Achieving Our Strategic Plan: Each unit contributes toward meeting the Augusta University mission and furthering our strategic plan. Following is an ongoing list that chronicles our journey to become a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, health care, discovery, creativity, and innovation.
Strategic Priority 1: Be a National Model
Strategic Priority 2: Be a Comprehensive Research University
Strategic Priority 3: Be a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Leader
Strategic Priority 4: Provide Service
Strategic Priority 5: Optimize our Potential
Strategic Priority 6: Diversity and Inclusion Across all Missions
Strategic Priority 1: Be a National Model
OfferedNurse Executive Track,which is among the first few in the nation and the ONLY 1 in Georgia.
Achieved National Recognition as aCenter of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Educationby National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security.
Enrolled first cohort of students inPh.D. in Applied Health Sciencesin fall 2015. Enrollment in 2016 doubled.
Held Leonardo Arts and Science Evening rendezvous(LASER) talkshosted by the College of Allied Health Sciences and presented by the Department of Art.
CelebratedDepartment of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work‘s 50 years as a department.
Signed articulation agreement with the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School (NCS) on October 12, 2016, to increaseeducational opportunities for NCS students.
Earned reaccreditation for theMaster of Public Administration programby the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.
Earned full 8-year accreditation for theMedical College of Georgiaby the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
Recognized by NCAA forWomen’s Golf Teamranking in top 10 percentile of the Division I Academic Progress Rate for 2014-2015 academic year and earned the NCAA’s Public Recognition Award.
Named to theVictory Media’s Military Friendly Schools Listfor 3 years.
UnderwentSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Reaffirmationin 2016 and received a “no recommendations” evaluation.
Revealed newmace and sealduring May 2016 commencement.
Branded, and the new branding campaign rolled out for theUniversityandHealth System.
Changed name toAugusta University.
Changed name to theDental College of Georgia.
Strategic Priority 2: Be a Comprehensive Research University
Dr. Teal Benevides was featured on the “Means Report” andWFXGto discuss her latest research project, “Priority Setting to Improve Health Outcomes: Autistic Adults and Other Stakeholders Engage Together.” The project recently received $250,000 from the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement award.
Dr. Nagy Youssef, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University, is exploring the use ofspiritual therapy to treat veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The article regarding his efforts has been published in more than 40 publications across the country, includingThe Washington TimesandMiami Herald.
A$9.4 million Program Project Grantfrom the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute helps scientists explore how cell death from high blood pressure fuels even higher pressure.
Enrolled first cohort of students in Ph.D. in Applied Health Sciences in fall 2015. Enrollment in 2016 doubled.
Enrolled first cohort of students in Master of Science in Allied Health Science with a concentration in Nutrition in fall 2016.
Offered a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis onMusical Theaterin fall 2016.
Graduated first cohort of students in spring 2016 from theDietetic Internshipof the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Established first two Living Learning Communities in fall 2016 for freshman STEM majors.
Received BOR approval forMasters of Science in Information Security Managementin Hull College of Business to begin January 2017 (now in the School for Computer & Cyber Sciences).
Offered Nonprofit Leadership Certificatestarting fall 2016.
Inauguratedstate-of-the-art cyber facilityfor the Cyber Institute in September 2016 containing 9,000-square-feet of dedicated space in University Hall, including a state-of-the-art cyber lab, a study lounge for students, a cyber coffee bar area and 15 offices.
Opened new student housing facilities,Oak Hall and ElmHall.
Strategic Priority 3: Be a Nationally & Internationally Recognized Leader
AddedHonors Scholars Trackin fall 2016 for students who already completed 24 or more credit hours and wish to take advantage of the Honors Program’s offerings.
Honors student, Asma Daoudi, namedStudent of the Year by National Collegiate Honors Councilin December 2015.
College of Nursing Ranked Programs:Clinical Nurse Leaderprogram is ranked TOP 10 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Graduate Schools rankings.Doctor of Nursing Practice,Nursing Anesthesia Program, andMaster of Science in Nursingare among the TOP 100 in the nation.Online Graduate Nursing Programis in the Top 50.
Hull College of Businessranked by The Princeton Review’s 2016 edition ofThe Best 295 Business Schoolsas one of the nation’s top business schools.
