Robert Scott has been named the sole finalist for president of Albany State University, a historically Black educational institution in Georgia. The university enrolls just over 6,000 undergraduate students and more than 500 graduate students, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 82 percent of the undergraduate student body.
Dr. Scott’s background includes extensive research and leadership experience in both industry and academic settings. Currently, he serves as president of research and development at The Kraft Heinz Co., where he has worked since 2021. Prior to his current position, he held vice presidential roles with Abbott Nutrition and The Coca-Cola Co. Earlier, he was a biology professor at Norfolk State University in Virginia and an associate dean at Boston College and Spelman College in Atlanta.
“As both a first-generation graduate and long-standing advocate for historically Black colleges and universities, I’m deeply committed to advancing Albany State’s mission of fostering educational excellence and serving as a catalyst for economic growth in Southwest Georgia,” said Dr. Scott. “Our ability to thrive as a university depends on how well we align the needs of our students, industries, government and the broader community. We will seek partnerships and prioritize programs that bring real value to our students, our faculty and the region we serve.”
An HBCU graduate, Dr. Scott received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Norfolk State University. He earned his Ph.D. in cell biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
