Stacy Jones, an accomplished public service, development and communications professional, has been named vice president for public service and outreach at the University of Georgia following a national search. Jones currently serves as PSO’s associate vice president and director of the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. She will begin her new role on July 1.
Reporting to S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, Jones will also serve as a member of the University Cabinet.
“With her wealth of experience and enthusiasm for serving our state, I am excited to work with Dr. Jones to build upon the exceptional work of our Public Service and Outreach faculty and staff and to further strengthen the university’s national leadership in public service,” Hu said. “I know that she will provide the vision and exceptional leadership necessary to advance the university’s essential public service and outreach mission, while integrating teaching and research in innovative ways.”
Jones will succeed Jennifer Frum, who retired Dec. 1, 2024, following a distinguished 30-year career at UGA.
As vice president for public service and outreach, Jones will serve as a champion for the university’s public service mission and lead eight PSO units: Archway Partnership, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Office of Service-Learning, Small Business Development Center, State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel.
The University of Georgia is recognized as a national leader in university outreach. In partnership with UGA Cooperative Extension and other academic units, PSO serves every county in Georgia, applying the university’s knowledge to the state’s evolving economic, social and community needs. PSO initiatives include leadership training for communities, youth and nonprofit organizations; economic development support; and partnerships that address critical community challenges identified by local citizens. PSO also has developed partnerships with national organizations, including a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance the resilience of military installations and their surrounding communities.
Over the past five years, PSO has supported the creation of 2,182 new businesses and 15,514 jobs. The work of PSO units generated an economic impact of $505 million on the state in fiscal 2023.
“The imprint of PSO faculty, staff and partners is evident throughout Georgia as this amazing team brings UGA to local communities — developing leaders, creating jobs and prosperity and addressing the state’s most critical issues,” Jones said. “I’m honored to continue leading that effort in this new capacity. Joining UGA PSO full time in 2012 gave me a front row seat to this work, and now serving as vice president for public service and outreach brings new opportunity to amplify UGA’s impactful work by engaging with community partners across our state.”
Jones has served UGA in a variety of key leadership positions for more than a decade. She began her career at UGA in 2012 as the associate director for governmental training in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Jones was named director of the Georgia Center in 2020 and associate vice president for public service and outreach in 2024. As associate vice president, she oversees PSO’s key budget planning, strategic operations initiatives, professional development events and awards and recognition.
Prior to joining the university, Jones excelled in vital development positions in the public and private sectors. She served as director of tourism and public affairs for the City of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park, executive director of Monroe’s Georgia Downtown Development Authority and chief development officer for Clearview Regional Medical Center and Walton Regional Medical Center in Monroe.
“I want to congratulate Dr. Jones on her appointment as vice president for public service and outreach,” President Jere W. Morehead said. “Throughout her career, Dr. Jones has demonstrated a deep commitment to the people of Georgia and the economic vitality of communities across our state, and I am confident that she will continue to help expand the university’s positive impact in the years to come.”
Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in consumer journalism from UGA, a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University and a doctorate in higher education management from UGA.
Jones has served as president of the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences Alumni Association and chair of the Georgia 4-H State Advisory Council. Additionally, she is a recipient of the UGA Blue Key Young Alumnus Award and the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences Pacesetter Award.
“In addition to congratulating Dr. Jones, I join the university community in thanking Dr. Matt Bishop for his steadfast leadership of PSO as interim vice president during this transition,” Hu said. “I have enjoyed working with Dr. Bishop during the transition, and I deeply appreciate everything he has accomplished and continues to do for the university and the state.”
A 16-member search advisory committee chaired by Marisa Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning, helped identify finalists for the position. The committee was assisted by the UGA Search Group.
