L. Mark Risse, the Georgia Power Professor of Water Resource Policy in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has been named director of UGA Marine Outreach Programs. The appointment is effective July 1.
Risse, who also holds adjunct appointments in the College of Engineering and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, has served as interim director since Dec. 1.
As director of Marine Outreach Programs, Risse will provide strategic direction and leadership for coastal outreach programs that include the UGA Marine Extension Service (MAREX) and the Georgia Sea Grant Program. He will continue to work to strengthen collaborative work on a number of marine programs.
Jennifer Frum, vice president for public service and outreach, praised Risse for providing strategic direction and leadership to MAREX during a critical time of transition for the public service and outreach marine programs.
Throughout his career, Risse’s public service efforts have focused on environmental and water policy. He has created model programs that focus on delivering science and education to communities in need. He has worked with business and agricultural groups to enhance training programs and economic development partnerships.
“That’s part of my job, linking up what the communities out there need with what researchers at UGA can do,” Risse said.
Risse earned his doctorate in biological and agricultural engineering from Purdue University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in agricultural engineering from UGA. He is an expert in nonpoint source pollution management, soil and water conservation, stormwater management and erosion control, and animal waste and nutrient management.
At the Institute of Government, Risse provides local and state leaders with technical assistance and consultation related to water resource management issues.