The University System of Georgia: A Worthy Investment 
Adding Value to Local Communities 
October 2008 
 
Continuing to Educate the Community 
In 2002, the Board of Regents approved a policy change that identified lifelong education, economic development and service agreements with state and local agencies as key priorities that should be addressed by the University System of Georgia (USG). 
The policy charged the chancellor to "identify statewide needs and develop System wide initiatives" to meet public service responsibilities. The policy supports the System's efforts to broaden educational access, promote job growth, and use System resources to support state and local government programs and needs through a more coordinated approach. 
The University System of Georgia's Georgia LEADS (Lifelong Education And Economic Development Services) implements this policy and leverages the assets of the University System's continuing education programs. 
Eighty-nine percent of USG campuses have a continuing education office, and some others offer classes throughout different departments on campus. More than 400,000 Georgians take one or many of the more than 26,000 continuing education courses offered system-wide. 
Companies often contract with a continuing education office for customized employee training  on-campus or on-the-job  and to solve business problems. Some of these training programs result in participants receiving certifications. 
There are many certificate programs offered through Continuing Education. The Healthcare Management Certificate program, a partnership between Georgia LEADS and the University of Georgia, is a prime example. 
The six-module management training program is designed for healthcare professionals, including nurses, therapists and technologists, who have (or soon will have) supervisory or management responsibilities. The minimum requirement for participation is an associate's degree or equivalent experience. 
Upon successful completion of the six-module program, students earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgia LEADSUniversity System of Georgia and the University of Georgia. 
 
Georgia Gwinnett Helps Nonprofit 
On the campus of Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), students are learning innovative new skill sets in class and they are applying those abilities in real-life work situations outside of class. GGC students recently delivered an impressive line-up of marketing tools for a highly-rated U.S. charity, MedShare International, developing a portfolio for their client that normally would have cost some $200,000. 
Brian Rainey (l) and Althea Aschenbrenner (r) show GGC Marketing Professor Bob Anservitz their proposal for a brochure for MedShare International. 
"The enthusiasm and hard work our students put forth was just incredible," says GGC Marketing Professor Robert Anservitz. "What they developed was remarkable; and to be able to do that as undergraduates yet. I have done this at the University of Georgia and at Mercer. This is the 21st time I've worked with a class and a client, and these deliverables are right up there in the 99th percentile--the best of the best." Anservitz helped arrange the partnership between GGC students and MedShare, the worldwide not-for-profit organization that obtains, sorts, packages and redistributes medical supplies that are plentiful in the U.S., but in high demand in other countries. By making use of medical surplus, MedShare has kept more than a million cubic feet of medical supplies from ending up in U.S. landfills  meanwhile shipping more than 400 40foot containers to 72 countries in need. "We've been lucky to benefit from the generous pro-bono services of many companies and universities in the Atlanta area, but the initiative, creativity and professionalism of these students really awed us. We could tell from their creations that they understand the importance of effectively communicating our mission," said co-founder and CEO of MedShare, A.B. Short. 
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 Adding Value to Local Communities 
 
2 
 
Seventh Graders Prepare for College 
 
Waycross Educates Future Teachers 
 
Last year, Macon State College partnered with the Bibb 
 
Dr. Joy Williams, superintendent of Pierce County Schools, 
 
County school system to create Macon-Bibb Early College, 
 
has always believed the most effective way to find qualified 
 
which opened this fall with 60 seventh-graders. 
 
teachers is for a school system to "grow (its) own". Her belief 
 
was recently implemented as the Pierce County Board of 
 
The Georgia Early College Initia- 
 
Education, in collaboration with Waycross College, approved a 
 
tive, of which the Macon-Bibb 
 
Certificate in Teaching program for Pierce County High School 
 
Early College is a part, is admin- 
 
(PCHS) students at its May 12 regular meeting. 
 
istered by the state Department 
 
of Education and the University 
 
The 
 
System of Georgia. The Univer- 
 
program, 
 
sity System's P-16 Department 
 
which 
 
serves as intermediary, offering 
 
began in 
 
leadership and support; providing 
 
August 
 
technical assistance for each site; 
 
2008, is 
 
and studying the model so that it 
 
designed 
 
can be replicated across the state. 
 
for 
 
PCHS 
 
"The plan is for these seventh- 
 
juniors 
 
graders to remain in Early College until they graduate from high school," said education professor Loleta Sartin. "They 
 
