Oct 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies



The Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies is the only academic unit at Georgia Southern University whose sole concern and primary advocacy is graduate education. The Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies provides institutional oversight for more than 100 graduate curricula programs established across eight academic colleges, with nearly 3500 registered graduate students. These programs span the breadth of graduate education from practice-oriented master’s programs that prepare students for leadership roles in a wide variety of professional settings to research-focused doctoral programs that develop the next generation of scholars. The Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies works closely with the Faculty Senate Graduate Committee, the deans, and graduate faculties of the eight academic colleges and external accrediting organizations to ensure excellence in all aspects of the graduate experience. The Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies also helps the University maintain a culture of collegiality and ethical behavior through its dedication to fairness and integrity. In addition to the Colleges, several other departments or agencies within Georgia Southern University enhance the academic life of the University.

Message from the Dean

The mission of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies is to develop, promote and sustain graduate programs of the highest quality at Georgia Southern University. The Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies seeks to support graduate students and graduate programs at the highest level, to provide a foundation for university graduate program growth and development, and to advance excellence in research and scholarly activities associated with graduate education.

The namesake of the College, Dr. Jack N. Averitt, was instrumental in inaugurating graduate education in South Georgia and served the Institution as a visionary faculty member and Dean from 1945 to 1979. Dr. Averitt organized Georgia Southern University’s first graduate programs with off-campus centers and served as the first Graduate Dean from 1969 until his retirement. A Paul Harris Fellow and Rotary International Foundation Trustee, Dr. Averitt further broadened the University’s horizons as Director of the campus Rotary Language Institute for international students. In 1998, the Graduate College was named the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies in honor of Dr. Averitt’s many contributions to the Institution and to the development and support of graduate studies.

To this day, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies proudly subscribes to the Rotary’s core value of “Service Above Self,” as the College continues to diligently serve the many faculty, staff, and students who encompass the graduate education enterprise at Georgia Southern, supporting more than 100 degree majors and programs offered to more than 3500 graduate students. Working independently and collaboratively, Georgia Southern graduate faculty members offer committed graduate students unlimited opportunities for development. The University’s facilities provide outstanding opportunities for distinguished careers in science and mathematics, public health, health professions, engineering and computing, the arts and humanities, social sciences, business, and education.

John Kraft, Ph.D.
Dean, Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

Directory

Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

  Phone Building Room
Dr. John Kraft, Interim Dean 912-478-2647 Veazey Hall 1012B
Dr. Checo Colón-Gaud, Associate Dean 912-478-8695 Veazey Hall 1013B
Matt Dunbar, Director of Graduate Enrollment 912-478-0914 Armstrong Center 202
Naronda Wright, Associate Dean of Graduate Services 912-478-8626 Veazey Hall 1014B
DeAndra Raymnond, Executive Assistant II 912-478-0851 Veazey Hall 1012
Megan Murray, Graduate Recruitment Coordinator 912-478-5678 Veazey Hall 1012A
Sara Emily Ridgway-Jones, Graduate Degree Audit Coordinator 912-478-5678 Veazey Hall 1000F
Mary Jernigan, Graduate Funding Coordinator 912-478-8612 Veazey Hall 1013C
Corina Dease, Graduate Publications Coordinator 912-478-1756 Veazey Hall 1013A
Graduate Admissions      
Caroline James, Graduate Admissions Coordinator 912-478-5680 Veazey Hall 1014C
Kelli Aikens, Graduate Admissions Coordinator 912-478-0913 Armstrong Center 201
Brandon Moore, Admissions Coordinator 912-478-7579 Veazey Hall 1014A

Advisement

Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit the Graduate Academic Advisement  catalog page.

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for more information about their program director.

Phone: 912-478-2647
Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu

   

Graduate Degree Programs

Master’s Program(s)

Specialist Program(s)

Doctoral Program(s)

Graduate Certificate(s)

Graduate Endorsement(s)

Post-Baccalaureate Certification