ATHENS, Ga. – Garnett S. Stokes, head of the University of Georgia psychology department and a widely published scholar in the field of industrial and organizational psychology, has been chosen to be dean of UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Stokes, who holds master’s and doctoral degrees from UGA, will succeed Wyatt Anderson, who will step down June 30 after serving as dean since 1992. Her appointment is effective Aug. 2, pending approval by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Stokes has spent her entire professional career at UGA. She joined the psychology department, which is in the College of Arts and Sciences, as an assistant professor in 1984. She was promoted to associate professor in 1990 and full professor in 1997 and has been department head since 1999.
“Dr. Stokes has a distinguished record of administrative experience and is thoroughly familiar with the Franklin College and its wide array of teaching, research and public service programs,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “We are fortunate to have someone with her ability and vision to lead the college and its faculty to higher levels of excellence.”
The co-author of two books and about 40 book chapters, reports and articles, Stokes has advised and assisted dozens of businesses and government departments on matters involving hiring, job analysis, job assessment, safety, conflict management and training. She has won several teaching awards and held leadership roles in professional organizations.
Stokes was recommended following a national search by a committee chaired by Tom Lauth, dean of the School of Public and International Affairs. Arnett Mace, UGA’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, said she is an excellent choice to lead UGA’s oldest and largest college.
“I am extremely pleased that Dr. Stokes has accepted our offer to become dean of the Franklin College,” Mace said. “This is a critical administrative position given that the Franklin College is central to the university’s instruction, research and service programs. Garnett is recognized as an accomplished scholar and very effective administrator. She possesses the talent and attributes we sought for this key position.”
The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences – named for Benjamin Franklin – dates from 1801, when UGA began classes. The college has more than 700 faculty members in 30 departments that encompass the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, biological sciences and physical sciences. The college also offers an interdisciplinary studies program, and awards bachelor’s degrees in 29 basic disciplines.
In fall semester 2003, the college enrolled 14,512 undergraduates and 1,652 graduate students.
Stokes was chair of the applied psychology program in the psychology department from 1991 until she became department head. She has been the major professor for 28 doctoral candidates and 17 master’s degree candidates, and has won four graduate teaching awards from the UGA chapter of Psi Chi psychology honor society.
She received a master’s degree in psychology from UGA in 1980 and a doctorate in 1982. Her bachelor’s degree is from Carson-Newman College.
One of Stokes’ areas of expertise in industrial and organizational psychology is tools that can be used to measure and assess performance. Much of her research – and the focus of a 1994 book – deals with biodata, which involves the use of biographical information in decisions concerning selection and performance prediction.
One of the book chapters she wrote examines how personality, values, attitudes and life experiences can predict occupational choice. A journal article looks at how adolescent life experiences can predict occupational attainment.
As a consultant to businesses and government agencies, she helped produce 50 technical reports that assess tools, tests and other devices used to select and evaluate employees. She has also helped organizations develop biographical questionnaires, analyze jobs and tasks, create selection and promotion tests, evaluate training programs, study turnover problems and evaluate training programs.
In addition to her publications, Stokes has made more than 80 presentations at professional meetings, including presenting the keynote address at the 22nd International Congress of Applied Psychology in Kyoto, Japan, in 1990.
She is on the executive committee of the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Accreditation and served on the program committee of the American Psychological Society. She is on the editorial board of the journal Personnel Psychology and has been a reviewer for eight other professional publications.
At UGA, Stokes was on the search committees for the vice president for instruction and the dean of the Graduate School, and has served on the promotion and tenure appeals committee. She has been on external review committees for the psychology department at Georgia Tech and the management department at the University of Tennessee.
