2005 Walter Barnard Hill Awards for Distinguished Achievement in University Public Service & Outreach

Steven Dempsey

Dr. Steven Dempsey has served as a full-time faculty member in service and outreach for over 15 years. He has worked for the Institute of Community and Area Development, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership and Community Development, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. Dr. Dempsey has distinguished himself through significant contributions in each unit and also internationally with his past involvement in the work of the International Center for Democratic Governance.

Dr. Dempsey has developed a reputation as one of the finest and most sought after strategic planners and facilitators at the Vinson Institute and in the State of Georgia as evidenced through his work with the Mobile Decision Lab (MDL).
Being one of two principle designers, creators and developers of the MDL, Dr. Dempsey has received grants and funding from two governors and two chancellors totaling nearly $200, 000 to develop and update the highly sought after MDL.

Through Dr. Dempsey’s expertise in recreation and parks and participatory policy design he has developed unique approaches to solving problems and creating direction and vision for dozens of recreation and park departments, for the Georgia Recreation and Park Association, and for the National Recreation and Park Association. He has shared his knowledge of the recreation and park profession for his City and County Recreation and Park Association. He has shared his knowledge of the recreation and park profession through applied research and is known within the technical assistance community for his City and County Recreation Services Study, which has been recognized across the Southeastern United States.

Currently, Dr. Dempsey is a part of a multi-disciplinary research team that received a competitive grant form the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to conduct research for the Neighborhood Parks and Active Living (NPAL) Project, which is breaking new ground in public health issues, land use, and park design and location. He served as Executive Development Program for Recreation and Park Professionals. Dr. Dempsey also developed two Facilitator Training Courses for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to train regional consultants. Both courses have been taught nationally.