Whether behind the scenes, on campus or in a Georgia community, the staff, students, faculty, and volunteers working with UGA Public Service and Outreach are making a difference for our state.
With eight distinct units and over 900 employees, our team works closely with leaders, business owners and community members to drive economic prosperity, improve quality of life and support a thriving Georgia.
Meet some of our team and learn why they serve.
Trudy Lawrence
"Working for the Small Business Development Center leaves me feeling fulfilled and inspired. Supporting small business owners, especially through education and resources, has shown me how transformative access and encouragement can be.
Public service, for me, is more than a role — it's a calling that keeps me grounded and grateful."
— Trudy Lawrence, program coordinator Small Business Development Center
Olivia Terrell
"Working in the public service space has helped me form deeper connections with some of the most wonderful people as well as the overall community. Engaging with the public through various programs and events has provided me with the opportunity to share my passion with those around me.
Seeing the direct influence our team has on the community makes this position such a fulfilling role."
— Olivia Terrell, education assistant, student in UGA's Environmental Economics and Management degree program with a minor in environmental law State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Courtney McGill
"Public service is incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like connecting people with resources — whether it’s research, hands-on involvement or experiences through events and workshops. Seeing individuals leave better equipped than when they arrived is deeply fulfilling.
This work fuels me and keeps me motivated, even when challenges arise."
— Courtney McGill, program specialist Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Josh Podvin
“If service-learning is a coin, the faculty and student side is one half, and the community is the other. My job is to listen, understand local needs and build connections that benefit everyone involved.
I always tell folks I’d do this work in my free time. It’s what I really care about — helping communities thrive by bringing people together in meaningful ways.”
— Josh Podvin, assistant director for community partnerships Office of Service-Learning
Christina Allen-Wise
"I genuinely love being part of something that helps communities grow and thrive. Every challenge has taught me something — how to be flexible, how to work better with others and how to keep showing up even when things get tough.
For me, it's about growing alongside the people and communities we serve. Being part of something that lifts people up and makes a difference — that's what keeps me going."
— Christina Allen-Wise, administrative operations manager J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Chuck Gibson
"I got into public service because I was raised to help others and because it just feels right. My commitment comes from a real desire to help the community.
Watching communities go from struggling to thriving gives me real purpose and keeps me motivated."
— Chuck Gibson, skilled craft worker II Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Angel Jackson
"There is always something new to learn, a new person to meet, a new challenge to understand — and we have been trusted by our communities to be at the center of it all. It really is the greatest work ever.
The relationships that I have formed with community leaders and volunteers, campus partners and my PSO colleagues make it all worth it. It is an honor to have a career in which I can simultaneously represent the University of Georgia and work alongside Georgians to understand their critical needs and opportunities."
— Angel Jackson, operations coordinator Archway Partnership
Aiyana Egins
"I serve because I love creating spaces that allow students to gain access to opportunities where they can fully ignite and grow within their passions.
I can confidently say that every day is a rewarding day at Experience UGA. Together we have built a space and legacy that allows every student a valuable opportunity to learn and grow in their passions."
— Aiyana Egins, Experience UGA coordinator Office of Service-Learning
Margaret Hart
"Through the PROPEL Rural Scholars program, I gained a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing Georgia's diverse regions.
As a graduate research assistant with the workforce and economic development team, I've been able to explore these issues through challenging research that requires both innovation and excellence."
— Margaret Hart, graduate research assistant, student in UGA's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Jason Young
"I have the pleasure of working with the whole range of society as they get to experience the magic of nature.
It is said that 'You reap what you sow.' Here at the State Botanical Garden, I am constantly sowing beautiful wildflowers and native grasses in our natural areas. It is a slow process but we will reap the rewards for many years to come."
— Jason Young, director of horticulture and grounds State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Suzanne Beckham
"Every day is different. It takes a lot of coordination and teamwork to make sure everything runs smoothly for our learners and programs.
I get to work with people who deeply care about serving others, and I see firsthand how our work makes a difference. That makes every challenge worth it."
