College Student Affairs Administration MEd

Lauren Boothby

Hometown: Longwood, FL

Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida

Area(s) of Interest in Student Affairs: New student programs, orientation, family programs, first generation college students, health promotion, international education

Assistantship or job placement: Communications graduate assistant, University Health Center

Why I chose UGA: I became interested in UGA through UGA alumni working in Student Affairs at UF and current students in the program. I soon found out about the reputation of the program and after visiting campus I knew it was a good fit for me. The cohort model appealed to me as well as the enthusiasm by the faculty and current students. Plus, it’s all about the SEC!

Words to live by: “The only reality I can possible know is the world as I perceive and experience it at this moment. The only reality you can possibly know is the world as you perceive and experience it at this moment. And the only certainty is that those perceived realities are different.” -Carl Rogers

Anna Patton

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina State University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Housing, Greek life, student leadership, service, academic athlete support

Assistantship of job placement: Housing

Why I chose UGA: Firstly, reputation. The CSAA program here boasted a rich history of blending theoretical concepts with hands-on experience creating professionals that stand our in the field. Secondly, campus fit. I felt so welcomed from the moment I stepped foot on campus interview weekend! I knew I fit here!

Words to live by: “Good leaders must become good servants.” –Robert Greenleaf

Mark Torrez

Hometown: Toledo, OH

Undergraduate Institution: The Ohio State University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Leadership and service programs, orientation, and multiculturalism.

Assistantship or job placement: Center for Leadership and Service; working with Volunteer UGA.

Why you selected UGA for your Master’s degree: I chose UGA because of the wonderful faculty and strong cohort model. From the moment I stepped foot on campus for my interview, I felt a very genuine sense of welcoming and support form the program.

Words to live by: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” –Anatole France

Lindsey Day

Hometown: Gainesville, FL

Undergraduate Institution: Boston College

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Admissions, career services, international education, orientation

Assistantship or job placement: Career Services

Why I chose UGA: Boston was cold! I needed a Master’s degree for advancement and I was impressed by UGA’s program and their assistantship offerings.

Words to live by: “Love others. It is as simple as that.”

Katie Hight

Hometown: Apex, NC

Undergraduate Institution: Elon University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Orientation, service learning, study abroad, international student life

Assistantship of job placement: Gainesville State College–SOAR

Why I chose UGA: I chose UGA because of the reputation of the program, the close-knit cohort model, and the assistantships available.

Words to live by: “The real voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” –Marcel Proust

Justin Pohl

Hometown: Fuquay Vanna, NC

Undergraduate Institution: Wingate University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Greek life, leadership, development, orientation

Assistantship of job placement: WUOG 90.0 campus radio

Why I chose UGA: The top notch program and faculty brought me to UGA. (And SEC football.)

Words to live by: “Life is like riding a bicycle. You don’t fall off until you plan to stop pedaling.” –Claude Pepper

Je’nell Griffin

Hometown: Rowland Heights, CA

Undergraduate Institution: San Diego State University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Greek life, leadership, Outreach, TRiO, social justice, senior experience

Assistantship or job placement: Greek Life- Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-hellenic

Why I chose UGA: I chose UGA because I wanted a completely different experience from my undergraduate culture. Once I found out more about the program, people, and overall experience, I knew I could call UGA home.

Words to live by: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

Esther Lamarre

Hometown: Miami, FL

Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Service and leadership

Assistantship or job placement: Boards of Regents- University System of Georgia

Why I chose UGA: It was love at first sight! I had to be a Georgia girl!

Words to live by: “If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am peace with myself, it has been a successful day.” –Alex Noble

Eric Sneeden

Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina–Wilmington

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Student activities, orientation, campus life, first year experience

Assistantship or job placement: University Union Programming

Why I chose UGA: The well known faculty, small cohort, gorgeous campus, and strong academics brought me to UGA.

Words to live by: Do what you are passionate about... everything else will work itself out.

