January 6, 2026
An 11-member committee of faculty, staff, students, and alumni has been appointed to begin the search for candidates for the new Dean of the College of Environment and Design.
The committee is chaired by Philip Hong, Dean of the School of Social Work.
In addition to Dean Hong, the search committee members are:
- Edward Castro, President of Ed Castro Landscaping, UGA Foundation Trustee and College of Environment and Design alumnus
- Noah Cleveland, MLA Student, College of Environment and Design and Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems Fellow
- Cari Goetcheus, Professor and Draper Chair, College of Environment and Design, and Cultural Landscape Lab Director
- Sungkyung Lee, Associate Professor, College of Environment and Design
- Donnie Longenecker, Senior Lecturer, Continuing Education Coordinator and BLA Program Coordinator, College of Environment and Design
- Katherine Melcher, Professor, College of Environment and Design
- Vickie Poole, Administrative Financial Director, College of Environment and Design
- Stephen Ramos, Professor, College of Environment and Design
- Rosanna Rivero, Rado Family Foundation Professor of Geodesign and Director of Graduate Studies: MUPD + Ph.D., College of Environment and Design
- David Spooner, Associate Professor, College of Environment and Design
The UGA Search Group is supporting the search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Sunday, February 15, 2026; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. To provide a nomination or seek additional information, please contact Paige Gates, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5230 or [email protected]. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.
All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/461462.
