Counseling and Human Development Services

College Student Affairs Administration MEd

Cohort 2010

Brad Romig

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Undergraduate Institution(s): Rhodes College

Assistantship: Center for Leadership & Service, Dawg Camp

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Orientation and First Year Experience, Enrollment Management, Greek Life, Judicial Affairs, Student Activities and Organizations.

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: The caliber of the program, the reputation f the faculty, and the assistantship opportunities made the CSAA program hard to beat. The program combines theory with practical experience and the focus on each independently and collectively is exactly what I was looking for in a master’s program.

Words to live by: "It’s not just a daydream if you decide to make it your life.” - Train

Lindsey Anne McKinney

Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina

Undergraduate Institution(s): Clemson University

Assistantship: Office of Greek Life and Dean of Students – Georgia Tech

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Greek Life, Student Activities

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: The reputation of the CSAA program, the small cohort size and the love that every student has for their school and the dawgs!

Words to live by: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”.

“Live right, do good.”

Dawn Aiello

Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida

Undergraduate Institution(s): University of Central Florida
Assistantship: Multicultural Services & Programs

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Community Engagement, Leadership Development

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: I chose UGA for several reasons. It has a wonderful reputation within the student affairs field. I felt that a small cohort model was the best environment for me. Plus, I am really excited to be part of a big school with excellent athletics!

Words to live by: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of Him and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Danielle Vitale

Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida

Undergraduate Institution(s): University of Florida

Assistantship: Graduate Resident, Department of University of Housing

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Housing / Residence Life; Student Development Theory

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: The people were welcoming, the program was well-rounded, and there are a lot of opportunities for personal and professional development…plus, SEC football!

Words to live by: "Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die today.” – James Dean

Jason Fitzer

Hometown: Bieber, California

Undergraduate Institution(s): California State University, Chico

Assistantship: Alumni Association

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Greek Life, Leadership Development, Programming, Student Life, Administration, Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility, Diversity, Strategic Planning, Development and Sustainability

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: In seeking out a grad program, I wanted to be challenged academically, personally, and professionally; I was also looking for an environment that fosters connections between members of the cohort, the faculty, and members of the institution. CSAA is an amazing program and once I came to campus for interview weekend, I knew that this would be a good fit for me.

Words to live by: In life, you will be challenged; there will be failures and successes; thee will be moments that bring you down, moments that uplift you and there will be people in your life that inspire you and those that frustrate you. At the end of the day, realize that this is your life and you have the ability to make it whatever you want, so make it good.

Amy Pelak

Hometown: Kingston, Pennsylvania

Undergraduate Institution(s): College of Wooster

Assistantship: Assessment & Family Programming, Gainesville State College

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: First Year Experience, Academic Advising, Career Services, Assessment, Resources for Women on Campuses
Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: I was impressed by the amount of practical experience that was built into the curriculum. Plus, I had a great time when I visited and I was drawn to the cohort model.

Words to live by: “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lori Brasile

Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia

Undergraduate Institution(s): Berry College
Assistantship: Pandora Yearbook

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Career Services, First-Year Experience, Student Activities, Orientation

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: Academic reputation, cohort model, and assistantship / practicumopportunities

Favorite Quote: "There’s no limit to what a group can do if the individuals don’t care who gets the credit.” - unknown

Catie McCoy

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Undergraduate Institution(s): Georgia Tech

Assistantship: Office of Student Integrity – Georgia Tech

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: First year and transition programs, student integrity and academic advising.

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: For the reputation of the program, a challenging academic environment, the cohort model and the location.

Words to live by: “Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” - Emerson

Larry Cloud

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

Undergraduate Institution(s): Georgia Southern University

Assistantship: Office of Community Service – Georgia Tech

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Orientation, Student Leadership, First Year Experience

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: Cohort size, great city and community, highly regarded faculty, and UGA football.

Words to live by: “Be the change you want to see.” - Ghandi

Bonnie Brackett

Hometown: East Point, Georgia

Undergraduate Institution(s): Elon University

Assistantship: Graduate Resident – Department of University Housing – Brumby Hall

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Residence Life, Leadership, Orientation

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: Small cohort size, excellent reputation, excellent faculty with variety of backgrounds, and who wouldn’t want to be a dawg?

Words to live by: "How many life’s dreams are we making happen or ignoring?” –Sarah M. Marshall from Stories of Inspiration

Christie Tanton

Hometown: Conroe, Texas

Undergraduate Institution(s): Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Assistantship: Center for Leadership & Service, The Arch Society

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Leadership, Greek Life, Student Activities, Judicial

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: Having moved from Texas, I wanted a different experience while still being reminded of home. UGA’s program is highly regarded in both its faculty and academic rigor and it was the perfect fit for me.

Words to live by: We are made strong by what we overcome

Daphne Everhart

Hometown: Carlisle, Ohio

Undergraduate Institution(s): The Ohio State University

Assistantship: University Union

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Student Activities, Greek Life, Development

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: National reputation, the cohort model, and my fun assistantship.

Words to live by: 1) Everything happens for a reason. 2) Everything I’ve learned about life can be summed up in three words: It goes on.

Samantha McGinty

Hometown: Derkasie, Pennsylvania

Undergraduate Institution(s): University of Pittsburgh

Assistantship: UGA Greek Life: Community Service & Philanthropy

Area(s) of interest in Student Affairs: Greek Life, Leadership, Orientation, First Year Experience

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: I wanted to experience a large southern institution, so applying to UGA was a no brainer. Once I interviewed, I knew the program and the faculty were the best fit for me. The weather and football are added bonuses!

Words to live by: “Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.” – Alexis Carrel

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” – Margaret Thatcher

Caleb J. Keith

Hometown: Champaign, Illinois

Undergraduate Institution(s): Millikin University

Assistantship: Academic Initiatives in University Housing

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Housing, Greek Life, Judicial Affairs, Athletics

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s Degree: UGA has a very reputable program and offers plenty of opportunity to gain experience in the field. The cohort model is very appealing and the CSAA mission and objectives attracted me to apply.

Words to live by: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Kevin Cane

Hometown: Munster, Indiana

Undergraduate Institution(s): Indiana University

Assistantship: Center for Leadership & Service – Leadership Resource Team

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Leadership Development, Service Learning

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: National reputation of CSAA program; small cohort; unique assistantship and internship opportunities

Words to live by: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” H.D.T.

Will O’Berry

Hometown: Boykins, Virginia

Undergraduate Institution(s): Indiana University

Assistantship: Graduate Resident, Department of University Housing

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Residence Life, LGBT Student Services, Student Activities, Campus Life

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: When I came to campus, I knew I wanted to be here. CSAA is a rigorous program and the Division of Student Affairs at UGA, where a good deal of the assistantships take place, is highly organized in its practices and services. It is very hard to find a comparable place to live, learn and work.

Words to live by: "My right to be me is tied by a thousand threads to your right to be you." -Leslie Feinberg