— Suzanne Beckham, education program & enrollment specialist Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Christina Collins
"Public service has allowed me to combine my passion for helping others with the skills I gained through my MPA degree to build stronger relationships with our partners and provide them with the support needed to build more resilient local governments.
I am proud to provide support to government officials who are actively shaping the future of our state by equipping them with the tools, knowledge and guidance needed to serve their communities well."
— Christina Collins, program coordinator Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Steve Brueske
"I first became aware of UGA's presence on Skidaway in the 1990s when I was working for the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina. When I was approaching retirement over 20 years later, I remember discussing with my wife how fun it would be to retire back on the southeastern U.S. coast and volunteer at a place like the UGA aquarium.
Working together with a wide range of people with amazing talents is always inspiring — and doing so with an organization focused on environmental education is particularly gratifying to me."
— Steve Brueske, volunteer Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Jennifer Willis
"Public Service and Outreach has afforded me the opportunity to serve and support our state all while learning and growing professionally. There has always been a sense of purpose in serving and helping others, which has made the work in PSO more meaningful and rewarding.
There comes a sense of joy and success seeing the lasting impact that our work has on our communities and in our state."
— Jennifer Willis, business manager Archway Partnership
Katie-Sue Martin-Williams
"I love to hear about how our work has helped inspire people and encouraged them to grow as leaders.
I know that my own life and the lives of many others are better because of the colleagues and friends I've made here. For me, that makes everything worth it!"
— Katie-Sue Martin-Williams, graduate assistant, student in UGA's Integrated Advertising and Public Relations degree program J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Taylor Hafley
"I am lucky to get to help government leaders and decision makers address their questions about the populations and communities they serve. This is an exciting place to work because we apply knowledge and conduct research on real-world issues and problems that do not always have straightforward solutions.
Seeing a project come together and help a government partner reach new insights on a long-standing challenge makes this work rewarding."
— Taylor Hafley, applied demographer Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Kylan Campbell
"As a student, it's very motivating to know that your work has a direct impact on the community. It gives your work purpose."
I've gotten to work on so many different projects, and I've learned that the challenge of this work is also what makes it human, authentic and special."
— Kylan Campbell, undergraduate student assistant, student in UGA's Human Development and Family Science degree program with a minor in human services Archway Partnership
Emily Laske
"I am profoundly grateful that my work at the State Botanical Garden allows me to conserve and restore the native habitats that maintain ecosystem services for Georgia's communities.
I am inspired by working alongside passionate people that are also driven to take care of the world around them."
— Emily Laske, assistant conservation horticulturist State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Eugene Frimpong
"The best part for me is seeing ideas turn into impact. Every project connects back to improving community resilience and resource stewardship.
It's incredibly fulfilling to see how research can inform programs and decisions that make a real difference for people and ecosystems along our coast."
— Eugene Frimpong, coastal economics specialist Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Mahek Charnia
"Public service work can be complex and fast-paced, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
I have stayed involved because it offers true hands-on learning. I can see how thoughtful communication and digital strategy lead to real impact."
— Mahek Charnia, social media student assistant, student in UGA's Advertising degree program Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
David Meyers
"I want to see Georgia be a better place for everyone.
Much of my work is devoted to creating opportunities for groups that haven't received the same level of resources as others. Building relationships with partners across our state helps create and elevate those opportunities."
— David Meyers, senior public service associate and Embark Georgia Center director J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Caitlin Grdinich
"Working with Public Service and Outreach has allowed me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Every day brings a new challenge, and every challenge brings a new lesson.
I love that this is a field where I can make a meaningful impact while continuously learning from the people I serve."
— Caitlin Grdinich, Campus Kitchen graduate assistant, student in UGA's Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree program Office of Service-Learning
Matt Lastinger
"I'm approaching 15 years at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and I can honestly say that I love what I do. I like to help people solve problems and I get to do that every day at the SBDC. I particularly enjoy the quantitative side of what we can do for students and clients.
Helping clients understand businesses and helping students understand what makes a business successful is so rewarding. I love that we have the opportunity to make a difference in client and student lives."
— Matt Lastinger, director of entrepreneurial innovation Small Business Development Center
