Robert Kellner

Dr. Kellner has worked at Valdosta State since 1983, he retired in 2014 having served as the Director of Auxiliary Services and CEO of the VSU Auxiliary Services Real Estate Foundation Inc. but continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member in Political Science. He has taught Organizational Theory, Ethics, Managing Small Cities and Counties, Governmental Budgeting & Finance, Information Management, Planning & Implementing Electronic Government in the master’s program, and Financial Management for Public & NGOs at the doctoral level.

Dr. Kellner was named Director of Auxiliary Services in 1999 and in 2007, he was given additional responsibilities, as he was named the initial CEO of the VSU Auxiliary Services Real Estate Foundation where he was responsible for leading the planning, design and construction of the facilities needed to move the campus forward through a series of public private partnerships. He has also served Valdosta State in a number of other roles including Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Housing and Residence Life. Other experience includes having worked as the Director of Housing at the University of Southern Colorado in addition to various housing and residence life positions at Saint Louis University and the University of South Carolina.  Dr. Kellner holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a master’s degree in Education from the University of South Carolina in addition to doctoral and master’s degree in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.  During his career he has been actively involved in the activities of the Association of College and University Housing Officers, the National Association of College Auxiliary Services. He currently serves as the District 6920 Chair for the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

In developing the public private partnerships, his focus centered upon eight projects totaling approximately $200 million in construction.  The eight projects include a student union, housing, dining, parking, athletic facilities, and student health center. These projects have transformed Valdosta State allowing the institution to meet the needs of today’s student.  Dr. Kellner led the university’s planning efforts for all of these facilities working with multiple constituencies to meet the need of students, staff, and faculty.  Additionally, he served as the point of contact for the Board of Regents, coordinated with architects on design, worked with financial underwriters to fund projects, led the review of legal documents, and oversaw the construction process. During his tenure as Director of Auxiliary Services, Dr. Kellner grew the budget from $13 million to $36 million.  He oversaw University Stores, Dining Services, Student Health Services, Parking & Transportation, 1-Card Services, Auxiliary Facilities, Telecommunications, Welcome Center, and oversees the housing functions of Housing & Residence Life.

Dr. Kellner also works with MGT Consulting on a variety of higher education projects across the country.  His projects have involved master planning, developing financial models for building capacity on campus, policy development, organizational effectiveness studies, and organizational staffing.