Kelley Saussy
Kelley Saussy, who has served in a variety of leadership roles in the University of Georgia College of Engineering for nearly a decade, has been named senior director of operations and special projects, Dean Donald Leo announced today.
Her appointment is effective July 1.
“Kelley Saussy is an outstanding choice to lead and serve our growing college in this important new position,” said Leo. “She has the experience, enthusiasm and drive to help move the college forward in the coming years.”
In her new role, Saussy will provide project management and other comprehensive support to the dean and other members of the leadership team in the college. Representing the dean and the Dean’s Office both internally and externally, she will often serve as the primary interface between the dean and external and internal constituents, including faculty, staff and administrators. Saussy also will manage administrative tasks in the Deans Office, including supervising the college’s communications, events, and facilities staff.
“I have been incredibly lucky to serve the College of Engineering over these past few years and witness the tremendous impact the college has had in the state of Georgia and beyond,” said Saussy. “I am honored to serve in this new role and look forward to working with the leadership team to support the college’s continued success.”
The senior director for operations and special projects position is part of a broader restructuring of administrative support functions in the College of Engineering. This realignment is designed to account for significant growth in the college’s research, education and service activities. Over the past ten years, the number of students in the college has quadrupled, the number of faculty has nearly tripled, and the soon-to-be-launched School of Computing promises new opportunities for growth and new opportunities to expand the impact of the college’s programs.
“In this new position, Kelley will be instrumental in helping the college manage its operations and take advantage of opportunities for impactful special projects,” said Leo.
Saussy has served as the College of Engineering’s director of corporate engagement since 2016, a role in which she led strategic initiatives designed to increase industry engagement with the college in areas including philanthropy, recruitment, research, and capstone design projects. In addition, she worked closely with the college leadership to plan and execute initiatives such as the Corporate Partnership program, the Capstone Design program, the Women’s Academic Leadership Initiative and specific fundraising priorities. She also assisted in the planning and execution of the recent UGA Electric Mobility Summit which drew more than 150 participants from industry, government and education to campus in April to examine opportunities and challenges in the rapidly evolving technological field.
Saussy came to UGA as an academic advisor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education in 2011. She moved to the UGA Career Center in 2012 where she worked as a career consultant, serving students in several colleges and schools across campus, including the College of Engineering. In 2014, Saussy joined the College of Engineering as its director of experiential programs, a position in which she coordinated the college’s internship, co-op and study abroad programs.
Saussy earned both her master’s degree in student affairs administration and her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Appalachian State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in learning, leadership, and organization development through the Early College of Education.
