UGA Columns Feb. 9, 2026 - State of the University

ANSWERING THE CALL TO LEAD

Thank you for joining me for the 2026 State of the University Address. Each year, this address offers an opportunity for us to reflect on our shared achievements and look ahead to a future brimming with promise.

As Georgia’s flagship institution and the birthplace of public higher education in America, we recognize the significant expectations placed upon us. For more than 240 years, the University of Georgia has consistently answered the call to lead, providing innovative solutions to problems and emerging as a definitive force for the public good. Yet leadership is more than just a title we hold — it is a responsibility we embrace.

Whether we are lifting up citizens and communities, pursuing ground-breaking research, or educating the next generation of leaders, UGA takes tremendous pride in setting the example for others to follow. It is ingrained in our DNA as Bulldogs to seek out society’s toughest challenges and to tackle them head-on. Here, excellence is measured not in accolades, but in impact. As a result, the success of the University of Georgia and how we carry out our vital land-grant and sea-grant mission is defined by the mark we leave on others.

Throughout this address, I hope you will be reminded of the important work our faculty, staff, and students carry out each and every day and that you will be inspired by all we plan to accomplish together as UGA boldly leads the way.

LEADING THE WAY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR GEORGIA AND BEYOND

The University of Georgia is entering a defining chapter as a premier public research university — one shaped by our growing role in meeting the needs of communities across our state and advancing life-saving research. From solving grand challenges for our state and world to preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers, veterinarians and lawyers, farmers and teachers, business leaders and physicians, and many more, UGA is answering the call to improve the well-being of our citizens.

The School of Medicine continues to make exceptional progress. Construction on the $100 million medical education and research building began last May with an anticipated completion date this December. Additionally, last September, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education completed a two-day site visit evaluating our progress on several key indicators, including curriculum development, academic policies, and facilities. UGA expects to be notified by the LCME of its decision on preliminary accreditation status in the near future so that we can soon begin recruiting our inaugural class of medical students.

Last May, UGA received authorization from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to establish a School of Nursing, and in November we announced Dr. Carolyn Clevenger — a nationally recognized academic leader from Emory University — as the Founding Dean. We are eagerly moving forward with planning efforts to formally launch the school as early as Fall 2027. The addition of the School of Nursing now brings the total

President Jere W. Morehead February 3, 2026 sotu.uga.edu university of georgia

“Whether we are lifting up citizens and communities, pursuing groundbreaking research, or educating the next generation of leaders, UGA takes tremendous pride in setting the example for others to follow.”

— president jere w. morehead

number of colleges and schools at UGA to 20 and will enable the University to help address critical nursing shortages throughout the state and beyond.

Together, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing will expand the University’s transformational impact and place UGA and our graduates at the forefront of improving health care outcomes for people and communities in every corner of our state. The addition of these programs represents a significant milestone in our institution’s history, and I am grateful for the confidence placed in us by the Governor, General Assembly, Chancellor, Board of Regents, and the people of Georgia to fulfill our important mission. I am also excited about the Governor’s proposed budget that would advance these and many other institutional priorities.

While the creation of the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing stands among our most important initiatives, our responsibility to the citizens of Georgia extends far beyond health care alone. For more than two centuries, the University has been defined by its service to the state — driving economic prosperity, strengthening communities, and connecting Georgians to the resources of a land-grant and sea-grant institution.

This year, the University was awarded the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award in recognition of our deep commitment to community and economic development. That commitment continues to pay dividends: last year, UGA’s economic impact on Georgia reached $9.2 billion — a new record and a proud achievement that reflects our identity as the state’s flagship institution.

EMBRACING OUR ROLE AS LEADERS FOR DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION

The relentless pursuit of new knowledge is a cornerstone of the University of Georgia’s land-grant and sea-grant mission. As leaders in their fields, UGA’s distinguished faculty conduct transformative research that holds the potential to save lives and solve the most pressing challenges facing our society.

Last year, the University’s total R&D expenditures increased to $654 million, a new record that reflects an increase of 75% since 2015. While I am incredibly proud of this achievement, I am even more inspired by what the work behind this number represents. Our faculty’s belief in purposeful research allows them to excel at translating their findings into impactful solutions. Once again in 2025, UGA ranked number one in the nation for products brought to the market. From developing new biotech innovations to cutting-edge processes that eliminate harmful chemicals in our water, UGA researchers set the national standard for research that truly makes a difference.

As a result of their dedicated efforts, this year our faculty received recognition from prestigious national organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors, among others. Our talented faculty publish their scholarship in books and top academic journals, constantly pushing their fields of inquiry further

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clear guidance and training. We are investing $800,000 in a pilot program to provide thousands of student licenses for premium AI tools, including ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro, so students can build practical skills on industry-leading platforms and graduate ready to contribute on day one. Faculty and staff already have access to these platforms through their departments, and we look forward to broadening this student pilot in the months ahead. We also have asked our faculty to provide clear guidance on appropriate AI use in coursework, and we are expanding training and resources for our entire campus community through the AI@UGA central hub.

