What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paul Coverdell Visiting Scholar position at Georgia College & State University?
About Us
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, 34 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates and continuing education programs.
As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.
Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, diversity, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.
The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, now owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.
Georgia College & State University is committed to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting the freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.
Department Information
Georgia College & State University invites applications for the Paul Coverdell Distinguished Fellow of Public Studies. This is a one-semester visiting fellowship, which includes teaching, research, and educational outreach activities. A residency proposal, detailing the proposed activities, should be a part of the application.
Applications are open for both Fall 2025 and Fall 2026; applicants should indicate whether they are applying for one or the other of these semesters or whether they wish to be considered for either semester. The Coverdell Fellow will be housed in whichever of the College of Arts and Sciences¿ thirteen departments that most closely aligns with their academic qualifications.
Job Summary
Established in 2007, the Paul Coverdell Distinguished Fellow of Policy Studies honors the late Senator Paul Coverdell, who is remembered for his life of service, and his focus on a broad range of domestic and foreign public policy issues, global democracy, and peacemaking. The Coverdell Fellow recognizes Senator Coverdell's legacy in building strong communities through the development of democratic institutions and his deep dedication to international understanding and accord. The Coverdell Fellow is a focal point for the university's multifaceted initiatives in public policy studies, especially policies with international implications.
The Coverdell Fellow promotes the Georgia College & State University liberal arts mission by engaging faculty and students, the university, and the broader community in analyzing various dimensions of domestic and international policy issues to understand the problems and the promise of a world characterized by increasing interdependence.
Over the course of one semester, the Coverdell Fellow will engage in teaching, research, and educational outreach: (1) teach one upper-division course or seminar in an area of disciplinary expertise related to U.S., international or comparative public policy, ideally designed to attract students outside of the major; (2) conduct a research project, ideally using local and/or regional resources; (3) engage in a program of educational outreach (e.g., guest lectures, campus lectures, and/or community engagement. A residency proposal should detail these three areas of activity, and how the residency initiatives benefit Georgia College students and faculty, and how they advance Georgia College¿s liberal arts mission.
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
A terminal degree in the Academic Discipline or extensive professional work experience in a Public Policy related field.
Other Required Qualifications
Must meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements stated in C.S. 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org (faculty credentials)
Scholars should aspire to work at a public liberal arts institution where we expect excellence in the classroom and where faculty are expected to engage with and challenge our students in and outside the classroom, provide service to the department, college, university, community and profession, and conduct scholarship.
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Georgia College & State University invites residency proposals from eminent scholars or practitioners with expertise in public policy and/or policy studies from all disciplinary and inter-disciplinary fields offered in the College of Arts and Sciences. Residencies should offer new perspectives, intellectual excitement, and lively engagement with students, faculty colleagues, and the campus community.
Required Documents to Attach
Please include the following:
- Cover Letter
- CV
- List of References
- Residency Proposal
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as 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 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.
Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging.
Background Check
- Criminal Background Check
- Education Verification
