George J. Petersen

Dean Emeritus, Provost Distinguished Professor of Educational Innovation.

Office: 102 Gantt Circle
Phone: 864-656-4444
Email: gjp39@clemson.edu
Vita: Click Here

Educational Background

Ph.D. Educational Policy, Organizations and Leadership
University of California Santa Barbara 1993

MA Educational Policy, Organizations and Leadership
University of California Santa Barbara 1991

BA Philosophy (Cum Laude)
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, Italy 1981

Profile

George J. Petersen has been a public school teacher, administrator and university faculty member. Prior to this appointment with the College of Education, he served as dean of the Graduate College of Education at California Lutheran University. He was the chair of the Department of Graduate Studies at the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and co-director of the University of California-Santa Barbara and Cal Poly Joint Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. He was a tenured professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and served as associate director of the University Council for Educational Administration, a national research and policy organization.

Petersen is the author or co-author of three books and more than 100 book chapters, professional articles, research papers, monographs and commissioned reports. Much of his scholarly work has focused on the executive leadership of district superintendents and their beliefs, roles and work in the area of instructional leadership and policy. Petersen’s research has been widely published and is internationally recognized for its quality and impact.

In recognition of his scholarship and service, Petersen received numerous awards, including Clemson University’s Ralph D. Elliott Award for Outstanding Service to Off-Campus, Distance and Continuing Education, the University of California-Santa Barbara's Gevirtz College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award and the University of Missouri-Columbia’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He was also was a finalist for both the Outstanding Teaching and Distinguished Scholarship Awards at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. As a public school teacher, he was the recipient of the Sallie Mae Outstanding Teaching Award, given to the top 100 teachers in the United States.

Dr. Petersen earned his M.A and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Organizations and Policy from the University of California Santa Barbara. From 2000-2004, he also served as the Associate Director of University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA).

Research Interests

Superintendents and School Board Relations.
Professional Development for Executive School Leaders
Organizational Communication and Conflict Resolution
Lego Serios Play (Individual and Team Leadership Workshops for Organizational Development)