Dr. Loleta Sartin works with one of the seventh-graders in Macon-Bibb Early College. 
 
and 
 
Pierce County High School (PCHS) students currently en- 
 
seniors rolled in Waycross College's Certificate in Teaching Program. 
 
who have 
 
an interest in teacher education. Students must meet Waycross 
 
will earn college credit during 
 
College's admissions requirements to enroll in the program. 
 
their junior and senior years, then they may transfer that earned Once enrolled, they will take three education courses on the 
 
credit to the post-secondary institution they choose to attend." PCHS campus during the first semester. These courses serve 
 
as the core content for teacher education programs within the 
 
"Our primary goal is to move middle school students, espe- 
 
University System of Georgia. 
 
cially those high-potential, under-performing students who 
 
traditionally have been under-represented in higher education, During the second semester, students will participate in a 
 
toward graduation from high school and graduation from col- Teacher Internship within the school system. Based on the 
 
lege, having earned at least an associate's degree," Sartin said. subject and grade level they wish to teach, students will be 
 
paired with a "mentor teacher" in an actual classroom. 
 
Macon State joins a growing list of Georgia public colleges and universities forming Early College partnerships with school systems in their communities. To meet requirements set by the State Department of Education and the partnering higher education institution in these Early College programs, the curriculum may vary from school system to school system. 
 
Our teacher 
 
They will be responsible for teaching at least two 
 
preparation institu- 
 
lesson plans and assisting their mentor teacher 
 
tions have committed 
 
with other routine activities teachers complete 
 
to meeting 80 percent of the 
 
daily. 
 
state's need for teachers, which 
 
translates into 20,000 more 
 
When students complete the two semesters 
 
teachers in 2020. 
 
of work, they will have earned nine credit 
 
hours toward an associate of science (A.S.) 
 
degree in teacher education without setting foot on 
 
The Macon-Bibb Early College students, for instance, 
 
a college campus. Receiving credit toward an A.S. 
 
will be exposed to career options in education and health sci- 
 
degree while in high school will enable students to eventually 
 
ences, which ties into Macon State's mission of specializing in earn their bachelor's degree in teacher education sooner. 
 
bachelor's degree programs that combine a firm foundation in 
 
the liberal arts with courses of study that prepare students for professional careers in Central Georgia. 
 
Fort Valley Tackles Health Disparities 
 
"We hope that our focus on education and health sciences will encourage these young students to consider careers in these fields, which will aid in producing more teachers and healthcare professionals in our area," Sartin said. "I've always believed that all students can achieve and all families want the best for their children. I believe that early exposure to college and career options helps students to reach these goals." 
 
Visions for the Valley, Inc. (VFTV, Inc.), under the leadership of Drs. Dwayne L. Daniels and Frederick McLaughlin of Fort Valley State University (FVSU), has received a grant for $250,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The organization's goal is to eliminate health disparities among minorities, which will require public health initiatives, community support and equitable access to quality health care. 
 
The University System of Georgia: A Worthy Investment  October 2008 
 
 Adding Value to Local Communities 
 
3 
 
"Our first grant is related to minority health issues. We are hoping to expand to many different areas, including education and real estate," said Daniels. The organization plans to help influence policies by recruiting students into the public health field. It is composed of university professors, teachers, social workers, ministers, retirees and many other representatives from the community. 
 
Being a Good Neighbor 
Forging stronger ties with Georgia Tech's closest neighbors has been a high priority of Georgia Tech's administration for more than a decade, reflecting the administration's belief that a healthier, more vibrant area surrounding campus would ultimately benefit both the Institute and the community. 
 
The project is a unique blend of Historically Black College and University faculty and community representatives. "Our health is very important, and it is great to be part of a team to help solve problems in our own community," said Johnnie Zanders, steering committee chair for VFTV, Inc. 
 
"This grant provides funding for training, workshops, research and development for both community participants as well as university faculty" said McLaughlin, co-principal investigator of the grant. "Our efforts will include making healthcare accessible and affordable, building capacity and readiness in communities of color to do community-based participatory research and to establish a Health Disparities Center that will serve as the headquarters." 
 
Students from an area elementary school near Georgia Tech interact with representatives from The Home Depot. 
 
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"We'll be recruiting faculty members who have an interest in this type of work to conduct studies. We'll be having focus group dialogues with 
 
tives from The Home Depot to share expertise and direction on how residents can save water, a high priority due to north Georgia's historic drought. 
 
the community and we want the community to be involved long after the grant is gone," said McLaughlin. 
 
