Director and Professor of the Urban Studies Institute

Georgia State University is a national model for innovation and opening opportunities for all, among the top five most innovative by U.S. News & World Report, ranked 1st among public universities in undergraduate teaching, the number 1 nonprofit university to award bachelor's degrees to African American students, 4th in the country for its first-year student experience, and highly ranked for enabling the social and economic mobility of its students. Among the most diverse universities in the nation, Georgia State opens global perspectives as the number 1 U.S. public university sending African American students to study abroad.

A regional gateway to higher education, the five suburban Perimeter College campuses provide more than 30 associate degree pathways. The downtown Atlanta campus offers more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study at the undergraduate, graduate and first-professional degree levels.

With five university-wide research centers and numerous centers and institutes at the college and school levels, Georgia State's interdisciplinary, dynamic and productive research enterprises address major health and societal challenges. It is one of only 146 universities with an R1 designation from the Carnegie Foundation, an honor reserved for the nation's most active research institutions. Outgoing research expenditures have doubled in the last decade and topped $1.2 billion over the last six years, an indication of the University's rapid research growth.

Georgia State is vital to the regional economy, with a more than $2.9 billion economic impact, and is also a vital part of Atlanta's vibrant arts and entertainment community, with highly regarded programs in music, art, creative writing and film, the Rialto Center for the Arts, and the Creative Media Industries Institute that contributes to innovation and the workforce for interactive media and media entrepreneurship.

General information on faculty roles and responsibilities can be obtained from the Faculty Handbook https://faculty.gsu.edu/faculty-handbook/ and the Office of Faculty Affairs website https://faculty.gsu.edu/. All faculty at Georgia State are, as part of their essential job duties, expected to: (1) be physically present on-campus as needed to contribute to Georgia State's in-person educational experience, and (2) be able to teach in each of the following instructional modalities - in-person, online, or blended/hybrid - as determined by their Department Chair or Dean.

The Urban Studies Institute ( USI) is a university-wide interdisciplinary research and teaching unit recognized nationally and internationally for its high-quality and impactful scholarship in urban studies and related elds. Established in 2017, USI was founded to enhance Georgia State University's identity as an urban-serving institution. The Institute has since built a reputation for excellence in areas including inclusive development, environmental sustainability, economic resilience, housing studies, and comparative urbanism, and strongly contributes to the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies' #3 ranking for Urban Policy in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. Its research and teaching focuses on developing urban theory, knowledge, and understanding, and generating actionable, policy-relevant outcomes at local, national, and global scales. The Institute teaches an innovative and specialized interdisciplinary curriculum at the master's and doctoral level, including the only Ph.D. in Urban Studies in Georgia, along with an undergraduate minor in urban studies.

USI currently consists of eight tenure-track core faculty members as well as a broad network of affiliate faculty from across the university, including other units in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Law, School of Public Health, and the Robinson College of Business. The Institute's faculty are highly research active, with records of publishing in top-tier journals, securing competitive external grants, and generating impact beyond the academy through meaningful engagement with stakeholders in metropolitan Atlanta and cities worldwide. The Institute's mission is to prepare the next generation of urban leaders, advance debates at the forefront of urban studies, and promote more equitable urban futures, both in Atlanta and worldwide.

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is one of the nation's leading policy schools dedicated to addressing critical social and economic challenges through interdisciplinary research and policy. The school is composed of diverse academic units, including the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Department of Economics, Department of Public Management and Policy, School of Social Work, and Urban Studies Institute. With top-ranked programs and research centers and over $35 million in sponsored research funding, the school leverages its location in downtown Atlanta to engage in signicant public policy issues on local, national, and global levels. Emphasizing innovation and student success, the school prepares students and professionals to meet the evolving demands of advancing the public good across all sectors.

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University invites applications for the next Director of the Urban Studies Institute ( USI). Qualied candidates should have a record of publications and sponsored research appropriate for tenure and appointment at the rank of Full Professor at Georgia State University. The successful candidate will bring intellectual and administrative leadership experience to guide the future of an innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and research unit. The Director will be instrumental in supporting research and teaching from diverse disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives; expanding interdisciplinary degree programs and enrollment; fostering meaningful engagement with communities both locally in Atlanta and globally; and advancing strategic initiatives that align with Georgia State University's dedication to student success, innovation, and engaged research.

The Director of the Urban Studies Institute will report to the Dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and lead the Institute's academic programs, faculty, and staff. The Director's key responsibilities will include:

* Fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration on urban issues across the university;

* Representing USI, internally and externally, with the goal of advancing urban knowledge creation and change, enhancing the Institute's reputation, and realizing impact, locally and globally.

* Enhancing and expanding academic programs, curricular development, and the expansion of

interdisciplinary degree offerings;

* Cultivating partnerships to create a strong student experience that meets a range of workforce needs;

* Supporting faculty at a variety of career stages to advance their teaching, research, and community engagement efforts, with a focus on research infrastructure;

* Managing faculty and staff recruitment, retention, mentoring, and professional development;

* Collaborating across the college, university, and wider community on strategic initiatives that

amplify USI's inuence and success.

The Director will join other new leaders at Georgia State University during a pivotal point in the institution's history. In 2021, Georgia State welcomed Dr. M. Brian Blake as the university's eighth president, and in 2023, Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard was appointed Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. In 2024, Dr. Thomas J. Vicino joined the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies as its eighth dean. The Director will have a unique opportunity to dene and implement new initiatives informed by the strategic plan Blueprint to 2033: Our Place, Our Time.

The position offers extensive opportunities for collaboration in Atlanta and beyond, where alumni and partners are actively engaged in creating positive change in their communities. With access to world-class research centers, state-of-the-art facilities, and supportive leadership, the Director will be equipped with the resources necessary to drive innovation in urban research, education, policy, and action.

This position is located on the Atlanta campus of Georgia State University and requires in-person, on campus-based work. The Andrew Young School maintains a exible work environment. This position is planned as a scal-year administrative appointment.

An academic record suitable for tenure at the rank of Full Professor in the Andrew Young School, including a strong track record of research, publications, and scholarly contributions that reect interdisciplinary engagement

Ph.D. in urban studies or other related elds such as geography, sociology, political science, urban policy, urban and regional planning

* Demonstrated record of academic leadership and administrative experience as a department chair, associate chair, center director, or academic program director;

* Teaching and mentoring experience, with a commitment to lead curriculum initiatives;

* Proven ability to work across disciplines and foster research collaborations with other departments and external partners.

* Experience with program development and enrollment management;

* Proven success in securing, managing, and supporting sponsored research programs;

* Experience with developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with urban community partners;

* Familiarity with nancial management in support of student success and faculty initiatives.

Experience in policy school and urban university settings.

The successful candidate must be able to pass a criminal and educational background check that includes terminal degree verification.

Jean-Paul Addie
jaddie@gsu.edu

Anjeza Begolli
abegolli1@gsu.edu

Please submit a current resume/CV, letter of intent/cover letter, and a list of three (3) professional references.

Georgia State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or protected veteran status in its programs, services, activities, employment, and/or admissions. Additionally, the University promotes equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well 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 on-line 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 on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.