Dessa Benson

Services
& Research
- - Services & Research
  - - Leaders throughout the state can improve operations and plan effectively for the future with the help of practical, customized assistance that we provide. This assistance takes a variety of forms, from economic development to human resources management and planning and environmental services.
- - Economic Development
    - - Economic Development
      - Governments seeking assistance with their economic development activities turn to us for specialized services such as research, technical assistance and training. We can help provide the building blocks for your community’s overall economic development efforts.
  - Fiscal & Economic Analysis
    - - Fiscal & Economic Analysis
      - We analyze cost allocation and create fiscal impact studies to analyze the fiscal and economic impact on your government.
  - Strategic Planning
    - - Strategic Planning
      - Every government organization needs a plan to guide its use of resources including employee time and use of funds. We help governments develop their strategic plans and identify the implementation steps necessary to achieve their goals.
  - Planning & Environmental Services
    - - Planning & Environmental Services
      - Government and community leaders planning for growth and addressing challenging environmental issues can make better informed decisions and craft innovative solutions with our help. Faculty expertise includes land use planning, downtown revitalization, environmental management and corridor planning and design.
  - Human Resources Management
    - - Human Resources Management
      - Whether a government wants to ensure that its employees are being paid in line with current standards, carry out an executive search or establish up-to-date promotional testing, our human resources management faculty are ready to offer expertise and experience that can help.
  - Survey Research & Evaluation
    - - Survey Research & Evaluation
      - We provide timely support for policy research and technical assistance activities for state and local governments as well as for other university programs. Our evaluation experts are skilled at assessing the effectiveness of different endeavors, from individual programs to interdepartmental or even system wide efforts.
  - Applied Demography
    - - Applied Demography
      - We provide Georgia leaders at all levels of government with regularly updated and consistent population data. This data is needed for informing their policy decisions, which range from aging to zoning.
  - State & Local Government Services
    - - State & Local Government Services
      - State and local government leaders come to us for reliable, objective information, customized assistance and government expertise that provide insights into the issues they face. State and local government leaders can benefit from insights and information that might otherwise be unavailable if not for our customized, comprehensive studies on such issues as annexation, tax and expenditure, financials and local government consolidation.
  - Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center
    - - Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center
      - The Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center highlights our commitment to serving and empowering local and state leaders as they plan for the future of a more prosperous Georgia. The center serves as a central hub for programs and services designed to support Georgia’s continued economic and workforce competitiveness and assist our state, local, and regional partners on workforce and economic development strategy, decision-making, and implementation.
  - Data Analytics and Visualization Services
    - - Data Analytics and Visualization Services
      - State agencies, universities, school systems, local governments, development authorities, and other government organizations come to the Institute of Government for specialized data analytics and visualization services to improve their decision-making processes. We help turn administrative data into insights and information to improve decision-making and quality control.
  - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
    - - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
      - The mission of the Institute’s Georgia Data Innovation Hub is to convene, train, and provide technical assistance to raise the capabilities of government employees doing data analytics, data visualization, and predictive analytics. The Data Hub offers course instruction and peer learning opportunities through quarterly webinars, certification programs, and an annual conference.
Training
& Education
- - Training & Education
  - - Each year, thousands of elected and appointed government officials and administrators enroll in continuing education opportunities offered by the Institute of Government. These officials and administrators take part in over 600 training and education courses that improve their knowledge and skills. Participants benefit from the advanced instructional tools and broad expertise that our instructors bring to all of their education and professional development programs.
- - Online Courses
    - - Online Courses
      - Our online training courses combine the quality training associated with the Institute of Government with the flexibility to meet the needs of busy government employees and elected officials. These courses allow students to progress through their chosen courses at their own pace and on their own schedules without the travel time and related travel expenses commonly accompanying traditional classroom training courses.
  - Leadership Development
    - - Leadership Development
      - State agencies and local governments can create a leadership training curriculum customized to their needs. They can choose from an array of leadership classes designed and taught by our faculty.
  - Economic Development Training
    - - Economic Development Training
      - We offer economic development professionals, development authority and downtown development authority board members, chambers of commerce, and government officials across Georgia an opportunity to participate in training courses that focus on subjects critical to economic development.
  - Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center
    - - Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center
      - The Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center highlights our commitment to serving and empowering local and state leaders as they plan for the future of a more prosperous Georgia. The center serves as a central hub for programs and services designed to support Georgia’s continued economic and workforce competitiveness and assist our state, local, and regional partners on workforce and economic development strategy, decision-making, and implementation.
  - Financial Training
    - - Financial Training
      - We offer a variety of financial training programs for city, county, state, and school system finance and office personnel. Trainings can improve their financial management skills or help them to earn certification.
  - Human Resources Training
    - - Human Resources Training
      - Human Resources professionals can benefit from our training programs that are offered in partnership with GLGPA. We also offer online training opportunities in addition to a 360-degree assessment and executive coaching.
  - Schools
    - - Schools
      - Board of education members can enhance their leadership skills and knowledge of school governance through a six-module training program. The program fulfills the annual training requirements set by the Georgia Department of Education.
  - Custom Training & Retreat Facilitation
    - - Custom Training & Retreat Facilitation
      - We offer a variety of special workshops that are customized to your specific needs for different levels of employees in both state and local governments. Think of special topic workshops as made-to-order training opportunities that can be mixed and matched from our comprehensive menu of courses to fit your needs. Choose only the courses you need so your limited resources have the maximum impact. Planning retreats and customized facilitations offer time in a relaxed, informal atmosphere away from distractions to discuss issues and set goals and priorities. This will better meet current and future organization and community needs.
