Programming for Youth/Mentoring: Best Practices and Showcase – CANCELED

This session will provide an overview of recently established youth engagement initiatives in Public Service and Outreach. Strategies and best practices for engaging youth in programming will be shared. You will learn more about UGA policies and expectations around engaging with and hosting youth programs both on and off campus.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify new youth engagement initiatives in PSO.
  • Articulate where you can find program expectations for working with minors and how to comply with the UGA Minors on Campus Policy.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of how to engage youth in your programs.

Presenters:

Brian Stone, director of compliance for programs and activities serving minors, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Brian is the University of Georgia Director of Compliance for Programs and Activities Serving Minors, overseeing the university’s minors protection program. He previously served as the director of youth programs for the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, where his primary duties included managing Summer Academy at UGA, an academic youth summer camp. He retired as a lieutenant colonel from the United States Air Force following 20 years of service.
Ben Lawrence, Summer Academy camp director, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Ben manages programming and operations for Summer Academy at UGA, a STEAM-based academic camp housed in the Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. He works with students, seasonal staff, subject area instructors, community and campus partners, and parents/guardians to deliver an exceptional educational experience for young learners from around the state and the country. Ben is a Double Dawg with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia.
Lori Tiller, public service associate, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Lori’s focus is on leadership capacity building for nonprofit, youth, and community organizations, leadership development for underrepresented populations, and technical skills in evaluation design and group facilitation. She collaborates with many on-campus departments to aid in their strategic planning and implementation processes, and works with a variety of specialized county- and school-based youth leadership development programs. Lori also works with both nonprofit and community-based organizations in building their leadership capacity, governance processes, planning initiatives, and volunteer management skills.
Leslie Hale, MENTOR Georgia executive director, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
As the executive director of MENTOR Georgia, Leslie is leading the Fanning Institute’s efforts to grow capacity, ensure training and support, and promote the work of youth mentoring programs around the state of Georgia. The mission and work of MENTOR allow her to braid together her passions for education, youth development, public policy and community service. Previously executive director of Books for Keeps, a research-based literacy nonprofit, Leslie gave 750,000 new and like-new books to Georgia students across eight years.
Jason Bedgood, program coordinator, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Jason works in the area of youth leadership with a focus on supporting youth in foster care through the Education and Training Voucher Program. He also supports youth leadership programs that serve the state of Georgia and surrounding areas. This includes working with planning teams and providing accounting support, logistical management, programmatic assessment and reporting. In addition, he serves community development, professional development and other projects designed to enhance leadership awareness and skill development throughout Georgia and beyond.
Josh Podvin, assistant director for community partnerships, Office of Service-Learning
Josh supports the “Engage Georgia” platform, coordinates communication and support of community partners, special projects and days of service, and helps promote reciprocity and partnership with the local community. He previously served as the Experience UGA coordinator and worked as the senior coordinator for the Center for Student Organizations and National Student Exchange Program at UGA for nine years.