Augusta University Literacy Program Receives State Award, $20,000 Grant

The Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center at Augusta University received the 2026 Georgia Reads Community Award from the Georgia Council on Literacy. Officials made the announcement on March 3 at the Georgia State Capitol.

The prize brings $20,000 that will grow reading programs for kids and adults across the region. The Georgia Council on Literacy picked this program because it built bridges with other groups to help people read better.

"We are deeply honored to receive the Georgia Reads Community Award. This recognition belongs to our learners, tutors, university partners, community collaborators, and supporters who work every day to ensure that literacy opens doors of opportunity for all," said Betsy VanDeusen to JagWire.

VanDeusen runs the center. It sits inside the HUB for Community Innovation Augusta, where college teachers and students team up with schools, parents, and nonprofit groups nearby.

They offer tutoring, programs that mix art with reading, and workshops where whole families learn together. They also provide training sessions for teachers.

Since 1990, this program has helped thousands learn to read, from young kids to teenagers and grown-ups. Judi Wilson, who leads the College of Education and Human Development at the school, had good things to say about VanDeusen.

The center helps small children get started with reading. It helps students do better in school. It pushes people of all ages to keep learning. The $20,000 will strengthen current projects and help more people with reading.