J. Ralph Byington has been named to the position of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Coastal Carolina University, according to an announcement by CCU President David A. DeCenzo.

Since June 2013, Byington has served as interim provost at CCU. Previously, he had served as dean of CCU's E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration. During his tenure as dean of the Wall College, a Master of Accountancy program was launched, four new undergraduate concentrations were introduced in the college's management program, and a state-of-the-art investments lab was opened.

"I look forward to a long and exciting association with Dr. Byington as he leads this extremely important division on our campus," said DeCenzo. "He understands Coastal Carolina's academic mission and has the ability, experience and perspective to lead the institution to new achievements in student scholarship, faculty research and community service."

Prior to joining the CCU administration in 2010, Byington served as dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of South Carolina-Aiken and interim dean, associate dean and founding director of the School of Accountancy at Georgia Southern University. He was director of the Office of Internal Audit at the University of Southern Mississippi, and he was also chief fiscal officer for the Mississippi Governor's Office for Federal Programs. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and a doctorate in accounting from the University of Arkansas; he is also a certified public accountant.

The provost is responsible for the administration of all functions of the University involving academic and student affairs, including all instructional and research activities. All five of CCU's academic colleges report to the provost, as well as many other campus departments including Kimbel Library, Career Services, the Registrar's office, Student Affiars, International Programs and Services, and the Honors Program.