UGA Student Programs
Six master's degree and 1 doctoral degree student from 5 academic units are working with faculty members in 3 PSO units as part of the PSO Graduate Assistantship Program. The 2011-2012 PSO graduate assistants and their mentors are (front, from left): Theresa Wright, public service associate, Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Genevieve Vaida, master's of public administration student; Paige Thompson, master's of public administration student; Joycelyn Trigg, communications director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Jason Evans, public service assistant, Carl Vinson Institute of Government; and (back row, from left) David Tully, master's of landscape architecture student; Phillip Berry, master's of environmental planning and design student; Langford Holbrook, community planner and associate director, Fanning Institute; Rob McDowell, environmental policy program director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Danny Bivins, community planner, Fanning Institute. Not pictured are Lauren Collier, doctoral candidate in UGA’s Institute of Higher Education; Shannon Wilder, Office of Service-Learning director, Office of Service-Learning; James Eason, master's of environmental engineering student; and Megan McConville, master's of business administration student.
The University of Georgia's Public Service and Outreach units provide opportunities for UGA students to immerse themselves in the work of their units to contribute to student learning of academic content, personal growth, and civic development.
PSO Graduate Assistantship Program
The Office of the Vice President’s Public Service and Outreach (PSO) Graduate Assistantship Program provides UGA graduate students with expanded opportunities for engaging in research, and public service and outreach endeavors while contributing to UGA's goal of enhancing graduate education.
For additional information on the Graduate Assistantship Program, contact Steve Dempsey, Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (706) 542-6127.
PSO Student Scholars Program
The Public Service and Outreach (PSO) Student Scholars program provides the opportunity for a select cohort of undergraduate students to explore and engage with the University of Georgia’s public service and outreach mission. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, this program is intended to provide deeper understanding of PSO’s purpose, breadth, and depth through supervised service experiences with PSO and communities, to help students link their public service experiences with their career and educational goals, and to create a community of student scholars who understand the role of public service in Georgia and more broadly. The program began with a pilot cohort of 10 students in Spring 2011. A total of 10 PSO Student Scholars were selected through a competitive application process to take part during the 2011-2012 program year.
For additional information on the Student Scholars program and other Office of Service-Learning programs, contact Paul Matthews, Assistant Director of the Office of Service-Learning, via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by phone at 706-542-0892.
Georgia Legislative Intern Program
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government assists in the selection of UGA students for participation in the Georgia Legislative Intern Program. Every year, approximately 35 students from Georgia's public and private universities and colleges gain firsthand experience in the lawmaking process through the program, which is coordinated by the Georgia General Assembly.
For additional information on the Georgia Legislative Intern program, contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Here's what we've been doing lately
April 2012 | Marine Extension Service | Student Program
MAREX receives grant to host marine education interns
To find out more: Marine Extension Service
January 2012 | Office of Public Service and Outreach | Student Program
First Year Odyssey Students focus on homeless animals
In December 2011, Trish Kalivoda completed teaching a First Year Odyssey Seminar for 15 students. Students connected their learning experiences with work in the Athens community, specifically focusing on the needs of homeless animals in the Athens area. Students toured and volunteered at the Athens Animal Control Shelters.
To find out more: Office of Public Service and Outreach |
October 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
First-year students introduced to service-learning
On October 26, 2011, Office of Service-Learning (OSL) Assistant Director Paul Matthews presented overviews of service-learning and resources for students to William Kisaalita’s First-Year Odyssey Seminar. In addition, the OSL held two special presentations of this seminar on October 20 and 24, 2011, at the Miller Learning Center as featured events for UGA's new First- Year Odyssey program.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
October 2011 | Marine Extension Service | Student Program
Coastal Georgia students attend Marine Extension invasive plants presentation
On October 13, 2011, 15 undergraduate students from the College of Coastal Georgia's Ecology 3300 class attended sustainable landscape and invasive plant presentations at the Marine Extension Service Brunswick Station and toured the on-site CoastScapes conservation landscaping demonstration garden.
To find out more: Marine Extension Service
October 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
Student Scholars visit PSO units
In October 2011, the Public Service and Outreach Student Scholars meetings featured visits to the Botanical Gardens, the Small Business Development Center, and Marine Extension Service. PSO Scholars met with faculty members in these units and learned about their activities, programs, and history. The PSO Student Scholars are a competitively selected group of 10 undergraduates coordinated by the Office of Service-Learning and sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, who are exploring UGA's public service and outreach mission and will participate in a 150-hour internship in a public service unit during the Spring semester. On October 29-31, 2011, during UGA's Fall Break, the PSO Scholars also had a three-day visit to the Georgia coast, including meetings with the Washington County Archway Partnership professional, programming at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island, and volunteer and networking activities with the UGA Alumni Association for the Georgia-Florida Oyster Roast on Jekyll Island.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
September 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
UGA faculty members teach students about service-learning
Office of Service-Learning (OSL) faculty members continue to provide course-based presentations overviewing service-learning to students as guest speakers for classes. September sessions included presentations to students in Pratt Cassity’s Global Engagement Learning Community (September 13), Trish Kalivoda’s First-Year Odyssey Seminar (September 19), and Stephanie Tingler’s Music Learning Community (September 26). OSL Assistant Director Paul Matthews also presented a service-learning videoconference for an education course at the University of Pretoria, South Africa (September 16).
