Dr. Thomas K. Harden wase appointed as president to the University in June 2000 by the then Chancellor of the University System of Georgia Dr. Stephen R. Portich. Dr. Harden was inaugurated as the University's thrid president in April of 2001. As president he instituted a comprehensive strategic planning process which lead to an outstanding commendation from SACS as part of the successful decennical accreditation reaffirmation for Clayton State University. The Student Activities Center, the School of Business, and the James M. Baker University Center buildings were constructed during his presidency. Harden served president as for nine years until becoming chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Wis. in June of 2009.

Prior to serving as president of Clayton State Unviersity, Harden was the Dean of Easter Michigan University's College of Technology from 1993-2000 and as dean of the College of Business from 1999 to 2000. In 1989-1990 he held appointments at North Kentuky University, as acting dean and then as associate dean of the College of Professional Studies. Dr. Harden held the post of Chairperson of the Department of Technology and professor at Northern Kentucky University from 1985-1993.

Harden earned his Bacherlor of Science degree in education from Miami University of Ohio, and a Master of Science degree in educational administration from the University of Dayton. He went on the earn his Doctor of Education from the University of Cincinnati. He married Cathy Harden and had four children and three grandchildren, by the time left Clayton State in 2008.