Staff Activities
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Unit Move Coordinators - Move

Leading up to the move into the new AYSPS building, Unit Move Coordinators met regularly, distributed information to their units regarding project status, and dealt with assorted delays and changes. They assisted in inventories of the assets of their units, oversaw their units' pre-move paring processes, and ensured proper packing and labeling. During the move, they worked around the clock to ensure proper coordination with movers, handling on-the-spot corrective actions as necessary. During this time, they continued the daily business operations of their units. The success of the AYSPS move was due to the hard work and dedication of a very talented group of staff:

• Cynthia Pembroke, Charlotte Petrek, Jeff Pruett, Avani Raval, Robin Steinbrenner, Jaiwan Harris (Dean's Office)
• Caroline Griffin and Liz Kozlovski (Economics)
• Dorie Taylor and Karlease Bradford (FRC and Domestic Programs)
• Elsa Gebremedhin and Lisa Shephard (PAUS)
• Kathy Banks and Angela Todd (Environmental Policy Program)
• Michelle Johnson (Georgia Health Policy Center)
• Paul Benson and Shereen Bhan (International Studies Program)
• Sally Fowler and Sue Fagan (Office of Academic Assistance)

The AYSPS systems support team administered delivery and set up of hundered of computers prior to the actual move, with the addition of the two computer labs and plentiful GRA seating in the building. They underwent training on the several audio/visual setups in the Smart Seminar rooms and Dean's Executive Conference room. During the move, they provided support in de-installation and re-installation of computers and other technology equipment. After the move, they were on-call for troubleshooting glitches, and provided exceptional customer support. The AYSPS Support team includes:

• LaTonya Collier
• Christopher Peters
• David McDuffie
• Bo Kou
• Daniel Chung

The entire staff of the Dean's Office worked tirelessly before, during and after the move. Cynthia Pembroke worked with movers, unit move coordinators, and the overall schedule and inventory. Jeff Pruett managed the systems support team efforts (see above); managed telephone and network issues, ironing out glitches after the move; and provided support in the overall management of the move effort. Charlotte Petrek stepped forward as manager of the building, working with the Georgia Buidling Authority and establishing cleaning procedures, safety and emergency evacuation procedures, work order processes, etc. Avani Raval established policies and guidelines regarding use and scheduling of the conference rooms, and worked with contractors as necessary, such as the build-out of the Dean's floor production area and establishment of the media support area. Jaiwan Harris took over management of key control and signage for the building, processed work order and billing paperwork during the frantic weeks after the move, and established a friendly and responsive presence in the new Dean's office.

Unit Move Coordinators - Building Renovations

Unit Move Coordinators also played pivotal roles in the renovation and outfitting of the building. They participated in planning for such things as placement and number of data and electrical outlets, cubicle configurations, office layouts, inventory assessments, and copier requirements.

Key players in unit coordination of building renovations were:

• Cynthia Pembroke (Manager, New building project)
• Charlotte Petrek (Dean's Office, College facilities management)
• Jeff Pruett (System Support)
• Caroline Griffin (Economics)
• Dorie Taylor (FRC and Domestic Programs)
• Elsa Gebremedhin and Sally Fowler (PAUS)
• Kathy Banks (Environmental Policy Program)
• Michelle Johnson, Cindy Clark, and Glenn Landers (Georgia Health Policy Center)
• Paul Benson and Shereen Bhan (International Studies Program)
• Sally Fowler and Wanda Cooley (Office of Academic Assistance)

Any recognition of hard work and dedication regarding the renovation of the building would be remiss without mentioning the hard work of the main figures in its planning and build-out. Paula Stephan, founding Associate Dean of the Andrew Young School, provided vision and guidance during the entire process. Christopher Hughes of GSU's Facilities Design and Construction group, provided expert project management assistance, and reams of patience. Cynthia Pembroke served as AYSPS coordinator, "memory" and "chearleader" for the project, holding the many pieces of the puzzle together.

