Athens, Ga. – Earl J. Ginter, who has served as assistant director and interim director of the Division of Academic Enhancement at the University of Georgia, has been named permanent director, effective Nov. 1.

The Division of Academic Enhancement’s mission is to enable UGA students to achieve success in their academic endeavors. The division provides academic assistance, counseling and tutoring; offers both UNIV and Enhancement Learning Support courses in fields such as English, mathematics, reading and study strategies; and oversees the Freshman College Summer Experience, the university’s federally supported TRIO programs (Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound), and the Collaborative Academic and Retention Effort (CARE).

The director reports to the vice president for instruction and has responsibility for the faculty, staff and programs of the division.

“Dr. Ginter’s professional background and long history with the division make him ideally suited for this position,” said Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction.

Ginter has worked in the division for more than 20 years, serving as a counselor and as coordinator of the counseling component of the division before becoming assistant director in 2005.

He has co-authored three books, including Life-skills for the university and beyond, and has written extensively on life-skills and human development, mental health counseling, loneliness and performance anxiety. He has served as editor and consulting editor for the Journal of Counseling and Development.

Ginter holds a Ph.D. in counseling and educational research from the University of Georgia.

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