University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue Announces Retirement
Former Georgia governor and Trump agriculture secretary will step down from university system role after controversial 2022 appointment.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue announced his retirement Wednesday from his role leading the state’s public college system, ending a tenure that began in 2022 following a controversial selection process.
The former Georgia governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary will remain in his position until the Board of Regents conducts a nationwide search for his successor. The university system did not announce a timeline for the replacement process.
“As I prepare to retire, I’m grateful for our presidents, faculty and staff, our students and the many communities that make up this remarkable system,” Perdue said in a statement. “USG is a family, and I know it will continue to thrive, grow and serve Georgia.”
Political Career Spanning Decades
Perdue’s extensive political career includes serving in the state Senate as a Democrat before switching parties to become Georgia’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction in 2003. During President Trump’s first administration, he served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
His appointment as chancellor in 2022 drew scrutiny when an executive search firm quit the selection process amid questions about potential political pressure from Governor Brian Kemp’s office and whether the position was predetermined for Perdue. Chancellors are selected by regents, who are appointed by governors for seven-year terms.
Achievements During Chancellor Tenure
Governor Brian Kemp praised Perdue’s leadership in a statement Wednesday, highlighting his contributions to the university system.
“Chancellor Perdue has given decades of service to our state and nation, and his time leading the University System of Georgia has solidified a legacy of impact that will continue for generations to come,” Kemp said.
During Perdue’s tenure, the university system saw increases in enrollment and implemented new programs designed to expand college access. These initiatives include Georgia Match, which connects high school seniors with college opportunities, and the needs-based Georgia DREAMS Scholarship program.
The University System of Georgia oversees 26 public colleges and universities across the state, serving hundreds of thousands of students. The system includes major institutions such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University.
Perdue’s retirement marks the end of a career in public service that spanned state and federal government roles across multiple decades. His departure will trigger a search process that could take several months to complete as the Board of Regents works to identify candidates for one of the state’s most influential educational leadership positions.