Many others at GSU provided able assistance, including Bill Robinson, Harvey Shumpert, Kim Bauer and James Wylie (Design and Construction), Jerry Rackliffe and Katherine Johnston (Finance), Sharee Willoughby, Jeff Davies and Larry McCalop (Purchasing), Mark Roberson, Charles Hollingsworth and Jim Young (Network), Connie Sampson (Security), Sidney Addy (Signage), Luther Estes (Cabinetry), Kevin Kelley (Mail, Vending), and many others.

Many external to GSU played important parts as well. More than any other, James Morgan of Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart and Associates, contributed. As the main architect for the renovations, he poured his "all" into the job, and patiently worked with the many agencies involved. Gena Abrahams (GSFIC/GBA) oversaw the transition of the work from the Georgia Building Authority to the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission, and ensured the overall project's success. Additional contributors, of whom there were many, are listed on the School's website.

James Aberson

(with M. Christine Lewis) completed a 10-part Webcast series on “Adapting Your Business Model for the 21st Century,” targeting managers of nonprofit organizations within Georgia that provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.

organized the “Region IV Independent Living Conference” for participants that included disability rights advocates, public administrators, and not-for-profit leaders from throughout the southeastern states, Atlanta, Ga., May 17-21, 2004.

co-facilitated a weeklong training simulation sponsored by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living Management, Buffalo, N.Y., November 2004. The simulation is a guided process for integrating ideas, information and technology related to operating a not-for-profit independent living center.

organized the production of a Virtual Disability Pride Tour with disability advocates throughout Georgia. The Web-based tour will debut in 2005 and showcases the purpose, people, and places of the disability rights movement in Georgia.

Kathy Banks

represented the Environmental Policy Program, and the Andrew Young School, to the National Wildlife Federation’s summer career program for college bound minority honor students from Atlanta Magnet schools. These are students who have expressed interest in learning about professional careers in environmental science and natural resource management. The event has been held on both the campuses of Clark Atlanta University and Emory University. Typically, the program draws about 35 urban students each summer.

served as contact coordinator for the distance learning Natural Resource Management MPA and Graduate Certificate Program, as Captain for the Center during the university's giving campaign, and as the Center's unit move coordinator during the relocation of the school.

participated in several professional workshops including Building Community Through Fair and Effective Performance Evaluations, and Women at Work Leadership Conference.

Karlease Bradford

in service to the school, was elected to the Staff Council for 2004-2006 and is now the Staff Development President, and member of the Executive Committee; attended the general GSU Staff Council retreat in August 2004, the University System of Georgia's statewide Staff Council retreat in Columbus, Ga., October 7-8, 2004, and participated in the Executive Planning retreat in November 2004.

served as move coordinator for the Office of Domestic Programs.

attended the Blacks in Government Conference, Washington, D.C., August 18-21, 2004.

attended the University System of Georgia OII Summit (for Financial and Business Manager Professionals), Savannah, Ga., September 8-10, 2004.

completed three hours of training in Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace and received a certificate of Professional Development from the Opportunity Development/Diversity Education Planning Office.

participated in several workshops given by Research and Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts, and the Spectrum Offices including "How to Submit a Proposal at GSU" and "Grants Management."

Donna Bulbulia

was the only Georgia Senior Corps Director invited by the Administration on Children and Families to participate in a Federal Strengthening Families Conference, Jackson, Miss., January 2004.

participated in the AmeriCorps Regional Conference, Huntsville, Ala.

continued participation in the steering committee for the “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” demonstration project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families and Administration on Aging.

served as Board Member for The Center for Active Retirement Education at Kennesaw State University.

served as Board Member of the United Way Community Basics.

served as Member of the DeKalb County Department of Health MAPP project and as Member of the DeKalb County Board of Health Medical Corps.

