President Jere W. Morehead began his tenure as the 22nd University of Georgia President
on July 1, 2013. Under his leadership, the University has risen in the rankings of
the best public colleges and universities and has completed a series of initiatives
to enhance student learning and success, including a requirement for experiential
learning for all undergraduates.
Additionally, the University completed the most successful capital campaign in its
history, raising $1.45 billion, and launched an Innovation District initiative to
create UGA’s campus of the future, where students and faculty will partner with industry
to generate ideas and solutions to continue the University’s role as a powerful driver
of economic development in Georgia. During President Morehead’s tenure, UGA has increased
its research expenditures by 41% and has been ranked among the top five universities
in the U.S. for research-based products reaching the marketplace for the past seven
years. UGA was ranked No. 1 in the nation for FY2019 and FY2017.
In keeping with his focus on student success, President Morehead launched the ALL
Georgia Program to support students from rural areas and created the Double Dawgs
program, which enables students to save time and money by earning an undergraduate
and graduate degree in five years or less. A UGA education is in greater demand than
ever, with a record 39,500 applications submitted for a spot in the incoming Class
of 2025 and an admission rate under 39%.
President Morehead has served the University of Georgia since 1986 in both faculty
and administrative roles. Before becoming President, he was Senior Vice President
for Academic Affairs and Provost from 2010 to 2013. Prior to 2010, he held several
key administrative assignments, including Vice President for Instruction, Vice Provost
for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost and Director of the Honors Program, and acting
Executive Director of Legal Affairs.
He is the Meigs Professor of Legal Studies in the Terry College of Business, where
he has held a faculty appointment since 1986. He is a co-author of several books and
book chapters, including The Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business, and he has published scholarly articles on legal topics ranging from export controls
to jury selection. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Business Law Journal.
President Morehead serves as Co-Chair of the University Leadership Forum, a national
initiative led by the Council on Competitiveness. He also serves as Chair of the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Board of Directors, a member of
the NCAA Division I Administrative Committee, and a member of the NCAA Board of Governors.
He previously served on the NCAA Presidential Forum; the Working Group on Name, Image,
and Likeness; and the Federal and State Legislation Working Group. He is President
of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Chair of the SEC Executive Committee. Additional
service includes membership on the boards of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Metro
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Research Alliance, University System of Georgia
Foundation, Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education, and Emory University Candler
School of Theology.
In 2021, he received the Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for the
Advancement and Support of Education District III for outstanding leadership and service
in support of education. He has received several University-wide teaching awards,
including the Josiah Meigs Award—UGA’s highest honor for teaching excellence, the
Richard B. Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, the Teacher of
the Year Award in the Terry College of Business, and the Lothar Tresp Outstanding
Honors Professor Award. He also earned the UGA School of Law’s premier honor for alumni,
the Distinguished Service Scroll Award.
President Morehead holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and a law
degree from the University of Georgia.
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