Nathan Moore has been appointed as deputy chief of staff to UGA President Jere W. Morehead effective Oct. 1. Moore succeeds Alton Standifer, who has assumed a new role as vice provost for inclusive excellence and chief of staff to the provost.
“Dr. Moore’s experience in the President’s Office has prepared him well to assume this increased level of responsibility,” said Morehead. “I appreciate his deep commitment to the University of Georgia and to the Office of the President, and I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion. I look forward to working with Dr. Moore in his expanded role as deputy chief of staff.”
Moore joined the President’s Office as a graduate research assistant in 2018 and has built a steadily increasing portfolio of responsibility focusing primarily on executive communications, strategic planning and special initiatives. Upon earning his doctorate from the McBee Institute of Higher Education in 2020, Moore was elevated to postdoctoral fellow, and in August 2021, he became an assistant to the president.
Over the past five years, Moore has helped to establish the Innovation District; worked on UGA’s decennial reaffirmation of accreditation by SACSCOC; collaborated on the development and implementation of the 2025 Strategic Plan; and served as the president’s liaison to the Office of Research, while supporting his ongoing work as co-chair of the University Leadership Forum, a national initiative of the Council on Competitiveness aimed at accelerating university-based economic development.
The University of Georgia currently has one of the largest fleets of electric buses in American higher education. Now, a $7.2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration will enable UGA’s Transportation & Parking Services to acquire up to eight additional all-electric buses.
Secured in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the grant marks another leap forward in UGA’s commitment to operational sustainability and efficiency in campus transit. The expansion of its electric bus fleet will improve campus mobility, reduce the university’s environmental impact, and offer more reliable and modern transportation options.
Introducing additional electric buses will help UGA continue to make strides toward a greener future. The new buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to improved air quality on campus and reduced greenhouse gases. They also provide dependable service, making it easier for the university community to navigate campus efficiently, and offer a quiet, comfortable ride while further encouraging the use of sustainable transportation options and reducing traffic congestion.
TPS’s commitment to sustainable transportation aligns with the university’s broader goal of fostering a campus that prioritizes environmental stewardship. This grant not only exemplifies UGA’s dedication to creating a cleaner and more sustainable campus environment but also positions the institution as a model for others to follow.
Celebrating the outstanding work of a University of Georgia leader known for his commitment to the university and its students, the UGA community gathered for a dedication ceremony Sept. 27 to celebrate the naming of the Victor K. Wilson Ballroom at Memorial Hall.
Wilson is a two-time UGA graduate and continues to give back as vice president for student affairs. He retires on Sept. 30 after a decade in this role and more than 40 years of service to UGA.
The ballroom is a frequent gathering place for student groups and university events, serving as a symbol of coming together—a space that is fitting to highlight Wilson’s support of students throughout his tenure.
University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead expressed his appreciation for the ballroom itself, as well as for Vice President Wilson’s legacy of student support and engagement.
“He has devoted 10 years of his life and career to the vitally important position of vice president for student affairs at the University of Georgia,” said Morehead, “but he has dedicated more than four decades overall to the success and well-being of students in higher education. It is no coincidence that UGA has gained a national reputation for excellence in student services and the student experience while Victor has served as vice president.”
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine is the beneficiary of a $5.2 million gift from the Stanton Foundation for the establishment of a new Spectrum of Care Clinic and associated curriculum. The award will allow the college to renovate and expand the Pet Health Center to serve as this new clinic.
Spectrum of Care is a philosophy or approach to practice wherein veterinarians tailor their treatment protocols for companion animals to the cultural, physical and socioeconomic circumstances of their clients. The new curriculum will incorporate instruction related to Spectrum of Care across all four years, culminating in the community practice rotation that is a part of students’ final year. Instruction will also emphasize that Spectrum of Care provides a successful business model.
Clinical cases referred to veterinary teaching hospitals like UGA’s have grown in complexity, leading veterinary colleges to recognize the need to equip primary care providers with the skills and confidence to handle more cases in-house. As a result, veterinary colleges are increasing the emphasis in their teaching on primary care, and the concept of Spectrum of Care is being incorporated into this instruction.
“We are thrilled that the Stanton Foundation has chosen to partner with UGA CVM in teaching our students to recognize and meet the needs of their individual clients,” said Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “The end result of this revolutionary change in our curriculum will be comprehensive training that provides our students with the tools they need to be practice-ready at graduation.”
The University of Georgia has named 10 faculty and academic leaders to the university’s 2023-2024 class of Women’s Leadership Fellows. The new cohort includes representatives from seven schools and colleges.
UGA established this program in 2015 as part of its Women’s Leadership Initiative to provide a select group of current faculty and administrators with an opportunity to develop leadership skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting higher education. The program specifically focuses on issues women face in academic administration. From September 2023 to May 2024, fellows will attend monthly meetings to learn from senior administrators on campus as well as visiting speakers from academia, business and other fields.