Wanda Cooley

in service to the school, served as a member of the CAPP Implementation Committee and the Crystal Report Group.

completed six hours of training to receive a Certificate of Professional Development in Managerial Mediation.

completed four hours of diversity training through the Building a House for Diversity workshop sponsored by the Opportunity Development/Diversity Education Planning Office.

completed nine hours of training to receive a Certificate of Professional Development in Successful Frontline Supervision.

completed three hours of training to receive a Certificate of Professional Development in Preventing Discrimination in Supervising Work-Study and Student Assistants.

completed one week of CAPP training and provided training for students and faculty on the use of CAPP.

is a member of NACADA, the National Academic Advising Association.

Ruth Davidson

served on the Board of Directors to the Enrichment of Life Movement of Cobb County.

Margo Doers

served in active duty in support of the U.S. Army in Baghdad, Iraq.

Huiping Du

received the Grand Prize for “Crossing Culture, Crossing Paths” photo competition for her photo called “Autumn’s Singalong.”

presented the keynote address for the International Student program at GSU.

Sue Fagan

in service to the school, served as secretary of the By-laws Committee for the Staff Council, an elected member of Staff Council, a member of the Dynamic E-Mail Working Committee, a member of the Electronic Dissertation Committee, a member of the Academic Working Group of the Enrollment Management Committee, a member of the Class Scheduling Committee, a member of the Classroom Facilities Council, ex-officio to the Academic Programs Committee, ex-officio to the Admissions and Standards Committee, a member of the CAPP Implementation Committee, a member of the StatWare Steering Committee, Chair of the Crystal Report Group, and as a member of the Graduate Admissions Advisory Committee of the Enrollment Management Committee.

completed six hours of training to receive a Certificate of Professional Development in Managerial Mediation.

completed four hours of diversity training through the Building a House for Diversity workshop sponsored by the Opportunity Development/Diversity Education Planning Office.

completed 30 years of employment at Georgia State, August 2004.

Sally Fowler

in service to the school, served as Staff Representative on Staff Advisory Council, April-May 2004; Elected Staff Senator for 2004-2005 Academic Year; on the Academic Programs and Continuing Education Senate Committee; on the Cultural Diversity Senate Committee; on the Graduate Programs Subcommittee of APACE; and on the Racial Climate Survey Subcommittee of Cultural Diversity Committee.

attended CollegeNet Users Conference, July 25-28, 2004.

attended Georgia Advisors' Drive-Thru Workshop - The Student Success Continuum: Advisement, Retention, Graduation, May 7, 2004.

completed six hours of training to receive a Certificate of Professional Development in Managerial Mediation.

completed four hours of diversity training through the Building a House for Diversity workshop sponsored by the Opportunity Development/Diversity Education Planning Office.

Chip Kenney

(with M. Christine Lewis) provided extensive consultation to the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to assist the state agency with creating a comprehensive system for needs assessment, capacity building, and planning.

organized a conference on “Employment Services” for Department of Labor personnel and staff from not-for-profit organizations throughout Georgia, Macon, Ga., July 28-29, 2004.

organized a Native American Balcony, in collaboration with Western Washington University; participants included leaders of tribal vocational rehabilitation programs from Georgia and Mississippi, Atlanta, Ga., July 27-28, 2004.

organized two Georgia Community Rehabilitation Leadership Forums. Forums targeted Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program leadership and staff from not-for-profit community rehabilitation organizations throughout the state, Macon, Ga., June 9 and November 17, 2004.

facilitated quarterly meetings of the Georgia Community Rehabilitation Leadership Task Force, a policy implementation group of Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program leadership and directors of not-for-profit affiliates. Work focused on standards and indicators for community services, programs, joint employment initiatives, and ensuring consistency of services statewide.

attended the Spring Conference of the Council of State Administrators for Vocational Rehabilitation, Bethesda, Md., April 26-28, 2004, and the Fall Conference, Nashville, Tenn., November 8-10, 2004.

assisted the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with a performance accountability initiative involving the National Results Council.

led a regional workgroup to build and maintain a Web site for Human Resource Development professionals in state vocational rehabilitation agencies throughout the southeast. The Web site serves as the focal point for communication and resource sharing.

collaborated with faculty from the University of Tennessee to organize a three-day meeting of program evaluation managers from state vocational rehabilitation agencies throughout the southeast. Participants received updates on federal regulations and identified best practices within each of the 12 state agencies represented, Atlanta, Ga., June 8-10, 2004.

