"My appointment to this prestigious board, filled with men and women whom I highly respect, is such an honor," Shailendra said. "I look forward to contributing to this distinguished group and making the best decisions I can for the University System of Georgia."

Shailendra was sworn in on April 15. The board includes 19 members that oversee 31 colleges and universities throughout the state. Five members are appointed from the state-at-large, and one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The board also supervises the Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library System.

Shailendra, a graduate of Georgia Tech, is also on the Atlanta Opera Board and the Children's Healthcare Sports Network Board. He previously served on the Alexander-Tharpe Fund Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors for Emory University, the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Council, and as president of the Woodward Academy Alumni Association. As an alumnus of Woodward Academy, he sits on the advisory council for the private institution.