In addition to these new initiatives, UGA’s ongoing investments in student success and our world-class learning environment have consistently produced impressive results. Over the past decade, the percentage of first-year students returning for their sophomore year has averaged nearly 95%. Additionally, 90% of our students complete their degrees within six years, making UGA one of just nine public universities in the nation to reach this mark. Career outcomes data for the Class of 2024 revealed that

and generating thousands of citations of their work each year. And they also train the next generation of scholars, many of whom will pursue new discoveries that have the potential to reshape the world.

Yet we are not content to rest on these accolades. This fall, I was proud to announce a Presidential Hiring Initiative that is targeting the recruitment of up to 60 new faculty members in fields of strategic emphasis, including biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence, cancer research, aerospace engineering, and more. We also are extending the fundraising match provided by the UGA Foundation to support the establishment of additional endowed faculty positions. These positions allow the University to recruit and retain the brightest researchers. During my tenure, the number of endowed chairs and professorships has

increased from 227 to 401, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends.

To continue pushing the University forward, I am pleased that UGA is in the midst of generating our new five-year Strategic Plan. The plan, which will be implemented later this year and carry us through 2031, will be guided by three strategic imperatives: advance and strengthen instructional excellence and student success; accelerate and expand research and innovation that improves society; and deepen UGA’s commitment to serving communities across Georgia and beyond. These imperatives reflect the core identities of our University, and they will serve as guiding principles as we seek to reach even greater heights of excellence.

PREPARING SOCIETY’S FUTURE LEADERS FOR A LIFETIME OF IMPACT

As a leading public research university, we have a responsibility to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges of a changing world. As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape how people learn, work, and lead, we must ensure our graduates are ready to use these tools thoughtfully and effectively.

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STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS

95% of our graduates are either employed or continuing their education within six months of completing their degree.

Given this success, it comes as no surprise that our outstanding students continue to secure many of the most prestigious major scholarships. In 2025, UGA celebrated a Marshall Scholar, Truman Scholar, Knight-Hennessy Scholar, Udall Scholar, three Goldwater Scholars, three Schwarzman Scholars, and seven Boren Scholars. We also were once again named a top producer of Fulbright U.S. students, marking the seventh time in the last 12 years UGA earned that distinction.

As a result of the excellent work of our faculty and staff and the outstanding achievements of our students, UGA continues to solidify its standing among the best institutions in the country. For the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked UGA as one of the nation’s top 20 public institutions, and several of our

undergraduate and graduate programs ranked in the top 10. Our success as an institution was also reflected in other publications: Forbes ranked UGA No. 18 in its list of top public universities; Princeton Review ranked UGA No. 12 among best value public schools and No. 8 for best alumni networks; and Niche ranked UGA No. 2 in the nation for best student life.

UGA’s success does not stop in the classroom. Last year, our Bulldog student-athletes brought home four national titles, pushing UGA to 52 total national championships in our history. Capped by impressive back-to-back SEC Championships and our fifth appearance in the College Football Playoff, the University is cementing our reputation as a powerhouse in academics and athletics.

More than ever, this momentum has led to heightened interest in the University of Georgia. This year, we saw record applications and enrollment at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and we

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remain committed to providing unparalleled learning opportunities for all of our students. To meet the needs of our expanding academic community, we continue to enhance UGA’s campus infrastructure. Construction of a new first-year residence hall and the West Campus Dining, Learning and Well-being Center is scheduled to be completed later this year, and we also are continuing to make significant progress on the multi-phase renovation of lab spaces and classrooms on Science and Ag Hill.

Of course, all these achievements, as well as our vision for the future, would not be possible without the loyalty and unwavering dedication of our alumni and friends, who last year contributed a record $300.4 million to the University. On the heels of reaching this impressive milestone, I am excited about our special scholarship campaign for the upcoming year.

Thanks to the generous support of the UGA Foundation, matching funds will be available to greatly increase the number of students receiving merit- and need-based undergraduate scholarships, as well as graduate and professional scholarships and fellowships. In addition to existing University-wide scholarship initiatives, our new campaign will also emphasize experiential learning scholarship funds to ensure students have access to important hands-on learning opportunities.

A degree from the University of Georgia promises generational impact, improving the lives of our students, their families, and their communities. I am incredibly grateful that this campaign will make that opportunity available to more and more students in the years ahead.

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CONCLUSION

In closing, as we write the next chapter in the University of Georgia’s storied history, I would remind you that our pursuit of excellence has a greater purpose — to discover, to serve, and to transform the world around us. What we do here has the potential to make a positive impact that will be felt well into the future.

Powered by this purpose, we will continue to meet our responsibilities with determination and optimism. We are more than just the University of Georgia — we are the University for Georgia — and we proudly embrace our role as a national leader in public higher education, making a lasting difference across our state, our nation, and the world.

Before I conclude, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge a simple fact: all that the University of Georgia represents and all that we hope to accomplish in the weeks, months, and years ahead is a direct result of the individuals who make up the expansive UGA community. I am deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the profound generosity of our loyal alumni and friends. Because of you, the state of the University of Georgia is strong and growing stronger by the day.

Thank you for the opportunity to share these exciting updates and for all that you do to support our great University. Go Dawgs!