Georgia Tech Names Interim Associate Vice President for Research Administration

Susan Puryear has been named interim associate vice president for Research Administration at Georgia Tech, effective November 1, 2024. Puryear most recently served as the associate vice chancellor for Research Administration, Integrity, and Development at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she led research infrastructure operations. 

Puryear has worked for more than 15 years in both private and public higher-education leadership in research administration, compliance, and development. Prior to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Puryear oversaw research administration and compliance at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her earlier career included consulting work with higher education institutions and other nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the areas of business development, program design and implementation, and fundraising.

Puryear’s extensive academic background includes an undergraduate degree from Yale University, a master’s in education from Harvard University, a J.D. degree from Stanford University, and an Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

Krista Walton, associate vice president for Research Operations and Infrastructure, is chairing the search for a permanent associate vice president for Research Administration. The nationwide search is being led by WittKiefer. 

More details on the search process and timeline are forthcoming.