Overview

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) invites nominations and applications for the position of Chancellor, the chief executive officer of one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive public higher education systems. The Chancellor serves as the chief administrative officer of the Board of Regents and provides strategic leadership for a statewide enterprise with a budget of approximately $12.6 billion, encompassing a wide array of institutions and systemwide services that advance education, research and economic development across Georgia.

USG includes 25 public colleges and universities, serving more than 382,000 students and employing more than 50,000 full-time faculty and staff. With a record-breaking $23.1 billion in statewide economic impact, USG is a powerful engine for Georgia’s growth—supporting over 168,000 jobs and generating billions of dollars in lifetime earnings for its graduates.

This is a defining moment to lead a system experiencing extraordinary momentum and transformational growth. USG has achieved three consecutive years of record-breaking enrollment and awarded an all-time high of 82,607 degrees in FY2025—an increase of more than 50% since 2011. Combined with nationally recognized affordability and continued investments in modernized campuses and advanced medical education—including the launch of the University of Georgia’s new School of Medicine—USG is redefining access, excellence and impact in higher education.

As higher education faces a critical inflection point both in Georgia and nationally, the USG Chancellorship offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of public higher education. In a state where institutional strength is closely tied to economic vitality and quality of life, the Board of Regents seeks a bold, forward-thinking leader who will articulate and pursue a compelling vision for the future of public higher education—one that strengthens student success, enhances institutional effectiveness, aligns with Georgia’s workforce and economic needs, and sustains public trust in the value of USG and higher education.

Leadership Responsibilities

As chief executive, the Chancellor provides overall leadership for strategy, operations and performance. In close partnership with the Board of Regents, the Chancellor leads long-term planning, establishes systemwide priorities and ensures alignment of resources with mission-critical goals. Serving as a true “leader of leaders,” the Chancellor recruits, supports and evaluates institutional presidents and senior executives, setting high expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation.

Ideal Candidate Profile and Qualifications

The Board seeks an accomplished and visionary executive with a demonstrated record of leading large, complex organizations. While experience in higher education or the public sector is valued, candidates from other sectors with relevant leadership experience are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will bring a proven ability to manage substantial operations, lead transformational change and deliver measurable results.

Success in this role requires a leader who excels at building and developing high-performing teams, strengthening organizational culture and driving performance outcomes—whether in student success metrics or comparable organizational indicators. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to navigate governmental and political environments, engage effectively in state budget and policy processes, and build strong external partnerships. A track record of stakeholder engagement, along with credentials that inspire confidence among academic, civic and government leaders, is essential. Demonstrated experience reporting to a governing board at a system level, along with an advanced degree, is strongly preferred.

The search is being led by the Executive and Compensation Committee of the Board of Regents and advised by Dr. Mark Becker, who served as president of Georgia State University from 2009 to 2021 and later led the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and Dr. Stephen R. Portch, who served as USG chancellor from 1994 to 2001.

For comprehensive information about the position and search process—including the full leadership profile—please explore the Chancellor Search website.