William Gaudelli Named Inaugural Dean of Georgia Tech’s College of Lifetime Learning
Georgia Tech has announced William “Bill” Gaudelli as the inaugural dean of its College of Lifetime Learning, effective Aug. 1. Gaudelli brings more than 35 years of experience as an educator, researcher, and academic administrator to this role.
The College of Lifetime Learning, established in September 2024, is Georgia Tech’s seventh College and its first in more than three decades. It houses the Center for 21st Century Universities; the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing; Georgia Tech Professional Education; and Georgia Tech-Savannah. The College seeks to transform how individuals learn across their lifetime and how organizations provide access to reskilling and upskilling. With a focus on providing accessible, affordable, and transformative opportunities, it serves groups across the spectrum of learning, including K-12 students, working professionals, and lifelong learners.
“Bill Gaudelli’s expertise and leadership in educational innovation make him the perfect choice to lead our new College,” said interim Provost Karie Davis-Nozemack. “His vision for the College of Lifetime Learning’s future will guide us during this critical phase of academic development, faculty hiring, and growth. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the search committee, chaired by the Scheller College of Business’ Dean Anuj Mehrotra. The committee brought us world-class candidates, and their diligent efforts have identified an exceptional leader for this important role.”
Gaudelli is currently senior vice provost for Educational Innovation and Assessment at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Previously, he was the dean of the College of Education at Lehigh, where he developed innovative programs to connect traditional and nontraditional learning pathways. He has also served as chair of the Department of Arts and Humanities at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he directed the social studies program and later led the department.
An internationally recognized scholar on global citizenship education and teacher development, Gaudelli has authored more than 85 scholarly works, including several books on the topic of teaching and learning through a global lens. He also co-founded the Global Competence Certificate program, a blended learning initiative developed in partnership with World Savvy and the Asia Society. This certificate program fosters global education by leveraging digital technologies to deliver interactive learning experiences that build tangible global skills essential for living and working.
Gaudelli earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in social studies education from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education. He began his career teaching social studies at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey, where he worked for a decade before transitioning to higher education.
“Learning is at the heart of what it means to be human — an ongoing process of living, growing, and evolving across the lifespan,” said Gaudelli. “My lifelong commitment to advancing learning is what drew me to Georgia Tech. The opportunity to help launch a new College dedicated to learners at every stage of life is both a privilege and a personal calling. I’m thrilled to join faculty, staff, and stakeholders across the Georgia Tech community in this bold initiative to expand access to purposeful, transformative learning for all.”
Under Gaudelli’s leadership, the College of Lifetime Learning will expand its innovative programs and continue to support Georgia Tech’s strategic goal of doubling its educational reach by 2030. For more information, visit cll.gatech.edu.
Writer: Brittany Aiello, Executive Communications, Institute Communications