Maggie Parker, director of the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, has been named chief of staff in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, effective July 1.
In her new role, Parker will lead special projects and strategic initiatives, advise senior leadership on matters related to accreditation and work with campus and external partners to advance the university’s academic priorities. She will also provide leadership for operations within the Office of the Provost. The Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness and academic affairs communications will report directly to her.
Parker succeeds Alton Standifer in the chief of staff role. Standifer, who also serves as vice provost for academic and community engagement, is departing UGA to become vice president for strategic initiatives at Augusta University on July 1.
“Dr. Parker possesses deep institutional knowledge and a strong record of leadership across the university’s academic portfolio,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Her experience and commitment to the University of Georgia make her exceptionally well prepared for this important role.”
Parker joined UGA in 2008 and has held positions in the Office of Instruction, the Office of Academic Planning and the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness. She was named director of the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness in 2023, where she led institution-wide efforts spanning accreditation, compliance, policy and continuous improvement. In this role, she served as the university’s primary resource on matters related to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and guided UGA’s institutional accreditation compliance efforts.
Parker has played key roles in major institutional initiatives, including university- and unit-level strategic planning, the Active Learning Initiative and the development and management of the university’s centralized Policy Library. She has also coordinated campus responses to University System of Georgia initiatives and serves on the executive committee of the USG Chief Academic Officer Advisory Team for Effectiveness and Accreditation, most recently as chair.
Earlier this year, Parker assumed expanded responsibilities as interim assistant to the provost, coordinating signature events such as the Charter Lecture, the Faculty Recognition Banquet and the Promotion and Tenure Reception and serving as co-chair of Commencement.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to continue to serve the University of Georgia and extend my sincere thanks to Provost Ayers for his trust in me,” Parker said. “I look forward to working alongside our outstanding faculty, staff, students and alumni to advance our academic priorities in this new role.”
A three-time UGA graduate, Parker earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctoral degree in higher education.