The 2024–2025 academic year marked a period of exceptional progress at the University of Georgia, defined by bold advancements in research, academics and public service that reflect the university’s enduring commitment to excellence and impact. Across classrooms, labs and communities, UGA’s work delivered tangible results and helped chart a strong course for the future — making this a truly defining year for the institution.
“The extraordinary progress we have made at the University of Georgia is a testament to the shared vision and dedication of our entire university community,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am deeply grateful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends for their steadfast support, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year to come.”
School of Medicine
In February 2024, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia authorized the University of Georgia to establish a new School of Medicine — and UGA moved quickly during the last academic year to turn that vision into reality, accelerating the launch of a school that will play a vital role in addressing the state’s health care needs.
In August 2024, Dr. Erica Brownfield was appointed senior associate dean for academic affairs at the new School of Medicine. Formerly the associate dean of medical education at Emory University, Brownfield oversees accreditation, admissions, curriculum, assessment, student affairs, faculty development, academic enrichment and continuous quality improvement.
Just a month later, Yana Zavros — a leading gastric cancer researcher and former professor of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine in Tucson — was named UGA’s inaugural Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Molecular Medicine. Central to Zavros’ research is the advanced use of organoids, three-dimensional cell cultures derived from a patient’s tumor tissue, and her work has already led to a targeted therapy for pancreatic cancer that is now in Phase 2 clinical trials. Zavros also leads the School of Medicine’s research center, and she will recruit additional faculty to further enhance the school’s research enterprise.
Meanwhile, the school’s leadership, under the direction of Founding Dean Dr. Shelley Nuss, diligently assembled the extensive application required for accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The application was submitted in December, and in February, the LCME granted the School of Medicine candidate status, recognizing the significant progress UGA has made toward meeting the rigorous standards for full accreditation. The LCME will conduct a site visit to the school in September.
Progress was also visible on the ground as construction began on the new Medical Education and Research Building. The 93,600-square-foot facility will house state-of-the-art research laboratories, a simulation and clinical skills center, an anatomy lab, active-learning classrooms, student support areas and a dedicated medical library.
Excellence in action
It was a standout year for the University of Georgia. In the fall, UGA rose two spots to No. 18 in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 ranking of the nation’s top public universities, marking the ninth consecutive year the university has ranked among the top 20. UGA now shares the No. 18 position with Purdue University and the University of Washington, reinforcing its place among the most respected public institutions in the country.
UGA and Georgia Tech are the only two universities from the state of Georgia to make the top 20. Georgia and California are the only two states to have more than one institution in the top 20. In addition, UGA joins elite company with this year’s ranking, as 19 of the institutions in the top 20 are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
This recognition from U.S. News was driven in no small part by the extraordinarily important work conducted by UGA researchers. For the first time in the university’s history, research and development expenditures rose to a record $ 628.1 million, a 10% increase from the previous year and the sixth consecutive year of growth.
The surge in research activity also propelled UGA back to No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of research-based products brought to market, according to the annual AUTM survey. For nine straight years, UGA has placed in the Top 2 and has never appeared out of the Top 5 in the 11 years the survey has been reported.
That momentum was matched by national recognition of UGA’s faculty, many of whom received prestigious scientific honors for their groundbreaking work and contributions to their fields.
In the spring, Gregory Robinson, University of Georgia Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and professors C. Robin Buell and Daniel R. Perez were elected to the National Academy of Sciences. In addition, the National Academy of Inventors selected eight UGA researchers as 2025 NAI Senior Members while also naming one researcher as a fellow.
Celebrating student achievement
The university’s renowned faculty attracts some of the nation’s most accomplished students — individuals driven to excel and prepared to push the boundaries of academic achievement.
The university received nearly 48,000 total applications for the Class of 2029, an increase of almost 5,000 from the previous year and an institutional record. UGA accepted students from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and admission was offered to students with superior academic records. The middle 50% of admitted students reported a GPA of 4.08-4.35; an ACT score of 30-34; an SAT score of 1300-1470; and 8-14 AP, IB or dual enrollment courses.
The combined talent of UGA’s faculty, staff and students has placed the university among just nine public institutions nationwide with a six-year graduation rate of 90% or higher. Targeted initiatives have strengthened instruction, supported first-generation and incoming students and expanded opportunities for early graduation. And 95% of those who earn a UGA degree are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
Among the talented students who make this kind of success possible are some of UGA’s most dedicated and accomplished scholars, many of whom were recognized with national awards during the last academic year.
Mercedes Bengs was one of 54 undergraduates from 49 colleges and universities across the nation to be selected as a 2025 Truman Scholar. Michael Skibsted was one of 55 students in the U.S. to earn a Udall Scholarship. And Yeongseo Son was selected for the 2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, a global graduate-level program at Stanford University.
UGA set a record this academic year with three Schwarzman Scholars as the Schwarzman Scholars program announced its 10th class of recipients. Three students also were recognized as Barry Goldwater Scholars, and seven students were named Boren Scholars.
For the seventh time in 12 years, UGA was named as a top producer of Fulbright students, with 17 UGA students receiving Fulbright offers during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Extending UGA’s impact
In fiscal year 2024, UGA contributed a record $ 8.4 billion to Georgia’s economy, up $ 300 million from the previous year. The increase reflects growth in degrees awarded, research funding and the statewide impact of UGA’s public service and outreach.
The economic impact study was conducted by UGA economist Michael Adjemian, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
And the future economic outlook is incredibly bright. During the academic year, an analysis conducted by the nationally recognized consulting firm Tripp Umbach showed that UGA’s new School of Medicine will generate between $ 1.8 billion and $ 2.3 billion in cumulative economic impact on the state of Georgia by 2040.
One of the most significant impacts of the medical school will be the expansion of health care access. Between 354 and 424 (50-60%) of the anticipated 708 graduates in the years 2030 to 2037 are expected to remain in Georgia to practice, according to the report’s estimates. These additional physicians are projected to generate up to $ 932.8 million in economic activity, create more than 5,700 jobs and provide up to $ 34.7 million in state and local tax revenue by 2040.
And while students, faculty and staff give back to the state, the university’s dedicated alumni and friends continue to drive progress across UGA’s campus.
The fourth annual Dawg Day of Giving brought in more than 13,000 gifts to support University of Georgia students and programs, a single-day record for the university. The 24-hour effort targeted 11,000 gifts and surpassed this mark. It is the fourth consecutive year this fundraiser has set a single-day record for total gifts.
Donations to UGA in fiscal year 2024 surpassed $ 275 million for the first time in the university’s history. Nearly 70,000 alumni and friends contributed to scholarships, faculty support, public service programs and many other important initiatives.
The university also passed an exciting milestone with the endowment of its 1,000th need-based scholarship. Of the 1,000 scholarships, many cover general cost of attendance, but others support experiential learning, student veterans, graduate education, first-generation students and more.
The record-breaking year caps a sustained period of strong giving. UGA’s three-year rolling average for fundraising, which averages the previous three years of donation totals, now stands at over $ 258 million, an all-time high. This is the seventh consecutive year this figure has exceeded $ 200 million.
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