School of Public Health names new associate dean for faculty affairs

Curt Harris, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in emergency and disaster management, has been named associate dean for Faculty Affairs for Augusta University’s School of Public Health. Harris comes to AU after nearly 20 years at the University of Georgia, where he most recently served as the director of UGA’s Institute for Disaster Management. He will begin his tenure on March 1.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Harris to the School of Public Health at Augusta University. I’m excited about the dedicated support that Curt can provide to SPH faculty to ensure their long-term success,” said Teresa Waters, PhD, dean of the AU School of Public Health. “We went looking for someone with a passion for mentoring faculty and found someone who is so much more. His wide-ranging experience in science, training and practice of disaster management is a wonderful fit for us, and his extensive relationships throughout Georgia will be a tremendous asset to our faculty, staff and students as we continue to grow our new school.”

Harris, who earned a PhD in toxicology from UGA and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Georgia College and State University, began his time at UGA in 2008 as an emergency preparedness manager before rising to director, as well as associate professor with tenure, in 2019. Over his almost two decades at UGA, Harris secured nearly $50 million in external funding to enhance health care and community-level resilience on a national and international level. At the same time, he created one of the nation’s earliest Master’s of Public Health programs in disaster and emergency management and oversaw the institute’s growth from fewer than 10 to nearly 40 employees.

Harris, who is widely published and has hundreds of technical reports to his name, has helped draft and evaluate emergency operations plans across Georgia, has played a key role in developing the state’s health care coalition system and co-created international training programs that prepare emergency physicians to manage large-scale crises.

“As the only university in Georgia with public health, medical, dental, nursing and allied health schools, Augusta University offers a unique environment to advance disaster health sciences through interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Harris, acknowledging that he’s looking forward to the opportunities Augusta University presents.

“Throughout my career, I’ve had the responsibility of developing educational, research and practice-based programs in public health preparedness,” he said. “What excites me most about this new role at Augusta University is the opportunity to broaden my leadership and work directly with the faculty, staff and students in the School of Public Health to strengthen and elevate our reputation and impact throughout Georgia, the nation and the world.”

At Augusta University, Harris will leverage his extensive experience and networks to support the School of Public Health in recruiting and retaining top-tier faculty, expanding the research enterprise, educating the next generation of public health practitioners and researchers and enhancing the university’s role as a leader in community-focused impact. He already works closely with AU leaders like Joe Webber, director of AU’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response; Richard Schwartz, MD, chair and professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Phillip Coule, MD, vice president and Chief Medical Officer at Wellstar MCG Health and associate dean of Clinical Affairs for MCG.

With an established background in academia and practice, Harris is coming to the School of Public Health to advance innovative initiatives that align with Augusta University’s mission and priorities.