Paula Lemons

As Sr. Associate Dean, Paula Lemons leads Franklin’s Office of Academic Innovation, where the college is transforming the curricular and academic environment to reach new populations of students and advance our undergraduate and graduate programs toward employer and societal priorities. This office supports the creation of new academic programs, improves the quality of existing programs, promotes inclusive excellence, integrates entrepreneurship and career-leadership preparation into curricula, develops faculty and staff leaders who support our students, and builds Franklin community, pride, and connection. Dr. Lemons also oversees the Program Review and Assessment Committee process, student learning outcomes, undergraduate research through the Vertically Integrated Projects initiative, and both undergraduate and graduate scholarships. 

Dr. Lemons is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and conducts research in undergraduate STEM education, investigating undergraduates’ development of conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills for biochemistry. Dr. Lemons also has a record of leading departmental and institutional change initiatives, such as the National Science Foundation funded UGA DeLTA project that aimed to shift UGA’s teaching evaluation policies toward a greater use of evidence and greater focus on equity and continuous improvement.