CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 07/07/04

FACS Names Associate Dean for Outreach, Extension

Dr. Atiles brings broad experience to his new position as associate dean,” according to Sharon Y. Nickols, FACS dean. “In particular, the research he has conducted with colleagues on the needs of Georgia’s burgeoning Latino communities and the lack of housing for our state’s workforce represents his commitment to developing collaborations with a variety of university, community, state and national groups. These partnerships expand our college’s impact throughout the state.”

“I want to raise awareness throughout the state about our programs, market our strengths, and continue to build the connections and networks that Dr. Rodgers has established during his tenure,” Atiles said. “We have a wealth of knowledge that’s constantly being expanded through the research of our faculty.”

As outreach and extension programs deal with the long-term impact of budget constraints, Atiles said he will continue to work closely with faculty to secure external grants and establish cooperative ventures with outside organizations.

Atiles earned his Ph.D. in 1995 in Housing, Interior Design and Resource Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; his master’s degree in 1990 in Urban and Regional Planning, also from Virginia Tech; and his bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1986 from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña in the Dominican Republic.

Prior to joining UGA, he served on the administrative team of the National Housing Bank of the Dominican Republic; worked as an adjunct faculty member at the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña; as an instructor at Virginia Tech; and as a housing manager with the Human and Economic Development Department for Athens-Clarke County.

Some of Atiles’ most noted work has included securing external funding from state and federal agencies, developing networks for extension and conducting applied research on the needs of Georgia’s growing Latino population.

“Being Latino is a benefit in that I, of course, speak Spanish and this has allowed me to understand the backgrounds and cultures of some of Georgia’s newest residents,” Atiles said. “But I think it’s essential to recognize that all Georgians benefit from the outreach and extension programs the College of Family and Consumer Sciences provides and to work with my colleagues to find new ways to provide the tools of knowledge to help all of our citizens improve their quality of life.”

Dan Rahn is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Denise Horton is the public relations coordinator for the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Constance C. Crawley
Jorge Horacio Atiles
Graduating students take selfie photos during the fireworks display at UGA's 2023 undergraduate Commencement ceremony at Sanford Stadium. By Dorothy Kozlowski CAES News
CAES to celebrate new graduates during May 9 convocation 04/18/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
As another academic year draws to a close, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is gearing up for its Athens campus convocation ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at The Classic Center in Athens. “Each year, it’s an honor to celebrate the success of our CAES graduates,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “It’s amazing what these students accomplish during their time with us, and I’m always excited to commemorate this next step in their lives as they continue on to either further studies or the start of their careers.”
A student harvests red clover at UGArden. CAES News
UGA horticulture class shows students the science behind herbal remedies 04/16/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
The field of medicine is ever-changing, and the use of herbal medicines may play a bigger role in health care as the value of natural remedies gain recognition in the Western world. Students at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are delving into the field of medicinal remedies through the class “Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants.” Offered to undergraduate students through the Department of Horticulture, the class helps students develop a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and health.
Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms CAES News
Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms 04/15/24 David Mitchell
During the pandemic, labor problems became acute on many farms in Georgia and across the country. Farms once staffed by humans to bring produce from the field to stores for purchase were suddenly short-staffed, and the global supply chain was severely impacted. Working with UGA’s Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center and A&M Farms in Lyons, Georgia, a team of researchers led by School of Computing Professor Prashant Doshi is designing collaborative robots to mitigate some of these potential challenges.
2024 honorees are William D. Branch, Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and Elzie Argene Claxton, an agriculture educator and 1980 CAES agricultural education graduate who went on to earn a master’s degree in 1982 and education specialist degree in 1984 from UGA’s College of Education. CAES News
Innovator, educator inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame 04/11/24 Maria M. Lameiras
An innovator in peanut breeding whose research revitalized an industry and an ardent champion of agricultural education were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame at the 68th University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association Awards in Athens. The 2024 honorees are William D. Branch, Georgia Seed Development Professor in Peanut Breeding and Genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and Elzie Argene Claxton, an agriculture educator and 1980 CAES agricultural education graduate.
Peach growers are looking forward to a fruitful season as the weather this winter and spring have been near-perfect for the sensitive crop. This year is projected to be a much-needed comeback from the disastrous season they experienced after a late freeze in March 2023 took out more than 90% of the state's crop. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA) CAES News
Growers hopeful 2024 peach season will rebound from disastrous 2023 04/10/24 Emily Cabrera
Last year, the peach industry lost $60 million due to the late freeze that hit much of the Southeast in mid-March 2023, said Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent for Peach and Taylor counties. With no freezing temperatures in the forecast and hope for strong pricing during the upcoming season, peach growers are looking forward to a much-needed rebound year.
UGA wheat breeder and geneticist Mohamed Mergoum smells one of several test brews created by Creature Comforts on its annual Get Comfortable collaboration using a variety of wheat Mergoum developed at CAES. CAES News
Creature Comforts partners with UGA wheat breeder to create 2024 Get Comfortable brew 04/09/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile. These two exacting professions came together this spring when Athens-based Creature Comforts Brewing Co. reached out to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to find a sustainable wheat variety they could use to make a good beer for a great cause.