Academic Programs - Counseling and Student Personnel Services: College Student Affairs Focus
Cohort 2010-2011
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Full Name: A. Kay Anderson Undergraduate Institution: Truman State University Master’s Institution: Truman State University, University of Missouri-St. Louis Master’s Degree: Counseling Assistantship or Job: Registrar at Georgia College & State University Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? Program reputation, faculty reputation and research, ability to take classes as a part-time student while maintaining a full-time job Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: academic advising, college choice, retention, athletic compliance, legal issues |
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Full Name: Tiffany J. Davis Undergraduate Institution:University of Tennessee, Knoxville Master’s Institution: Bowling Green State University Master’s Degree: College Student Personnel Assistantship or Job: Graduate Research Associate for the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? I chose the CSAA program because of the reputation of the program, the faculty, and the positive experiences that were reported by doctoral students in the program. I also felt that UGA was a great institutional fit and I was excited about returning home to the South and being in close proximity to family and friends. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: My interests within Student Affairs fall primarily within two realms: graduate education and organizational development and change. With respect to graduate education, I have an interest in the pathways to and motivations for the PhD for racial/ethnic minority students, thriving of students of color in student affairs graduate preparation programs, and the role of undergraduate research as a high impact educational experience in preparation for graduate education. With respect to organizational culture and development, I have an interest in strengths development and its relationship to graduate student synergistic supervision as well as division-wide student affairs professional development curricula and its relationship to performance improvement. |
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Full Name: Shannon R. Dean Undergraduate Institution:Azusa Pacific University Master’s Institution:Azusa Pacific University Master’s Degree: College Student Affairs Assistantship or Job: Doctoral Intern for Campus Life Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? I chose the program because of the assistantship and research opportunities, faculty (research, experiences, challenge, and support), and reputation. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: First-generation college students, leadership development, experiential learning, underrepresented students, and identity development. |
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Full Name: Megan Janasiewicz Undergraduate Institution:Florida State University Master’s Institution: Indiana University- Bloomington Master’s Degree: Higher Education and Student Affairs Assistantship or Job: Panhellenic Advisor- Greek Life Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? I chose UGA CSAA because of its student development focus, first rate faculty, and strong professional reputation. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: Civic engagement and community service Civic Engagement and Community Service (particularly with students of privilege), Leadership Development, Values Congruence, Study Abroad and the impact on the student experience, First Year Programs. |
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Full Name: Zoe M. Johnson Undergraduate Institution: The University of Georgia Master’s Institution: The University of Georgia Master’s Degree: Social Work Assistantship or Job: Assistant Director, UGA Office of Student Conduct Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? The reputation of both the program and faculty are exceptional. The flexibility to pursue my studies while working full-time in the field was icing on the cake. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: Students with disabilities; underrepresented groups; identify development; and crisis intervention. |
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Full Name: Ginny Jones Undergraduate Institution:Georgia Southern University Master’s Institution: Asbury Theological Seminary Master’s Degree: Counseling Assistantship or Job: Gwinnett Program Assistantship – College and Student personnel Services Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? There are many reasons why I chose UGA’s program over others. I was initially attracted to the program because of the diversity of faculty research. However, I was won over when I actually met some of the faculty members and saw first-hand their commitment to the field and the development of SA professionals. I also liked that the program had internship requirements both in administration and teaching. It seemed like a great fit in terms of educational training and further opportunities for career exploration. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: Student engagement, particularly the areas of faculty/staff mentoring, addressing issues of underrepresented students and students classified as at-risk, first year experience curricula and programs, and student leadership. |
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Full Name: Darren Eric Pierre Undergraduate Institution: Wingate University Master’s Institution: University of Maryland, College Park Master’s Degree: Higher Education Administration (Education, Policy and Leadership) Assistantship or Job: Doctoral Internal for Assessment, Division of Student Affairs Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? I chose the University of Georgia because of the reputation of the program, research interest/commitments of the faculty, the small co-hort size and the opportunity to continue to engage in work on a topic that I love! Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: The intersections of identity and their correlation to student engagement in co-curricular programs. |
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Full Name: Christa J. Porter Undergraduate InstitutionMichigan State University Master’s Institution: University of Maryland, College Park Master’s Degree: Higher Education Administration Assistantship or Job: Graduate Instructor, UGA Career Center Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? I chose the UGA CSAA doctoral program because of its academic reputation and rigor. I desired a supportive cohort, faculty and staff experience that would prepare me for senior level administration and teaching. Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: I am interested in the identity development of African American students, particularly women. I desire to dig deeper into several of the stereotypes/labels that we carry/perpetuate within society; the driving forces behind our experiences, impacts of spirituality, social justice and resiliency. |
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Full Name: Nicole (Nikki) Tobias Undergraduate Institution: Mansfield University, Pennsylvania Master’s Institution: Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania Master’s Degree: Counseling and College Student Personnel Assistantship or Job: College Student Affairs Administration Graduate Assistant Why did you choose UGA’s College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program? There are many, many reasons why I chose UGA’s CSAA program! I am truly impressed with the faculty’s work and how personable they are with one another and with the students. I also had the opportunity to sit in on a class and observe the students have a discussion about hiring for diversity and affirmative action. At the end of the discussion the students seemed truly enthusiastic and appreciative of one another for having a truly intellectual and honest discussion and debate about the topic. I knew, immediately, that this was a program that I wanted to be a part of. I knew that professional, personal, supportive and challenging relationships and interactions like I observed don’t just happen by accident—they are built and nurtured, always growing and changing. I wanted to be a part of a program where the students and faculty support and challenge one another to become the best practitioners and people possible! Student Affairs Interest/Research interest: I have a lot of different interests: leadership development, men’s identity development, female university presidents, organizational behavior, assessment, residence life…the list could go on and on… J |
