Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, whose second and final term in office ends next week, will soon have a new title: Professor.

The state’s Board of Regents voted Wednesday to appoint Deal as a Regents Professor. Deal will hold occasional lectures at the University of Georgia and other schools in the University System of Georgia, effective March 1 for at least three years.

Deal pitched the idea. He wants to lecture to undergraduate students, focusing on political science and law.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to learn from a former governor,” said University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley.

Deal’s salary will be about $120,000 a year, Wrigley said.

Deal also plans to start a lobbying and consulting firm with his longtime chief of staff, Chris Riley.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Students stand on a balcony at the John Lewis Student Center on the campus of  Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Featured

Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com