Academic Programs - Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Counseling Psychology
- Counseling and Student Personnel Services: Counselor Education and Supervision Focus
- Counseling and Student Personnel Services: College Student Affairs Focus
- College Student Affairs Administration
- Professional School Counseling
- Student Affairs Leadership
- Professional Counseling
- Recreation and Leisure Studies
Megan Bailey
I received my bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia College and State University. I decided that I did not want to pursue teaching right away so I participated in the Walt Disney World College Program where I worked in Recreation. Through this opportunity, I began to think of different ways that I could work with youth, but not in a school setting. After I completed the college program, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. With my degree, I hope to work with a youth organization or in camp administration.
An-Taria Curry
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, I completed my undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina Wilmington receiving my B.S. in Exercise Science in 2010. I have enjoyably been involved in sports all of my life. As a former athlete, I have grown to love aspects of sports and team unity. I am a daughter, sister, niece and granddaughter of the best support team anyone could ask for. Most importantly I am a child of God and thank Him for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me. In my spare time I enjoy working out, spending time with family and friends, reading a good book and friendly competition. Ultimately I am excited to be a part of such a credited program and look forward to what Recreation and Leisure Studies has in store for my future.
Devin de Camp
As a lifelong resident of California, I am excited and looking forward to exploring and experiencing a new part of the country. I graduated from CSU Long Beach with a B.A. degree in Recreation and a certificate in the Administration of Campus Recreation and Student Services. I have worked in many areas of the recreation field, including: private, public/municipal, commercial and campus recreation. I am currently the G.A. for Intramural Sports at UGA. In the future, I intend to continue my career in campus recreation at a University/College. I enjoy playing all sports (especially golf, softball and basketball) as well as fishing, hunting, camping and reading a good book. I am glad to be part of the RLST family at UGA!
Brian Gill
I am originally from Ohio and I graduated in June of 2009 from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education: Sports and Leisure Studies. I have worked at OSU Recreational Sports for the past 3 years, mostly in Aquatics working with the hiring, training, and development of the student staff. I helped organize and run aquatic events hosted at the facility including Big Ten and NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. This past year I was the Graduate Assistant for Aquatics at the Ramsey Center. I am working toward my Masters in Recreation and Leisure Studies and hope to continue my work at the collegiate level in Campus Recreation or Athletics.
Matthew Gilstrap
I am from Pickens, SC and graduated from the University of South Carolina Upstate with a degree in Communications in May 2010. At Upstate, I worked all four years in Campus Recreation in all aspects along with working in our Wellness Center as a supervisor. After I graduated in 2010, I worked as the interim Intramural Director at Upstate and received great experience in doing so. I am pursuing a career in Campus Recreation at the collegiate level and am excited about starting my Master’s program in Recreation and Leisure Studies. I love playing all sports and I also play the guitar and am very interested in music.
Celeste Greene
I hold a BA in Communication and Media Studies from Clayton State University and have worked extensively in marketing as a project manager. However, my true passion is laughter and play. In college I performed in weekly improv comedy shows and guided youths and teens in honing their own crafts. I am a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and own a company called Laughter Yoga Atlanta, where I help youths, seniors and corporate clients tap into their innate sense of childlike play through proactive, unconditional laughter. I intend to gain both the business administration skills and deeper experiential education needed to found and effectively maintain a center for youth, teens and seniors that will help them develop and retain their emotional intelligence, imagination, and self-esteem through laughter and play.
Alisa Goler
My name is Alisa Goler. I am 22 years old and I hail from Frankfort, Illinois. A softball scholarship brought me here to Athens, where I completed my Undergraduate Degree in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Program last year. I currently play professionally for the Chicago Bandits. I have put in time working with the Boys and Girls Club, Oasis Católica, and the local humane society. Upon receiving my Master’s, I hope to be hired as an assistant coach somewhere across the country. My dream job is to become the head softball coach of a top-10 Division One softball program.
Ryan Hines
I am from Milledgeville, GA, and graduated from UGA in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. I have always loved being out of doors, and enjoy pursuits such as surfing, paddling, scuba diving, hiking, and many more. I feel lucky to have been able to make a career of doing the things that I love, and look forward to enriching my skills, knowledge, and abilities so that I may be able to better share them with others. I am looking forward to being back in a collegiate setting.
Brett Martin
I am 26 years old and from Fayetteville, Georgia. I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 with a bachelor’s in history. When my search for an available teaching position proved rather difficult, I decided to pursue a graduate degree. As an undergraduate I worked with UGA Informal Recreation and my time working there encouraged me to pursue a master’s in recreation and leisure studies. Upon completion of my master’s, I’d like to establish a career working in a community or county recreation department. Outside of school and work I enjoy playing and watching sports along with playing and listening to all kinds of music. I am looking forward to my second time around back in ‘Ole Athens Town!’
Georgina Nembhard
I graduated from UGA last spring with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences. While pursuing my degree, I was a member of the track and field team, contributing to an unforgettable four years here in Athens. It has been a blessing to be a part of the Bulldog Nation, so there was no question about where I would pursue my Master’s degree. I have always been actively involved in sports, and I spend a great deal of time giving back to my community. In the future, I hope to establish a career that will allow me to continue doing both.
Jake Rowe
I am a 28 year old Special Education Teacher at Cedar Shoals High School. I am from Pearson, Georgia and I have a four year old daughter named Layla. I am also recently engaged to the most amazing woman in the world, Andrea Sherman. I enjoy any and all sports, fishing, cooking, movies, and video games. I graduated in 2009 from the UGA College of Education with a degree in Special Education Consultative and I have called Athens home for the last 8 years. I have two pampered and active female yellow labs, Ava and Rennie. I am honored and excited to be a part of the RLST program at UGA.
Ruff Christen
I am a newlywed from Memphis and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business. At UT, I gained invaluable experiences working with the Lady Vol marketing department as well as Club Sports in the Recreational Sports Department. At UGA, I am excited to continue working as the Graduate Assistant for Club Sports and RecSports Complexes while also completing my Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Besides school and work, I enjoy playing, reffing and coaching volleyball for local school and clubs in Athens. Upon graduation in May, I hope to continue my career in campus recreation.
