Executive Director of Access and Extension

Executive Director of Access and Extension

Georgia Institute of Technology

A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF LIFETIME LEARNING

Procedure for Candidacy

For inquiries, nominations, or to apply, please email:

Kevin Ferra, President and Founder

The Role In Context

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.

Founded in 2024, the College of Lifetime Learning advances the science and practice of learning systems designed for a world of constant change. The Executive Director of Access and Extension plays a central role in translating this mission into broad public impact—building partnerships, expanding educational reach, and strengthening capacity for lifelong learning across diverse communities.

This position leads an interdisciplinary unit focused on research-informed programming, rural STEM expansion, and workforce preparedness aligned with Georgia and University System of Georgia priorities. The role requires strategic coordination with Institute leadership, state and federal agencies, industry partners, and community stakeholders to ensure that Georgia Tech’s educational resources are deployed effectively and sustainably.

The Executive Director serves as a catalyst for outreach and engagement across Georgia Tech units, supporting the Institute’s strategic plan while advancing the College’s Strategy ’35 vision to expand dual enrollment, distance learning, and new learning modalities that reach growing populations. At scale, this work contributes to the College’s long-term goal of reaching five million learners.

This role requires the ability to align research, program delivery, philanthropic development, and revenue‑generating initiatives to ensure both financial sustainability and measurable learning outcomes. The Executive Director will lead with a strong orientation toward growth, accountability, and public impact.

Core Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Access and Extension provides senior leadership for large‑scale outreach, workforce development, and community engagement initiatives within the College of Lifetime Learning. The role requires strategic partnership development, research‑informed program design, and disciplined financial stewardship aligned with public impact.

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 required. Faculty appointment at a rank commensurate with scholarly record and experience. More information on the determination of faculty rank, promotion and tenure evaluation is available online in the GT Faculty Handbook in section 3.3.4 here.
• 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.

Organizational Context and Reporting Structure

THE COLLEGE OF LIFETIME LEARNING

Founded in 2024, the College of Lifetime Learning represents a strategic evolution in how Georgia Institute of Technology advances education across the full arc of life. As a research‑driven academic college, it integrates academic rigor, workforce‑aligned learning, and flexible pathways designed to meet the needs of learners at every stage—from early exploration through advanced study and professional reinvention.

The College was established in recognition of the accelerating pace of technological, economic, and workforce change. Traditional degree models alone are no longer sufficient for careers and communities that evolve continuously. The College advances the science and practice of learning systems that adapt over time, emphasizing stackable credentials, learner agency, reduced friction, and sustained engagement.

Through research, teaching, and engagement, the College contributes to Georgia Tech’s broader mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. Its work spans degree programs, non‑credit credentials, applied research initiatives, and outreach efforts that extend the Institute’s impact across communities.

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND SCOPE

The Executive Director of Access and Extension serves as a senior leader within the College and reports to the Associate Dean for Research, Development, & Innovation (or designated senior academic leader). The role operates at the center of the College’s outreach and extension strategy, aligning research‑informed programming with statewide engagement initiatives.

The Executive Director leads an interdisciplinary unit focused on large‑scale outreach, workforce development, and community capacity building. The position works in close coordination with the Director of Global Operations to maximize the impact of local and regional atrium locations across counties in Georgia and beyond.

The role requires close collaboration with Institute leadership, colleges and schools across Georgia Tech, local and regional industry partners, philanthropic stakeholders, and state and federal agencies. As the College advances its Strategy ’35 goals, the Executive Director will play a central role in expanding access, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring sustainable growth of engagement initiatives.

This position demands institutional fluency, partnership acumen, and the ability to translate research and strategic priorities into measurable public impact.

Procedure for Candidacy

For inquiries, nominations, or to apply, please email:

#J-18808-Ljbffr