UGA Public Service and Outreach

Altogether Original: Carrollton RSVP envisions downtown’s bright future When the city of Carrollton needed a master plan to guide the future of its downtown, local leaders turned to the University of Georgia for help. “Carrollton has a small-town feel, but we’ve also got

Fanning Institute public service faculty member Jason Edwards joined 29 of his colleagues from across the university on the New Faculty Tour to better understand how UGA is working to make Georgia a better place to live by creating jobs, developing leaders and addressing critical needs in the state through UGA Public Service and Outreach and UGA Extension. Read more about the Tour at: https://news.uga.edu/tour-gives-uga-faculty-new-perspective-on-state/?_gl=1*16zqvw4*_ga*NzM4Mzc0NDE1LjE3MjA2MjQyMjY.*_ga_6H213MG7X1*MTcyMzU3NDMwMi4xMy4wLjE3MjM1NzQzMDIuNjAuMC4w

Tour gives UGA faculty new perspective on state They see firsthand the impact that UGA has across the state.

The University of Georgia wrapped up another successful New Faculty Tour on Thursday as the group returned to Athens. Before arriving, faculty learned about the successful partnership between UGA and Gainesville that is allowing the North Georgia city to capitalize on a unique strategic planning process created by the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The work through the RSVP (Renaissance Strategic Vision and Plan) has helped Gainesville attract hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment to revive its downtown and the Midland area, and secure millions in state funding to increase greenspace and connectivity.

On the bus ride from Gainesville to Athens, faculty heard from State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA Director Jenny Cruse-Sanders, who provided an overview of the garden's conservation and horticulture efforts.

Over the last five years, the University of Georgia has helped to bring in $9.5 billion in sales, assisted in starting 2,178 new businesses, created 14,933 new jobs and raised $1.11 billion in capital for clients of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. New Faculty Tour participants on Wednesday learned how utilizing the UGA SBDC’s expertise has helped Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland flourish in Georgia’s growing hospitality and tourism industry. Hospitality and tourism in Georgia ranks second – only to agriculture – in state economic contribution and employs more than 400,000 people. As an agritourism business, Yonah Mountain Vineyards also has partnered with UGA for work on its agriculture side.

Faculty also heard from UGA Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jack Hu about the impact of UGA's work across the state and the role that faculty play in those efforts.

Earlier in the day, faculty heard about the work of the Georgia Department of Economic Development during a stop at the Georgia Experience Center in Atlanta.

The University of Georgia helps communities as they plan for and address growth and environmental issues. Participants on the New Faculty Tour stopped in Columbus on Tuesday and learned how the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government is utilizing the River Valley Community Compatible Development Plan to help create vibrant downtowns, invest in infrastructure and promote outdoor activities in the rural communities surrounding Columbus and Fort Moore. The plan is part of UGA’s Defense Community Resilience Program that helps communities and military installations explore mutually beneficial opportunities for economic growth.

The tour then went to Atlanta, where faculty visited the Georgia State Capitol. There, they heard from Terry England, chief of staff for House Speaker Jon Burns, and faculty from the Institute of Government led the tour throughout the building.

Heewon Lee, an incoming assistant professor in public administration & policy, is participating in the New Faculty Tour with . Throughout the week, she will visit 11 cities in Georgia and experience the work of UGA across the state. Welcome to UGA, Prof. Lee!

The University of Georgia commits its resources and expertise to improve Georgia’s communities and enhance the quality of life for its residents. One way we do this is through the UGA New Faculty Tour, which helps our new faculty connect to the state and discover ways they can utilize their research to strengthen Georgia. The New Faculty Tour made stops on the first day in Covington-Newton County, one of the newest UGA Archway Partnership communities, and Macon.

As an Archway community, Covington-Newton County is working with UGA faculty, staff and students to address their most pressing challenges. Newton County also participated in UGA’s Connected Resilient Communities (CRC) program, which recognizes Georgia communities that partner with university experts to increase economic development potential.

In Macon, participants learned about the city's rich music history and its vibrant music scene during a stop at Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum, part of Mercer Music at Capricorn. They also heard from UGA Small Business Development Center and NewTown Macon representatives about the thriving business environment in downtown Macon.


Archway Partnership
NewTown Macon
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center
UGA SBDC in Macon
Capricorn Sound Studios and Museum

Guess who is gearing up for the upcoming football season with a new selfie sign?

Every year, thousands of visitors pose next to our sign, and we thought it was time to give it a bit of a refresh. What do you think?

Like it? Stop by and get a snap by our new Go Dawgs selfie sign!

