally and abroad." With that national and international presence in mind, Blight is focused on growing Wesleyan's brand recognition and attracting high-performing women from across the globe. "We are actively fundraising to support strategic initiatives and capital revitalization plans," she added. "Our history is rich, and I feel very privileged to be a part of it." • • • FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY: President Paul Jones D r. Paul Jones can't help but be proud of the good things going on at Fort Valley State University – and there's a great deal to talk about. "FVSU has been ranked as Georgia's 31 Public HBCU for the third straight year, according to U.S. News & World Reports," he said. Additionally, Jones reported, the university has one of the most beautiful and spacious university campuses in the nation and offers an exceptional value. "While our tuition is among the lowest in the nation, we also provide a high-quality academic experience, including hands-on research as early as freshman year and providing training in key success 'soft skill' areas such as communication, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness," he said. President Jones has been at the helm of FVSU since late 2015, when he was appointed its 10th president. Prior to joining FVSU, Jones had a higher education career that spanned more than three decades, including an interim presidency at Darton State College in Albany, Georgia, and several senior leadership roles at Georgia College & State University. Jones relishes the opportunity to strengthen FVSU's niche in the landscape of higher education. Along with making higher education accessible to more students, especially those of color, he explained the university is exceptionally adept at taking academically gifted but often under- resourced students and elevating them from where they are to where they need to be. "Our graduates advance from our institution as change agents, leaders, scholarly researchers, and strategic 62 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022