Delana A. Gajdosik Schartner, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost, Academic Policy and Initiatives; Dean, University College; Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Savannah Research Lab Bldg 1 (Armstrong Campus)
912-344-2964
dnivens@georgiasouthern.edu
As Assistant Provost for Academic Policy and Initiatives, she leads academic policy development and strategic initiatives serving on strategic enrollment planning and management groups; developing the Carnegie Community Engagement Elective Classification self-study, guiding consolidation action teams related to faculty and academic programs, development and coordination of new off-campus instructional sites and leading Academic Affairs compliance efforts in areas such as distance education policy, prior learning credit, public-facing syllabi, and NC-SARA/state authorization. She also supports the university’s AI governance efforts, including work associated with the AI governance committee, through the development and revision of the Artificial Intelligence in Academic Context policy.
As Dean of University College, she serves as the academic leader for Georgia Southern’s flexible admission mission across Statesboro, Savannah, Swainsboro, and Hinesville locations. Her portfolio includes oversight of the AA and AS degree programs, the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, the B.S. in Organizational Leadership, interdisciplinary minors, and dual-enrollment students—serving approximately 4,000 students—and leadership for key supporting units and programs. She also provides leadership for Continuing and Professional Education and Adult and Online Learning, and supervises faculty fellows supporting interdisciplinary studies, early college programming, and organizational leadership.
Delana A. Gajdosik Schartner is Assistant Provost for Academic Policy and Initiatives and Dean of University College at Georgia Southern University, and a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics. Her leadership experience includes prior appointments as the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, along with several earlier senior academic leadership roles at Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus. Her research and student success work have been supported by significant external funding, with grants awarded totaling over $7.7 million. Notable awards include Department of Education funding for the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, TRiO Student Support Services, National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Fellows Program, and the NSF Science and Technology Expansion Program. She also brings extensive reviewer and evaluator experience, including service on NSF panels and DOE reviewer panels. Her scholarly review experience includes reviewing manuscripts for journals in chemistry and related fields, as well as reviewing for textbooks and online courses. She has 24 academic publications and over 100 presentations. She is a 2016 graduate of the University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute. She has served on numerous University System of Georgia CAGs (RACs) such as e-Core, distance education, adult learners, and arts and sciences.
Education
- Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, University of South Carolina (1998)
- B.S., Chemistry (ACS Certified), University of Pittsburgh (1993)