Georgia State University Interim Provost Nicolle Parsons-Pollard today (June 23, 2022) announced new leadership roles to advance academic programs, student success and opportunity, and faculty success, effective July 1.

Michael Galchinsky, Senior Associate Provost for Academic Affairs effective July 1, 2022Michael Galchinsky, currently Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, will become the inaugural Senior Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.

In this role, Dr. Galchinsky’s responsibilities include, but are definitely not limited to, work with departments and colleges to facilitate the development of new academic degree programs, as well as modifications to existing programs. He will oversee the university’s continuing improvement initiatives in academic programs and will have continued oversight over the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Dr. Galchinsky will also coordinate activities with organizations across the university related to the institution’s general education activities.

In the new structure, Erik Lauffer, currently Director of Institutional Research, will serve as Interim Associate Provost for Institutional Research.

Lakeyta Bonnette-BaileyLakeyta Bonnette-Bailey, currently Pre-Ph.D. Faculty Associate for the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni (CASA) and Graduate Director in the Department of Africana Studies, will become the interim Co-Director of CASA.

In this role, Dr. Bonnette-Bailey’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, working with undergraduate, graduate and alumni students in their pursuit of graduate education, and the creation of innovative programming including lectures, workshops and symposia to assist students in their knowledge of graduate school and the admissions process. Additionally, Dr. Bonnette-Bailey will work to increase the number of summer research opportunities that are available for Georgia State students and alumni and continue working with students to enhance their research and analytic skills.

Kavita PanditKavita Pandit, currently Senior Advisor to the Provost, will assume the role of Executive Coach and Senior Advisor to the Provost.

In this role, Dr. Pandit will support Georgia State’s academic and administrative leaders in aligning their professional goals and workplace behaviors to achieve the results that are most important to the long-term success of their unit, the university and themselves. Over the past two years, she has provided leadership coaching to associate deans and department chairs and directors as part of her duties. In the coming year, she will additionally work with senior executive leaders to scale up the institutional impact of the coaching engagements.

Additionally, as previously announced, Sarah Cook will become permanent dean of the Honors College effective July 1.

“I am grateful to members of my leadership team who have accepted these important roles as we prepare for the next dynamic academic year ahead,” Parsons-Pollard said. “Their work will better serve our university community and achieve the institution’s goals as we craft our strategic vision for another impactful decade.”

For more about academic affairs at Georgia State, visit https://provost.gsu.edu/.