Richard Oates has been named vice president of the University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus, effective July 1.
"As we plan for UNG's future, I am mindful of each campus' growth and specific needs. In response to those needs and our growing role as a regional comprehensive university, I am realigning some administrative responsibilities to best serve the university and our campus communities," UNG Presdient Bonita Jacobs said.
Over the next several years, it is expected that most of the university’s enrollment growth will be at the Gainesville Campus. This is supported by enrollment trends, facility master planning and regional demographics, as well as the expected availability of the adjacent Lanier Technical College campus, when it moves to new facilities in 2018.
Oates' responsibilities will include managing the campus' growth, programs and community relations.
"I look forward to continuing to serve UNG in this new capacity. My academic and leadership experiences, coupled with the valuable relationships I have built over the years through community involvement as a Gainesville resident, will serve me well as I support the continued growth of this campus," Oates said.
He has been a member of UNG’s faculty since 1982 (through the former North Georgia College & State University) and, in addition to serving as interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs since July 2015, has provided effective leadership as vice provost, associate provost, interim dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, and associate dean of the College of Education.
Oates is replacing Eric Skipper as the interim chief administrator of the Gainesville Campus. Skipper, who serves as CEO of the Oconee Campus and has served for almost a year as interim vice president for university affairs will now serve as vice president for university affairs. He will be assigned to the Oconee Campus and will maintain oversight of the Cumming and Blue Ridge campuses, economic development, professional and continuing education, and strategic plan implementation.
