E. Garrard Hall Professor in Early Childhood Education

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

As the 4th largest public college of education in the country and the 3rd largest college at UGA, the MFECOE improves the lives of residents of Georgia and beyond through our instruction, research, and service. The MFE COE is a comprehensive college with disciplines focused on teacher preparation, counseling and human development, communication sciences, human movement sciences, career development, student affairs, and educational administration and policy. We place significant emphasis on graduate education with approximately 40% of our students at the graduate level, making us the second largest college at UGA with respect to graduate education.

ETAP has contributed to this stature locally, nationally, and internationally. The department is characterized by critical, forward-thinking research and innovative, dynamic teaching. ETAP is committed to making equity, access, and belonging visible in its courses, programs, policies, and practice. Our outreach and research include a variety of multifaceted collaborations, including those with local school districts and local community-based informal education projects, as well as projects that extend across the state of Georgia, the United States, and a variety of international contexts.

The Elementary Education program at UGA, which includes Early Childhood Education, has been ranked among the nation's top 10 elementary education programs by U.S. News and World Report for more than a decade. Our mission in the Elementary Education program is to blend theory and practice grounded in our shared philosophy of critical pedagogy. Upon program completion, we expect our students to demonstrate teaching competencies related to habits of reflexive practice, integrating scholarship and research, engaging in professional collaboration, and appreciating and supporting multiple backgrounds and perspectives. These elements of thought and action are viewed as key to supporting critically informed and equitable teacher decision-making. The Elementary Education program is designed to offer theoretically and clinically rich experiences in diverse environments. By the end of the program, teachers are prepared to enact these commitments as leaders in their classrooms, schools, and communities. The Elizabeth Garrard Hall Professor will be expected to advance and extend the program's national and international visibility and reputation by producing high-quality and rigorous research and actively participating in the broad community of scholars in education in general, and early childhood/elementary education in particular.

Applications received by Monday, October 26, 2026 will be assured full consideration, but this position is open until filled. Address questions to the search committee chair, Dr. Kyunghwa Lee ( kyunghwa@uga.edu).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.