Vice President for Public Service and Outreach

Position Summary

Start Date

Jul 01, 2025

Position Description

The University of Georgia (UGA), a land- and sea-grant institution, invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Public Service and Outreach (VPPSO). A hallmark of the University is its identity as an international leader in public service and outreach (PSO) programming and scholarship. PSO actively involves UGA students and faculty in connecting the University’s resources to each of the 159 counties and more than 500 cities and communities in Georgia, to communities across the U.S., and around the world. The Vice President for Public Service and Outreach will provide vital leadership for advancing the innovative approach to outreach and engagement across the entire University.

 

The University of Georgia is one of the leading public research universities in the nation and the world. Founded in 1785 as the first public university in the country, UGA’s faculty excel in basic and applied research, scholarship and creative activities, innovation, and technology transfer; and deliver outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; and support communities in Georgia and around the globe through public service and engagement. Total annual research expenditures at the University have grown rapidly, increasing 68% since 2015, and research expenditures have now surpassed $628 million for fiscal year 2024. The overall economic impact of the University on the state of Georgia was $8.1 billion in 2023, demonstrating UGA’s significant commitment to the land-grant mission. In Fall 2024, UGA enrolled 43,146 students, employed more than 3,900 total faculty, and had an annual budget of over $2 billion. Interest in UGA degrees continues to rise with undergraduate applications for admission reaching more than 43,000 and 6,175 new first-year students enrolling in Fall 2024. UGA’s main campus is in Athens, GA, 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses located in Griffin, Tifton, Buckhead, and Gwinnett as well as residential education centers in Washington, DC; Cortona, Italy; and Oxford, England. The University has numerous regional, national, and international partnerships for research, education, and service, and an extensive and dedicated network of more than 364,000 living alumni across the globe. The University of Georgia is recognized with the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement classification.

 

The Vice President for Public Service and Outreach is responsible for articulating a vision of public service and engagement that is consistent with the needs of a changing society, as well as PSO’s strategic initiatives to build human and community capacity, enhance economic development, improve learning and research, strengthen the University’s international presence, and create leaders of tomorrow. The VPPSO is responsible for leading a dynamic organization with eight diverse units, and supporting effective partnerships with Cooperative Extension, the University’s 19 colleges and schools, including the newly founded School of Medicine, and numerous centers, institutes and other campus and outreach units. The VPPSO will ensure the integration of public service and outreach into the University’s research and instruction missions through strategic partnerships with the Vice President for Research and the Vice President for Instruction and academic deans. Units reporting to the Vice President include Archway Partnership, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Office of Service-Learning, Small Business Development Center, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The Vice President has responsibility for recruiting and approving all public service and outreach faculty appointments.

 

The Vice President for Public Service and Outreach is a senior administrative officer reporting directly to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and serves as a member of the University Cabinet. The Vice President is a liaison to other institutions of higher education in the state of Georgia, as appropriate. For more information, please visit: http://outreach.uga.edu/.

 

 

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD or terminal degree in an academic discipline.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in a comprehensive, land-grant university.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding abilities in establishing effective communications and relationships with a broad and diverse constituency including faculty, staff, students, public leaders, government, and various professional and business groups.
• Demonstrated track record of success in a senior leadership role (i.e. budgeting, financial planning, personnel management, policy development) sufficient to provide effective leadership for all public service and outreach units and activities.
• Clear understanding, appreciation of, and commitment to the land- and sea-grant missions of the University, and a working knowledge of international outreach programming.
• Understanding of how innovative technology may be employed to increase the effectiveness of public service and outreach.
• A vision for the role the University can and should play in economic development strategies for the state of Georgia.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the state of Georgia and relevant stakeholders.

 

Applications: Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Friday, March 14, 2025; however, the position will remain open until filled. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter of interest supporting your fit for the position with relevant experience, and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).

 

All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/412098

 

To request a descriptive Opportunity Profile for this position, provide a nomination, or seek additional information, please contact Anjanette Russell, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 770-596-7596 or adsmith@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD or terminal degree in an academic discipline. • At least 5 years of leadership experience in a comprehensive, land-grant university.

Preferred Qualifications

• Outstanding abilities in establishing effective communications and relationships with a broad and diverse constituency including faculty, staff, students, public leaders, government, and various professional and business groups. • Demonstrated track record of success in a senior leadership role (i.e. budgeting, financial planning, personnel management, policy development) sufficient to provide effective leadership for all public service and outreach units and activities. • Clear understanding, appreciation of, and commitment to the land- and sea-grant missions of the University, and a working knowledge of international outreach programming. • Understanding of how innovative technology may be employed to increase the effectiveness of public service and outreach. • A vision for the role the University can and should play in economic development strategies for the state of Georgia. • Knowledge of and familiarity with the state of Georgia and relevant stakeholders.

Application Instructions

Applications: Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Friday, March 14, 2025; however, the position will remain open until filled. Application materials should include a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter of interest supporting your fit for the position with relevant experience, and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant). All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/412098

Equal Employer Statement(s)

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

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