Hull College of Businessranked among top 50 U.S. schools having the most affordable MBA degree program by online business education and career guide Top Management Degrees.
College of Allied Health Sciences’Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administrationprogram ranks 4thfor Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Health Informatics according to College Choice.
Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences’Bachelor of Social Workprogram ranks among the 50 Best Bachelor’s in Social Work according to College Choice.
Medical College of Georgiaclimbed from the 76thto 73rdbest medical schools for research by the U.S. News and World Report.
Carton Deese, the associate director at Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, and Dr. Nicholas Madden, a radiation oncology resident for the Georgia Cancer Center, were named to the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce/Augusta Magazine 2016 list ofTop 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. Also, Deese was chosen as one ofGeorgia Trend’s “40 Under 40.”
Dr. Jedidiah Ballard named the2016 Ultimate Men’s Health GuybyMen’s Healthmagazine during a live broadcast of the NBC Today show.
Dr. Arnab Barik, a neuroscience PhD program graduate, and the Xiong and Mei Labs were featured on thecover of theJournal of Neuroscience.
Division 2 Athletic Directors Association Achievement Awardhonored 26 student-athletes for the 2015-2016 year.
Pardon Ndhlovu, an alumnus and volunteer assistant coach, finished 41stin the 2016 men’sOlympic marathon.
Dr. Samir N. Khleif represented the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University at theNational Cancer Moonshot Summitheld June 2016, in Washington, D.C.
The inaugural issue ofA., Augusta University’s Alumni Magazine, was awarded a2016 American Inhouse Design Awardfrom Graphic Design USA.
Peach Belt Hall of Fame inductees: Marvin Vanover was first commissioner of the Peach Belt Conference and served for 16 years. Ben Madgen finished a four-year basketball career in 2010 as one of the most accomplished players in Peach Belt history. Mary Lisko ended a 20-year tenure in 2006 and was the Assistant Dean of the College of Business Administration, Director of Student Support and Advising, and the Faculty Athletic Representative for 17 years.
MCG Department of Emergency Medicine teamtook home first prize in the national SonoGames, a competition for emergency ultrasound.
Graduating ROTC cadet Jake Padgett was commissioned into theUnited States Armyduring the May 2016 commencement.
Jaguar Archery Groupwon two national championships in March 2016 at the 47thU.S. National Indoor championship and also at the United States Collegiate Archery Association National Indoor Championship.
Dr. Brian K. Stansfield, neonatologist at Children’s Hospital of Georgia, received the2016 Clinical Science Young Investigator Awardfrom the Southern Society for Pediatric Research.
Aubrey Hinkson, director of marketing, was named toDTC Perspectives’ 2016 Top Hospital Marketers of the Yearlist.
Dr. Frederick Rueggeberg, a professor at the Dental College of Georgia, received theOmicron Kappa Upsilon Stephen H. Leeper Award for Teaching Excellencein March 2016.
Third-year dental student, Eric Anderson, received theDistrict 4 Delegate of the Year Awardat the American Student Dental Association Annual Session.
Men’s Tennisadvanced to the 20thbest team in the nation according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Men’s National Team Rankings release on March 23, 2016.
Disc Golf Clubwon National Collegiate Disc Golf Championship for third year, which is more national championship disc golf titles than any other U.S. team.
Dr. Selina Smith, director of the Institute of Public and Preventive Health (IPPH), was namedPresident of the Georgia Public Health Association.
TheBaseball Teamranked 18thin the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) national poll in 2016.
For 15 consecutive years,Augusta University Healthhas been the only local hospital to have its physicians ranked among the top 1 percent in the nation and included in the list ofAmerica’s Top Doctors®.
Dr. Brenda Seago, professor and director of Libraries, was awarded the2016 President’s Award by the Medical Library Association (MLA), which is one of MLA’s highest honors.
Jaguarslisted as best college basketball team in Georgia by HERO Sports.
Two gold awards, one silver award, and two merit awards were won by Augusta University and advertising agency Wier/Stewart at the31stAnnual Educational Advertising Awards.
Men’s Golf Head Coach Jack O’Keefe was inducted into the2016 Arkansas Golf Hall of Famein February 2016.
Competition Cheerleading Teamtook first place at the CheerSport Regionals and were named Grand Champions for the college level four division on January 23, 2016.
