Alison Bracewell McCullick will join the University of Georgia Office of Government Relations as its community relations coordinator starting Jan. 11, according to Griff Doyle, UGA vice president for government relations.

“Alison is an outstanding addition to the university’s efforts to develop beneficial partnerships across Athens-Clarke County and surrounding counties,” Doyle said. “As a university with more than 200 years in this community, our positive local relationships have been integral to the character and success of the University of Georgia. I look forward to growing that relationship and seeing where Alison’s leadership takes us.”

In her new role, McCullick will head the Office of Community Relations, replacing the recently retired Pat Allen. The office serves as the primary liaison between UGA and the Athens-Clarke County government, businesses, neighborhoods, nonprofit organizations, community leaders and individuals.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the University of Georgia and my hometown in this very meaningful way,” McCullick said. “Community engagement for me is both a passion and a professional privilege. I look forward to continuing the important work of enhancing town-and-gown partnerships that will benefit both our students and citizens.”

McCullick brings more than 20 years of experience in government and community relations to her new position. A native of Athens and a graduate of UGA, she currently is the director of outreach and communications for the GRU/UGA Medical Partnership.

Before joining the Medical Partnership, she spent seven years in state government, working in the office of Secretary of State Cathy Cox. After serving as special projects coordinator from 1999 to 2002, McCullick became the statewide voter education coordinator.  She helped establish training and outreach programs in all 159 counties and was invited to present information about the voter education program to a variety of state and national organizations around the country.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Furman University in 1995, McCullick served as associate director of intergovernmental affairs at the White House for two years. She worked with state and local elected officials before returning to Athens, where she received her Master of Public Administration from UGA in 1999.

McCullick is president of the Clarke County Mentor Program; a member of the Clarke County Board of Elections, David C. Barrow Elementary School PTA, Palladia and Athens Rotary Club; a council member at Athens First United Methodist Church; a past president of the Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary; a sustaining member of the Junior League of Athens; and a past board member of St. Mary’s Young Professionals Board, Whatever It Takes/Family Connection/Communities in Schools, OneAthens health and education committees. She is a 2006 graduate of the LEAD Athens program, as well as a 2006 graduate of Leadership Georgia.