Updates from S. Jack Hu, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

University of Georgia
Building Excellence: Updates from S. Jack Hu, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

August 31, 2021

It is a testament to the dedication of faculty, staff, and academic leaders across campus that our institution is continuing to make strides while also navigating challenging and complex circumstances. Earlier this month we welcomed new and returning students back to campus for the start of the 2021 – 2022 academic year, and the energy is palpable.

 

The academic qualifications of our incoming students are record-setting, and a quality enhancement plan focused on active learning is under development to further enhance student engagement and success. At the professional level, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership have enrolled the largest classes in their histories, with 150 and 60 incoming students, respectively, to support urgent statewide and national needs.

 

At the beginning of the month I had the pleasure of welcoming incoming faculty of all ranks through New Faculty Orientation, which kicks off a series of faculty development programs. President Morehead and I also launched an ambitious initiative to recruit 50 faculty members whose work applies data science and artificial intelligence to areas such as infectious diseases, integrative precision agriculture, ethics, cybersecurity, and fostering resilient communities.  

 

I want to close by again emphasizing the importance of vaccinations in keeping students, faculty, and staff healthy. We recently unveiled an incentive program that gives any current student, faculty, or staff member who has been fully vaccinated a chance to win a cash prize of $1,000, with a total of 100 prizes to be awarded. The University also strongly encourages wearing face coverings while inside campus facilities. I have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and personally choose to wear a mask to protect my family, the campus community, and the Athens/Clarke County community. I hope you’ll join me in doing the same.

 

 

Sincerely,

S. Jack Hu

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
 
Image: students and associate professor of art Jon Swindler
 

TEACHING

Quality enhancement plan promotes active learning

New programs are being considered to support the development of instructors, to prepare students to apply an active learning approach to their studies, and to modernize classrooms.

 
Image: Tianming Liu with student
 

RESEARCH

UGA launches hiring initiative in data science and AI

As data science and artificial intelligence transform a range of fields, UGA is making a significant investment in faculty with expertise in using big data to address some of society’s most urgent challenges.

 
Image: medical student administering vaccine
 

SERVICE

UGA vaccinates thousands of ACC residents

The Athens Free Clinic – sponsored by the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership – has significantly closed the local vaccination gap.
Image: vaccination clinic

UGA increases incentives for getting COVID-19 vaccines

Starting Sept. 1, current student, faculty, or staff members who have been fully vaccinated can submit their name for a chance to win a cash prize of $1,000.

Image: faculty conversing

Professional development
opportunities for faculty

The Office of Faculty Affairs offers a variety of resources and programs to support faculty across their careers at UGA.
UGA Coronavirus Information and Resources
 
 
University of Georgia Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
 

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