HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE AUGUSTA COMMISSION MEETING

JUNE 29, 2023

Augusta launches new website for the Transportation Investment Act projects

Augusta, Georgia’s Engineering and Environmental Services has launched a website to help residents track the infrastructure projects happening in Downtown Augusta. The website is Augusta Downtown Projects, also known as Augusta DTP, and can be found at augustadtp.com. Residents can also sign up for notifications to receive project updates.

Department of Education grant approved for the Richmond County Juvenile Court

The Augusta Commission has accepted a $53,550 BOOST grant from the Georgia Department of Education to support the Richmond County Juvenile Court’s Thrive rogram. The funding will allow the program to strategically focus on reducing learning loss and building opportunities out of school time for youth who reside in economically disadvantaged communities with higher concentrations of black and brown students.

Community leader reappointed to Augusta Economic Development Authority

Community Foundation for the CSRA’s President and CEO Shell Knox Berry has been reappointed to serve on the Augusta Economic Development Authority.

have been significant changes in policy and implementation. Also, there’s been a decline in enrollment in higher education. While this may seem to be more of a fiscal matter, the issue could have a trickle effect on various legal matters, as well. Fortunately, Augusta University has bucked the national trend and seen an increase in student enrollment,” Hightower said.

“Student well-being is a major issue that has legal implications. I serve on AU’s CARE Team and know firsthand the importance of mitigating risks by providing resources and support to prevent students from harming themselves and others,” Hightower said.

Hightower earned his undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University, a law degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree from Harvard University Kennedy School. He’s been at Augusta University for 17 years. He started with the Medical College of Georgia and experienced the merger of Augusta State University and MCG. He’s seen a lot of changes happen over the years at AU.

He grew up in College Park, Georgia, and, after law school, worked in private practice and served on his local city council. He also did adjunct teaching at Clark Atlanta University and was elected and served in the Georgia House of Representatives. He later worked in the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

“I worked in that role as an attorney, a senior attorney and supervisory attorney in Dallas and Washington, D.C. So the education piece has been sort of a fabric of what I’ve done in one way or another,” said Hightower.

He landed a job in the University of Wisconsin system, where he headed up the offices of equity, access and diversity, which again led to dealing with a number of issues, ranging from employee and student concerns to equity issues and more.

But Hightower wanted to get back closer to home, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

“I started looking for opportunities, and my background in public education, federal government and other experiences made me a great fit for the role at MCG.”

Working at Augusta University, Hightower said employees need to be fairly versatile to deal with a lot of different things. From contracts to issues related to employment, student affairs, student privacy and research, it involves a wide path of subject matters, which he enjoys.

“I think it’s great because working on such varied issues gives me an appreciation of what’s going on throughout the institution. I don’t think there is a component that I haven’t really dealt with in my career here.”

Aiken County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting

MOMS DEMAND

Action

Thursday, July 20

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cumberland AME Church Fellowship Hall

111 Kershaw St SE, Aiken, SC 29802

Entrance to Hall on the corner of Union & Richland Ave www.aikencountydemocrats.org