Biography of Andrew J Leavitt PhD - University of … Word - Biography of Andrew J Leavitt PhD.docx...
Transcript of Biography of Andrew J Leavitt PhD - University of … Word - Biography of Andrew J Leavitt PhD.docx...
Andrew J. Leavitt, Ph.D. Dr. Andrew J. Leavitt is a teacher-‐scholar and an administrator who is committed to student success through his work in university advancement and his efforts as a professor of chemistry. He is the Vice President for University Advancement at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Dahlonega, GA and the Chief Executive Officer of the University of North Georgia Foundation, Inc. His portfolio of responsibilities includes the university’s fund raising program and campaigns, and alumni relations activities. Dr. Leavitt recently chaired the Strategic Planning Steering Committee to develop UNG’s 5-‐
year strategic plan. He also assists in building community relations in the north Georgia region, has participated in the university’s legislative relations process, and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. He holds faculty rank at UNG as a professor and teaches periodically. Dr. Leavitt served as the campaign director for the successful Living Our Values – The Campaign for North Georgia. The campaign concluded in June 2012 and raised $44 million, exceeding the $40 million goal. He served on the senior leadership team overseeing the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College to create the University of North Georgia in January, 2013. He led the process to merge the two philanthropic foundations and is preparing to launch a new comprehensive campaign now that the strategic plan is complete. Before moving to the University of North Georgia, Dr. Leavitt served in several roles at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA., culminating in his service as Associate Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of university development and alumni programs including development (major gifts, corporate & foundation relations, annual fund), alumni relations, community relations, and foundation operations. Dr. Leavitt served as the Interim Vice President for University Advancement from 2007-‐2008 with oversight of Intercollegiate Athletics and the responsibility for the Governmental Relations Program. While on the chemistry faculty at the University of West Georgia, Dr. Leavitt earned three university-‐wide teaching awards and the Excellence in Undergraduate Chemical Research Award from the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University. His research interests include the syntheses of novel solid-‐state compounds, studies of heterogeneous catalysis using ultrahigh vacuum surface science and scanning probe microscopy, and ultrahigh vacuum surface science studies and cluster beam studies of atmospheric reactions. Dr. Leavitt headed a lively externally-‐funded research program at the undergraduate level that produced nine peer-‐reviewed journal articles and over 60 meeting presentations with undergraduate student authorships. Innovation has been at the heart of Dr. Leavitt’s efforts in teaching and learning. He led or participated in collaborative efforts in developing pedagogy for online learning, interdisciplinary science teaching, studio teaching, and Writing Across the Curriculum. Outside his work with students, Dr. Leavitt advances the community arts through board service. He served on the Carroll Symphony Board and served on the Historic Holly Community Theater Board. He has also started and supported the local recreation swim team in Dahlonega, GA. Dr. Leavitt is an avid amateur musician, playing the saxophone in a variety of university jazz and classical ensembles. Additionally, he is a member of Rotary International and serves on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Forsyth Community Advisory Board. Dr. Leavitt received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in physics and mathematics from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.