Norton named senior associate vice president of human resources at University of Alabama

Susan Norton, vice president for human resources at Augusta University and Augusta University Health, has been named senior associate vice president of human resources/chief human resources officer at the University of Alabama, effective Oct. 1. Norton retires from Augusta after over 31 years of service in the University System of Georgia.

Norton joined Augusta University in 2002 as director of human resources and was later promoted to associate vice president of human resources, a role she served in for more than 10 years before being named vice president for human resources in 2012.

During her tenure, Norton played a pivotal role in the integration of AU Health with one of the nation’s largest and oldest medical schools, the Medical College of Georgia, and the consolidation of the former Augusta State and Georgia Health Sciences universities. Additionally, Norton and her team led the onboarding and implementation of innovative partnership employment platforms with global Fortune 500 health care technology companies.

Prior to her current role at Augusta, she held HR leadership positions at Georgia Southern University.

Norton has also held numerous memberships and leadership roles in professional organizations, including serving as chair of the national board of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources from July 2020 to June 2021, assuming a past chair role July 1.

Norton received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and a master’s in sports management from Georgia Southern University.

Carolyn Burns, senior director of strategic human resources services and programs, will lead the Division of Human Resources while a national search is immediately commenced to identify a new leader.