The following was adapted from an Averett University press release. – Ed.
Tatia Granger, clinical associate professor of organizational behavior at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, has been named the 17th president of Averett University.
Granger, who has worked at William & Mary for more than 18 years, will take the helm of the Danville, Virginia, university on Aug. 1. With her appointment, Granger becomes the second woman to serve as president of Averett and the first Black president in the institution’s 167-year history.
“I am honored to join the Averett University community as its next president,” Granger said. “Averett’s history is one of resilience and reinvention, a legacy I intend to build on as we write the university’s next chapter together.”
Granger has served in her current role at William & Mary since 2017. Before that, she served as an adjunct professor and as the university’s inaugural ombuds from 2008 to 2016.
“Tatia Granger is a terrific choice to lead Averett at this time,” said William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe. “Her years of experience across higher education administration and teaching prepare her to lead with integrity and resourcefulness. Students, faculty and staff alike will find that her optimism is contagious, inspiring a shared sense of purpose in everyone around her.”
Prior to her time at William & Mary, Granger served in a number of roles in higher education, including as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, vice president for enrollment services at Bennett College, chief of staff to the chief financial officer at Duke University, director of the Center for Multicultural Student Services at James Madison University and assistant dean for undergraduate admission at the University of Virginia. She also launched an executive coaching practice — Granger Leadership Practice — in 2015.
In addition to her work in higher education, Granger has held a number of leadership roles with professional organizations, including chair of the UVA Alumni Board of Managers.
She is a three-time graduate of UVA, having earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the university. In addition, she went through a leadership coaching certificate program at Georgetown University and later earned a professional coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation.
“At a personal level, Tatia makes us all better, and all our work more pleasant,” said Todd Mooradian, dean of W&M’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. “She’s a great mentor and friend. Averett is getting an extraordinary leader of deep character and great energy. William & Mary will certainly miss her as a colleague and friend.”