Athens, Ga. – Maureen Grasso, dean of the University of Georgia Graduate School, has received the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education in the Southern Region. The peer-nominated award is the highest recognition given by CSGS to honor the person whose contributions have significantly benefited graduate education in the southern region and was announced at the organization’s annual meeting Feb. 26-Mar.1 in Norfolk, Va.
“It is an honor and a privilege to receive this award,” said Grasso, who also served as president of CSGS in 2004-2005. “Graduate education is my passion, and I’m very excited about the opportunity to continue bringing recognition to graduate programs not only at the University of Georgia, but also at other southern institutions.”
Grasso was recognized for her contributions to graduate education made in the past ten years and for her contributions at both the University of Georgia and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The recognition includes a $1,000 award.
Grasso came to the university in 2002 after having served as interim dean and associate dean of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Graduate School. Since her appointment, she has created the Emerging Leaders Program and other professional development programs for graduate students and has implemented the Graduate School Teaching Portfolio Program, the Certificate in University Teaching, and other interdisciplinary certificate programs. She has established the Graduate Education Advancement Board, which works to increase funding opportunities for students in all graduate programs at UGA and has a funding goal of $10 million. She has led the Graduate School’s three-year Initiative for Optimal Doctoral Completion funded by a grant from the Council of Graduate Schools. Under her leadership, the university experienced a record graduate enrollment of more than 7,000 students in the fall of 2008.
CSGS has a membership of more than 200 graduate schools in 15 states of the southern region of the United States and considers topics relating to graduate study and research of mutual interest to the member institutions. Other functions include promotion of standards, encouragement of research and assistance to institutions starting graduate programs.
For information on the UGA Graduate School, see www.grad.uga.edu.