University of Utah Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dan Reed announced Thomas Chase Hagood, Ph.D., has been named as the new senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Hagood, a notable historian, teacher and administrator, joins the U after most recently serving as the director of the Division of Academic Enhancement at the University of Georgia. He will assume his new role on July 22.

“Chase Hagood joins the University of Utah to build on an outstanding foundation of programs and services and continue advancing student success,” said Reed. “He shares the Office of Undergraduate Studies’ dedication to building an exceptional student experience for all students at the University of Utah.”

At the University of Georgia, Hagood led services and a curriculum designed to foster sustained student development and success. In addition to his director role, he served as co-director of an award-winning pedagogy for student and faculty success from first year experience courses to upper-level STEM courses. He also chaired the University Council’s Committee on Student Life, leading institution-level efforts on shared governance regarding policy and procedures related to the student experience.

In his new role, Hagood will lead the promotion of best practices in undergraduate education across campus. As a senior associate vice president (SAVP), he will report to the senior vice president for Academic Affairs (SVPAA) and serve as part of the Academic Leadership Team. In that role, the SAVP actively supports many facets of the undergraduate experience and also serves as a primary counselor to the SVPAA on issues about undergraduate education.

“I am looking forward to joining and serving the University of Utah at what I know is a significant moment in the history of American higher education,” said Hagood. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we think about education, work, human connection and learning. I am excited about future collaborations to expand recent successes in student persistence and much more through data-informed, student-driven innovations.

Hagood earned a B.A. in history from the University of North Alabama and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Georgia in 2011. His historical research explores 19th-century America and American identity formation. He has also published work on learning and teaching in higher education.

“Research-based approaches to student and faculty success empower everyone involved in the learning process,” said Hagood. “Much of this work is thriving at the U. I am eager to see what more we will do together.”

Hagood began his career in higher education as an assistant professor of history and rural studies at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2011. In his second year there, he was appointed the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and faculty development coordinator.

In 2013, he returned to the University of Georgia as the assistant director for faculty development and recognition in the Center for Teaching and Learning. Most recently, he also served as affiliate faculty for the Scientists Engaged in Educational Research Center and as an adjunct assistant professor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education.

Hagood succeeds Martha Bradley Evans who will retire from academic leadership, but return to the classroom after a sabbatical. Reed said the entire University of Utah faculty and staff thank Dean Evans for her extraordinary leadership.