Kinesiology Pro Consult, an app developed by members of the Occupational Therapy and the Instructional Design and Development departments, won gold in the EdTech category of the Design 100 2015 App Design Awards.
Celebrated the 50thanniversary of theNurse Practitionerdegree program in 2015.
The Honor Society ofPhi Kappa Phirecognized the Augusta University chapter as a Chapter of Excellence, which is the highest commendation a chapter can receive.
Robert B. Greenblatt Libraryreceived the 2015 Consortium of Southern Biomedical Libraries (CONBLS) Distinguished Library Award.
College of Nursingranked No. 1 nursing school in the Eastern region in 2015 byNurse Journal.
Karin Gillespie, part-time instructor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages, was awarded a 2016 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the Romance category for her novelGirl Meets Class.
Held the annualAugusta University Half Marathon and 10Kon February 28, 2016. The 10K sold out for the first time.
Hosted the17thAnnual Phi Kappa Phi Student Research and Fine Arts Conferenceon March 18th, 2016.
Joined with American Heart Association on March 5, 2016, for the2016 CSRA Heart Walk.
Crystal Smith, lead exercise physiologist at Augusta University’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, released her second bookThe Centered Woman: Focused. Beautiful. Happy.
Dr. Paulette Harris, Cree-Walker Professor of Education in the College of Education and leader of the Literacy Center, published her bookLeading Literacy Programs: Proven Practices.
Senior z Wiggins received first place for her video “Hyperthyroidism: Not As Grave As It Seems” in the2016 American Physiological Society’s Phantastic Physiology Voyage “Function Follows Form” Video Contest.
Shellie Smitley and Timothy Howard won first and second place in the category of undergraduate research papers at the American Journalism Historians Association’s Southeast Symposium on January 30, 2016.
Won Best Research Presentation Awards by 3 physics students in their respective sections at the2016 American Physical Society’sMarch Meeting.
Tara Cramer, executive director of the Georgia Regional Academic Community Health Information Exchange (GRAChIE), was a winner of the2015 Health IT Outcomes Change Agent Award.
Professor Richard Deaner of the College of Education was named the recipient of theBoard of Regents’ 2016 Teaching Excellence Award,which is the University System of Georgia’s highest honor for faculty.
Dr. Lovoria B. Williams was 1 of 88 nurse practitioner leaders to be inducted into theFellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)to recognize her outstanding contributions to health care.
Dr. Michael W. Brands, a professor in the Department of Physiology, and Dr. Mark Hamrick, a professor in the Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy, were namedRegent’s Professors.
Mathematics students won first place in the Mathematical Association of America Southeastern Section’s (MAASE) spring 2016Math Jeopardy competition.
Beth Bryson, parking and transportation manager in the Department of parking and Transportation, was recognized as the2016 Parking Supervisor of the Yearby the Parking Association of Georgia.
Dr. Pamela Cromer, associate professor of biobehavioral nursing in the College of Nursing, was awarded the2016 AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence, which is given annually in each state.
Mathematics students took first place at theEagle Undergraduate Mathematics Conference2016 Team Problem Solving Contest.
Partnered with colleges and universities across Georgia through a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities as a part ofThe Young Adult Program.
Bettie William’s bookThe Rake’s Talewas published October 26, 2015.
Dr. Sandra Inglett, assistant professor of biobehavioral nursing, was selected as one of the2015 Nurse of the Year Georgia finalistsby the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Selection Committee.
Strategic Priority 4: Provide Service
On February 8, 2017, 22 Dental College of Georgia students volunteered forLessons in a Lunch Box, an oral health literacy initiative developed by the Children’s Oral Health Institute that brings oral health care to grade school students. Special lunch boxes, which contained floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste, were delivered to 154 first and second grade students at Lamar-Milledge Elementary School.
The grand opening of theAcademic Success Centeron January 9, 2017, commemorated the introduction of a valuable new resource for students. The center focuses on assisting freshmen and sophomores through tutoring and teaching useful tools and techniques about how to study for college.
