First USG Representative appointed to Deal Center Governing Board

Georgia College & State University President Cathy Cox has appointed Dr. Laura Lynch, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs and Policy at the University System of Georgia, to serve on the Deal Center Governing Board. 

Caption: Dr. Laura Lynch

“Literacy is at the heart of everything we do,” Lynch said. “In home life, work life, family, citizenship—every aspect of our lives requires people to be literate.” 

In her role at the USG, Lynch works with each member institution to establish new programs, modify existing programs, or close programs if necessary. She’s also liaison to the USG’s Educator Preparation and Programs and works with education agencies across the state. 

“There’s a huge need for teachers across the state,” she said. “We’re working to establish new programs, advertising our existing programs, and getting creative to further that work.” 

But Lynch didn’t begin her journey aiming for the USG. She got her start in Florida, where her magnet education program led her to opportunity after opportunity for teaching. 

“I tutored through middle school, high school, and into college—so I knew I liked teaching,” she said. “I liked helping people put those puzzle pieces together.” 

She became a math professor at the College of Coastal Georgia in 2011, where she helped build their mathematics program from the ground up. At the college, she served as department chair, Assistant Vice President for faculty affairs, and briefly as the registrar. 

“At the heart of it, any mathematician is a problem solver,” Lynch said. “In my daily life, and in whatever I’m doing, I look for where we can improve processes and solve problems people are facing—that all boils down to my mathematical training.” 

Lynch has big goals for the state, and the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy is thrilled to have her on our Governing Board.  

“With math, people are typically comfortable admitting if they are struggling,” she said. “But if someone is not a good reader, there’s typically a lot of fear in sharing that. Now I can help create and support programs to help students learn and shape our future citizens of Georgia.”