PhD, 2012 Dr. Tschepikow is UGA's Executive Director for Business Engagement and Innovation. In this position, Kyle oversees the merger of Corporate Relations (located in Development and Alumni Relations) and Industry Engagement (located in the Office of Research) to create the Office of Business Engagement. This office focuses on expanding and strengthening university/industry collaboration, particularly in the areas of research, philanthropy, and student engagement. Kyle also provides strategic leadership to advance the University’s Innovation District. He will report jointly to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and the Vice President for Research. He joined the UGA President’s Office in September 2014 as assistant to the president. Four years later he was named special assistant to the president and director for strategy and innovation. His work focuses primarily on presidential communications, athletics, strategic initiatives, targeted research, and regional accreditation. In addition, he helps to plan presidential events and serves as an adviser to the president and chief of staff. Prior to joining the President’s Office, Dr. Tschepikow served for three years as director of assessment and staff development in the UGA Division of Student Affairs. In that role, he coordinated strategic planning, annual reporting, and learning outcomes assessment for the division. He also organized planning retreats and professional development opportunities. Prior to joining UGA in 2008, he served as the director of residence life and chief judicial affairs officer at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia. Dr. Tschepikow received his bachelor's degree in English literature from Henderson State University in Arkansas in 2003 and his master's degree in the same field from the University of Wales—where his dissertation was awarded distinction—in 2005. He earned his doctorate from UGA’s Institute of Higher Education in 2012. His academic accomplishments include peer-reviewed journal articles, a chapter in a monograph, and papers and presentations at various international conferences. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on college student outcomes, assessment and accreditation, the age of chivalry, medieval literature, and Shakespeare and has led study abroad courses in both Italy and England.
