Michelle Elliott, Archway Professional for Pulaski County, sees service as a way to contribute to Georgia in a meaningful way. In her current position, she facilitates connecting economically struggling communities with UGA’s extensive resources to aid in economic development. According to Elliott, the best part of her job is that everything she does has a positive impact.
Where did you earn your degrees, and what are your current responsibilities at UGA?
I earned my bachelor’s in history from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and my master’s in public administration from Georgia College and State University. Currently, I serve as the Archway Professional in Pulaski County.
When did you come to UGA, and what brought you here?
I came to UGA nearly three years ago. After seeing an ad for the position, I learned more about the work of PSO and the Archway Partnership, and right away saw the potential to use my skills and experience in a way that would be interesting and rewarding.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part of my job is that everything I do has a positive impact. The Archway Partnership plays a role in giving UGA students valuable “real world” experience that better prepares them for their careers and also provides opportunities for communities to engage in meaningful discussions, solve community challenges and work with UGA faculty and students.
Describe your current research or service projects.
The Archway Partnership works with communities around the state that are struggling economically. In Pulaski County, where I work, we focus specifically on economic development, leadership development, education and community health. My current projects include developing a new Youth Leadership Academy for high school students, working to capture history and develop tourism along the Ocmulgee River, and working with economic developers in our region of the state to attract business and industry to Middle Georgia.
What does service mean to you?
Service, to me, is the opportunity to use my skills and talents in a meaningful way that will help the community I work in—and the students I work with—reach their full potential.
Why do you serve?
I grew up in Macon and now live in Houston County. As a Middle Georgia native, I enjoy contributing to my community and making it a better place by bringing the resources of UGA to the area.
What do you feel is UGA’s role as a land- and sea-grant university?
I feel that UGA’s role as a land- and sea-grant institution is to bring the resources (students, faculty and research) to all areas of the state, and to serve all Georgians.
What does it mean to you to work at a land- and sea-grant university, both personally and professionally?
I am humbled every day to have access to the world-class resources at UGA and to be a part of such a well-respected institution.
Why is public service an important aspect of higher education?
Public service is the heart of everything we do. There is no greater public service than to prepare the next generation and to lead by example by trying to make our state a better place.
What are the benefits of attending a land-grant university for students, as opposed to the experience they would get at a non-land-grant university?
The opportunity to provide students with the chance to interact with clients and students from other disciplines is huge. Students can learn to translate their academic experience into a tangible work product that will be developed within a community. It gives the students valuable experience and provides the community with a first-rate product.
What are some of the service-learning and public service opportunities for students that you are involved with?
The Hardy Farms agritourism project brought graduate students from seven academic units together to develop an agritourism plan for a local peanut producer. Not only did the students create a road map for developing tourism, they also had the opportunity to see a great southern farm and experience the rural South. One student even had his first boiled peanut! The plan the students created will be the foundation for a grant application for the farm. If the grant is awarded, the plan should bring valuable tourist dollars to the area.
What is the value or benefit of students engaging in service-learning and public service?
The students I work with are so creative and energetic that community members just love having them around. They get everybody excited about their work. They bring high-quality research and work products to Pulaski County and provide the community with work that would be unattainable otherwise.