Fei Li
Assistant Professor
Urban Studies Institute

Dr. Li joined the Andrew Young School in 2018. Her research has a strong focus on policy analysis and stands out in the use of advanced quantitative methodologies and experimental approaches while centering on several pressing policy issues facing American cities such as socio-spatial segregation, affordable housing, the digital divide, transportation policies and health disparities, often with attention to marginalized communities.

Dr. Li has produced 14 peer-reviewed publications, including 12 journal articles (9 lead-authored) and two book chapters. The quality of her research is reflected in her successful acquisition of external research funding, which is well over $400,000, and the high rankings of the journals in which she has managed to publish, including Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, Journal of the American Planning Association, Transportation Research A: Policy and Practice, Urban Studies, Health and Place, and The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning.

The breadth of Dr. Li’s teaching portfolio is impressive, and her teaching evaluations have in recent years been consistently excellent.  Overall, Dr. Li’s expertise is vital to the agenda of the Urban Studies Institute and aligns clearly with the strategic directions of the Andrew Young School.

Robin Hartinger-Saunders
Associate Professor
School of Social Work

Dr. Hartinger-Saunders has led many of the School of Social Work’s instructional initiatives for over a decade. An early adopter of online instruction, she has significantly contributed to the SSW’s development of the BSW and MSW online programs. As the SSW prepares to launch the new online MSW Mental Health and Wellness concentration in fall 2026, she has lent her expertise on online instruction and trauma-informed practice to building the new curriculum, including developing one of its new core courses.

Through the years, Dr. Hartinger-Saunders has mentored faculty in effectively using online teaching strategies and integrating AI to enhance student learning. She has consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to teaching excellence and student success through innovative teaching methods; she integrates active learning strategies to connect theory to practice; and she uses design assessments that accommodate diverse learning styles. As director of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Education and Training Program, she has mentored and advised numerous students preparing for careers in public child welfare.

Overall, Dr. Hartinger-Saunders’s passion for teaching, dedication to student success and contributions to educational innovation embody the qualities of an exceptional educator.

Jack Mason
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions and Program Administration
Office of Academic Assistance

Mason has played an instrumental role in advancing the Andrew Young School mission by streamlining and enhancing graduate admissions, student support and program administration. His efforts in automating key admissions and enrollment processes have significantly increased efficiency and reduced administrative burdens. His commitment to innovation has influenced application growth, yielding a 16.54 percent increase in applications for Fall 2024 and a record high enrollment yield. He implemented a new enrollment email campaign that improved student engagement and retention, with AYSPS achieving an 87 percent enrollment response rate — a 5 percent gain in a year.

Mason’s influence extends well beyond AYSPS. His contributions to the university have reinforced the college’s reputation as a leader in graduate admissions innovation. For example, his work on university-wide CRM implementation teams has ensured AYSPS remains at the forefront of graduate enrollment technology and student support best practices. Through his leadership, AYSPS became one of the first Georgia State colleges to fully automate deferral admissions processing, create application fee waiver tracking systems and streamline program advisement records, serving as a model for other colleges within the university.

Mason fosters a positive and collaborative work environment by consistently supporting colleagues, students and faculty. His ability to bridge multiple departments and functional areas has solidified his reputation as a leader in higher education administration. His many contributions continue to impact the school’s ability to attract, support and retain students, ultimately fostering academic success.