Georgia Southwestern State University has appointed Brian Adler, Ph.D., former vice president for academic affairs, as the interim executive director for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, a unit of GSW.
 
Adler, who retired exactly one year ago this month, agreed to take over as director beginning June 15. Former RCI Executive Director Leisa Easom, Ph.D, recently assumed the role of associate dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at GSW and will take the lead on the newly added Long-Term Care Management degree.
 
“Dr. Adler has a wealth of experience in administration and knowledge of the institute,” stated Easom. “He will make a great leader for the RCI during this interim period.”
 
“I regard it as a high honor to serve at the RCI alongside the dedicated professionals who give their all to support the work of millions of family caregivers in this country,” noted Adler. “I'm excited about joining this dedicated team, and I feel privileged to be able to assist them in helping further Mrs. Carter's vision and legacy.”
 
Having served on the RCI Board of Directors for six years, Adler recognizes the importance of providing advocacy and support structures that enable caregivers to carry out their most essential tasks in an effective and healthy manner.
 
“My short period of retirement gave me an opportunity to engage in caregiving for my 91-year-old mother, and to see how effective the tools are that the RCI provides,” said Adler. “I look forward to helping the institute expand its influence, bringing to bear and disseminating the findings of professionals, scholars, and practitioners.”    
 
“We are eager and excited to have Dr. Adler back on campus to assist us on an interim basis,” stated GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “Under his previous leadership as VPAA, he strengthened the university’s reputation adding various degrees, securing numerous accreditations, and restructuring academic advisement.”
 
The RCI has experienced exponential growth across the nation the past few years, along with Georgia Southwestern’s continued student population growth. With this expansion, the RCI played a key role in moving forward with the new LTCM program addressing family caregiver and workforce needs.
 
“This is really an exciting time,” said Easom, “for the Rosalynn Carter Institute to make an impact on society and to move forward to change our workforce to match the needs employers say they need in their workspace.”
 
“We are proud to have Dr. Easom leading GSW’s newest academic venture,” said Weaver, “and very thankful for her direction at the RCI for the past 8 years.”