UGA Public Service and Outreach

Students are vital to the work we do throughout the state. Whether they are PSO Student Scholars, student workers in our units, or participants in a service-learning class, these students help multiply the resources we provide to Georgia communities.

To the class of 2026, congratulations from UGA Public Service and Outreach!

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When you designate your gift to Public Service and Outreach, it’s a win-win-win. You get your own set of exclusive Bulldog Blocks, communities throughout Georgia benefit from greater collaboration with the University of Georgia, and students get experiential learning opportunities in the state they call home.

Show off your UGA pride and get your Bulldog Blocks today! https://gail.uga.edu/giving/cdag/fy26-bulldog-blocks?des=2db1d4dd-0ef4-4534-8547-841811f6eab4

Athens is blooming! Last fall, several of our PSO employees volunteered with Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful during our annual Week of Service. They planted daffodil bulbs to help welcome visitors to our community. Now in the spring, all of the bulbs have sprouted! Thank you, PSO faculty and staff, for your dedication to the communities you call home. 🌼

We are excited to celebrate our 2026 Academic Poster winners. This year, we had a record number of 91 submissions highlighting the important research, projects and scholarly work throughout Public Service and Outreach. Thank you to everyone who submitted and presented your work this year and congratulations to the category winners!

IMPACT
“Rethinking Runoff: Reimagining Stormwater as a Community Asset,” Jessica Brown, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

INNOVATION
“From Scores To Insights: Innovating Promotional Assessments through Data Dashboards,” Julia Haas, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

PARTNERSHIP
“Georgia Sentinel Landscape Strategic Plan,” Eleanora Machado, UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government

RESEARCH
“Walking the Tightrope Supporting Students as Boundary Spanners by Fostering Adaptability,” Shannah Montgomery, Public Service and Outreach

SCHOLARLY ENGAGEMENT
“You Can't do This Job Without Taking These Classes,” Gretchen King, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
“Beyond the Lights: How Winter WonderLights Expands Outreach and Support for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia,” Laurel Clark, State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA

Join us as we celebrate Jon Calabria, our 2026 Engaged Scholar Award winner.

A professor in the UGA College of Environment and Design, he specializes in ecological restoration, green infrastructure and water quality improvement. Jon’s strong partnership with Public Service and Outreach supports downtown planning efforts and engages students in PSO supported design projects that serve communities across Georgia.

Jon’s collaboration with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant on the Bradwell Park redesign in Hinesville helped secure more than $1 million in implementation funding for the project. Congratulations, Jon!

Join us as we celebrate Kyle Hensel, one of the five recipients of the 2026 Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach.

Kyle is the director of continuing education for the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, where he provides statewide leadership for the SBDC’s continuing education programs by overseeing strategy, development and delivery of more than 300 programs across 18 offices that serve thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs each year.

A nationally recognized speaker and trainer, he has delivered over 40 national and international presentations on strategic marketing, program development and funding strategies for outreach organizations. Congratulations, Kyle!

Join us as we celebrate Lauren Healey, one of the five recipients of the 2026 Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach.

Lauren is a senior public service associate and associate director at the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership, where she advances youth leadership and civic engagement through research based, community focused programming.

Lauren also played a key role in the launch of Youth LEAD Georgia, a groundbreaking statewide initiative from the Fanning Institute now in its third year. Hundreds of high school students have engaged with UGA through the program. Congratulations, Lauren!

Join us as we celebrate Bryan Fluech, one of the five recipients of the 2026 Walter B. Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach.

Bryan is a public service associate and the associate director of extension for UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, where he provides strategic leadership by coordinating multidisciplinary programs that strengthen coastal resilience, water quality, sustainable fisheries and ecosystem health across Georgia’s coast.

His strong relationships with fishers have positioned UGA as a trusted and valued partner for addressing the challenges facing Georgia’s commercial fishing industry, which generated $51.4 million in sales in 2024. Congratulations, Bryan!