Augusta University’s Office of Student Wellbeing has received a renewed grant of $15,800 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The funding aims to enhance student participation in alcohol awareness and impaired driving prevention programs on campus.
Morgan Davis, director of the Office of Student Wellbeing, explained the initiative’s goals: “The overall purpose is to make sure students are informed of the risks of driving under the influence and feel prepared in settings where alcohol consumption may be present, along with ensuring that our programming opportunities educate students on how to keep themselves and others safe.”
Federal funds will support continued activities such as the Arrive Alive Tour at Augusta University. This program uses tools like a driver simulator, impact video, impairment goggles, and mock traffic tickets to demonstrate the consequences of drunk or distracted driving.
Additionally, grant money will help fund tabling events with university partners. For example, during an event organized by the Augusta University Police Department, students can try hands-on experiences including a pedal kart obstacle course while wearing vision impairment goggles, participate in a mock field sobriety test, and engage in a “Know Your Pour” activity.
Davis highlighted that it is important for students to know about available resources on campus so they can seek help when needed. The Office of Student Wellbeing focuses on helping students succeed both personally and academically by promoting education, engagement, and access to resources.
“Innovative projects like this are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century,” said Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”
The current grant period runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Davis stated that her office intends to continue seeking future funding for these educational initiatives.
