Dr. Kimberly Vess currently serves as the Associate Dean for Learner Well-Being and a Professor of Psychiatry & Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. Dr. Vess is passionate about students, community resilience, and diversity and inclusion as evidenced by her creation and implementation of courses in Cultural Competence and Health Disparities at two institutions. Dr. Vess currently serves as the Principal Investigator of an $800k grant for Resilient Communities East Georgia and Resilient Teens. Dr. Vess has produced an abundance of scholarly activity, resulting in the publication of 5 textbooks, numerous book chapters, and over a dozen peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Vess co-authored a textbook about Cultural Competence after noticing a shortage of information.

Additionally, she has given over 50 invited, refereed presentations and procured grant funding. Dr. Vess immerses herself in the community. She serves (or has served) on boards at the local, state, and national level, including the Resilient Georgia advisory board, Good Neighbor Ministries board in the Harrisburg neighborhood of Augusta, the University of Georgia Camp Kesem chapter, the Pink Pumpkin Party, Junior League, National Academic Advising Association, Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Ronald McDonald House.

Education

Harvard UniversityManagement Development CertificateUniversity of CincinnatiPh.D. in Counseling and PsychologyMaster’s degree in counselingBall State UniversityBachelor of Science degree in Psychology

Julie K. Miller, MPA

Georgia Family Connection Partnership

Regional Manager

East Central Georgia – Region 7

Originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Julie relocated to Georgia and lived in several cities before settling with her family in Dearing. Julie started her career in college as a clerk on the city desk at The Atlanta Journal. When she graduated, she was promoted to reporter, something no other person had accomplished at that time. Her passion for helping communities learn, grow and implement meaningful change for children and families led her to a Master’s degree in Public Administration and her current role as Regional Manager with Georgia Family Connection Partnership. She is a certified facilitator for Bridges Out of Poverty and the Strengthening Families Programs. In addition, she is an Equity Facilitator for GaFCP in her organization’s Race, Equity, and Inclusion work. Finally, as a grant writer, she has brought in more than $10 million for the communities she serves. Julie also serves on the Board of Directors for Hope House. Her favorite motivational quote is, “Nevertheless, she persisted.” She believes perseverance and persistence toward a goal will get you where you want to go and make the change you want to see. She enjoys playing with her grandchildren

Education

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Associate Degree, Fine ArtsGeorgia State University, Bachelor’s Degree, JournalismAugusta University, Master’s Degree in Public Administration