Laura Meadows was named director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. She has been serving as interim director since July 2011. Meadows came to the institute in 2009 as associate director in the training division. She joined the administration at the University of Georgia in 2007 as associate vice president for economic development. Previously, she was commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The institute works closely with state and local governments in Georgia providing research, assistance, and training programs.
Meadows holds a master of public administration degree from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.