Executive Director of Access and Extension

Executive Director of Access and Extension, College of Lifetime Learning – Georgia Institute of Technology

Role Overview

Georgia Institute of Technology seeks an accomplished academic leader to serve as Executive Director of Access and Extension within the College of Lifetime Learning. This faculty appointment will guide large-scale research, program delivery, and outreach initiatives designed to expand access to STEM learning and workforce development opportunities across Georgia and beyond.

Why This Role

This position offers the opportunity to shape how a leading public research university expands access to high-quality STEM learning and workforce development. The Executive Director will guide statewide and regional engagement strategies that strengthen communities while reinforcing Georgia Tech’s public mission.

Why Now

As economic, technological, and workforce demands evolve, access to flexible, high-quality STEM education is increasingly central to regional competitiveness and community resilience. Georgia Tech seeks a leader who can expand its reach across rural and underserved communities while building durable partnerships and measurable impact models.

Why Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech’s research intensity, technological expertise, and statewide footprint create a distinctive platform for advancing access and extension initiatives. The Institute’s commitment to public service and innovation positions it to lead efforts that connect learning, economic development, and community capacity building.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Access and Outreach Leadership

• Lead an interdisciplinary unit focused on large-scale research, program delivery, and expansive outreach to build capacity for lifelong learning across Georgia and beyond.
• Serve as a catalyst for Georgia Tech units in expanding engagement with pre‑college and community‑based learners in alignment with the Institute’s strategic plan.
• Advance dual enrollment, distance learning, and emerging learning modalities designed to increase access and reach across diverse populations.
• Align outreach efforts with the College’s Strategy ’35 goals, including expansion toward a long‑term objective of five million learners.

Statewide STEM Expansion and Workforce Development

• Lead programmatic and research initiatives that support Georgia and University System of Georgia priorities for expanding STEM learning and career preparedness in rural counties.
• Partner with local industry and community stakeholders to align lifelong learning initiatives with regional economic development goals.
• Strengthen workforce development pathways that connect education, industry needs, and long‑term employability.
• Ensure programs reflect measurable outcomes and contribute to sustainable community capacity building.

Partnership Ecosystem and Policy Engagement

• Develop and lead a robust network of partners across local, state, and federal agencies to advance research‑informed programming and policy.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for Georgia Tech units regarding outreach and engagement with pre‑college and community partners.
• Represent the College in statewide and national conversations on access, preparedness, and workforce innovation.
• Strengthen cross‑college collaboration to ensure coordinated engagement strategies.

Financial Stewardship and Growth

• Ensure fiscal sustainability of supported research and outreach initiatives through grants, philanthropy, and revenue‑generating programs.
• Align financial planning with programmatic growth strategies that strengthen Georgia Tech’s brand and public impact.
• Establish clear reporting mechanisms to demonstrate financial and learning outcome return on investment to stakeholders.
• Maintain accountability for both fiscal performance and educational quality.

Organizational Leadership and Capacity Building

• Lead and mentor interdisciplinary teams engaged in research, outreach, and program delivery.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and measurable impact.
• Build internal infrastructure that supports scalable engagement across communities and regions.
• Ensure alignment between research insights, program implementation, and institutional priorities.

Academic Background and Credentials

• Earned doctoral or terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
• Distinguished record of scholarly research consistent with a research‑intensive public university.
• Demonstrated contribution to areas related to learning systems, artificial intelligence, simulation modeling, organizational learning, or interdisciplinary research domains aligned with the College’s mission.

Professional Experience

• Seven to ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership in higher education, research, outreach, or workforce development environments.
• Demonstrated success securing and managing externally funded grants and philanthropic resources.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams across academic and operational functions.
• Experience developing and scaling outreach initiatives that serve diverse or geographically distributed populations.
• Demonstrated ability to align educational programming with regional economic development priorities.
• Experience managing budgets and ensuring financial sustainability of complex initiatives.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with industry partners, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated engagement with STEM education, workforce development, economic development, or community‑based learning initiatives.

Location

Atlanta, Georgia

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, and services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract. More information on these policies can be found here: (Board of Regents Policy Manual, University System of Georgia, usg.edu).

Contact for Application

For inquiries, nominations, or to apply, please email Kevin Ferra, President and Founder, Ferra Executive Search,

#J-18808-Ljbffr