Russell Keen, EdD
Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief of Staff to the President | Augusta University
Augusta, GA, UNITED STATES
Dr. Russell Keen is an administrator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education.
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Biography
Russell Keen, EdD, is an administrator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. As executive vice president for external relations and chief of staff to the President, Keen manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of the President and provides executive leadership to Augusta University’s departments of Communications and Marketing, Human Resources, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Foundations, Government Relations, Protocol and Special Events, and Volunteer Services and Community Engagement. Keen began his career in higher education in 2001 when he served as the Director for Annual Giving at Georgia Southern University. He was later named Atlanta Regional Development Director and Associate Vice President for Government Relations for the university. Prior to his arrival at Augusta University, Keen served as Vice President for External Affairs at Georgia Southern. He has also worked for the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center.
Keen is a graduate of the 2010 Class of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development, the 2011 Class of Leadership Bulloch, the 2012 Class of Leadership Georgia, the 2012 Class of the Conservative Policy Leadership Institute, a 2014 graduate of the Protocol School of Washington and the 2016 Class of Leadership Columbia County. He also serves on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Augusta, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Conservative Policy Leadership Institute and the Government Affairs Council of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. Past affiliations and community involvement include the American Heart Association (Heart Ball Chairman 2018), United Way of the CSRA Board of Directors, Statesboro Rotary Club Board of Directors and the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Keen is a native of the Augusta area and a graduate of Lakeside High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University and a doctor of higher education degree from the University of Georgia.
Areas of Expertise (5)
Higher Education
Public Relations
Partnerships
Ethics
Leadership
Education (3)
University of Georgia: Ed.D., Higher Education Management 2019
Georgia Southern University: M.Ed., Higher Education Administration 2014
Georgia Southern Universit: B.B.A., Business Administration, Specializing in Finance 1999
Affiliations (5)
- Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- Rotary Club of Augusta
- Georgia Chamber of Commerce
- Conservative Policy Leadership Institute
- Government Affairs Council of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities
Links (2)
Media Appearances (4)
Dr. Russell Keen named Augusta University EVP for administration
Grice Connect online
2021-08-29
“I have been honored to work alongside Dr. Keel, the Augusta University leadership team, and my colleagues throughout the enterprise since 2015. The university has grown tremendously since then, and we continue to be excited for the future,” Dr. Russel Keen said. “We remain focused on innovative solutions and new partnerships to enhance the success of our students and faculty as we strive to reach our goal of 16,000 students by 2030.”
WRDW Morning Mix Mingle at the Mural
WRDW tv
2024-03-18
Mornig Mix at WRDW talks about the new Augusta University mural.
Augusta University presents new mural just in time for graduation
The Augusta Press online
2024-03-18
Arts students, volunteers and staff from Augusta University excitedly presented a brand new mural in Downtown Augusta on the corner of Reynolds and 11th Street. After months of planning, collaborating and painting, Augusta University’s Art and Design Department proudly unveiled the 151 inches high and 660 inches wide mural with hopes of making the community a little more colorful. As the mural is positioned directly across the street from AU’s partner, the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, Russell Keen, executive vice president for administration and chief of staff for AU President Brooks Keel, believes the piece will make community members proud of their university and its growing efforts. “This mural represents how far we’ve come in terms of community engagement as a university – how we’ve embraced the community and how it’s embraced us,” Keen said. “It shows how we can work together to beautify downtown and make it more appealing for everybody.”
Augusta University celebrates opening of storefront in JA Discovery Center
The Augusta Press online
2024-03-28
Augusta University celebrated the official opening of a storefront at the Junior Achievement Discovery Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday evening, March 27. Following the grand opening of the JA Discovery Center on Jan. 11, a statewide program created for middle schoolers, over 3,500 students from Richmond and Columbia County have enjoyed a day-long field trip to learn about business and financial literacy. In preparing for the future, middle school visitors are also taught about real world budgets and the benefits of pursuing higher education by visiting the Augusta University and Augusta Technical College storefronts. By applying concepts learned in classes, students from the CSRA are able to take part in simulated, immersive experiences with nearly 20 storefronts, thanks to the efforts of several volunteers. Russell Keen, executive vice president for administration and chief of staff for Keel, said various staff members collaborated to make the storefront a reality, and created a “fabulous” and educational simulation. “What we’re finding is that the sooner we can get it ingrained in children that they actually can achieve higher education, the more they can achieve their dreams if they just see it,” he said. “This allows them to really envision themselves through their education … and it’s really fun, which is cool.”
Articles (1)
Presidents Assuming Office during Times of Fiscal Strain
University of Georgia Dissertation2019
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