Athens, Ga. – Jennifer Frum, who has served as interim vice president for public service and outreach at the University of Georgia since July 2011, has been named to fill the position on a permanent basis, effective Feb. 1.
“As Georgia’s land-grant and sea-grant institution, UGA has a long tradition and strong commitment to serving this state and beyond,” UGA President Michael F. Adams said. “I am extremely pleased to have Dr. Frum in this critical role. She will provide the vision and leadership to continue to advance the university’s important public service mission.”
The appointment was made by Jere Morehead, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, to whom Frum will report. David Lee, vice president for research, chaired the committee that conducted a national search to fill the position.
“The University of Georgia is an established leader in public service and outreach programming and scholarship,” Morehead said. “I am confident that Dr. Frum will provide energetic leadership in carrying out new approaches to outreach and engagement, while integrating the public service and outreach mission with teaching and research.”
Frum previously held a series of administrative positions with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, one of the eight units that report to the vice president for public service and outreach. The other units are the Archway Partnership, Fanning Institute, Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel, Marine Extension Service, Office of Service-Learning, Small Business Development Center and State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
“It is a great honor and privilege for me to take on this role at a time when the state of Georgia needs UGA’s knowledge and expertise more than ever,” Frum said. “I’m excited about working across the university to mobilize our academic and public service resources to make a lasting difference in Georgia.”
Frum joined the Vinson Institute in 2006 as interim director of its International Center, then became assistant director, deputy director and interim director of the Vinson Institute with programmatic responsibilities across the unit’s divisions.
Before working at the Vinson Institute, Frum served as assistant director of the UGA Office of International Public Service and Outreach, where she led the development and implementation of projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America. She also coordinated several donor-funded training and education projects supported by international development agencies.
Prior to coming to UGA, Frum worked for the Washington office of Rep. Bob Wise. Frum won a Fulbright Award for International Education Administrators to Heidelberg University in 1999.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in international relations from George Washington University and a doctorate from the UGA Institute of Higher Education.
