Description

The University of Georgia (UGA), the flagship public, land-grant and sea-grant university of the state of Georgia, seeks an experienced and energetic leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Environment and Design.

The Dean serves as the academic and administrative leader of the College of Environment and Design. As such, the Dean must be distinguished in environmental design, a talented and resourceful administrator, and possess the ability to develop and communicate a shared vision of excellence that will build upon and enhance the College’s already strong programs and reputation. In addition to providing energetic and visionary leadership, the Dean must provide principled administrative guidance and advocacy for the mission of the College of Environment and Design in teaching, research, and public service/outreach. The Dean’s responsibilities include overall responsibility for leadership of the College; strategic planning and analysis of College operations; program and budget development; facilities and property management; fundraising; alumni relations; and representing the College to the University administration and external constituencies. The Dean reports to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

UGA is reaching new heights in undergraduate education. The latest data show the six-year completion rate at a record 90 percent and the four-year completion rate at a record 76 percent. UGA’s first-year retention rate is 94.3 percent. UGA was the first comprehensive research university to require all undergraduate students to engage in hands-on, experiential learning within a domestic or global setting as a graduation requirement. In 2019, the University was recognized with the William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education by the National Society for Experiential Education.

Graduate education is also a significant focus for UGA, which is home to more than 90 doctoral programs, over 175 master’s programs, and more than 35 online degrees and certificates. Graduate education has grown in recent years, with 598 doctoral degrees and 2,330 master’s degrees conferred in FY2024. There has also been a substantial increase in student support through awards and fellowships for UGA graduate students in recent years. 

Philanthropic support for faculty scholarship and students at UGA continues to grow each year. In FY2025, more than 72,460 alumni and friends contributed $300.4 million to scholarships, faculty support, public service programs, the new UGA School of Medicine and much more. Over the course of the recent Commit to Georgia capital campaign, over $1.45 billion was raised, including nearly 100 endowed chairs and professorships, as well as more than 500 need-based scholarships for undergraduate students.

As a land-grant and sea-grant institution, UGA invests significant resources in its outreach and extension programs. The University of Georgia is responsive to the evolution of the state’s educational, social, and economic needs and aspires to develop even closer collaborations with communities throughout Georgia. Taking knowledge generated by the University out into the state to improve quality of life is a central part of UGA’s mission.

UGA employs approximately 3,300 full-time instructional faculty and 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 43,000 students, including over 32,300 undergraduates and over 10,700 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 20 schools and colleges, including the newly founded School of Medicine and School of Nursing. For more information about the University of Georgia, please refer to https://www.uga.edu/.

The College of Environment and Design has a strong record of excellence in professional education across design, planning, and preservation. It offers accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in Landscape Architecture, an accredited graduate program in Urban Planning and Design, a graduate program in Historic Preservation, and a Ph.D. program in Environmental Design and Planning. The College also provides numerous certificate, minor, and dual-degree programs to build on its established areas of expertise, including Environmental Ethics, Cultural Landscape Conservation, and Construction Management. 

The landscape architecture program, founded in 1928, became the School of Environmental Design in 1969 and the College of Environment and Design in 2001. The College has 45 full-time and part-time faculty and has increased enrollment by 30 percent over the last five years, now serving over 500 students. The landscape architecture programs remain among the largest and most prestigious nationwide at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The College of Environment and Design is dedicated to experiential learning and educates students through internships and real-world projects in conjunction with the Center for Community Design and Preservation and UGA’s Archway Partnership. The College also offers experiential learning in the Sustainability and Landscape Performance Lab, the REDLab, and the Cultural Landscape Lab. Our international study opportunities include excellent programs and rewarding experiences in Italy, Tanzania, and Croatia. Please see http://www.ced.uga.edu/ for more information.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the College by promoting a culture of excellence, innovation, and strategic agility.
• Develops and communicates a shared vision of excellence for the College.
• Recruits, retains, and develops excellent faculty, students, and staff.
• Promotes excellence and works effectively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and alumni to promote the mission of the College.
• Communicates the mission and importance of the programs in College of Environment and Design to internal and external audiences.
• Generates public and/or private financial and non-financial support for the College.
• Develops the budget for the College in collaboration with the Administrative Financial Director.
• Works to maintain and enhance a supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students.
• Promotes collaborations with other academic disciplines.
• Builds and maintains relationships with public, corporate, and nongovernmental organizations to advance the mission of the College.

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in a related discipline.
• A demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, research, and service, and to be eligible for appointment as a full professor with tenure at time of appointment. Please see the College's Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure for more information including the requirements for the rank of Professor.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and/or Competencies:

• A demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Strong internal management aptitude with good budgetary skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and collegial manner with faculty and staff.
• Ability to promote scholarly excellence and ensure outstanding academic programs.
• Ability to successfully raise funds and to enhance relationships with alumni.
   

Applications: Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by February 15, 2026; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; a current resume; 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: Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/461462.

To provide a nomination or seek additional information, please contact Paige Gates, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5230 or paige.gates@uga.edu. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.

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

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requirements

Please see Job Description