“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.”