Benjamin C. Ayers began his tenure as the University of Georgia’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost on June 30, 2025. As the institution’s chief academic officer, he works closely with leaders across campus to advance the institution’s excellence in teaching, research and service.
The deans of UGA’s 19 schools and colleges and the vice presidents for instruction, research, public service and outreach, and information technology report to Ayers. The vice provost for academic affairs, the vice provost for inclusive excellence and academic engagement, and the vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School also report to the provost, along with associate provosts for academic programs, faculty affairs, global engagement and the libraries.
Prior to his appointment as provost, Ayers served as dean of the highly regarded Terry College of Business for 11 years. Under his leadership, the college’s undergraduate and graduate programs were consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
During Ayers’ tenure as dean, the college launched a new Online MBA, a master’s in business analytics, a campus-wide Entrepreneurship Program, sought-after executive and dual degree programs, an academic minor in business, and market-driven certificates. During the same period, the college saw its undergraduate and graduate enrollment grow, and it achieved the highest percentage employment rates for graduating students in its history. Terry also substantially increased the number of merit- and need-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students and student veterans. Additionally, the college significantly expanded new study abroad opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and endowed 22 chairs and professorships to support leading faculty.
Under Ayers’ leadership, Terry College completed a successful Commit to Georgia campaign, raising over $300 million to support faculty, programs and facilities, including the college’s new home, the Business Learning Community, and endowing the Institute for Leadership Advancement, the John Munro Godfrey, Sr. Department of Economics, the M. Douglas and V. Kay Ivester Institute for Business Analytics and Insights, and the C. Herman Terry Risk Management and Insurance Program.
Ayers serves on the Board of Synovus Bank’s Northeast Georgia Division. In 2017, he served a term as president of the American Taxation Association and previously served on the Board of Benson’s Inc.
He has received many teaching awards at the school, college and university levels, including the Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. His research has been recognized by both the American Taxation Association (ATA) and American Accounting Association with national research awards. In 2023, he was presented the ATA’s Outstanding Service Award, and in 2016 he was the recipient of the Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Tax Educator Award, the highest honor given by the ATA.
Ayers served as director of the prestigious J.M. Tull School of Accounting for nine years prior to his appointment as the 12th dean of Terry College in 2014. He continues to hold the Earl Davis Chair in Taxation in the college.
Ayers earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in taxation from the University of Alabama and his doctorate in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, he worked for KPMG in Atlanta and Tampa and Complete Health Inc. in Birmingham.