“The distinguished faculty and academic leaders in this year’s class of Women’s Leadership Fellows exemplify the University of Georgia’s mission as they relentlessly pursue excellence in their teaching, research and service,” said S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “We are proud of their achievements and are eager to see how their experiences in this program further advance their leadership expertise.”
The University of Georgia is pleased to welcome Newton County as the newest Archway Partnership community. The Archway Partnership, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, connects university faculty and students with partner communities to address locally identified issues through the presence of a community-based faculty member.
The announcement of Newton County’s selection as the newest Archway community was made by Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum at the annual Newton County State of the Community luncheon held in Covington earlier this month.
“Newton County has done a fantastic job preparing for the future by proactively planning and collaborating over the past two decades through the Newton County Tomorrow collaborative,” said Frum. “We have already seen great success through your participation in the UGA Connected Resilient Communities and are excited to expand our partnership with Newton County as a new Archway Community. All of the expertise of the University of Georgia is on board to help Newton County achieve growth and prosperity goals.”
Newton County was selected for the university’s new Connected Resilient Communities initiative launched in 2022 and facilitated by Archway. The community will complete its full CRC designation later this year and has experienced the benefits of the partnership with university faculty and students.
Since its founding, the Augusta University/ University of Georgia Medical Partnership has sought to not only increase the number of physicians in Georgia, but also ensure great care for communities across the state.
This starts in the classroom, but students take it to heart even off campus and throughout the Athens community.
As a first-year medical student, Eric Santana knew the power of mentorship. Through the Young Physicians Initiative, an Atlanta-based program for teenagers, Santana had a network of medical students and professionals to turn to as he applied to medical school. He wanted to make sure others had that same resource.
“Through the YPI, my brother and I really benefited, and it helped us both get into medical school,” said Santana, a Cuban American whose family immigrated to the United States just before he was born. “And at its base, it’s a mentorship program that uses medical students to connect to their community. It’s a low-time commitment but really high-impact program.”
From hands-on assignments that explain the scientific method and medical diagnostics to community clinics and health advocacy, AU/UGA students work to give back. They are able to connect with students from backgrounds that are considered underrepresented in the medical field, and they make a career in medicine feel more accessible.
The University of Georgia has rolled out a visionary plan to spur economic development in communities surrounding Fort Moore, providing strategic direction aligned with the military mission that protects the rural character of the area and supports quality of life.
The River Valley Community Compatible Development (RVCCD) Plan provides a roadmap for creating vibrant downtowns, investing in infrastructure and promoting outdoor activities in the rural communities where certain kinds of land development might impede the military mission of Fort Moore, the U.S. Army installation formerly known as Fort Benning.
The project results from more than two years of community engagement and planning led by the UGA Institute of Government in partnership with the River Valley Regional Commission, the Fort Moore Maneuver Center of Excellence, and its Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) partners, including The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter; the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Forestry Commission; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service.
The work encompasses six rural counties surrounding the installation: Marion, Chattahoochee, Stewart, Taylor, Talbot and Russell, Alabama.
For the eighth consecutive year, the University of Georgia ranks in the top 20 among the nation’s best public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News’ 2024 rankings, released on Sept. 18, position the university at No. 20 among publics and No. 47 among all national universities.
“This year’s ranking demonstrates sustained excellence,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “The University of Georgia is increasingly recognized as one of the best institutions of higher education in the United States in terms of both quality and value. Our consistency in the top 20 is a testament to the dedication of our talented faculty, staff and students, as well as the loyal alumni and friends who support us.”
The university also earned high marks in several distinct categories. The Terry College of Business rose to No. 21 for undergraduate business programs. Among its individual degrees, Terry’s risk management and insurance program once again ranked No. 1 in the nation. Its real estate program ranked No. 4, the management information systems program was No. 12, and the accounting program ranked No. 17.
“We are deeply committed to student success at the University of Georgia, and the achievements of our current students, as well as our alumni, reflect that commitment,” said Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning. “UGA is a national leader in experiential learning, and it is exciting to see the benefits that have accrued to both our students and our university from the many internships, research, travel-study, and other hands-on learning opportunities in which our students engage.”
The University of Georgia was recently ranked No. 9 on the latest list of Top Public Universities in the U.S. by the rankings platform Niche.
The 2024 ranking, which was released Aug. 28, is based on Niche’s analysis of academic, admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares more than 500 public colleges and state universities.
“The latest Niche ranking solidifying the University of Georgia’s position as a top national public university is yet another testament to the incredible work happening across UGA,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Our continued strategic investments in faculty hiring and enhancements of the living and learning experience for our undergraduate students are clearly making a very positive impact.”
In addition to the overall university ranking, UGA received top-10 rankings in a number of other categories including student life, academics, value, diversity and athletics:
Best Student Life in America – No. 3
Best Colleges for Business in America – No. 5
Best Colleges for Sports Management in America – No. 5
Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America – No. 6
Best Greek Life Colleges in America – No. 6
Best Colleges for Communications in America – No. 7
Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America – No. 7
