October Outreach Newsletter

AU OUTREACH eNews

October 2023 Volume 2, Issue 12

View as Webpage

All In All Pink!!

Join us on October 6th for the 11th annual Breast Cancer & Health awareness event from 11am to 1pm. Our speakers this year include Michelle Crumbly (left), our MC Vanessa Echols (middle), and Dr. Nancy Merner (right). As always enjoy free food, learn something new, and have lots of fun. Fight Like a Tiger!

Julia Heflin Retires

The Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI), is wishing a fond farewell to long time staff member Julia Heflin, who retires effective November 1, 2023 after 24 years of service to Auburn University Outreach.

Heflin joined the Center of Governmental Services (CGS) in 1999 as a Training Coordinator and came to GEDI in 2015 when CGS merged with the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) to form GEDI. Heflin has been serving as a Manager of Outreach Programs within GEDI since 2019. In this role, she managed all training unit employees, over 100 training, professional development and certification programs, hosted numerous conferences and traveled the state to support GEDI’s government and municipal partners. She has also served as Executive Director for the Alabama City/ County Management Association (ACCMA). “Throughout her tenure working at what is now GEDI, Julia has led efforts to train, educate, and equip Alabamians with careers in the public sector with the tools, knowledge, and expertise they need to serve the great State of Alabama. Her dedication can be felt and seen in every county in the state,” said Jeremy Arthur, GEDI Director.

GEDI thanks Julia for her years of exemplary work and dedicated service and wishes her well in her retirement. She leaves behind an outstanding legacy of service to Auburn University, University Outreach, and the state of Alabama.

GEDI Expands Training Department - Welcomes New Staff Members

Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) works with many professional associations to provide continuing education and training required for professional credentialing and job proficiency. Elected officials, municipal employees, economic developers and community and business leaders are just a few of the people GEDI assists with its programs and services. Programs range from just a few hours to several weeks and are designed to meet the specific educational requirements of each discipline. Recently, GEDI re-structured its training department to add more staff and resources to better serve those we train.

Join us in welcoming our new staff members:

Dr. Matt Ulmer joined GEDI as Assistant Director of Training and Education in August of 2023. In this role, he provides leadership and oversight to the institute’s training programs. Prior to returning to GEDI, Matt served eight years as a Community Development State Specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. While pursuing his doctorate at Auburn, Matt served as GEDI’s graduate research assistant and conducted policy research, supported institute programs, and assisted with community initiatives. A three-time Auburn graduate, Matt holds a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree from Auburn and a masters degree from the University of Virginia.

Matt lives in Auburn with his wife Mallory and daughter Amory. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, supporting Auburn sports teams, and traveling.

Nicole Stafford joined the GEDI team in June of 2023 in the role of Training Program Specialist. Previously, she spent six years in the Harbert College of Business as an Admissions Advisor. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn and is a fourth generation Auburn Alumnus. Nicole is an avid supporter of the arts, is passionate about lifelong learning and embraces the cultural and educational opportunities the Auburn-Opelika areas provide. She grew up in Auburn and is delighted to be back on The Plains among friends and family.

flyer for Greece Community Outreach Service Learning - spring break 2024

Greece Community Outreach Service-Learning Program

Join Outreach Global's

9 day community outreach and nonprofit service-learning program abroad in Greece.

March 1 - March 9, 2024

Application Deadline: Is Oct. 25, 2023.

Find out more Here!

Auburn University Rural Health Initiative:

Partnering with communities to increase access to high quality and affordable health and wellness care throughout rural Alabama.

Two doctors serve a small Alabama town.

What's next when they retire?:

Health News: NPR npr.org

Writing Our Lives – 2023

Members of OLLI at Auburn have been writing their life stories in Writing Our Lives every term for eighteen years. To read their stories in the current anthology of collected work, go to WRITING OUR LIVES 2023

Terry Ley, instructor

Writing Our Lives - collection of stories by OLLI at Auburn University seniors

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

GEDI/EDAA Leadership Institute Courses:

https://www.auburn.edu/outreach/gedi/edaaleadership/#courses

Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E)

October 11, 2023 - online

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development

November 9, 2023 - online

ACCMA Local Government Professional Management Certification Program

https://www.auburn.edu/outreach/gedi/accma/#registrationschedule

Leadership and Effective Public Management

November 8-9, 2023 - Auburn and Online

Laws and Ethics for Public Management

December 14-15, 2023 - Auburn and Online

Economic and Community Development

February 8-9, 2024 - Auburn and Online

Human Resource Management and Staff Effectiveness

March 7-8, 2024 - Auburn and Online

Public Budgeting and Financial Management

April 16-17, 2024 - Auburn and Online

Join us in making a difference!

"As a land-grant institution, Auburn University is dedicated

to improving the lives of the people of Alabama, the nation, and the world through forward-thinking education, life-enhancing research and scholarship, and selfless service."

― Auburn University Mission

213 Samford Hall, Auburn, AL 36849 • (334) 844-5700

https://www.auburn.edu/outreach/

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