Dr. Steven Girardot, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success, has been named President-elect of the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU), a national organization comprised of R1 and R2 research university leaders committed to excellence in undergraduate education. UERU (pronounced “yoo-roo”) includes a national network of Undergraduate Vice Provosts/Presidents (UVPs) who have expertise in the theory and practice of undergraduate education. Dr. Girardot will begin his leadership role at UERU’s Fall 2025 UVP meeting in October.
“Dr. Girardot was elected by his peers to serve a three-year term on UERU’s Board, including as President & Board Chair in 2026-27,” said Dr. Steve Dandaneau, Executive Director, Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities. “Few research university leaders have contributed more than him to strengthening undergraduate education. Few have done more to strengthen and support UERU as well.”
Dr. Girardot has served as vice provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success since 2022, having previously served as associate vice provost for Undergraduate Education from 2012-22. As vice provost, he provides campuswide leadership for all aspects of undergraduate education, including undergraduate advising, retention and completion, general education (Core IMPACTS), and academic policies for undergraduates. He also oversees the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (OUESS), which includes Academic Success and Advising (ASA), the Office of Student Achievement (OSA), the Office of Experiential and Engaged Learning (E2L), the Career Center, the John H. Martinson Honors Program (JMHP), and Georgia Tech's 2025 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Leaders in Progress and Service. He helped launch and continues to lead the First-Year Semester Abroad (FYSA) Program, in collaboration with the Office of International Education (OIE). A Georgia Tech alumnus, Dr. Girardot holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Chemistry from the Institution. He earned a doctorate in chemistry and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Emory University, and his research area was at the intersection of chemistry and environmental health.
“I am honored to be elected President-elect of UERU, a role that allows me to collaborate with colleagues across the nation who are deeply committed to advancing undergraduate education and student success,” said Dr. Girardot. “This leadership opportunity will not only enrich my work at Georgia Tech by bringing new perspectives and best practices to our campus but also contribute to shaping the broader conversation around the undergraduate experience in higher education.”
UERU currently includes 138 member institutions, collectively serving nearly 3 million undergraduate students. The organization is dedicated to fostering connections among leaders in undergraduate academic affairs, sharing best practices, and promoting innovation in teaching, advising, curricular design, and student success. More information may be found on the UERU website.