January 9, 2025
by Jere W. Morehead, President
As one of the first land-grant institutions in the nation, the University of Georgia has long set the standard for public service and outreach. In recent years, we have successfully built on this reputation, reaching new heights of excellence as we improve the quality of life in our home state and beyond.
UGA’s public service and outreach mission is integrated into our teaching and research missions, expanding our positive impact. Last year, for example, more than 12,000 UGA students engaged in experiential learning through opportunities such as the PSO Student Scholars program and service-learning courses. These students provided valuable assistance to communities while gaining workforce experience and growing in their civic engagement. Another outstanding example is the Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty, which earned a national Award of Excellence from the University Economic Development Association last year. This innovative program enhances collaboration between academic faculty and public service faculty and units at UGA to promote prosperity in rural communities across the state.
These and other achievements have been made possible by the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students and generous support from our alumni and friends. As we carry on UGA’s tradition of service, we do so with tremendous gratitude and pride in our vital role.