July 17-18, 2026
Join us this summer in the Classic City!
Advancing the Arch is excited to host you (and volunteers from across campus and across the globe) for a weekend of training and collaboration, all focused on instilling a Grow, Give, Guide mentality into the work you do. From keynotes to networking to breakout sessions, this strategy-filled weekend aims to strengthen one of our most important assets — you, our trusted volunteers — by equipping you to share UGA’s philanthropic mission with your larger Bulldog network.
Saturday, July 18
-
- 8:00 – 8:45 AM
Breakfast & Registration (Continental Breakfast Will be Served)
Georgia Center Masters Foyer - 8:45 – 9:30 AM
Speakers: Jill Walton, Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations, Dr. Stacy Jones, Vice President for Public Service and Outreach
Georgia Center Masters Hall - 9:30 – 9:45 AM – BREAK
- 9:45 – 10:30 AM
Breakout Session 1- Councils General Session (Room Q)
Speakers: Terrance Smith, Realenn Watters, Erica Lowman - Board Members General Session(Room R)
Speakers: Lee Zell - Chapter Leaders (Masters Hall)
Speakers: Mason Black, Kaylin Jones, Mary Beth Mallard, Logan Lewis
Georgia Center
- Councils General Session (Room Q)
- 10:30 – 10:45 AM – BREAK
- 10:45 – 11:30 AM
Breakout Session 2- Careers Everywhere for Every Bulldog: UGA Alumni Career Services (Room F/G)
Speakers: Elizabeth Norris & Melissa Rackley (Career Center) - Volunteer Roundtable Discussion (Room Q)
Speakers: Charlita Stephens (Alumni Board), Michael Trujillo (Grady Alumni Board), Daniel Maxwell (Young Alumni Leadership Council) - The Trustee Impact Experience (Room R)
Speakers: Lindsey Copus (DAR), Yvette Daniels & Bonney Shuman (Trustees)
Georgia Center
- Careers Everywhere for Every Bulldog: UGA Alumni Career Services (Room F/G)
- 10:30 – 10:45 AM – BREAK
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Breakout Session 3- The Student Scholarship Experience (Room F/G)
Speakers: Ann Lerch (Alumni Board), Sade Wright (’26), Katie Hollister (’27), Adeline Bennett (’27, ’28), Rachel Okamoto (’27), Ben Enyetornye (’27) - Building a Healthier Georgia: Schools of Medicine & Nursing (Room Q)
Speakers: Taylor Cain (School of Medicine) & Laika Steiger (School of Nursing) - Every Volunteer Can Be An Annual Giving Champion (Room R)
Speakers: Sherry Abrams (Annual Giving) & Melissa Lee (Odum School of Ecology)
Georgia Center
- The Student Scholarship Experience (Room F/G)
- 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Lunch (Hosted by the UGA Alumni Board Mentorship Committee)
Speakers: Jasmine Negron (student moderator), Shontel Cargill (Women of UGA), Rahul Kadakia (Atlanta Chapter), Michael Trujillo (Grady Alumni Board), Alicea Gaston (Black Alumni Leadership Council), Reed Turry (Young Alumni Leadership Council)
Georgia Center - 2:00 – 2:45 PM
Afternoon General Session- Speakers: John Isakson, Dean Matthew Auer – School of Public and International Affairs, Dr. Anumantha Kanthasam – College of Veterinary Medicine
Georgia Center
-
- 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Afternoon Tours (Pre-Registration Required)- College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital Tour
Register → - New Track & Field Facilities Tour
Register → - Student Well-Being and Dining Facilities Tour
Register →
- College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital Tour
- 4:30 – 6:00 PM
BREAK
Georgia Center - 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Evening Sendoff Reception
Attire: Red and Black Business Casual - Hors D’oeuvres and Beverages Will Be Served
Lee Zell, Executive Director – Alumni Relations, Charlita Stephens – UGA Alumni Board of Directors
- 8:00 – 8:45 AM
West End Zone
Hotel Information
The Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel is the official lodging provider for the 2026 Advancing the Arch Volunteer Leadership Conference. A block of Georgia Center rooms is available at a special rate, but we anticipate these will be reserved quickly, so reserve soon! Call (706) 542-2134 OR reserve through the Georgia Center website (www.ugahotel.com) using group code 62769. Rate expires June 26.
Shuttle Services
Groome Transportation: (706) 612-115
Athens Town Car: (706) 255-9643
Bulldog Limousine: (678) 661-0675
Southeastern Stages: (706) 549-2255
Local Rental Companies
Avis: (706) 543-3904
Budget: (706) 353-0600
Enterprise: (706) 546-8067
Hertz: (706) 543-5984
Athens Information
Athens is home to the University of Georgia and so much more! When you are on campus, explore some of the natural beauty of the area by walking through UGA’s Founders’ Garden or the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. During your visit, consider checking out the incredible restaurants, venues, and shops that Athens has to offer. Check out these collections from Visit Athens.
What You’ll Need
Apps You’ll Need
What to Pack
- A computer and charger
- Your Georgia Red and Black!
- Business cards
- Notecards
- A light sweatshirt – it can get chilly inside!