OnGive Kids a Smile Day, more than 150 children from New Holland, Rollins and Monte Sano Elementary Schools were given free cleanings, screenings and other dental health services by students and faculty with the Dental College of Georgia and the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Offered twoGenCyber Campfor high school students in the summer 2015/2016, and offered the firstGenCyber Middle Grades Teacher Campin summer 2016.
OfferedCyber Georgia @ Augusta University, which was the third annualCyber Education Summit, in collaboration with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in October 2016 and featured CIA Director John BrennanandNSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett.
Chief of the National Security Agency’s Tailored Access Operations (TAO), Rob Joyce, spoke on September 10, 2016 atBSidesAugusta 2016.
Signed amemorandum of understanding(MOU) on Friday, April 15, 2016, with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence to share resources and help develop a cyber-trained workforce.
Ranked a 2017“Best for Vets” Universityaccording to a recent report from the Military Times.
Hosted the annualNuclear Science Week Education Dayon October 19, 2016, by the College of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Science and Mathematics for students from Richmond County Technical Career Magnet High School, Evans High, and Aiken Career and Technology Center.
A study appeared first in the nation to examine theimpact of vitamin K supplementsas a safe alternative to lower the risk of cardiovascular risk of obese children. A total of 60 children ages 8 to 17 will participate in the study.
Raised nearly $17,000 for Children’s Hospital of Georgia during the inauguralDance Marathonon October 28, 2016, by a new student-run organization called Jaguar Miracle.
Provided examinations, health screenings, and bilingual information for female farmworkers at afree health clinichosted by students on October 28, 2016.
Offered the Study Abroad Experienceto Jamaica for Occupational Therapy studentsto work with children and adults with disabilities.
Children’s Hospital of Georgiawas recently reaccredited for another three years by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for high-quality performance inpediatric echocardiography.
Augusta University Healthretainedlevel 4 status, the highest accreditation possible, from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers for its comprehensiveadult and pediatric epilepsy program.
College of Nursing awarded $350,000 to increase number of primary careAdvanced Practice Register Nurses (APRNs)in rural and/or undeserved communities in Georgia.
New Augusta University Health CEO Lee Ann Liska focusing on improving patient safety and satisfaction.
Provided rapid stroke care using a web cam through theREACH program’stissue plasminogen activator (tPA) over the last 13 years to more than 1,000 people in rural Georgia and South Carolina.
Augusta University Health earned CEO Cancer Gold Standard reaccreditation for maintaining a strong commitment to the health of its employees and satisfying the latest, comprehensive requirements of the Gold Standard.
Augusta University Healthagrees to share expertise in health care operations and management with the 56-bed Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville, Georgia.
Newborns with meconium aspiration who are placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) atChildren’s Hospital of Georgiahave the highest survival rates (97%) when compared to the national averages of ECMO Centers with comparable volumes.
Augusta University Healthearned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star designation for a third time. It is the only hospital in Georgia which holds the designation for 2016 and, as of April, one of only six medical centers in the country.
A May 2016 report by the Georgia Hospital Association noted Augusta University Health and its partnership with the state’s Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals generated close to$1.3 billion in revenuefor the local and state economy.
Hosted annualmiddle school Model United Nations Conferenceon March 16, 2016.
Held the 18thannualImpacting Student Learning Conferencein March 2016.
Hosted more than 100 student presenters at the33rdannual Georgia Collegiate Honors Council Conferenceon February 27, 2016.
Augusta University Healthearned three patient care quality and safety awards in 2016 from the Partnership for Health and Accountability, an affiliate of the Georgia Hospital Association.
Students and faculty from theDental College of Georgia and College of Allied Health Sciencesprovided free dental care for local children on February 5, 2016.
Hosted training session on ultrasound diagnostics for Army doctors from Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Eisenhowerat theMedical College of Georgia.
As part of the Transformation Agenda,Adult Inpatient Medicineopened a 15 all-private-bed medicine unit on 8 South in December 2015.
Piloted aPatient Discharge Loungeon 5 North in the Oncology Library to enhance patient throughput.
Men’s basketball team hosted second annualEducation Day gamefor over 2,500 Richmond County fifth graders on December 15, 2016.
Received the final order on November 23, 2015, from the Commissioner of DCH awarding the Certificate of Need to build a100-bed hospital in Grovetown.
Named anEngine of Opportunity schoolin 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education for offering affordable education to low-income students and contributing to their mobility into the middle class.
