JEFF P. GARLAND
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www.dotjpgart.com
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Visionary and collaborative leader with over thirty years of experience in higher education, encompassing administrative leadership, curricular innovation, and authentic pedagogy. Proven success in faculty affairs, interdisciplinary program development, and strategic planning across multi-campus institutions. Recognized for fostering faculty excellence, mentoring emerging leaders, and advancing institutional priorities through strategic governance, effective resource management, and cross-functional collaboration. Deep commitment to student success, faculty empowerment, and the creative potential of the arts and humanities.
Key strengths include:
• Strategic leadership across departments and colleges, including interim and associate deanships
• Expertise in faculty development, workload policy, tenure and promotion review, and accreditation
• Strong record of administrative outcomes: curricular realignment, budget stewardship, program growth and faculty advocate.
• Nationally recognized accreditation and governance service (NASAD chair/evaluator, advisory committees)
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
Master of Fine Arts, Sculpture (1994), Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting (1992), Illinois State University, Normal, IL.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Associate Dean | Faculty Affairs and Research | College of Arts and Humanities
College of Arts and Humanities, Georgia Southern University | 2024–Present
Faculty and Research Leadership
• Oversaw all faculty review processes, including promotion, tenure, and post-tenure evaluations
• Guided development of college-wide workload policy and faculty performance frameworks
• Facilitated faculty research productivity via seed grant initiatives, writing workshops, and grant mentorship
• Liaised with Faculty Personnel Review Committee and Technology Committee on policy implementation
Instructional and Student Support
• Promoted authenticity, collaborative graduate-level instruction (MFA Studio, Pedagogy Practicum)
• Organized and supported student travel grants and research symposia for undergraduate and graduate students
Co-Interim Dean
College of Education, Georgia Southern University | 2024
Served as chief academic and administrative officer for one of the university’s largest colleges
Directed strategic planning aligned with institutional mission, with emphasis on equity and growth
Advanced opportunities for program development, interdisciplinary initiatives, and enrollment expansion
Ensured high-quality instruction and curricular consistency across multiple departments
Managed multimillion-dollar budgets and led external fundraising efforts
Engaged stakeholders through transparent communication, alumni relations, and shared governance
Reclassified Administrative Assistant III to Business Manager; restructured Director role for Graduate Academic Services Center to enhance efficiency and student support
Successfully hired and onboarded an Executive Administrative Assistant to improve college-wide communications and service
Launched new Grants Research Coordinator position to expand faculty research capacity and external funding opportunities
Oversaw graduate enrollment expansion to meet strategic growth targets outlined by the President’s Office
Created new Outreach Coordinator position to centralize communications, promote visibility, and enhance public engagement
Collaborated with faculty leadership to revise workload expectations (3/3, 4/4, research loads) and align evaluation metrics with BOR and COE bylaws
Represented the college at systemwide USG Executive Leadership Institute, leveraging ELI frameworks to enhance co-leadership strategies and shared decision-making
Initiated early-stage development of a holistic student success framework aligned with the Ready Day One Connect QEP
Supported research and grantmaking infrastructure for Ed.D. and graduate faculty, including exploring new Ed.D. delivery models and tracking dissertation completion metrics
Department Chair
Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art, Georgia Southern University | 2018–2024
Program Development and Budget Oversight
• Unified three-campus programs into a single, innovative curricular structure
• Designed and launched Vision 2020, a forward-looking curriculum aligned with 21st-century learning outcomes
• Administered a $2M+ annual budget, including gallery operations and programmatic expenditures
• Maintained NASAD accreditation and led successful site visits
Faculty Supervision and Scheduling
• Supervised full-time and adjunct faculty; led hiring, mentoring, and annual evaluations
• Strategically scheduled courses and optimized faculty load and student success across campuses
Instruction
• Led MFA Studio courses and foundational seminars, fostering authentic studio culture and graduate mentorship
STRATEGIC SERVICE AND ADVISORY LEADERSHIP
· National Accreditation & Evaluation Roles (NASAD)
• Chair, NASAD Visitation Team – Middle Tennessee State (2025), High Point University (2025), Western Carolina (2024)
• Evaluator, NASAD Visitation Team – Ball State University (2025), Morehead State University (2021), Radford University (2021)
• Presenter, NASAD National Conferences (2019–2023), including sessions on curriculum innovation and evaluator development