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
September 2011 | Carl Vinson Institute of Government | Student Program
Vinson Institute develops First-Year Odyssey diversity video
On September 7, 2011, the Vinson Institute’s Office of Communications signed an agreement with UGA Office of Institutional Diversity to produce a video that will become part of UGA’s First-Year Odyssey program. The video features two UGA undergraduate students providing information to incoming freshmen about the value of diversity among UGA’s students and faculty and staff members. They also discuss diversity-related resources available to students, events, and opportunities for becoming involved around campus. All of UGA’s incoming freshmen will view the video as part of the First Year Odyssey program, giving them a strong familiarity with the campus and its many opportunities.
To find out more: Carl Vinson Institute of Government
September 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
Student Scholars visit Public Service and Outreach units
During September 2011, the Public Service and Outreach Student Scholars meetings featured visits to the Office of Service-Learning, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. The PSO Student Scholars are a competitively selected group of 10 undergraduates coordinated by the Office of Service-Learning who are exploring UGA's public service and outreach mission and will participate in a 150-hour internship in a public service unit during the Spring semester.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
September 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
Service-Learning graduate assistant selected as 2011 Editorial Fellow
In September 2011, Sarah Brackmann, graduate assistant in the Office of Service-Learning, was one of 14 graduate students internationally selected as a 2011 Editorial Fellow by the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE). As part of this program, the Editorial Fellows will work to produce the 2011 IARSCLE annual conference proceedings.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
September 2011 | Marine Extension Service | Student Program
MAREX: 2011-2012 Marine Education interns begin service
In September 2011, four new marine education interns arrived for 50 weeks of learning and teaching. This longstanding Marine Education Internship program is funded through Georgia Sea Grant and administered and coordinated by Marine Extension Service faculty members. The new interns are: Ashley Powenski, Orchard Park, New York, graduated from the University of New England with a B.S. in marine biology; Kelly Muench, Marlton, New York, graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a B.S. in marine science; Jaclyn Miller, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduated from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington with a B.S. in marine biology; and Catharine Parker, New Ark, Delaware, graduated from Eckerd College with a B.S. in environmental studies.
To find out more: Marine Extension Service
August 2011 | Office of Public Service and Outreach | Student Program
PSO First Year Odyssey Seminar
This Fall semester (2011), Senior Associate Vice President Trish Kalivoda is teaching a First Year Odyssey Seminar focused on UGA's public service and outreach mission, community engagement, and citizenship. In the course, students are discussing what it means to be a part of the UGA, Athens-Area, and Georgia communities, and beyond. They are exploring opportunities for community engagement as part of UGA's Land-Grant mission through course-based service-learning projects, community service, and volunteerism.
To find out more: First Year Odyssey |
August 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
Assistants in Community Engagement pilot program launched
Two Federal Work-Study students have been awarded funding through the Office of Service-Learning as inaugural participants in the Assistants in Community Engagement (ACE) program. These students work with faculty members in a range of disciplines including music education, horticulture, social work, and environment and design. ACE students act as undergraduate teaching assistants in service-learning courses and provide support for the service-learning activities and logistics, such as on-site support at off-campus venues, tracking project activities and outcomes, and communication between students, faculty and community partners.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
August 2011 | Marine Extension Service | Student Program
Marine Extension mentors Savannah State University student
During August 2011, Marine Extension Service aquarium staff members collaborated with Savannah State University (SSU) to provide an opportunity for Edge Fellowship winner Heather D’Hanna to gain aquarium maintenance and animal husbandry experience. The fellowship awarded by SSU has allowed D’Hanna to work in the aquarium for the summer, and now that school is in session, D’Hanna continues to participate as a volunteer.
To find out more: Marine Extension Service
August 2011 | Marine Extension Service | Student Program
West Georgia College student interns with Marine Extension
During June-August 2011, Heather Cram, a student from West Georgia College, completed an eight-week internship program at the Marine Extension Service education facility on Skidaway Island, Georgia. She worked with Marine Extension Service staff members in the summer marine science programs, and taught students ages four to 12 about Georgia's coastal environment, salt water fish, and invertebrates. In addition, Cram worked closely with aquarium curator Devin Dumont to assist with animal care and feeding at the aquarium. The intern program is tailored to the interests of each student, and offers hand-on learning experiences in an education/aquarium setting.
To find out more: Marine Extension Service
August 2011 | Fanning Institute | Student Program
GLISI conducts Data Utilization Project for school leaders
On August 31, 2011, the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s (GLISI) Mary Anne Charron conducted a session at the Gwinnett County Instructional Support Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia. This Data Utilization Project included 70 district and school leaders from Fulton, Floyd, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Muscogee, Lowndes, Morgan, DeKalb, Rockdale and Atlanta Public Schools to compare National Student Clearinghouse data on postsecondary enrollment with high school math completion and freshman year attendance.
