Trey Cooper of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant recently was awarded the Public Service and Outreach Employee Spotlight Award.
Cooper serves as a public relations specialist for Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, where he utilizes social media and graphic design to increase the visibility of the unit’s work. He primarily oversees graphic design, video and photography, but he also maintains video and photo databases, and supervises student interns while promoting opportunities and providing workforce development for them. Cooper also supports unit branding efforts with design work and assists with graphic design, videography and photography training for faculty and staff.
One example of Cooper’s exemplary work was his pivotal role in developing a video about the impact of longtime Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant naturalist John “Crawfish” Crawford after his retirement in 2021. The video highlighted the impact of Crawford’s 30-year UGA career on students, researchers, educators and conservationists on the Georgia coast and beyond. Cooper was instrumental in producing the video, connecting the communications team with a videographer, scheduling interviews and assisting with the editing process. The video received a 2022 Gold Award and Outstanding Professional Skill Award in electronic media from the Association for Communication Excellence.
Cooper, who joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2019, was nominated by Emily Kenworthy, public relations coordinator at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant.
“Trey’s professional and interpersonal skills have been a huge asset to the communications team at UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant,” said Jennifer Frum, vice president for Public Service and Outreach. “He has established an excellent rapport with his colleagues across the unit, which has enhanced the ability of the communications program to spread awareness about UGA’s impact on Georgia’s coastal communities.”
Cooper received a gift basket of treats and a framed certificate recognizing the award.
Find out more about the PSO Spotlight and how to nominate an employee at https://outreach.uga.edu/awards/pso-employee-spotlight/.
