Stacy Jones has been named director of the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, effective immediately.

Jones, formerly the associate director for governmental training, education and development at UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, has served as interim director of the Georgia Center since Jan. 1, 2020.

“Stacy’s expertise managing a large portfolio of continuing education and outreach programming made her the ideal person to step in when the former Georgia Center director retired,” said Jennifer L. Frum, vice president for UGA Public Service and Outreach. “Just a few months into the position, she adeptly managed the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. I have no doubt Stacy will lead the Georgia Center’s outstanding team into a successful future, post-pandemic.”

The Georgia Center is a 300,000-square-foot facility that opened in 1957 as part of a grant from the Kellogg Foundation to UGA. The center’s expansive continuing education programs focus on conferences and professional development both online and through the use of two auditoriums, nine conference rooms, five executive boardrooms and a computer training lab. The building also houses 195 hotel rooms, banquet areas, a full-service restaurant and a café.

At the Vinson Institute, Jones led a multi-million dollar operation that includes partnerships and programming with state agencies; local governments; the major associations representing Georgia’s cities and counties; associations of clerks, human resource officers, and finance officers; and economic development organizations across Georgia. She has led the development and delivery of continuing education, training, and professional conferences for thousands of state and local government officials. In fall 2016, Jones served as interim director of the Carl Vinson Institute, during a temporary leadership transition in Public Service and Outreach.

Prior to coming to UGA, Jones was chief development officer for Clearview Regional Medical Center, now Piedmont Walton Hospital, in Monroe, Georgia. As a member of the senior executive team, she managed business development for the 77-bed acute care hospital, overseeing physician recruitment, creating and executing marketing campaigns, and developing patient loyalty and affinity programs.

Jones earned her Ed.D. in higher education management, and a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences from UGA. She also has an MPA from Troy State University.