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Oliver

Jenny Penney Oliver, a senior academic professional and associate head of the University of Georgia College of Education’s department of counseling and human development services, has been appointed as a board member of the Clarke County Department of Family and Children Services.

Oliver, who coordinates the Ph.D. program in counseling and student personnel services, and the Ed.S. program in professional school counseling at UGA’s Gwinnett Campus, was appointed to a five-year term to the five-member DFCS board by Athens-Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson and the Athens-Clarke County Commission.

The board’s primary role is to be the link between the state Division of Family and Children Services and the Athens-Clarke County community.  Its role is a combination of advocacy, resource development, political activism, staff relations, customer service and administrative functions.  The board meets monthly.

Oliver has introduced and facilitated multicultural reform initiatives in K-12 public schools and communities, and now directs the College of Education’s initiative in multicultural education.   From 2002-07, Oliver co-directed a comprehensive partnership with UGA, the Clarke County School District and the Athens community toward improved academic achievement for all students in the district.  She is a charter member and former Board of Directors member of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) and serves on the Board of the Georgia Chapter of NAME.   She is also a member of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and the American Counseling Association. Oliver is active in her community and has served on the Boards of the Foundation for Excellence in Education and L.E.A.D. Athens.