Georgia education leader named dean of Kennesaw State’s Bagwell College of Education

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 30, 2021

Adrian Epps
Adrian Epps

Kennesaw State University has appointed Adrian Epps as dean of the Bagwell College of Education, effective May 15.

Epps, a recognized education leader in Georgia, has served as interim dean of the Bagwell College since May 2020, and also was an associate dean in KSU’s College of Science and Mathematics from 2007 to 2019. Epps also served as interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at Dalton State College from 2019 to 2020.

“In his roles at Kennesaw State and throughout his career, Dr. Epps has demonstrated his commitment to impactful teaching and learning, diversity and inclusion, and, most of all, student success,” said Kathy Schwaig, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “The Bagwell College of Education is dedicated to preparing teachers and leaders for success in today’s learning environments, and Dr. Epps has prioritized building strong partnerships with school districts, independent schools, charter schools, educational organizations, community agencies, corporations and accrediting agencies throughout the state and nation.”

Epps will continue leading an education college that serves more than 2,700 students at the undergraduate and graduate level, including five doctoral degree programs. The Bagwell College houses several innovative labs to enhance classroom learning and offers multiple initiatives to share its faculty expertise with birth-12 educators, school districts and other community partners.

Prior to coming to Kennesaw State, Epps served in several leadership roles with the Atlanta Public School district including, director of mathematics and science initiatives, as well as positions in the Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, the Professional Development Department and the Informational Services Division. He also was an assistant principal and classroom teacher.

“I am thrilled to accept this role to continue overseeing the outstanding work in the Bagwell College of Education,” Epps said. “I am honored to work every day with faculty and staff who are committed to experiential learning, purposeful research and community engagement and so dedicated to producing educators who make a difference to countless students throughout Georgia and beyond.”

Epps is active in education leadership on the national and state levels, serving on the College Board’s national Academic Assembly Council since 2016 and rotating onto the organization’s board of trustees this year. He was appointed this year to the board of directors of the Georgia Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, and previously was a commissioner for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, chairing the Educator Preparation Standing Committee for several years.

Epps earned his Doctor of Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University. He also holds two degrees from Emory University: a Master of Education in Science Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a minor in African and African American Studies.


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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.