Clayton State University’s Professor of Marketing Dr. Anita Whiting Selected for Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program
(May 18, 2026) - Dr. Anita Whiting was selected as a Governor’s Teaching Fellow for the May 2026 Symposium, "Where Generative AI Skills and Human Essential Skills Meet in Higher Ed." The interlocking goals of the Symposium are to give Fellows dedicated time to explore generative AI tools and strategies with an eye towards understanding which will best complement their personal teaching practice, their discipline, and their students' learning; and to strengthen the human-centered aspects of their teaching and help build their students' skills as critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and valued team members.
As one of 16 faculty members from institutions of higher education across the state, Dr. Anita Whiting was selected in a highly competitive application and review process. Each selected fellow was endorsed by their institution’s president or provost and provided compelling evidence of instructional innovation. Fellows represent a diverse range of Georgia institutions and disciplinary fields.
Dr. Anita Whiting is a Professor of Marketing at Clayton State University’s College of Business. She obtained her Ph.D. in Marketing from Georgia State University, her MBA from The Georgia Institute of Technology, and her B.S. in Marketing from Berry College. Her primary research interests are artificial intelligence, social media, service employees, and student engagement. Her research has appeared in scholarly journals, including The International Journal of Research in Marketing, Journal of Service Research, Journal of Services Marketing, Qualitative Market Research (QMR): An International Journal, among others. She was a Guest Editor with Dr. Joe Hair for two special issues on Social Media in the QMR journal. Her research articles have received over 3,926 citations, according to Google Scholar. Dr. Whiting received the 2022 Overall Professor of the Year Award at CSU's College of Business, CSU’s Heritage Bank University Professorship Award for 2020 and 2021, and Student Organization Advisor Award. Her current portfolio of courses includes Artificial Intelligence in Business, Personal Branding, Marketing Strategy, Services Marketing, Sports Marketing, and Introduction to Marketing.
Dr. Jacob Chacko, Dean of the College of Business at Clayton State University said “I am incredibly proud of Dr. Anita Whiting for being selected as a Governor’s Teaching Fellow; her dedication to our students and her forward-thinking approach to AI in the classroom truly represent the best of our College of Business. Being chosen for such a competitive statewide honor highlights her role as a leader in teaching excellence and ensures our students continue to receive a world-class, future-ready education.”
Each May, Governor’s Teaching Fellows attend an intense one-week seminar on the University of Georgia campus. The symposium includes structured faculty development sessions facilitated by experts, collaboration with faculty peers from other institutions, and independent study reflective of each participant’s needs and interests. Fellows receive a stipend to assist with travel expenses and meals. Lodging is provided by the Governor's Teaching Fellows Program. The Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program also offers an academic year program in which fellows design or re-design a course during six multi-day seminars from September to April.
The Governor's Teaching Fellows Program was established in 1995 by Zell Miller, governor of Georgia, 1991-1999, to provide Georgia's higher education faculty with expanded opportunities for developing important teaching skills. Governor Miller envisioned that this program would address faculty members' pressing need to use emerging technologies and instructional tools that are becoming increasingly important for learning today.
The Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program is an outreach program of the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia. To improve the quality of instruction in Georgia's colleges and universities, the Governor's Teaching Fellows Program assumes the complex challenge of moving college faculty members to the leading edge of instructional practice. This effort to enhance instruction in public and private higher education statewide is very much in keeping with the University of Georgia's mission as a land-grant institution committed to diversified outreach and public service.
To learn more about the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education and the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, including information on how to apply, go to http://ihe.uga.edu/programs/governors-teaching-fellows
About Clayton State University
Founded in 1969, Clayton State University, a member of the University System of Georgia, is a student-centered institution committed to expanding access, advancing social mobility, and preparing graduates for meaningful, career-connected success. Through a range of undergraduate, and graduate degree programs, Clayton State provides clear pathways for students from all backgrounds.
Located in Morrow, Georgia, and located on 214 acres with six lakes, the University serves as a vital engine for workforce development and community impact. Clayton State competes in NCAA Division II athletics and is home to Spivey Hall, a premier performance venue in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
For more information, visit https://www.clayton.edu/