Oliver Named 2004 Distinguished Alumna at NC State University College of Education

Jenny Penney Oliver, director of academic initiatives in UGA's College of Education has been named 2004 Distinguished Alumna at North Carolina State University's College of Education.

Oliver, co-director of the Partnership for Community Learning Centers Initiative, a collaborative effort between UGA, Clarke County Schools and the Athens-Clarke County community to raise student achievement, holds a M.Ed. in education and a B.A. in psychology from North Carolina State University. She received her Ph.D. in counselor education and educational psychology from Kansas State University.

Oliver is also director of the Dean's Council on Diversity and a member of the board of directors of the National Association for Multicultural Education, serving as co-chair for the 2005 national conference in Atlanta. While at N.C. State, she served as the director of the International Living and Learning program.

Earlier this fall, Oliver and five others were honored by UGA's Office of Institutional Diversity for “exemplary efforts to advance the university's mission of promoting diversity and maintaining academic excellence.”

Oliver was awarded for her work to establish a multicultural initiative at UGA as part of the College of Education's strategic agenda and then led advancement of that initiative. She has functioned as the coordinator and organizer for college-wide activities and planning related to multicultural education and, at the institutional level, has served on the President's Council for Minority Affairs.

“Returning to N.C. State to do my master's degree in the College of Education clearly set in motion my professional path,” Oliver said. “I am pleased that the direction I have taken and the outcomes and effects that may have resulted are considered worthy of this recognition.”  

“Dr. Oliver has made great contributions to education, particularly in the multicultural arena,” College of Education Dean Kathryn Moore said. “Jenny embodies the spirit of leadership and caring our college encourages in all our graduates. We are honored to call her one of our own.”

Monday, November 15, 2004

WRITER: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
CONTACT: Jenny Penney Oliver, 706/583-8145, jpo@coe.uga.edu