Showcase Roundtables of PSO Programs for Faculty and Staff

Matthew L. Bishop, Associate Vice President, Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach

As associate vice president for Public Service and Outreach (PSO), Matt Bishop helps connect UGA’s schools and colleges to PSO’s extensive network of expertise in leadership, business, service, government and nonprofits. In his role, Bishop promotes the university’s ability to address societal and workforce needs locally and globally. Additionally, he oversees multiple programs within PSO, such as the New Faculty Tour, faculty appointment and promotion, and the PSO Leadership, Facilitation, and Scholarship academies. Prior to his role as associate vice president, Bishop served as the director of the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership, where he guided strategic direction and programmatic operations to fulfill the institute’s mission of strengthening communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development. Additionally, he also worked at the Archway Partnership and Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Bishop holds a master’s degree in public administration and a Ph.D. in public administration from UGA.

PSO Facilitation Academy:
Brendan Leahy, Public Service Associate, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

As a public service associate with the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Brendan Leahy’s work focuses on community leadership programs, applied research, leadership assessments, and instructional design. In addition to his work with community leadership initiatives, Leahy supports a range of programs centered on leadership development in a variety of contexts and community strategic planning. Leahy holds both a master’s degree and an Ed.D. in adult education from UGA. Prior to his current role, Leahy served as the president for Leadership Plus and Associates in Athens and as the UGA coordinator for the SciTrain University initiative – a U.S. Department of Education project and partnership between the Georgia Institute of Technology and UGA.

PSO Vivian H. Fisher Leadership Academy:
Carolina Darbisi, Associate Director and Senior Public Service Associate, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development

Carolina Darbisi brings over two decades of experience in nonprofit management, adult learning and leadership development. She joined the Fanning Institute in 2008 and specializes in designing leadership programs that support individual growth through coaching, experiential learning and interdisciplinary instructional strategies. As associate director, Darbisi leads the development and implementation of strategic goals for the Data and Evaluation teams as well as the Community and Nonprofit serving programs. She also works with stakeholders to identify emerging needs and adapt programs to ensure impact and sustainability. Darbisi holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in adult education, learning and organization development from UGA.

PSO in Action:
Susan Allen, Public Service Professional, Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach

Susan Allen served at UGA for more than 20 years in various roles before retiring in 2018. Most recently, she worked as a hotel associate director at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, where she ensured smooth hotel operations. Earlier roles at the Georgia Center included director for conference development and department head for conference and event planning. Allen received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UGA. She remains active in the Athens community as a volunteer with the Hampton Park Neighborhood Association, where she has served as secretary and treasurer.

PSO Scholarship Academy:
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.

Additional volunteering opportunities:
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.

JHEOE (Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement):
Shannon Brooks, Director, Office of Service-Learning

Shannon Brooks has served as the founding director of the Office of Service-Learning since 2005. She holds a master’s degree in instructional technology and Ph.D. in art education, both from UGA. Prior to her current role, she worked in UGA’s Cooperative Extension and the Office of Instructional Support and Development (now the Center for Teaching and Learning). Brooks also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Lamar Dodd School of Art, where she has developed and taught multiple courses in the department of art education. She serves as editor of the “Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement,” and her research has been published in journals including the “International Journal of Education and the Arts and the International Journal of Research on Service.”

PSO Staff Professional Development Conference:
Laura Raiford, Project Development & Evaluations Manager, UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel

Laura Raiford has served as project development and evaluations manager for the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel at UGA’s Gwinnett campus since 2017. In this role, she coordinates and manages continuing education programs to ensure quality educational experiences. She works closely with course instructors to develop course schedules and descriptions, facilitates program promotion to drive enrollment, and collaborates with industry partners as needed to support successful program delivery. Prior to her current role, Raiford worked as a program coordinator and an education program specialist, both at UGA. She also has experience at Piedmont College and the University of North Georgia. Raiford holds a bachelor’s degree in education, health and physical education, and a master’s degree in health promotion and behavior from UGA.