Search Consultant to the Board of Visitors

Stephen R. Portch, Ph.D.

Stephen R. Portch, Ph.D., is the Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Georgia, consisting of 35 universities and colleges. He served as chancellor of this system from 1994-2001, a transformative period for Georgia higher education that included a highly successful strategic plan. During this period, Change magazine selected him as one of the "21 Most Influential Voices in the Academy."

Previously, Dr. Portch worked 18 years in the University of Wisconsin, culminating his tenure as Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs. He also served as a professor of English, a campus dean and a chancellor in Wisconsin.

Since 2001, he has been a higher education policy adviser, consultant and speaker.  He has focused on governance, strategic planning and presidential leadership and transitions in states (such as New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Florida, Ohio, and North Dakota) and in both major public and independent institutions (such as the University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, University of Illinois, Clark Atlanta University, Tennessee State University, University of South Florida, the University of Colorado, and Colorado State University). Dr. Portch has assisted a number of Virginia institutions, including the University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, and Randolph College. He helped both the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University with their Presidential searches and transitions. He has also collaborated with a number of organizations (such as ECS, SHEEO, ACE) and states (such as Arizona, Hawaii, and Ohio) on P-16 efforts.

Originally from England, Dr. Portch earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Reading and a master's and Ph.D. from Penn State, all with honors.  He is most of all a catfish farmer in Alabama.