It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors.

The Andrew Young School, located in the heart of Atlanta, provides an outstanding learning opportunity to engage in one of the world’s most dynamic global cities. Our school is dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges facing our society with an interdisciplinary approach that allows us to tackle complex issues from multiple perspectives, leading to comprehensive and effective solutions.

Named after the esteemed civil rights leader, diplomat and public servant, our school embodies Andrew Young’s spirit of public service and dedication to social justice. His legacy serves as a guiding light for our community, inspiring us to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our world with courage, compassion and determination. His commitment to opportunity and inclusion shapes our mission and values, driving us to create positive change in our society and beyond. We are proud to carry forward Andrew Young’s vision by advancing knowledge, fostering innovation and empowering future leaders to build a more just and equitable world.

As a community of scholars and practitioners, we are committed to advancing knowledge and creating positive change through rigorous research, innovative teaching and impactful engagement with the community. The Andrew Young School houses five academic units: the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Department of Economics,  Department of Public Management and Policy, School of Social Work and the Urban Studies Institute. In addition, various policy-critical research centers, clusters and labs engage with numerous collaborators and partners in government, industry and the nonprofit sectors to advance our mission.

Evidence-based policy helps the public and private sectors accomplish many things. It helps economies grow, identifies the best ways to pay for infrastructure, education and healthcare, and ultimately, improves lives. Our faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners bring research to policy development throughout the United States and across the world.

Whether you are a prospective student, a current member of our community or a partner in our efforts, I invite you to explore all that the Andrew Young School has to offer. Together, we can make a difference and build a better future for all.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus.

Warm regards,

Thomas J. Vicino, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor