ATLANTA — University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue named an interim president to lead the Georgia Institute of Technology after Dr. Ángel Cabrera leaves for a new role.
Perdue named Dr. Timothy Charles Lieuwen today as interim president of Georgia Tech, effective Nov. 1.
Cabrera’s last day at Georgia Tech is Oct. 31. Channel 2 Action News reported when he announced he was leaving in June to be the new president and CEO of the Aspen Institute.
Cabrera has served as president of Georgia Tech since 2019.
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Perdue thanked Cabrera for his service and announced Lieuwen’s appointment during the leadership transition.
“We’re deeply grateful to President Cabrera for his visionary leadership over the last seven years, driving historic growth in research and strengthening Georgia Tech’s reputation as a global engine of innovation,” Perdue said in a statement. “As we conduct a nationwide search for the university’s next president, we’re fortunate to have Dr. Tim Lieuwen step into this leadership role.”
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Perdue said Lieuwen has “deep roots as a Georgia Tech alumnus, acclaimed researcher and executive leader” and will bring experience and stability to Georgia Tech while he takes on leading the institution.
Lieuwen currently serves as executive vice president for research at Georgia Tech, where he oversees a research enterprise with annual sponsored awards exceeding $1.4 billion.
Lieuwen earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College before completing his master’s degree and doctorate in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech.
The interim president previously served as interim chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering and executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute.
He is also a Regents’ Professor, holds the David S. Lewis Jr. Chair in Aerospace Engineering and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
“It’s an incredible honor to serve Georgia Tech as interim president during this transition,” Lieuwen said. “Georgia Tech is a special place that has shaped my own career and I’m deeply committed to serving our students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
The new interim president said Georgia Tech’s mission for delivering progress, service and world-class education has never been stronger and that he looked forward to supporting his alma mater in the new role.
The Board of Regents named a 14-member presidential search committee in July to find Georgia Tech’s next permanent leader led by Regent Harold Reynolds.
The committee is currently working to identify three to five unranked candidates for the board’s consideration.
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