College Update 1/12/26

Message from Dean Zvonkovic 

Happy New Year! We are excited to welcome back students this week for spring semester 2026. The weather cooperated on Monday, the first day of classes, and we got to greet many students with our free coffee and hot chocolate.  

I wanted to share some staffing news: Melinda Pethel, valued and long-term member of the OTIS team, retired in December. We will miss her contributions to the College and certainly wish her all the best. Dr. April Few-Demo is on leave until March 5, 2026, and she has announced her plan to retire in June 2026. Dr. Patricia Hunt-Hurst is serving as the Interim Department Head of Human Development and Family Science and Dr. Margaret Caughy as the Associate Department Head. Lastly, Dr. Orion Mowbray has started as Executive Director of the Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Welcome, Orion!  

Save the Date: Spring 2026 College Awards 

As a shift in the purpose of the college assembly, the spring assembly is renamed the College Awards. Join Provost Benjamin Ayers and Dean Zvonkovic as we celebrate the success of FACS faculty and staff. Buffet lunch will be served. Registration is required. 

Upcoming events 

January 29, 2026 – Dean's Challenge, Stegeman Coliseum, 6:30 pm  

February 20, 2026 – FACS Alumni Awards, Athens Country Club, 11:30 a.m. 

March 20, 2026 – 3-Minute Research, 3-5 p.m., 110 Dawson Hall 

April 13 – FACS Spring 2026 College Awards 

May 8 – FACS Spring 2026 Convocation 

Sincerely,   

Anisa M. Zvonkovic 

Dean and Georgia Athletic Association Professor in Family and Consumer Sciences