35th Annual Public Service and Outreach Awards Luncheon
An Inside Look at the PSO Scholarship Academy
This panel will explore how applied public service work can be developed into scholarship. Panelists will discuss practical strategies for turning existing projects into publishable work and share guidance on navigating the publication process while balancing professional responsibilities. Participants will also learn about the resources and support offered through the PSO Scholarship Academy and how the academy assists faculty and staff throughout the scholarly publishing process.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize opportunities within applied public service projects that can be developed into scholarly publications
- Understand strategies for selecting appropriate publication outlets and formats for practice-based research
- Learn how the PSO Scholarship Academy supports faculty and staff in developing and publishing scholarly work
Presenters:
Dan Lasseter, Public Service Associate, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
As a public service associate for the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Dan Lasseter’s work focuses on providing leadership assessments for high-level management positions in government and nonprofit organizations, as well as overseeing executive searches for high-level leadership positions in public sector organizations. An active member of the American Society for Public Administration, Lasseter serves on the society’s national council as well as on the board of directors of the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from UGA. Additionally, he received his M.B.A. from Georgia Southern University.
Brandy Walker, Senior Public Service Associate, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Brandy Walker is a senior public service associate at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, with expertise in the design, development and implementation of leadership programming with emphasis on community engagement and conflict management. Walker is a leader in virtual program development and delivery, with her work recognized nationally and internationally, and she also has led leadership development programs for public health professionals across the country. Walker leads two projects with the U.S. Department of State focused on civic engagement leadership across sub-Saharan Africa. She also teaches a graduate-level interdisciplinary course on community-engaged research methods. Walker holds a Ph.D. in Learning, Design and Technology from UGA.
Kristi Carpenter, Staff & Organizational Development Specialist, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
A staff and organizational development specialist in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Kristi Carpenter focuses on leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive onboarding and professional development program. She facilitates adult learning, professional development training, development of onboarding processes and materials, employee mentoring and more. Carpenter earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. from UGA. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication.
Rebecca Nesbit, Professor, School of Public and International Affairs
Rebecca Nesbit is a professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy. She teaches courses on nonprofit management and governance, volunteer management and the nonprofit sector overall. Nesbit’s research interests include issues in philanthropy, volunteerism, public policy and management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Nesbit conducts research on volunteer programs and volunteer management in public and nonprofit organizations, as well as situational influences on volunteers’ motivations and characteristics. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University and a doctorate in public affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington.
View session options
Morning
- PSO: Where Action Meets Impact 1 (Room L)
- Developing Grant Proposals: Tools and Techniques to Help You Secure Funding for Your Programs (Room R)
- An Inside Look at the PSO Scholarship Academy (Room T/U)
- Mentoring for Professional Growth: Building Strong Connections in PSO (Room K)
- Highlights of Look Ahead Georgia (Room Q)
- Cultivating Meaningful Student Engagement in PSO (Room V/W)
- The Lowdown on Dossiers – Tips and Hints for Faculty Promotion (Room F/G)
Afternoon
- PSO: Where Action Meets Impact 2 (Room V/W)
- Teaming Up for Success: How to Effectively Collaborate with Academic Faculty to Secure Large Scale Federal Grants (Room R)
- Public Speaking & Impactful Presentations (Room Q)
- PSO: Integrating AI & GenAI into Work Routines (Room K)
- Managing Your Own Professional Development (Room F/G)
- Using Data Storytelling to Communicate Impact (Room L)
- Showcase Roundtables of PSO Programs for Faculty and Staff (Room Y/Z)