• Participated in NASAD Chair and Evaluator Workshops (2020–2023), contributing to national conversations on accreditation, curricular design, and faculty development
· University and College-Level Policy and Governance
• Faculty Governance Workload Policy Developer – College of Arts and Humanities (2024–2025)
• Post-Tenure Review and Performance Remediation Documentation – Provost’s Office (2023–2025)
• Faculty Handbook Committee Member – Office of the Provost (2023)
• Conflict of Interest and Commitment Committee – Legal Affairs (2024)
• Advisory Committee to the Provost on Faculty Evaluations – Georgia Southern (2019)
• Regents Advisory Committee for Fine and Applied Arts – University System of Georgia (2019–Present)
· Strategic Leadership Planning Initiatives (Prior Institutions)
• Sustainable Foundations Task Force – Illinois College (2016–2018)
• Public Art Committee, Strategy Map Task Force, and Teaching & Learning Subcommittees – Illinois College (2014–2018)
SELECTED SEARCH COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
• Chair, Executive Assistant Search – College of Education (2024)
• Chair, Chair Search – GSU School of Music (2022)
• Chair, Chaplain / Coordinator of Interfaith and Inclusion Initiatives – Illinois College (2017)
• Chair, Tenure-track Faculty Searches in Art (Painting, Sculpture, New Media) – Illinois College (2014–2015)
• Member, Search Committees for Student Success, Diversity Center, and other institutional leadership roles
TEACHING AND PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP
· Areas of Instruction
• MFA Studio Practice, Graduate Pedagogy Practicum, Foundations (2D/3D Design, Drawing, Painting), Art History (Western, Contemporary, Women’s), Color Theory, Sculpture, Senior Seminar
• Developed authentic, conceptually rigorous learning environments across graduate and undergraduate levels
· Faculty Appointments
• Professor of Art, Georgia Southern University (2018–Present)
• Chair & Associate Professor of Art, Illinois College (2008–2018)
• Chair & Assistant Professor of Art, Springfield College in Illinois (1994–2000)
• Adjunct Faculty, Triton College (2000–2003), Prairie Art Alliance (2003–2008)
· Pedagogical Leadership & Curriculum Innovation
• Designed Vision 2020, a comprehensive redesign of the art curriculum, integrating authentic pedagogy and interdisciplinary approaches
• Co-presenter: “Congratulations. It’s an Onion.” — Foundations in Art: Theory and Education Biennial Conference (2017)
• Led faculty workshops and high school collaborations on assessment in studio arts
· Teaching Awards
• Nominated, Outstanding Educator Award – International Sculpture Center (2024, pending)
• Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award – Illinois College (2014)
• Charles E. Frank Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching – Illinois College (2016)
• Student Senate Faculty of the Month – Illinois College (2014, 2017)
• LaFata Distinguished Chair – Springfield College (1996)
SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
· Publications
• Understanding Two-Dimensional Design Aesthetics Using Polarity Gradients – Companion Workbook (2017)
• Understanding Two-Dimensional Design Aesthetics Using Polarity Gradients – Primary Text (2015)
• Drawing Beyond the Stick Figure – A beginner’s studio companion manual (2008–2015)
• Sculpture of Abraham Lincoln: Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something – Bicentennial Edition Publication (2008)
• Four public sculptures published in Images of America, Carl & Roberta Volkmann, Arcadia Publishing (2007)
• Artwork published in Guerrilla Girls’ Third Book: Bitches, Bimbos, and Ball Breakers (2003)
· Invited Talks, Panels, and Workshops
• NASAD Presenter – Hosted session on curriculum innovation (2023)
• NASAD Workshops for experienced evaluators and chairs (2022–2023)
• Presenter: “Curriculum Considerations: An Invitation to Explore, Create, and Implement” (2023)
• Co-presenter: “Congratulations. It’s an Onion.” – FATE Biennial Conference (2017)
• Higher Learning Commission Annual Meeting – “A New Way to Assess Art Foundations” (2014)
• Workshop Leader – Art Curriculum Assessment for High School Teachers, Fry Grant (2015)
• Diversity Workshop: “Appropriation vs. Appreciation” – Inclusion Center (2017)
• “Unfolding Color’s Mysteries” – Community Workshop (2017)
• “Line, Plane, Volume” – Interactive High School Workshop (2018)
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS
2023 NASAD Conference - Hosted Session on Curriculum Considerations: An Invitation to Explore, Create, and Implement
2023 NASAD Experienced Evaluators
2022 NASAD Workshop for experienced evaluators (Chair Training)
2020 NASAD Virtual Workshop for Visiting Evaluator (Invitation)
2019 NASAD Workshop for Visiting Evaluators (Invitation)
2018 Line, plane, volume - An interactive high school workshop in conjunction with site specific student sculpture installation.
2017 Center for Diversity and Inclusion – Appropriation vs Appreciation – Dine and Dish Series.
2017 Unfolding Colors Mysteries – An Imaginative Workshop.
2017 Beyond the Core - Foundations in Art: Theory and Education – 16th Biennial Conference. Co-presenter for the session Congratulations. It’s an onion. – Presenting a reconfiguration of the traditional language of design.
2015 Richard T. Fry Faculty Collaboration Grant – Professional development for High school teachers – Designing Assessment in the Art Curriculum.