"Georgia Tech's mission is not only to set an example for environmental stewardship, but also to make sure that our neigh- 
 
"We're reaching out to the churches and focusing on community groups already functioning  training them on minority disparities and facilitating resources for them." The professor 
offered the example of a women's group leader who approached VFTV for information 
 
bors have access to the resources they need to make conservation a way of life," said Andrea Ashmore, director of Institute Partnerships. Presentations focusing on low-flow toilets and shower and faucet installation were made last spring to three local neighborhood and tenant associations, five parent-teacher association meetings, and in the classrooms of five partnering schools. Participants also learned about general water conservation measures for their homes, and those who attended received complimentary Home Depot gift cards. 
 
on depression to share with members. 
 
"Protecting and preserving our water supply is critical to our environment, our economy and our health," says J. T. Rieves, regional vice president for The Home Depot. "Simple tips and 
 
products, such as low-flow products for the home, can make a 
 
tremendous impact on the amount of water residents use. We 
 
are happy to help educate Atlantans on the importance of water 
 
conservation." 
 
Visions for the Valley is housed in the old train depot in downtown Fort Valley. 
 
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The University System of Georgia: A Worthy Investment  October 2008 
 
 Adding Value to Local Communities 
 
4 
 
In addition, the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech is working with The Home Depot to adapt the home improvement retailers' water conservation information into a curriculum for six partnering schools for the 2008-09 school year. Eventually, the goal is to make these curriculum materials available to all Atlanta Public Schools as well as other systems throughout the state. 
 
Grassroots Art Program (GAP) 
Since 1993, the Georgia General Assembly has appropriated funds to ensure that citizens in each one of the state's 159 counties have access to state funded arts activities. Half of the money is distributed based on population and the other half is distributed equally. Georgia Council for the Arts sets the state-wide guidelines, however the proposals to be funded are selected by a re-granting local arts agency. 
 
Georgia Southwestern Spreads Art 
Since 1999 the Rylander Theater Partnership Program has served the economic and community development of Americus through outstanding cultural programming. This collaboration between the Americus Theater and Cultural Authority and the Dramatic Arts Department at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) has received state, regional and national recognition for its programs, including the award for Vision and Leadership from the Georgia Theater Conference, Outstanding Achievement in Organization from the Downtown Development Authority, Exemplary Support of Educational Theater Excellence from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and recognition as a model of civic engagement by the American Democracy Project. 
In February 2007, the Rylander Theatre hosted the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). 
This event brought more than 1,100 representatives from 250 colleges in a 10-state region to Americus and the GSW campus, including 60 nationally recognized dignitaries and industry luminaries. The event had an estimated $791,000 impact on the local economy, said Gaynor Cheokas, director of GSW's Center for Business and Economic Development. That estimated total takes into account lodging and food, as well as incidentals, Cheokas said. 
 
The Friends of the Rylander is the re-granting agency for the Grassroots Arts Program in Chattahoochee, Crisp, Dooly, Dougherty, Harris, Lee, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell and Webster counties with amounts ranging from $1200 to $9000 per county. 
GAP's goals are to provide every county with arts funding; encourage multi-county arts programming; build partnerships between arts and non-arts agencies; and diversify and expand arts audiences. Applicants include non-profit cultural, civic or arts organizations that are able to raise matching funds and draw an audience. 
Events such as the Georgia Theater Conference State Convention and the Region IV American College Theater Festival have contributed over $1 million to the local economy. 
Past GAP projects have included: The Berrien County Collaborative after-school program for at-risk youth and their families. The project organizers brought in artist-in-residence Windell Campbell, the comedy program "Peanut Circus Show" and also animal trainers from a regional park zoo. 
 
The Ocilla Housing Authority administered "Beginning Violin," which involved children of the Housing Authority and their parents. The children were enrolled in violin classes, and together with their parents, were transported to a nearby town for the lesson. Volunteers from the Housing Authority donated time and talent to practice with the children after school. 
 
The Rylander Theater in downtown Americus. 
 
Of the programs at the Rylander Theater, GSW President Kendall A. Blanchard said, "GSW is committed to its role as a good neighbor for Americus and Sumter County--educationally, economically and culturally... As GSW grows and hosts larger activities, it perpetuates a win-win situation for the University and the community." 
The University System of Georgia: A Worthy Investment  October 2008