The Georgia Sea Grant College Program passed its five-year program review by the National Sea Grant College Program, following a two-day site visit in Savannah by a federally appointed Site Review Team. Mandated by Congress, the review is based upon three criteria:
- program management and organization,
- stakeholder engagement, and
- collaborative network activities.
Georgia Sea Grant’s success in the site review can be closely attributed to organizational changes within the University of Georgia that have led to the program’s integration with Marine Extension. As part of those changes, both entities are now units of the UGA Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach.
In addition, the review highlighted the program’s new leadership team, newly integrated communications program and responsive extension and education projects. Over 40 stakeholders from partner organizations and academia attended the review and attested to Georgia Sea Grant’s strength in serving the state of Georgia through coastal research, outreach and education programs.
University of Georgia leaders Pam Whitten, Jennifer Frum and David Lee also participated in the site review, sharing insights on the University’s role as a land and sea grant institution.