Dean, Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

Dean, Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies Georgia Southern University

Position Description

Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies (Graduate College) is one of the ten colleges that comprise Georgia Southern University. Our campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Swainsboro, and online are home to more than 4,000 graduate students. Our graduate students benefit from hands‑on training and cutting‑edge research with our world‑class faculty.

The Graduate College is the only academic unit at Georgia Southern University whose central mission is the support and advocacy of graduate education. This unit provides institutional oversight for more than 100 graduate and professional programs established across eight degree‑granting colleges, delivered in‑person, online, and in hybrid and executive formats. These graduate programs span practice‑oriented master’s programs that prepare students for leadership roles in a wide variety of professional settings to research‑focused doctoral programs that develop the next generation of scholars.

The Graduate College works closely with the Faculty Senate Graduate Committee, the deans, graduate faculties and staff of the academic colleges, the university libraries, and external accrediting organizations to ensure excellence in all aspects of the graduate experience. The Graduate College also helps the University maintain a culture of collegiality and ethical behavior through its dedication to fairness, integrity, and collaboration.

The mission of the Graduate College is to develop, nurture, promote and sustain graduate programs of the highest quality at Georgia Southern University. The Graduate College seeks to support graduate students and graduate programs at the highest level, to provide a foundation for graduate program growth and development, and to support excellence in graduate education and the research and scholarly activities associated with it.

The vision for graduate education at Georgia Southern University is to provide a learning environment that fosters creative thinking in the minds of our students and to produce graduates who improve and enrich society. To support this effort, the University prioritizes the recruitment, support, and retention of faculty who are committed to creating and maintaining effective and productive graduate programs. Our academic distinction arises from the integrity and quality of our programs.

A graduate degree from Georgia Southern is a valued statement of this distinction.

The Graduate College will establish and maintain goals and objectives that ensure Georgia Southern University’s graduate curricula and policies comply with the stated bylaws and the mission and goals of the University as a whole.

For more information about the College, .

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer and spokesperson for the Graduate College. The Dean oversees two associate deans, four staff, and a budget of $5 million, including graduate assistantships. The Dean will serve as an engaging, collaborative, and forward‑thinking leader who will enhance the Graduate College’s current capabilities to positively impact the region through the college’s mission in supporting graduate teaching, research, and public service/outreach.

As a result of rapid growth, Southeast Georgia and Savannah are home to a dynamic economy and expanding industrial infrastructure, and the Dean will be in the unique position to lead the Graduate College and the University’s efforts in guiding and supporting the future development of the region and the state of Georgia. The Dean will also have the opportunity to engage with the Swainsboro campus to promote and elevate awareness of graduate programs.

The Dean should be an innovative professional with a strong commitment to academic excellence to provide visionary leadership to expand and enhance graduate programs and research initiatives. The Dean should inspire graduate faculty to excel in teaching, research, and creative activities and celebrate excellence in these…