  - Government Professionals Certificate Programs
    - - Government Professionals Certificate Programs
      - We offer a variety of training courses to help government professionals become certified in their respective fields.
  - Appointed Board Member Training
    - - Appointed Board Member Training
      - Appointed Board Members may be required to complete training as part of their role. Our training focuses on what you need to know to best complete your duties as a Board Member while helping to fulfill mandated training requirements.
  - Legislative Training
    - - Legislative Training
      - Instruction provided to the Georgia General Assembly in the form of training and advanced skill development helps members navigate the world of public service.
  - Conferences
    - - Conferences
      - We work with associations to offer conferencing and training services.
  - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
    - - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
      - The mission of the Institute’s Georgia Data Innovation Hub is to convene, train, and provide technical assistance to raise the capabilities of government employees doing data analytics, data visualization, and predictive analytics. The Data Hub offers course instruction and peer learning opportunities through quarterly webinars, certification programs, and an annual conference.
Information
Technology
- - Information Technology
  - - State and local governments can make more informed decisions and achieve greater efficiency in their operations with the help of geographic information systems (GIS). We are a leader in GIS innovation in Georgia and nationwide while also providing custom application development and data analysis and visualization.
- - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    - - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
      - Turn to us for digital map production, local government GIS services and more. With our experience in the latest cartographic and data management techniques, we are Georgia's leader in GIS technology. Our specialists help government entities realize the benefits of GIS technology and smoothly integrate it into their operations.
  - Custom Application Development
    - - Custom Application Development
      - We design and develop custom solutions to help your organization meet its goals for web enabled software. We offer web development services to cover your needs.
  - Data Analytics and Visualization Services
    - - Data Analytics and Visualization Services
      - State agencies, universities, school systems, local governments, development authorities, and other government organizations come to the Institute of Government for specialized data analytics and visualization services to improve their decision-making processes. We help turn administrative data into insights and information to improve decision-making and quality control.
  - Broadband
    - - Broadband
      - The Georgia Broadband Program turned to the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia to create a map showing precisely which Georgia homes and businesses were served and not served by high-speed internet service.
  - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
    - - Georgia Data Innovation Hub
      - The mission of the Institute’s Georgia Data Innovation Hub is to convene, train, and provide technical assistance to raise the capabilities of government employees doing data analytics, data visualization, and predictive analytics. The Data Hub offers course instruction and peer learning opportunities through quarterly webinars, certification programs, and an annual conference.
  - UGA CyberArch
    - - UGA CyberArch
      - UGA is addressing the challenges of cybersecurity for Georgia’s communities and businesses. UGA CyberArch, facilitated by the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, helps build a broader awareness about cybersecurity threats and strengthens cyber preparation and response actions of city and county governments, K-12 school systems and rural hospitals.
Student
Opportunities
- - Student Opportunities
  - - Students interested in state and local government can gain valuable experience and prepare for careers in public service through a variety of undergraduate and graduate experiential learning opportunities that we offer each semester.
- - Student Opportunities
    - - Student Opportunities
  - Vinson Fellows Program
    - - Vinson Fellows Program
      - The Vinson Fellows Program is an educational opportunity for UGA's undergraduate students interested in state and local government. Through the program, students will have an opportunity to become involved in our training, applied research and technical assistance programs and other projects for state and local governments in Georgia and internationally.
  - Georgia Legislative Internship Program
    - - Georgia Legislative Internship Program
      - Every spring semester, over 50 junior and senior students from Georgia's public and private universities and colleges intern with the Georgia General Assembly. These students gain first-hand experience in the lawmaking process through the Georgia Legislative Internship Program (GLIP). The GLIP was created in the 1970s under the leadership of then Lt. Governor Zell Miller and is a paid internship opportunity coordinated by the Georgia General Assembly.
  - PROPEL Rural Scholars
    - - PROPEL Rural Scholars
      - Learn about rural economic development and community development through hands-on internship
  - Student Stories
    - - Student Stories
      - Learn more about students that work with the Institute of Government through various programs and projects.
About Us
- - About Us
  - - Since 1927, the Institute of Government has worked with public officials throughout Georgia and around the world to improve governance and people's lives.
- - About Us
    - - About Us
  - We Know Georgia
    - - We Know Georgia
      - The Carl Vinson Institute of Government empowers citizens and governments by providing innovative resources and tools that build stronger communities, inspire economic success, and improve quality of life throughout the state of Georgia and beyond.
  - History
    - - History
      - Since 1927, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government has been an integral part of the University of Georgia. A public service and outreach unit of the university, the Institute of Government is the largest and most comprehensive university-based organization serving governments in the United States.
  - Faculty/Staff
    - - Faculty/Staff
      - Meet our faculty and staff. Learn more about our team and their areas of expertise. View bios and find contact information.
  - Frequently Asked Questions
    - - Frequently Asked Questions
      - Got questions? We've got answers! Some of our most frequently asked questions are provided to assist you. You may find what you're looking for right here.
  - Employment
    - - Employment
      - The Institute of Government employs more than 150 faculty and staff who assist public officials in serving citizens in Georgia and throughout the world. Our team has a passion for public service and we are committed to promoting excellence in government.