May 8, 2007
New appointments in the College of Education
Augusta, Ga.—Richard D. Harrison, a long time faculty member and associate dean of the College of Education at Augusta State University, has been named dean of the college, effective May 16. He will succeed Thomas E. Deering who is stepping down to join the faculty after leading the college through a period of dynamic growth
The appointment was announced by Samuel Sullivan, vice president for academic affairs, at a meeting of the college’s faculty on Monday, May 7. In addition, Peggy Ruth Geren, professor of education, was named assistant dean, and Charles Jackson, professor of education, was named chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Special Education.
“Dr. Harrison is the ideal person to lead the college,” said Dr. Sullivan. “His experiences as a faculty member and administrator give him unique knowledge and insight into our programs. His relationships with public and private school teachers and administrators in our service area will only enhance his effectiveness as dean. Dr. Harrison and Dean Deering worked closely together to create momentum in the College of Education. Dr. Deering did a superb job as dean, and we are grateful for his leadership. He laid a foundation to grow the college into the future, and I’m sure the momentum the college is enjoying will be sustained under Dr. Harrison’s tutelage,” added Dr. Sullivan.
Dr. Harrison brings more than 30 years experience at Augusta State to his new role as dean. He has served as associate dean of the college, acting dean, chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, and professor. He also served as the college’s swim coach and tennis coach.
He coordinated the college’s successful National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education reaccreditation efforts in 1998 and 2004, and he served as a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) steering committee and chair of the educational programs committee for SACS accreditation efforts. He is a certified member of the board of examiners for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In this capacity, he has served on numerous site visits to other colleges and universities and has chaired many of these visits.
He is a member and presenter for the task force to implement electronic accreditation visits by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and has conducted workshops for colleges preparing to undergo accreditation visits.
Dr. Harrison previously served as editor of the GAHPERD Journal, the professional journal for health, physical education, recreation, and dance for the state of Georgia. He is a member of the President’s Club, Jaguar Club, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Leadership Augusta.
He has doctoral and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Geren, a professor of education, obtained doctoral and master’s degrees in education from the University of Georgia as well as bachelor’s degrees in English and history from Mercer University. She joined Augusta State in 1993.
Dr. Jackson, professor of education, has doctoral and master’s degrees in education from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University. He joined Augusta State in 1996.
The appointments take effect May 16. For more information, contact the office of the vice president for academic affairs at Augusta State, 706-737-1422.