🌟 🌟 Jodi Johnson-Maynard, Department Head for Crop & Soil Sciences, and Dean Kopsell, Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, are both participating in the New Faculty Tour with UGA Public Service and Outreach. Throughout the week, they will visit 11 cities in Georgia and experience the work of UGA across the state. Welcome to UGA!
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UGA Crop & Soil Sciences

Sarah Lowder, our 🍇 Extension Viticulture Specialist, and Luan Pereira de Oliveira, the 🚜 Extension Precision Ag Specialist, are participating in the New Faculty Tour with UGA Public Service and Outreach! Sarah and Luan are also both Assistant Professors of Horticulture at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Throughout this week, these two talented individuals will visit 11 cities in Georgia and experience the work of UGA across the state. Welcome to UGA, Sarah and Luan!
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Asher Dozier, UGA Institute of Government faculty member, is participating in the New Faculty Tour with UGA Public Service and Outreach! Throughout the week, the group will visit several Georgia cities and experience the work of UGA across the state.

Here's Asher with UGA Associate Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Matt Bishop (left) and UGA Institute of Government faculty member Taylor Hafley (right) this morning before the tour.

A group of 30 faculty members set off today on a whirlwind four-day trip across Georgia as part of the University of Georgia 2024 New Faculty Tour. Participants – many of whom are new to our state – will learn about Georgia’s economic, geographic, social and cultural diversity, and find out how they can use their research, teaching and service to administer UGA’s mission to the serve the state. From economic development and rural prosperity to community resilience and downtown revitalization, participants will learn what sets UGA apart from other public universities when it comes to community engagement and how their efforts as a faculty member can contribute to the university’s far-reaching impact on Georgia.

We had a full house yesterday for Planning & Zoning 101: The Basics at University of Georgia - Gwinnett Campus! Your next chance to take this class is Nov. 7. Sign up now at https://bit.ly/PZtrainingCVIOG

Support the State Botanical Garden of Georgia by sponsoring Winter WonderLights this year! Named the Best Local Event in the Athens Banner-Herald Community’s Choice Awards in 2022 and 2023, Winter WonderLights is a must-experience attraction for our community.

In 2023, over 60,000 guests from across the state enjoyed the magic of the garden’s twinkling lights, advancing the garden’s mission to offer incredible conservation, education and horticulture programming. Ready to become a sponsor? Call Kathryn McHugh at (706) 542-8883.

“This was an awesome beginning to what we hope will be a legacy for our state," said Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House. "Building our young people into the inclusive and collaborative leaders we need for Georgia to continue to lead the nation.” Nominate a rising 10th or 11th grader today! https://youthleadgeorgia.org/nominate/

UGA and the US Army have signed a 10-year agreement that will allow the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government to support resilience work with military installations and their surrounding communities. Through this agreement, UGA will work with several military installations across the southeastern United States. Learn more: https://outreach.uga.edu/uga-and-army-unite-to-support-military-installations/

Nothing beats the invigorating taste of our Strawberry Coconut Cooler on a hot summer day!

This month's special drink from the Bulldog Bistro is packed with the luscious flavor of ripe strawberries, enhanced with a delicate hint of vanilla and elegantly crowned with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Join us Nov. 12-13 for Georgia’s Workforce Conference to learn about innovative strategies & programs Georgia companies, communities & organizations are using to address talent development needs and build long-term workforce pipelines.

Learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/yc8ywksc

Unlock strategic success step by step with us! From initial planning sessions to visioning retreats, we're committed to inclusive leadership and stakeholder engagement. Always having a plan: Key to effective leadership! https://www.fanning.uga.edu/services/strategic-planning/

Mature trees are beautiful and make us healthy, but some may be at risk of falling. Most trees tell you they are sick long before they fall if you know what signs to look for.

Join EcoAddendum Executive Director and Master Naturalist Kathryn Kolb and Consulting Arborist Edward Morrow on Sept. 12 for this program to learn about the health of trees in your yard and neighborhoods. Visit https://botgarden.uga.edu/event/living-with-trees/ to learn more and register.

“It has been interesting to not just learn about leadership in a classroom but to get out, meet people and learn how they have developed their leadership skills and used them in their communities.” The inaugural class of Youth LEAD Georgia are developing their leadership skills and experiencing Georgia in a whole new way. Nominate a rising 10th or 11th grader for the 2025 cohort today: https://youthleadgeorgia.org/nominate/

UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership

We had a great time at our July Sunflower Concert! Thank you to our sponsors, Friends of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Visit Athens, for supporting the series.

Join us on Aug. 13 for Abbey Road Live! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://botgarden.uga.edu/events/category/sunflower-concert-series/list/. 🌻