October 1, 2025
Contact: Anisa Zvonkovic  | 706-542-4879  | More about Anisa
Message from Dean Zvonkovic 
There are many positive developments going on in FACS and at UGA this month.  
We had a full room for the monthly Dean’s meetings to discuss the Ralston Institute on September 23. The University Council approved the name change of the Institute at their meeting and we are awaiting formal notification of approval from the President’s Office. The Ralston’s Clearinghouse Director, Ashley D’Inverno, starts today. Welcome, Ashley! We are engaged in searches for research positions for Ralston. The search for the Executive Director of the Institute is moving along. Finalists have been selected and will be on campus this month. Candidate presentations are 9:30-10:30 am at the Georgia Center. Oct 13 and 16 presentations will be in Room K/L and Oct 17 and 27 presentations will be in Masters Hall. Note that the October Dean’s meeting will be with Associate Dean Charles Geier and the College Assembly in November will focus on Health.  
FACS’s proposals for Presidential Hiring Initiatives (PHI) were successful. Associated with the PHI as a whole are two Extension positions, centrally funded. I’m thrilled to be able to add to our Extension faculty positions and I’m gratified that the President and Provost supported the proposal that links us to and recognizes our contributions to broader university initiatives.  
The PHIs were in two groups: we partnered with Franklin for a cluster of positions related to disaster and risk. We will get two positions in FHCE associated with this cluster, one of which is Extension (mentioned above). We were also successful in proposing two HDFS positions that link to inter-professional education and health, one of which is Extension (mentioned above).   
The Faculty Advisory committee meets Monday, October 6. The members of that committee will be reporting back to their units and constituencies what is discussed there. There are several USG and UGA directives that will be discussed. Also, if you have topics or concerns, please know that you can share them with Advisory committee representatives. We will schedule a special Faculty Learning Community session in November related to the Digital Accessibility Program requirement and we encourage all faculty who teach to attend.  
We Are FACS 
On Monday, we are launching our new student recruitment campaign, “We Are FACS.” Please be on the lookout and help us promote! 
The campaign centers around the theme of “You can go anywhere with a FACS degree.” The key elements of the campaign are a new landing page, wearefacs.uga.edu and an inspirational video featuring FACS alumni working in a variety of careers and locations. 
We will follow up the initial launch with eight more videos featuring each of the eight alumni providing their own unique stories about how FACS prepared them for their careers. 
We would love for you to share the video when you see it on social media on Monday and consider adding your own testimonial. 
The video will be promoted on Facebook and Instagram and will go out via email to faculty, staff and alumni, with a separate email going to current UGA students in other programs across campus.  
Elements 
Reminder for Faculty and Graduate Students: Elements needs to be updated by Jan 15. Now is a good time to start looking at your CV and making changes, so it isn’t overwhelming at the end of the semester. New hires: we suggest you reach out to your supervisor and your mentors for hints and solving any snafus. Don’t wait until January! 
Promotional flyer for the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences event titled ‘Partnering for Success: Leveraging Resources to Help FACS Research Thrive.’ The flyer announces an informative session with Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Charles Geier, on October 23, 2025, from 3–4 pm in Dawson 216, as part of the Deans’ Series. The left side of the flyer features the UGA FACS logo and event details on a maroon background. On the right side, there’s a photo of students and faculty presenting research posters in a classroom setting. 
Research: Partnering for Success 
Join Dr. Charles Geier for an information session on resources supporting FACS Research. 
Thank you, FACS!  
We hope you enjoy ​this video​ from our friends at Georgia 4-H expressing gratitude for FACS. 
Active Shooter Training 
Please make plans to attend the Active Shooter Training conducted by the UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness on Oct. 24. 
Participants will learn key safety strategies and how to stay calm, make quick decisions, and assist others. This training empowers individuals to act confidently and protect themselves and others in a crisis. The training is open to all faculty, staff and graduate students. 
FACS Teaching Faculty Learning Community – TopHat workshop 
I encourage you to RSVP to the FACS Teaching Faculty Learning Community for a workshop on TopHat, an excellent active teaching and learning tool that is now free for all UGA students. On Thursday, October 16 from 2-3 p.m., TopHat trainers from Canada will offer both beginner and advanced sessions.  
The intent of a faculty learning community is to come together around a particular issue or topic to learn with and from each other. Our FACS T-FLC aims to support all of us in continuing to hone empirically-supported best teaching practices and address teaching and learning issues as they arise. 
2026 Open Enrollment: Action Needed from ALL UGA Faculty and Staff 
The 2026 Open Enrollment period will be Oct. 27 through Nov. 7. This is the only time each year that UGA employees can enroll in health insurance programs and update their selections. Learn more at the USG Benefits webpage.
This is an active enrollment year, meaning all employees must complete the tobacco use and working spouse certifications. If you take no action during Open Enrollment, you will default to the $150 monthly surcharge for each item, which will not be refunded by USG. 
The Open Enrollment period is also your only opportunity to enroll in and make donations to the Shared Sick Leave Pool for 2026, which allows UGA employees to donate paid sick leave to a shared leave pool for fellow employees who meet the eligibility provisions. To learn how to join, visit the Human Resources webpage on Shared Sick Leave. 

Get Prepared for Open Enrollment at the UGA Benefits Fair 

All faculty and staff are invited to attend the UGA Benefits Fair on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about the USG benefit programs, changes to benefit plans for 2026, and all the resources available to you! 
Free flu shots 
The UGA Health Center is offering free flu shots on campus. Sign up here. 
Upcoming events 
October 3 – UGA Homecoming Parade, 6-7 p.m. 
October 6 – We Are FACS student recruitment campaign launch, wearefacs.uga.edu  
October 13-18 - Beat Week fundraising challenge 
October 16 - FACS Teaching Faculty Learning Community TopHat workshop, 2-3 p.m. 
October 16 – UGA Benefits Fair, Georgia Center 
October 23 – Research: Partnering for Success, 3-4 pm, 216 Dawson 
October 25 – Child Life 30th Anniversary event, Special Collections Libraries, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
November 6 – Recipe for Success event featuring Ivy Odom, Vera Stewart and Anne Byrn, Taylor-Grady House, 5-7 p.m. 
November 13 – Fall College Assembly, focused on Health 
December 11 – Fall 2025 Convocation 
Please check the FACS events page for updates – and add your events! 
Sincerely,  
Anisa M. Zvonkovic 
Dean and Georgia Athletic Association Professor in Family and Consumer Sciences 
Tags: college update • dean's update