To find out more: Fanning Institute
August 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
UGA freshmen introduced to service-learning
On August 29, 2011, the Office of Service-Learning (OSL) presented "Get Involved! An Introduction to Service-Learning for First-Year Students" at the Miller Learning Center. This presentation, designed to support the learning outcomes of the new First-Year Odyssey program, provided an overview of service-learning at UGA, showed students how to get involved and learn more about courses available, and shared the benefits of service-learning enhanced courses for students and community partners. In addition, OSL Director Shannon Wilder and Assistant Director Paul Matthews are each teaching First-Year Odyssey Seminars this semester, directly involving new students with service activities including those relating to community-based art and food system issues, as well as tutoring of English-learning children.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
August 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
PSO Student Scholars attend retreat
On August 19-20, 2011, the PSO Student Scholars program began with an overnight retreat at Unicoi State Park coordinated by OSL Assistant Director Paul Matthews. This year-long program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to explore the breadth of UGA's public service work through cohort meetings and site visits and participate in a 150-hour internship within a PSO unit under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Trish Kalivoda, Senior Associate Vice President, represented the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach with an overview of UGA's land- and sea-grant missions. Joy Wilkins, Senior Public Service Associate in the Fanning Institute, led the 10 undergraduates participating in leadership activities.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
July 2011 | Office of Public Service and Outreach | Student Program
PSO Graduate Assistantship Program to fund seven graduate assistantships this fall
This Fall semester (2011), PSO’s Graduate Assistantship Program will fund six master’s level and one doctoral level graduate assistantships in three PSO units. The goal of the program is to give UGA graduate students expanded opportunities for engaging in research, and public service and outreach endeavors. The program provides a unique learning experience for students while contributing to UGA’s goal of enhancing graduate education.
To find out more:
July 2011 | Office of Public Service and Outreach | Student Program
Senior Associate Vice President Kalivoda to teach First Year Odyssey Seminar
This Fall semester (2011), Senior Associate Vice President Trish Kalivoda will teach a First Year Odyssey Seminar. The theme of the course is community and civic engagement. Students will discuss what it means to be a part of the UGA, Athens-Area, and Georgia communities, and beyond. They will explore opportunities for community engagement as part of UGA’s Land-Grant mission through course-based service-learning projects and community service.
To find out more: First-Year Odyssey |
July 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Faculty ProgramStudent Program
2010-2011 service-learning course inventory results released
In July 2011, the Office of Service-Learning completed an annual inventory of service-learning courses offered at UGA. The following is a profile of service-learning at UGA for the 2010-11 academic year:Service-learning course sections taught: 297 (Fall: 116; Spring: 117; Summer: 64)Number of faculty members teaching courses: 135Number of students enrolled: 7,290Percentage of UGA student enrollment: 21%Service-Learning Study Abroad Programs Offered: 19
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
June 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
2009-2011 Service-Learning Course Survey results released
In June 2011, the Service-Learning Course Survey (SLCS) — offered at the end of each semester to students enrolled in service-learning courses and designed to provide course- and institution-level data to aid faculty members teaching service-learning courses and inform the Office of Service-Learning’s faculty development programs — results from 2009-2011 were released. The instrument assesses student demographics, the time and type of service and in-class activities, and students’ perceptions of the impacts of academic service-learning.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
June 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Student Program
Campus Kitchen Project grows under former Student Scholar leadership
On June 1, 2011, Sarah Jackson joined the Office of Service-Learning (OSL) as a full-time Campus Kitchen Project (CKP) Coordinator. Jackson was a PSO Scholar who worked as an OSL intern. CKP is a food recovery and redistribution program with chapters at 25 colleges/universities nationwide. The OSL is sponsoring UGA's application to become a national affiliate and the first CKP in Georgia. Since March, students have delivered nearly 250 meals for 20 families (55 individuals) in the Athens Community Council on Aging's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning
June 2011 | Office of Public Service and Outreach | Student Program
Fall 2011 PSO Graduate Assistantship Program
This Fall semester (2011), PSO's Graduate Assistantship Program will fund six master's level and one doctoral level graduate assistantships in three PSO units. The goal of the program is to give UGA graduate students expanded opportunities for engaging in research, and public service and outreach endeavors. The program provides a unique learning experience for students while contributing to UGA's goal of enhancing graduate education.
To find out more:
May 2011 | Office of Service-Learning | Community Economic DevelopmentStudent ProgramEnvironmentYouth Program
K-12 teachers learn gardening skills
On May 3, 2011, the Office of Service-Learning hosted a day-long workshop for local K-12 teachers to learn how to construct, maintain, and utilize school gardens as a venue for service-learning with their students. Thirty participants from local public and private schools and UGA met with horticulture professor David Berle and his graduate assistants for a hands-on session at the horticulture greenhouses and UGArden site on South Milledge Avenue. They constructed compost bins and raised beds for gardens, learned about planting basics, greenhouse use, and how to integrate gardening into their curriculum.
To find out more: Office of Service-Learning