A servant leader with a passion for higher education

Although July 1 is his first day in office, President Russell T. Keen, EdD, is no stranger to Augusta University.

For the past nine of his 22 years in higher education, he served as executive vice president and chief of staff to the president. In that role, he functioned as head administrator in the recently retired president’s absence, co-led the development of the university’s strategic plan, helped negotiate the university’s critical partnership with Wellstar Health System, and worked on multiple enterprise-wide initiatives, including a financial turnaround plan and an enrollment growth strategy.

“Augusta University is an amazing, incredibly complex institution, and we hold a unique position in higher education, not only in the region, but also in the state and beyond,” said Keen.

This is home

Keen also knows what a special place the Augusta area is because it’s where he calls home. When he, First Lady Karen Keen and their children moved here in 2015 as he transitioned from Georgia Southern University to AU, it was a full-circle moment for him.

“I have an appreciation for higher education and what it can do to transform lives because I’m living proof of what scholarships and higher education can do for students and their families.”

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, EdD

Keen grew up attending Columbia County public schools and is a proud alumnus of Lakeside High School in Evans, Georgia.

The introduction of the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia presented him with an opportunity that would help chart the path for the rest of his life. He was able to attend Georgia Southern University and become his family’s first college graduate. The student-centered mission of his alma mater afforded him leadership opportunities on campus that cultivated a desire to devote his career to higher education.

“I didn’t know this at the time, but it changed my passion and what I’d be doing for the rest of my life,” said Keen. “I have an appreciation for higher education and what it can do to transform lives because I’m living proof of what scholarships and higher education can do for students and their families. I feel a deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to the state of Georgia and all of those who played a role in creating and continuing the HOPE scholarship.”

Keen earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Georgia.

Instrumental in AU’s growth

Keen co-led the formation of AU’s strategic plan, Creating a Legacy Like No Other. Much like the Bible on his desk, which is well-used and features notes in the margins, the strategic plan now has notes written on it and it is constantly being reviewed and refined as the needs of the university, the students, faculty, staff and the region evolve.

“I already know and love this place, and I think when we really dig into the culture, challenge one another and, most importantly, hold each other accountable, we’ll far exceed our greatest expectations,” Keen said.

Keen said he wants everyone associated with the university to continue to operate with a sense of urgency to reach and surpass the strategic plan’s goals.

“Co-leading the strategic plan was a great collaborative experience from both the administrative and academic areas of AU. As we continue to hold ourselves accountable to this plan, we’re going to capitalize on the opportunities we see, and I absolutely believe that we will meet our enrollment, research and community engagement goals,” said Keen.

Destination research institution

As the state’s flagship health sciences and medical research university, Augusta University has some of the most productive research faculty in the country. Keen said the university will increase its focus on advocating for public, private, corporate and foundation investments in research across all disciplines.

“Our most limiting factor in advancing research is space, and we will need to be relentless in our pursuit of securing philanthropic investments in new research infrastructure,” said Keen. “Demonstrating that we have private support is an effective way to advocate for public investments. We already have some of the top scientists around the globe; imagine what we could do with more.”

Keen added that research is going to be top-of-mind during his time as president, and at the forefront will be getting the R1 designation and breaking into the top 60 in NIH funding.

“This will elevate the stature of the Medical College of Georgia and its 200-year history of supplying physicians and health care providers throughout our state. I’m excited about getting everyone on board, as we will all have a part to play in where we’re going,” said Keen.

Keen said he is confident that, as the state’s flagship health sciences university and home to its only public academic medical center, AU will continue growing its impact on health and wellness across Georgia.

“We’ll also achieve a larger statewide presence through our growing partnership with Wellstar Health System at Wellstar MCG Health in Augusta and a future campus at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta,” Keen said. “Additionally, we are expanding in the southeastern part of the state with our future Medical College of Georgia and Dental College of Georgia campuses in Savannah.”

Top-tier university for student success

Last fall, Augusta University surpassed an enrollment milestone of 10,000 students, and, while adding new students will continue to be a priority for the university, Keen said he wants the focus to be more on student success and retention.

Part of that will be continuing to create programs that will not only attract students to AU and keep them engaged, but that also will set them up for success when they graduate and enter the workforce.

“Obviously, student enrollment is important for every university in the country. Really digging deep with the deans and the faculty to look at what emerging curriculum we need to be focused on and what that looks like for a graduate student compared to an undergraduate student will be critical to our continued success,” said Keen. “You’re going to see an increased emphasis on student affairs, for example, making sure that we hold ourselves accountable to being student-centered and valuing every interaction that every student has at Augusta University.”

A hub for the community

A key component of Creating a Legacy Like No Other has been a greater emphasis on community engagement and cementing AU’s place as the glue that holds together Richmond and Columbia counties, as well as the city of Augusta, Fort Eisenhower and the region as a whole.

Keen and his wife, Karen, a former educator who is looking forward to her role in supporting various university initiatives, are both active in the community, demonstrating it’s not just something they say, it’s something they live.

They not only plan to continue to lead by example in the community, they also plan to do so together.

“Karen and I have been married for over 22 years. We’re both excited about fully immersing ourselves into this institution at all levels,” said Keen. “Karen will be advocating for our institution, our students, faculty and staff right there alongside me.”

Outside of his role at the university, Keen serves on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Augusta Tomorrow Board and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

“I already know and love this place, and I think when we really dig into the culture, challenge one another and, most importantly, hold each other accountable, we’ll far exceed our greatest expectations.”

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, EdD

Drawing inspiration

As he begins to set up his new office, visitors will quickly get a sense of three things.

He’s family-centered, with photos of his wife and children and pieces of art by his children decorating different areas. The Keens’ two children, Kaleigh and Brinson, are both enrolled at universities within the University System of Georgia.

He’s a man of faith. The word “Faith” appears in large letters at the top of a bookshelf, and the Bible on his desk is within arm’s reach.

“My faith and my family are the most important things to me. My faith drives everything I do. I strive to be better with it and closer to it. My wife and kids mean everything to me.”

He has deep roots in Augusta and around the state, including close working relationships within the Central Savannah River Area, the legislature and the University System of Georgia.

As his presidential tenure begins, Keen said he looks forward to opportunities to learn more about as many of AU’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters as possible and find ways to enhance their experiences here and make the university stronger.

“Karen and I are committed to Augusta University, the Augusta community and the great state of Georgia. We will be relentless advocates for the wonderful work that our students, faculty and staff are doing, day in and day out, and we want to help everyone feel like they’re a part of something that’s bigger than themselves, because we certainly feel that way as we approach this new beginning.”