Reporting PSO Units

About PSO

What is outreach?

Outreach at UGA is defined as the extension of the university’s resources in the form of professional knowledge and expertise to help communities improve their quality of life.

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Public Service and Outreach (PSO) is central to the University of Georgia's mission. For over 80 years, PSO has led the University in bringing its resources to each of Georgia's 159 counties, 500+ cities, and around the world, serving more than 110,000 individuals annually to improve the quality of life in Georgia and beyond.

UGA is a national leader in university outreach with more than 500 faculty and staff members in eight units providing diverse services. The PSO units and their directors are listed below.

PSO Unit Organizational Chart [PDF]

PSO Units and Directors [PDF]

Reporting Units

Archway Partnership*: Mel Garber; Director; (706) 542-1098 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Archway Partnership is a UGA outreach platform that connects the research-based expertise of UGA faculty and staff members as well as students to the community and economic development needs of seven Georgia communities: Clayton, Glynn, Grady, Hart, Pulaski, Sumter, Washington, and Whitfield counties.
Carl Vinson Institute of Government: Laura Meadows; Director; (706) 583-6191 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Vinson Institute provides training and development, specialized assistance, and data-driven studies to help governments throughout Georgia and the world become more efficient, more responsive, and better managed.
Fanning Institute: Joe Whorton; Director; (706) 542-1108 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Fanning Institute builds capacity to ensure that knowledgeable, skilled, and committed leadership is in place to enhance community and economic development in Georgia communities, the nation, and beyond. The Fanning Institute promotes social change through education, and emphasizes implementation as a measure of success.
UGA Center for Continuing Education: Bill Crowe; Director; (706) 542-3451 | Contact Information; The Georgia Center is a 300,000 square-foot, comprehensive residential public service educational unit that annually enrolls more than 100,000 adults in its various credit, non-credit, and distance learning programs. Other activities for the campus, community, and state serve an additional 100,000 people each year.
Marine Extension Service: Randy Walker; Director; (706) 542-8849 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Marine Extension Service works to increase the efficiency of existing marine industries, to identify new industries that do not harm the environment, and to increase public awareness and understanding of coastal ecosystems. The programs of applied research, advisory services, and education are carried out from offices in Athens and Atlanta and from facilities on Skidaway Island, and in Savannah and Brunswick extend economic and cultural benefits throughout the state and region.
Office of Service-Learning**: Shannon Wilder; Director; (706) 542-8924 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Office of Service-Learning supports UGA faculty members in creating and expanding service-learning opportunities for students in campus-based and study abroad courses. The unit also cultivates community-based partnerships that respond to expressed community needs. The Office of Service-Learning reports jointly to the Offices of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, and Instruction.
Small Business Development Center: Allan Adams; Director; (706) 542-2762 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The Small Business Development Center provides a wide range of educational opportunities to small business owners, potential entrepreneurs, and community leadership organizations, which support efforts to create, sustain, or expand business ventures.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia: Wilf Nicholls; Director; (706) 542-1244 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); The mission of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is to acquire and disseminate botanical and horticultural knowledge to foster appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of plants and nature through research, collections and displays, horticultural gardens, educational programs, and special events.; *The Archway Partnership is jointly supported by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, and UGA Cooperative Extension.; **The Office of Service-Learning reports jointly to the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, and the Office of the Vice President for Instruction.

Public Service and Outreach programs are also provided through UGA's 16 schools and colleges and the Georgia Health Sciences University/UGA Medical Partnership, as well as a variety of institutes, centers, and other campus units. The schools and colleges are listed below.