Koonce honored for commitment to public service and outreach

Joan Koonce, a professor and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension financial planning specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, is one of four UGA faculty members to receive the Walter Barnard Hill Award recognizing commitment to public service and outreach.

Koonce, a faculty member in the FACS department of financial planning, housing and consumer economics, creates financial planning resources, conducts financial trainings and provides support for local county Extension agents.

She also created the virtual UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that provides free tax preparation services to Georgia residents.

“Joan is passionate about helping people through Extension and outreach programs and has spent her career in service to others,” said Allisen Penn, FACS Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach. “This award is a well-deserved recognition for an exceptional career.”

Koonce’s research examines several areas of family financial planning, financial behavior of youth and family communications about finances, low-income consumers and poverty.

She also trains Extension agents and delivers education and outreach in the areas of insurance and risk management, savings and investing, estate planning, taxes and retirement.

Koonce also collaborates with the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia to assist them in providing financial planning education to TRS members, and partnered with the UGA Small Business Development Center to provide statewide financial education opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The Walter Barnard Hill Award is named for Chancellor Walter B. Hill and recognize distinguished achievements by public service faculty who have contributed to a better quality of life for the people of Georgia.

“I’m so honored to be recognized with this award and appreciate the support of many current and former colleagues, and I am grateful to family and friends, especially my mom and dad, for their immeasurable contributions to my success,” Koonce said.