October 08, 2019
by Jere W. Morehead, President
At the University of Georgia, initiatives are underway to advance our Great Commitments of Healthier People, A More Secure Future, and Stronger Communities. Last year, I charged a working group—comprised of faculty, staff, and students and chaired by our Vice President for Public Service and Outreach—with developing programs to further engage the campus community in the grand challenges of our time. The group submitted its final report last fall, and their ideas are already making a difference.
Two of the new programs recommended by the group—the Great Commitments Interdisciplinary Seed Grants and the Student Tour of Georgia—were implemented with exciting results earlier this year. Another, a student-led service program, will launch during Fall Break. The Fall IMPACT Project is a partnership between UGA’s Center for Leadership and Service and Archway Partnership. Participating students will work with The Help Agency in Grady County, an Archway Partnership community, to provide assistance to local citizens with food, clothing, and other needs.
A Great Commitments Faculty Ambassador Program will launch in January, providing opportunities for faculty members to speak with communities across the state about UGA’s efforts to use research to improve Georgians’ quality of life. The two inaugural Great Commitments Faculty Ambassadors will be named in December.
The University of Georgia continually seeks ways to be more and do more for the citizens of this state. Our Great Commitments reflect our land-grant mission to solve the problems that matter most to Georgians, from the mountains to the piedmont and the coastal plain.