2014 Higher Learning Commissions Annual Meeting – Presentation of Assessment - A New Way to Assess Art Foundations
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS and GRANTS
2024 Scholar for the University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute
2016 Ernest G. Hildner Jr. Grant
2016 C. Reed Parker Professional Development Grant
2011 Second Place – Sunset on the Gulf – Illinois Artisans Exhibit.
2005 First place sculpture - Illinois professional exhibit.
EXHIBITION RECORD
2021-25 Art Fields – Lake City, SC
The Painter’s Pedagogy – Bloomington IL
Georgia Southern Faculty Exhibit – Statesboro GA
2016-21 Georgia Southern Faculty Exhibit – Statesboro GA
Art in the Park – Highland IL
Staunton Art Fair – Staunton IL
Illinois Artisans Exhibit – Illinois State Fair
2011-15 The Prairie Palette Gallery – Petersburg IL
Jacksonville Fine Arts and Craft Fair – Jacksonville IL
Old State Capitol Art Fair – Springfield IL
The Gables Fine Art Show – Springfield IL
DrUgs – One Person Show – Virginia IL
Abstractions – Process Piece – Gallery II – Springfield IL
“Art for more than just walls” – Chiaroscuro art gallery – Chicago, IL
“It’s a Meshy Business” Abstract Sculpture - Brickton Art Center - Parkridge IL
2006-10 Illinois State Professional Exhibit
Three Legged Dog - “Off The Wall” – Jacksonville IL
Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit – Illinois State University – Normal IL
“Garlands Exhibit” – Gallery II – Downtown Springfield
Washington Park Botanical Garden Show – Ten new site-specific Sculptures
Original Works installed at the Illinois State University Botanical Garden
Lincolnland Gallery, One Man Show, Jacksonville Illinois
Washington Park Botanical Garden Show- sixteen site-specific sculptures
Sculpture Walk in Girard Illinois
Gingercreek Foundation Garden Party – Eight Site Specific Sculptures
Tempe Festival of Arts – Tempe, Arizona
Expanded Animals Solo Show Installation– 23 animals for Henson Robinson Zoo
Old State Capitol Art Fair
Art Walk Downtown – One Man Show
Hoogland Center for the Arts – Featured Artist exhibition
Springfield Art Association - The Modern Landscape
The Green Gallery – “Prairies of Illinois” - One man show
COMMISSIONS
2022 Painted Eagle for Visitors Center – Statesboro Visitors Center
2011-15 Sculptures Illinois State University Botanical Garden
Sculptures for Restaurant interior – Taco Gringo
Steel Wall Prairie Memorial – Rochester Public Library
Sculpture for large edible garden – Private Commission
2005-10 Two Large Steel Prairies for entrance to the Chatham public Library –Chatham Il.
Springfield Art Council Grant - Springfield Il -
Fountain for main entrance to West Lake Health Centers.
Ed Breitung lake house – Illinois – Kinetic White Tail Deer
Private home - Florida – Kinetic Sea Turtle
Illinois Arts Council Grant – Springfield IL.
Designed Memorial with Kinetic Angel at the Illinois Mental Health Building
2000-05 Michael Vidor home Private collection – Wisconsin
Kinetic Black Bear for sculpture garden.
Benedictine University Collection – Large Prairies for main entrance walls
Private Collection of David J. Cross – Bronze figures for main entrance of Dental facility.
Horace Mann Corporate Headquarters – five large Prairie Paintings for boardroom.
Midwestern University – Chicago IL. – Main Entrance to School.
Aluminum American Flag
Philip Robinson Memorial at the Henson Robinson Zoo - Springfield IL.
Kinetic aluminum butterfly for butterfly garden.
Illinois State Art‑in‑Architecture Commission
Two tigers cast in fiberglass and carved relief for the Illinois School for the Deaf.
1995-2000 Springfield Arts Council Grant – Grandview IL
Bronze St Aloysius for St Aloysius Church and School – Collaboration with 8th graders for hands-on sculpture experience
Springfield Public Schools(District 186)Grant
Stainless steel Ostrich for bird and butterfly garden - Hazel Dell School
Henson Robinson Zoo ‑ Cheetah for 25th Anniversary
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sculptor, Skyline Design in Chicago (2000 – 2007)
Chicago, IL
2007 Sculpted exterior decorations at Buffo’s restaurant.
2006 Sculpted exterior decorations at La Humita’s restaurant.
2004 Painted Mural for Augustino’s restaurant.
2003-05 Fabricated mannequins and sculpted relief for Portillo’s Restaurant.
2003 Fabricated steel butterfly chairs and Lilies for the Chicago Children’s Museum.
2002 Carved Griffin and Lion relief sculpture for Hotel Intercontinental.
2002 Sculpted fiberglass ice-cream cones and reliefs for Haagen Daaz store, Navy Pier.
2001 Sculpted Abe Lincoln, boy fishing, and four cows for “Suite Home Chicago”.
Las Vegas, NV
2003 Sculpted Large Griffin heads for Casino.
San Francisco, CA
2001 Sculpted a bronze relief portrait of St. Mary Potter for hospital.
New Orleans, LA
2001 Sculpted eight bronze Jazz relief sculptures for the front of the Marriott Hotel.
Orlando, FL
2001 Sculpted Ostrich lamps and Tortoise Chandelier for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.