Rural Engagement – Building a Profile
An interdisciplinary team of UGA program facilitators provides an overview of the Rural Engagement Workshop series, which gives academic faculty the opportunity to learn about PSO and Extension to enrich their opportunities for community-based research in rural communities.
Learning Outcomes:
- Find out about the Rural Engagement Workshop and how it relates to your role in public service.
- Understand the value of networking between academic and outreach faculty.
- Learn how to leverage relationships to increase our impact through grants and publications.
Presenters:
Lisa Renzi-Hammond, director of the Institute of Gerontology, College of Public Health
Lisa is director of the Institute of Gerontology and an associate professor of neuroscience. She specializes in lifespan sensory, cognitive and neurological development. She is interested in developing novel methodologies for testing cognitive and sensory function in populations ranging from infancy through older adulthood. Recently her work has expanded to include co-development and co-direction of the Cognitive Aging Research and Education (CARE) initiative, which provides and improves access to diagnosis, education, and support for those at risk for dementia.
Puneet Dwivedi, associate professor, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Puneet is an associate professor of sustainability sciences at the Warnell School. His lab explores social, economic, and environmental issues in the context of sustainable forestry worldwide. He has published over 100 articles, most of which originated from his lab. He has served as a major advisor of 30 graduate students and five postdocs supported by research grants totaling nearly $6 million. Puneet is also a principal at Eco-Intelligence, a consulting firm specializing in sustainable management of environmental resources.
Christina Proctor, clinical assistant professor, College of Public Health
Christina is a clinical assistant professor and undergraduate coordinator in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior in the College of Public Health. Her expertise is in rural health, mental health and risky behaviors including substance use. Her current projects include working to improve mental health and well-being of farmers and agricultural workers across the state and serving as the evaluator for Mental Health First Aid programs implemented in Foothills Schools.
Sam Perren, operations coordinator, Archway Partnership
Sam was appointed operations coordinator in the Archway Partnership state office in January 2023. Sam has been with Archway since 2017 and has served as the Archway professional in Pulaski, Colquitt, and McDuffie counties. He heads Archway’s evaluation and grant-writing teams, coordinates the UGA Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty, and manages Archway’s efforts for Burke, Colquitt and McDuffie counties in addition to a number of liaison roles with UGA schools and colleges.
Saralyn Stafford, assistant director, rural development, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Based in South Georgia’s Coffee County, Saralyn’s work focuses on connecting rural communities with UGA’s Public Service and Outreach units, including the Institute of Government, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the Small Business Development Center and the Archway Partnership, to assist with addressing community and regional challenges. Saralyn serves as a liaison between UGA and local elected officials, chambers of commerce, economic development professionals, school boards, nonprofit organizations, small business owners and other community leaders.
