The University of South Carolina Beaufort has selected Robert “Bob” LeFavi, Ph.D., a career academic scholar, to become the founding dean of the university’s Beaufort Campus.
Dr. LeFavi comes to USCB from Georgia Southern University, where he was professor and head of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, a department that serves roughly 2,000 students.
As the founding dean of the Beaufort campus, Dr. LeFavi will be responsible for developing key relationships with officials, community leaders and residents of the City of Beaufort and throughout the county to foster a deeper sense of engagement with the university.
“Dr. Bob LeFavi has proven leadership skills to excel in his new role,” said Eric Skipper, Ph.D., USCB’s executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. “He understands the many facets of a comprehensive university and the importance of building relationships inside and outside the university.”
“USCB has chosen to allocate resources here and commit to revitalizing the Beaufort Campus,” Dr. LeFavi said. “I see this campus as a jewel. If I were a student – a high school senior – I would love to come here. The green space, the water access, being able to walk downtown, the new living quarters, the personal attention of faculty members, all of that makes this campus a real jewel.”
Dr. LeFavi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health education at the University of Florida in 1983, and a Master of Business Administration at Nova Southeastern University in Florida in 1986. He earned a Ph.D. at Auburn University in 1991.
Dr. LeFavi joined Georgia Southern University in Statesboro as an assistant professor of health Science in 1990, and was appointed director of the university’s Research, Health and Performance Lab in 1991.
He joined the faculty of Armstrong State University in Savannah in 1993 as an assistant professor of health sciences. He was promoted to associate professor in 1998, and then to full professor in 2003, a title he retained upon his return to Georgia Southern following its merger with Armstrong State University.
Dr. LeFavi was elected President of the Faculty Senate at Armstrong in 2010 and was selected to be Interim Department Head in 2014. Following a national search, he was appointed Head of the Department of Health Sciences the following year.
In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses, Dr. LeFavi has published more than 725 articles in the popular press ranging from business to health science to palliative care.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. LeFavi developed and managed American Fitness Systems, Inc., a multi-dimensional fitness center in Bulloch County, Ga. The center operated from 1991 to 2005. He also served as executive director of The Oasis Center, a nonprofit health care counseling center in Savannah.
In addition to his academic degrees, Dr. LeFavi earned a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from University of the South. He is ordained in the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church.
In his spare time, Dr. LeFavi enjoys traveling to Italy. He maintains dual citizenship with Italy and the U.S. He serves as the liaison for the sister city agreement that links Hilton Head Island with Verona, Italy.
He and his wife, Sue, have been married for 34 years. They have three children.
For more information about the University of South Carolina Beaufort, contact Kerry Jarvis at 843-208-8030 or jarviskc@uscb.edu.
