MACON, Ga. — Sharon Murphy Augustine, Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean of Mercer University’s Tift College of Education, effective July 1, announced Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Lisa Murphey Lundquist, Pharm.D.
In making the announcement, Dr. Lundquist described Dr. Augustine as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and leader whose deep understanding of the Tift College of Education and commitment to preparing outstanding educators make her exceptionally well-suited for this role.
“Her extensive experience serving students and faculty across Mercer’s campuses and regional academic centers, combined with her vision for innovation in educator preparation, will ensure strong leadership and continuity for the college during this transition,” said Dr. Lundquist.
With 20 years of experience in higher education and nine years as a high school English teacher prior to that, Dr. Augustine, a professor of education in the Tift College of Education, brings a rare depth of both classroom and administrative expertise to her work in teacher preparation and educational leadership.
Dr. Augustine joined the Mercer faculty in 2006 and has held a distinguished series of leadership roles, including associate dean for academic affairs, director of graduate studies, director of the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships, chair of teacher education and assistant dean of teacher education. In the classroom, she has taught a broad range of courses at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, spanning curriculum design, literacy, learning theory and writing. Her scholarly work sits at the intersection of theory and practice, with research and teaching interests that include socio-cultural theories of teaching and learning, adolescent literacy, writing pedagogy, qualitative research methods and teacher education reform.
Her research has appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Teacher Education, English Education, English in Australia, The Teacher Educator and Qualitative Inquiry. Dr. Augustine earned her B.A. in English from Agnes Scott College, her M.Ed. in secondary English education from Georgia College & State University and her Ph.D. in language and literacy education from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Augustine is a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and has received the Distinguished Research Award.
“After twenty years of teaching, learning and growing alongside our students and colleagues at Mercer, it is a profound honor to step into the role of interim dean of the College of Education,” said Dr. Augustine. “This college has always been more than a place of instruction. We are a community devoted to preparing educators who teach, lead and serve with purpose. Our students discover their unique gifts so they can make a real difference in the world. I’m excited to continue that work and to support our faculty and students as we shape the next chapter of a college I’ve long been proud to call home.”
Dr. Augustine succeeds Thomas R. Koballa Jr., Ph.D., who retired as dean of the College of Education on June 30.
Dr. Koballa joined the Mercer faculty in July 2019 as dean of the Tift College of Education and professor. He has been heavily involved in initiatives, including expanding rural computer science education and supporting the Roberts Academy at Mercer University. He previously served as dean of the College of Education and professor of science education at Georgia Southern University since 2010, following faculty and administrative appointments at the University of Georgia and the University of Texas at Austin for the previous 28 years. His teaching and research interests focus on science teacher learning and mentoring.
His work has been published in refereed journals, he has authored and edited books and textbooks and published chapters in multiple books, including the Handbook of College Science Teaching and the Second International Handbook of Science Education. Dr. Koballa received external funding from the National Science Foundation, the Janet H. and C. Harry Knowles Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education, among others. In addition, he was elected President of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching and the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education by fellow researchers and President of the Georgia Association for Colleges of Teacher Education by university and college leaders.
“Dr. Koballa has provided outstanding leadership to the Tift College of Education during a period of growth and innovation,” said Dr. Lundquist. “His dedication to advancing teacher preparation, expanding opportunities in areas such as rural computer science education and supporting initiatives like Roberts Academy has strengthened the college and enhanced its impact throughout the state. We are grateful for his service to Mercer and wish him the very best in retirement.”
Dr. Lundquist said a search committee for a permanent dean will be announced soon.
