Augusta University
Stacey Hudson
The Dental College of Georgia (DCG) at Augusta University (AU) welcomes Shannon South, CPA, MAcc, as its new Senior Administrator for finance and human resources operations. This role blends high-level strategic leadership with a deeply rooted passion for service and collaboration.
South joins AU with more than two decades of experience in higher education finance, internal audit, business operations and administrative services. Her career path has taken her from the lecture halls of Mercer University to the executive offices of Vanderbilt and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, places where she built a reputation for leading with integrity, transparency and a people-first mindset.
Now, she brings that experience home to Georgia to help guide the business and operational heartbeat of the DCG. Dr. Nancy Young, dean of the college, said the committee chose South because both her expertise and her philosophy seemed like a perfect match for the future of the DCG.
“Shannon has deep expertise in finance and operations, but it is paired with a people-first leadership style,” Young said. “That will be invaluable as we prepare for a bold new chapter that includes expanding to a second campus and growing our clinical footprint across Georgia. Shannon brings not only the skills but the spirit of collaboration and service that will help us build systems to support our mission and the people who make it possible.”
In her new role, South will oversee financial planning and human resources for both the DCG and AU Dental Associates, the college’s private faculty practice group made up of approximately 70 members. She will manage a complex $50 million budget and lead the operations that support nearly 300 non-faculty employees.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of Augusta University,” South said. “What motivates me most is working with people who are doing incredible work and helping build systems that support their success. Transparency and customer service are at the heart of what I do.”
Working closely with the dean and leadership teams, she will also guide long-term strategic planning, manage purchasing, oversee grant and billing operations and support the physical and technological infrastructure of the college.
Her most recent experience includes serving as Strategic Business Officer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she led finance division initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, business process modernization and data-driven decision-making. She has also held leadership roles at Texas Woman’s University, Deloitte and Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, where she spent eight years in finance, internal audit and risk management.
South credits much of her professional growth to her time at Vanderbilt, where she worked closely with the chancellor and executive team.
“It was a pivotal time in my career,” she said. “I learned how leadership, mentorship and professional excellence can develop together. That experience shaped how I approach every role with a mindset of partnership and service.”
A Georgia native at heart, South was raised in a military family with roots in Savannah, Peachtree City and Huntsville, Alabama. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mercer University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was recognized with the Dean’s Choice Award for Leadership. She then completed her Master of Accountancy at the University of Georgia and obtained professional licensure as a Certified Public Accountant.
Her career began with the State of Georgia, where she audited colleges and universities – a perfect starting point for someone destined to spend a lifetime supporting higher education.
“I’ve always loved the energy of higher education,” she said. “Even when I started as an accountant, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that felt like a community. Higher ed is that kind of place. It’s where learning and service come together every day.”
South’s leadership style reflects that same philosophy. She’s eager to work with DCG’s senior leadership to prepare for future growth, accreditation reviews and evolving institutional goals. Her focus, she said, will remain on building systems and processes that empower others to do their best work.
“Success isn’t just about the budget or the numbers. It’s about supporting people. I’ve been lucky to work with leaders who modeled that, and I hope to continue that here,” she said.
Outside of the office, South is a musician at heart. She plays piano, sings and is a longtime volunteer in animal rescue, especially helping dogs find permanent homes. As she settles into Augusta, she’s looking forward to reconnecting with extended family nearby, and to the quieter pace of life away from big cities.