Augusta University Health was presented theHarry Orme, M.D., Partnership Awardfor exemplary Patient- and Family-Centered Care at the national PFCC Conference in California in October 2015.
Unveiled in 2015 a $25.8 million plan by Augusta University Health to renovate the clinical facilities at the historicRoosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation & Specialty Hospitals.
Augusta University Health purchased a 30-percent ownership in theSurgery Center of Columbia County.
Children’s Hospital of Georgiaranks No. 1 in pediatric care for all of 2014 according to the latest Quality and Safety Management Report from the University HealthSystem Consortium.
June 2015 marks the 10-year celebration of theAugusta University Medical Associates, Lake Oconee Village.
TheBreast Cancer Team of the Georgia Cancer Centerwas accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Center, a program administered by the American College of Surgeons in fall of 2015.
Child Life Services Manager Kym Allen namedWRDW’s September 2016 Time to Care Awardrecipient for working with young patients at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Bart’s Heart, a children’s book written by Dr. Cargill H. Alleyne Jr., won second place at the 2015 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards.
TheCarlos and Marguerite Mason Trustawarded Augusta University nearly $1.5 million to help fund the consolidated and expanded kidney transplant clinic.
Strategic Priority 5: Optimize our Potential
A$1 million gift from the Medical College of Georgia Foundationwill help establish a new scholarship and further diversify the state’s public medical school.
John “Jay” Heslen, assistant professor of political science and cyber, received a $284,434 2017CyberSecurity Core Curriculum Development Grantfrom the National Security Agency. The grant supports the President’s Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP), and one of its primary goals is to develop publically available core cyber curricula and prepare graduates for work in federal cybersecurity positions.
A partnership between thePamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Westobouwill provide more opportunities for students while helping the arts organization further solidify itself as one of Augusta’s leading cultural institutions.
On February 14, 2017, the newly remodeled gift shop at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia opened and was renamedRe:sourxe Gifts by Sodexo. Re:sourxe offers more service hours, including evening and weekend hours, a great merchandise selection and an e-commerce site.
On February 22, 2017,Dessert with Deansallows students and others to connect with the academic leadership at Augusta University.
Hospitality is the 3rd-largest employer in Augusta, and Augusta University is focusing on this all-important industry with the introduction of its newHospitality Administration Certificate Program.
Augusta University Health unveils a newpost-anesthesia care unit, which adds seven new bays for a total of 25 anesthesia and surgical recovery rooms.
Augusta University Health signed 15-year master service agreement with Beckman Coulter in October 2016.
The2016 IGIVE fundraiserfor Augusta University exceeded its $1 million goal for the second consecutive year.
Cerner’s Capacity Management Patient Flow systemwas implemented hospital-wide on December 15, 2015, to improve patient throughput and increase staff and patient satisfaction.
The 15thannualCares for Kids Radiothonfor Children’s Hospital of Georgia raised almost $205,000.
Held second annualDance Dashin November 2015 to raise money for Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Implemented theCare Facilitation Divisionon all nursing units.
TheStudent Counseling & Psychological Serviceswas featured in aChronicle of Higher Educationarticleconcerning how campus counseling centers are meeting rising demand from students.
Strategic Priority 6: Diversity and Inclusion Across all Missions
A signature event on February 7, 2017, recognizing the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University’s first black students and a keynote address from a former U.S. surgeon general will commence a yearlong celebration of the50thanniversary of the desegregation of the state’s public medical school.
University Libraries received $10,000Latin American history grantin summer 2015.
The Cardiology Fellowship program at the Medical College of Georgia is the recipient of the2016 Spirit of the Heart Diversity in Cardiology Awardfrom the Association of Black Cardiologists.
1 of 5 Georgia institutions which received the2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) awardfrom INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
9 mentees from universities across the country participated in Augusta University’s Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-related Research(PRIDE) Summer Institute, which is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Senior sociology major Kathryn DelGenio was awardedThe Welcoming Project’s 2016 Undergraduate Scholarship Awardfor her contributions to the field of LGBTQ activism.
The annualDr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebrationhosted by Augusta University, Paine College, and Augusta Technical College was held January 15, 2016.
International Education Week, a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, was held November 2015.