Senior Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Search

Georgia State University: Redefining Access, Innovation, and Impact

With over 52,000 students from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 150 countries, Georgia State University (GSU) stands as one of the largest and most diverse universities in Georgia and the United States. Offering 250+ degree programs across 100 fields of study, GSU is led by more than 1,500 world-class faculty who pioneer groundbreaking research and foster one of the nation’s most vibrant student populations. Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Top 5 Most Innovative Universities for seven consecutive years, Georgia State is a leader in transforming higher education.

A Thriving Urban Campus

Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, with five additional campuses across the metro area, GSU provides its students and faculty unparalleled access to the opportunities of a global city. Atlanta serves as a thriving backdrop for learning, research, and innovation, offering students direct connections to major industries, government agencies, and cultural institutions.

GSU embraces diversity and inclusion, excelling in serving underrepresented populations:

• 70% of students come from underrepresented groups.
• Nearly 35% are first-generation students.
• Two-thirds of students are Pell Grant-eligible.

Students enjoy a rich campus life, with award-winning housing, hundreds of student clubs, NCAA Division I athletics, and the energy of one of the nation’s most determined and ambitious student bodies.

Georgia State: A National Model for Student Success

Georgia State’s innovative approach to education has earned its status as a national model for student success. Over the last decade, the university:

• Increased its graduation rate by 23 percentage points—the largest improvement among national universities.
• Graduates 2,800 more students annually compared to five years ago.
• Reduced time-to-degree by nearly a semester, saving students $18 million annually.

GSU’s use of advanced technology, predictive analytics, and data-driven advising eliminates achievement gaps, ensuring students thrive academically. These efforts have earned GSU the title of #1 Public University for Undergraduate Teaching by U.S. News and World Report.

Discover more about Georgia State’s student success initiatives at success.gsu.edu.

Academic Excellence

Georgia State combines unmatched academic access with excellence across disciplines.

• 250+ majors, minors, and pathways—the largest selection in Georgia.
• 85+ online and hybrid programs, the largest online offering in the state.
• Graduate programs across nine colleges and schools, with 150+ distinctive degrees and nationally ranked programs.

GSU’s 12 colleges and schools include:

• Perimeter College
• Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
• Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of the Arts
• College of Education & Human Development
• College of Law
• Graduate School
• Honors College
• Institute for Biomedical Sciences
• Mack Robinson College of Business
• School of Public Health

A Research Powerhouse

Georgia State is one of the nation’s fastest-growing research institutions, with a 150% increase in research expenditures over the past decade. In FY 2023, the university’s research funding reached $224.72 million, with 20 faculty receiving grants of $1 million or more.

• 79 research centers spanning disciplines including health, arts, social sciences, and technology.
• 6 university-level centers dedicated to real-world impact in areas like health and well-being.

Through the Office of Technology Licensing & Commercialization, GSU advances innovation, with 165 active technologies and 14 faculty-led startups bringing discoveries to market.

Explore GSU’s research efforts at research.gsu.edu.

“Blueprint to 2033: Our Place, Our Time”

GSU’s new strategic plan, “Blueprint to 2033,” outlines a bold vision for the next decade, focusing on four pillars:

1. Identity, Placemaking, and Belonging.
2. Innovating Research Scholarship and Creative Activity.
3. Student Success 2.0.
4. Beyond College to Career.

Learn more at strategic.gsu.edu.

Atlanta: A Global City

As a catalyst for Atlanta’s growth and revitalization, Georgia State contributes $2.8 billion annually to the metro economy. Atlanta’s vibrant urban environment offers:

• Headquarters of 15+ Fortune 500 companies.
• Access to the world’s busiest airport.
• A thriving business, government, and cultural scene.

GSU students benefit from internships, networking opportunities, and an unmatched urban experience, solidifying the university’s role as a key player in Atlanta’s economic and cultural ecosystem.

The University System of Georgia 

Georgia State is part of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) which is composed of 26 higher education institutions including four research universities, four comprehensive universities, nine state universities, and nine state colleges. It also includes the Georgia Public Library Service, which encompasses approximately 389 facilities within the 61 library systems throughout the State of Georgia.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Supervise key personnel, including:
  • Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs who oversees Academic Program Review, Comprehensive Program Review, and serves on the University System of Georgia’s General Education Council.
  • The Directors of Assessment, and Accreditation and Policy, and Chief of Staff.
  • Chief Institutional Effectives Officer who oversees the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
  • Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education.

Academic Program Development

• Spearhead the creation and modification of degree and certificate programs by:
  • Conducting labor market analyses and enrollment projections.
  • Collaborating with stakeholders across administrative and academic units.
  • Ensuring alignment with the University System of Georgia (USG) and Board of Regents standards.
• Lead the Strategic Academic Planning process, integrating key metrics and fostering collaboration across colleges and administrative units.
• Facilitate administrative reviews of new academic programs and guide the development of proposals through the Council on Academic Programs (CAP) and other governance structures.

Continuous Improvement and Accreditation

• Oversee initiatives for program assessment and review, including:
  • Comprehensive Program Review (CPR) and Academic Program Review (APR).
  • The university’s institutional accreditation processes and specialized accreditation reporting.
• Ensure compliance with SACSCOC accreditation standards and manage substantive change notifications.
• Collaborate with the Registrar to maintain an accurate and up-to-date program inventory.
• Convene the Academic Affairs Council made up of associate deans from each of the colleges.

General Education Program

• Drive excellence in the university’s general education offerings by:
  • Facilitating the development and periodic review of courses.
  • Promoting high-impact practices, affordable course materials, and undergraduate research initiatives.
  • Ensuring assessment consistency and effective communication across campuses.

Collaborative Engagement

• Act as a liaison with the University System of Georgia for academic programs.
• Participate actively in the Provost’s Leadership Team, Ex Officio on CAP and its committees (General Education Advisory Subcommittee, Undergraduate Council, Graduate Council), and a member of Strategic Enrollment Management Committee.
• Cultivate relationships with deans, associate deans, and department chairs to foster innovation and program success.
• Serve as a thought partner with the Senior Vice President for Student Success, the Chief Innovation Officer, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Qualifications

• Strong academic credentials including a terminal degree.
• Proven experience in academic leadership with a track record of advancing institutional goals.
• Expertise in academic program development, strategic planning, and accreditation.
• Strong collaborative and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Visionary leadership and a commitment to academic excellence.
• Analytical skills to drive data-informed decision-making.
• Dedication to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Preferred: A record of teaching and scholarship that meets the standards for appointment as a tenured faculty member at the Atlanta campus.

Application Information & Instructions

A CV, letter of interest, contact information for three professional references should be submitted. Initial screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to January 20, 2025. Application materials should be submitted through this GSU Faculty Careers link. Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Questions?

Questions regarding this position can be sent to [email protected] and directed to the co-chairs of the search committee, Corrie Fountain (Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs) and Huanbiao Mo (Dean, Lewis College of Health and Nursing Professions).