Emelia Dunston

Hometown: Durham, NC

Undergraduate Institution: Meredith College

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Student activities, leadership development, orientation programs

Assistantship or job placement: Campus Life- Student Government Association

Why I chose UGA: Reputation of the program and the faculty. Also, the UGA campus is beautiful.

Words to live by: “A true lealer has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes on by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” –Anonymous

Ellen Dutro

Hometown: Lithia Springs, GA

Undergraduate Institution: Berry College

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Admissions, orientation, housing

Assistantship or job placement: UGA Gwinnett campus

Why I chose UGA: I chose UGA because of the inclusion of practica and internships in the curriculum and the encouragement to pursue assistantships. I believe those experiences, along with CSAA’s nationally-recognized reputation, will forever benefit me in the field of student affairs.

Words to live by: “Learn for the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Ebonii Nelson

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Undergraduate Institution: Southern Methodist University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Judicial affairs, crisis management, first year experience, orientation, transfer programs, Greek life

Assistantship or job placement: Multicultural Services and Programs/ African American Cultural Center

Why I chose UGA: I was drawn to the counseling base of the CSAA program, and when I went to interview I become a fan of Dr. Dean (unbelievable to her) and the rest of the CSAA faculty. Everyone seemed like a very welcoming family.

Words to live by: “Life is about two things: loving and learning” and Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for God to those who live in God, who are called according to his purpose”.

Cord McLean

Hometown: Chapel Hill, TN

Undergraduate Institution: Rhodes College

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Multicultural affairs, first year experience, and service learning

Assistantship or job placement: Multicultural services and programs and the African American Cultural Center

Why I chose UGA: As I researched programs online and talked with mentors during my graduate school search last year, I was consistently referred to the CSAA program at UGA. After attending interview weekend and meeting the faculty, current students, and potential cohort buddies, I knew this was the right fit for me.

Words to live by: “It is existentially impossible to receive a piece of knowledge and remain the same person.” –Dr. Luther Ivory

Colby Moss

Hometown: Lafayette, CA

Undergraduate Institution: Sacramento State

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Judicial programs, housing

Assistantship or job placement: Housing

Why I chose UGA: I needed a change, wanted a big, athletic school where school spirit is palpable along with the program prestige.

Words to live by: Enjoy yourself when you can, those social connections are important to your overall happiness when working the field.

Bill McKenney

Hometown: Holly, MI

Undergraduate Institution: John Carroll University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Housing, social justice, assessment, community involvement

Why I chose UGA: The reputation of the program and faculty, the opportunities associated with the graduate assistantship position, and small cohort, and the chance to attend and work for a large university.

Words to live by: “No life is a waste, The only time we waste if the time we spend thinking we are alone.” –Mitch Albom

Alex Miller

Hometown: Mansfield, MO

Undergraduate Institution: Drury University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Residence life, new student programs, and student activities

Assistantship or job placement: Center for Student Organizations

Why I chose UGA: The University of Georgia felt like it would be home away from home. No other place was comparable to UGA when looking at the renowned faculty, great program, helpful cohort, and awesome assistantship opportunities. It’s going to be two of the best years of my life.

Words to live by: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did you. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain

Anna Gordon

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL

Undergraduate Institution: The University of Alabama

Areas of interest in Student Affairs: Student Affairs Administration, Assessment, and Institutional Research

Assistantship: Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Assessment

Why I chose UGA: I chose the University of Georgia for the quality of our faculty, the small cohort model, and the reputation of the program and overall institution

Words to live by: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Olivia T. Davis

Hometown: Lake Mary, FL

Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Student retention, international student career services, TriO

Assistantship or job placement: Office of International Affairs

Why I chose UGA: The reputation of the professors, program, and the unparalleled experiences that I will gain from the assistantship, practicum, and internship opportunities.

Words to live by: Start by doing the possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

Sarah McCollum

Hometown: Pickens, SC

Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University

Area(s) of interest in student affairs: Greek life, service learning, assessment

Why I chose UGA: The attitude and spirit of this campus and program stood alone. It offers a dedication to integrity, intensity, and true preparation for its students to leave as qualified and upstanding individuals.

Words to live by: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16