Patricia Kota

provided orientation for new staff regarding technical assistance for rural health networks for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Rural Health Policy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga., August 18-19, 2004.

facilitated a Business Planning Intensive “Sustainable Rural Health Networks,” Georgia State University, AYSPS, Atlanta, Ga., November 10-11, 2004.

Bonnie Naugle

graduated with an M.P.A. degree in December 2004.

compiled, edited and coordinated the publication of the 2004 edition of the AYSPS Annual Report.

assisted in covering the position of college Web coordinator during the college's move to the new building.

Gardner Neely

(with LaLoria Konata). Web site appendix, "Data Sources for Firm and Industry Analysis" and "Data Sources for Measuring Aggregate Economic Activity," in Economics for Managers, Paul Farnham (ed.), Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

member and past president of the Metro Atlanta Library Association.

assisted visiting scholars from Spain, Bulgaria, and Russia with research orientation and local information.

led orientation for summer interns, in research resources and library databases.

served as member of Greenspace Commission, City of Decatur, Ga.

Cynthia Pembroke

managed, through interaction with the Georgia Building Authority, designers, installers, architects, and movers, the completion of the AYSPS building renovation and move of the Andrew Young School to its new location at Five Points.

Melissa Hodge Penn

served as member of the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia Elderly (CoAge).

served as member of Senior Adult Victims Advocate (SAVA).

David Sandt

participated in several search committees for university Director positions during the year.

continued to serve as the AYSPS College Administrative Officer (CAO), representing the school at university meetings dealing with college-wide administrative issues.

completed work on a Board of Regents Self-Study Program focusing on the college's Grants and Project Management function to assess the effectiveness of current practices and policies. The 46-page completed document included survey results of AYSPS PI's and staff including a comparison with other research policy schools nationwide.

agreed to serve on the Disbursement's Advisory Group, exploring ways to ensure GSU is in full compliance with IRS rules dealing with the use of consulting agreements.

attended a study abroad program with GSU's History Department that focused on Egyptian culture and history with visits to Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor.

Sally Siewert

attended the Spring Conference of the Council of State Administrators for Vocational Rehabilitation, Bethesda, Md., April 26-28, 2004, and the Fall Conference, Nashville, Tenn., November 8-10, 2004.

completed a 2003-2004 Institute for New Managers sponsored for the Kentucky Program of Vocational Rehabilitation and Kentucky Services for the Blind, Frankfort, Ky., March 1-5, 2004.

Yu Su

served as the recreation program leader for the Chinese Student Union.

participated in fund raising for the Chinese Student Union.

served as Organizer for Moon Festival and Spring Festival events for the Chinese Student Union.

was a Member of the Association of Chinese Professionals.

Dorie Taylor

organized the inaugural event of the Dan L. Sweat Lecture Series. Ronald Ferguson (Harvard University) spoke on The Racial Gap in Education Outcomes: Confronting the Challenge. This lecture and reception was Co-hosted by the Fiscal Research Center, February 2004.

served as move coordinator for the Fiscal Research Center and Office of Domestic Programs.

attended the Blacks in Government Conference, New Orleans, La., May 2004.

attended the American Sociological Association Conference, San Francisco, Calif., August 2004.

completed four hours of diversity training through the Building a House for Diversity workshop sponsored by the Opportunity Development/Diversity Education Planning Office.

participated in several workshops given by Research and Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts, and the Spectrum Offices.