Dr. Thomas J. Vicino serves as the Dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, where he is also a Professor in the Urban Studies Institute. Previously, he held administrative and academic roles at Northeastern University, Wheaton College, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

As Dean of the Andrew Young School, Dr. Vicino leads a top-20–ranked college of public affairs distinguished by a highly interdisciplinary academic enterprise and recognized as one of the nation’s largest and most diverse institutions in the field. As chief academic officer, he provides strategic leadership across academic programs, the research enterprise, and community partnerships that advance student success and societal impact. In this role, he is responsible for advancing excellence in teaching, research, service, and public engagement, while providing strategic leadership for the School’s mission and operations. He oversees a complex academic organization of approximately 200 faculty, 200 staff, and more than 2,200 students.

Dr. Vicino brings a passion for inclusive excellence in higher education as an academic administrator, researcher, teacher, mentor, and strategic planner. His leadership focuses on advancing opportunities through interdisciplinary research, experiential education, innovative programs, global citizenship, and lifelong learning with a record of building collaborative partnerships and civic engagement. He weaves a deep commitment to building community and belonging throughout his work.

Dr. Vicino has dedicated his career to advancing the next generation of scholars and service professionals. As the chief executive officer and chair of the Governing Board of the Urban Affairs Association, Vicino led the foremost international professional organization for urban scholars, researchers, and public service professionals.

A first-generation college student, he holds a PhD and MPP in public policy from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He holds a BSc, cum laude, with departmental honors in communication studies and political science, from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.