University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead announced Tuesday that Ron R. Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, has been named the interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, effective August 1. Walcott, a widely respected campus administrator and decorated faculty member, will succeed Benjamin C. Ayers, who was recently appointed president of Clemson University.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Walcott for agreeing to serve in this important interim role,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Throughout his nearly 30 years at the University of Georgia, Dr. Walcott has distinguished himself as a dedicated leader deeply committed to the teaching, research and service missions that define this institution. I look forward to working with him as we continue to build upon UGA’s remarkable momentum.”
As vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, Walcott has led efforts to significantly strengthen graduate education. Since assuming the role in 2020, graduate enrollment has increased by more than 20%, while the total number of scholarships and fellowships that support graduate students has grown by more than 80% — an increase of almost 1,000 awards. Since 2023, private giving for graduate and professional education has eclipsed $52 million.
During his tenure, Walcott has spearheaded the creation of several initiatives designed to elevate graduate student development and well-being. Chief among these is GradFirst, a campus-wide program for first-year graduate students that leverages high-impact educational practices to promote successful graduate school experiences. Walcott also implemented policies to increase graduate student stipends and improve the time to degree while introducing support measures that help students move through temporary hardships and complete their programs of study.
Walcott has played a key role in furthering strategic initiatives that enhance UGA’s research enterprise, including leading efforts to recruit and retain outstanding graduate students and enhance the professional development of postdoctoral fellows. On an individual level, his scholarly research examines the impact of pathogens on commercial crops and has been funded by a wide range of governmental funding sources and industry partners.
Walcott has been recognized for his excellence in instruction, having previously been selected as a Senior Teaching Fellow and a Teaching Academy member. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, he has mentored or served as a committee member for more than 40 UGA graduate students throughout his career. His service also extends to the campus community. Walcott recently served on the institution’s five-year strategic planning committee and is a current member of the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors. In 2025, he was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Georgia Foundation and was chosen as the fall graduate Commencement speaker.
“I am grateful to President Morehead for this appointment and for placing his confidence in me to help advance the academic enterprise at the University of Georgia,” Walcott said. “I am committed to serving UGA to the very best of my ability during this interim appointment and expanding the positive impact we make in the lives of our students and across communities.”
Walcott holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in plant pathology from Iowa State University and a doctorate in plant pathology from the University of Georgia. He joined the faculty of UGA’s department of plant pathology as an assistant professor in 1999 before ultimately earning promotion to his current rank of professor. He previously served as interim dean and associate dean of the Graduate School, as well as assistant dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
President Morehead announced that there would be additional information in the coming weeks regarding the launch of a national search to select a permanent senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
“The last three provosts who have served alongside me at the University of Georgia are now leading highly regarded public institutions of higher education, including Indiana University, the University of California-Riverside and now Clemson University. This record of success speaks to the tremendous strength of this institution, and I look forward to beginning the search process in the coming weeks to find UGA’s next permanent provost.”