Moving FACS Forward
By the time you receive this issue of FACS Magazine I will have met dozens, if not hundreds, of College of Family and Consumer Sciences alumni and friends through the “FACS Forward” tour around the state and other events, such as South Campus Tailgate. These visits have given me a terrific opportunity to meet you, share my goals and hear your dreams for our college and where you hope we’ll be in five, 10 or 20 years.
As the sixth dean of the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, I have joined a college with a long history of achievements in the areas of teaching, research and outreach. It’s exciting to be working with a well-established faculty and staff, knowing that we’re building on those accomplishments and moving FACS to even higher levels.
In the article written by Director of Communications Denise Horton, you’ll learn more about my background, but I would like to offer a quick summary of some of the areas I think are important for our college:
- We need to stay engaged with our students and continually seek new ways for them to connect with our faculty, staff and stakeholders;
- Our faculty do a great job of attracting external grant funding, but I believe hiring a grants coordinator will provide added support in that area;
- We need a building large enough to house the majority of our faculty and staff! Currently, we’re scattered among 13 buildings. In order for collaboration to take place (and I’m a strong supporter of collaboration) our faculty need to be located in closer proximity.
- We need more FACS Extension agents. Our agents have the knowledge and skills to provide programs in financial literacy, child development, nutrition and more. Every citizen of Georgia needs ready access to this expertise.
These goals would be daunting if I had not already heard from so many of you. As we’ve talked in Sandersville, Savannah and Atlanta, you’ve consistently told me of your support for our college. Which leads me to a request of each of you. Stay in touch. You are our eyes and ears throughout Georgia and beyond.
In just a few short weeks I’ll complete my first semester as dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and will preside over our college’s commencement ceremony. I’m already looking forward to speaking to our graduates and their families and encouraging them to stay in touch with us. I hope that you’ll do the same. Whether I see you in person at an alumni event or you call or email me, (my phone number is 706-542-4879, my email is ljolly@fcs.uga.edu) I want to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Laura D. Jolly, Dean
