The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at Georgia Southwestern State University was recognized as an “Outstanding Team” Oct. 21 at the annual Chancellor’s Service Excellence Award ceremony put on by the University System of Georgia. The event was hosted by Georgia Perimeter College this year. This was the first USG Service Excellence Award for any division at Georgia Southwestern.

The Service Excellence Team Award recognizes teams who have demonstrated outstanding, "above and beyond" service to students, colleagues and other stakeholders of the University System of Georgia during the previous year. Nominee's actions must reflect the following five attributes of service excellence: respectful, accessible, informed, supportive and responsive.

“Everyone in Georgia will be or will need a caregiver at some point in their lives,” said RCI Executive Director Leisa Easom, Ph.D. “Training students, families and others about the best practices in caregiving is our specialty, and we do it well.”

Last year, the RCI team collaborated with all 12 Georgia Area Agencies on Aging, the Georgia Department of Aging Services, the Georgia AARP and the Augusta Warrior Project to train individuals to administer and deliver a caregiver support program in their geographic location.

“Georgia Southwestern is fortunate to have the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving as a member of the campus community,” said GSW Interim President Charles Patterson, Ph.D. “The RCI’s work in carrying forward Mrs. Carter’s passion to serve and advocate for caregivers everywhere is deserving of this award, and we are grateful that the University System of Georgia recognized their efforts.”