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The GSW women's basketball team saw its historic season come to an end on March 25 at St. Joseph Civic Arena in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Championship. The Lady Hurricanes dropped a back-and-forth affair to Minnesota State University, 93-88, in a first-ever meeting between the schools.
GSW, ranked 11th in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II poll and seeded fourth in the Elite Eight, finished its season with a record of 29-4. The 29 wins is a school record and the four losses are the fewest in a season in program history.
The team advanced to the Elite Eight after winning the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship the previous week. The #5 seed in the region, the Hurricanes defeated the #1, #2 and #4 seeds to claim the title.
In conference play, the Lady Hurricanes were regular season champions and Peach Belt Tournament champions for the second year in a row.
GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D., has been named president at Stephen F. Austin University in Texas after serving GSW for nearly seven years.
Weaver accepted the position after it was officially voted on and announced by The University of Texas System on Monday, March 18. Weaver’s final day at GSW will be Friday, May 10 which coincides with Commencement.
Weaver shared his announcement to GSW’s campus and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the campus community where he has led for the past seven years.
“I want to thank you all for working with me, for welcoming my family to this incredible campus, and for including us in the life of GSW. During our time here, we have witnessed the unwavering dedication of the faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors to creating a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Together, we have overcome challenges to achieve numerous milestones and accomplishments, while staying focused on the core elements of GSW’s identity and never wavering from our commitment to the transformative power of education.”
Read more about Weaver's time at GSW here.
GSW head coach Hana Haden has been named the 2024 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II Coach of the Year. Haden will receive the Pat Summit Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the coaches of the year in each of the WBCA's membership divisions.
Haden was introduced as GSW's head coach on May 1, 2023. In her introductory press conference, Haden said, "We don't plan to rebuild, but to reload." In 10 short months, she has led GSW to a school record for wins, its second consecutive Peach Belt Conference regular season championship, its second straight Peach Belt Conference Tournament title and its first-ever NCAA Tournament Southeast Region championship.
Read more about Haden's award here.
Two student groups from Georgia Southwestern State University spent their Spring Break volunteering in Kentucky and Louisiana.
Fourteen members from the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program (PJCLP) travelled to Mayfield, Ky. where they partnered with Go Serv Global and The Fuller Center for Housing to help rebuild homes that were destroyed in a devastating EF3 tornado in 2021.
PJCLP students were determined to provide physical assistance while seeking to comprehend the depth of the tragedy and its impact firsthand. While in Mayfield, they interacted with local residents who shared their heart-wrenching stories. They were able to see the tornado's destructive path and gain invaluable understanding of the hardships endured by those affected.
Seven students in GSW’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) travelled to New Orleans, La., where they partnered with the NOLA Baptist Church, who has been meeting in a warehouse. In 2023, they acquired a 140-year-old building several blocks away in need of major renovations. BCM worked hard to clean up debris from previous demolition work, ultimately filling two 30-yard roll-off dumpsters, and continue demolition. This work allowed NOLA Baptist to move forward in the renovation and better serve their congregation and community. The plan is to have the new building open in late 2025.
Read more about both service trips here.
GSW's baseball team earned its highest ranking in a national poll in program history when reaching No. 15 in this week's American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II coaches poll released Monday afternoon. The Hurricanes moved up from No. 21 last week.
GSW's highest ranking this season between the coaches and media polls was No. 16 back on Feb. 28 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) poll.
Read more here.
Students from traveled to Bulgaria, Serbia, Washington, D.C. and Sapelo Island during Spring Break engaging in impactful, experiential learning opportunities.
Students enrolled in UNIV 4000 traveled to Bulgaria and Serbia for a study abroad trip. They immersed themselves in the local cultures through visits to Plovdiv, the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, and Veliko Tarnovo, an ancient capital of Bulgaria. The group explored museums and archeological sites, interacted with the local people, and enjoyed a variety of local cuisines.
Students in the Department of Visual Arts traveled to Richmond, Va. and Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts Conference. The group installed an official conference exhibition titled “Ceramic Oasis on the Silk Road: The Lanzhou Ceramic Residency.” They had the opportunity to meet with several of the artists and participate in other conference lectures and exhibitions.
Biology students explored the diverse environments of Sapelo Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia, where they observed and surveyed organisms in these varied habitats. The island’s diverse ecosystem and natural beauty make it an ideal location for biology field classes.
Read more about each trip here.
GSW faculty and students explore SWGA girlhood politics, plan leadership retreat for AprilFaculty members Susan Bragg, Ph.D., Lauren DiPaula, Ph.D., Debaleena Ghosh, Ph.D., and Ashley Jones, Ph.D., have spent the 2023-2024 academic year developing a year-long project to bring visibility to the diversity of girlhood experiences in Southwest Georgia, funded partially through the Women and Girls in Georgia (WAGG) conference based at the University of Georgia. This has included specialized research projects, new class development, and campus-wide activities.
The capstone event planned to this year-long initiative is an upcoming leadership retreat scheduled on April 4 from 5-8:30 pm in Canes Central. All are invited to participate in these campus and community-wide conversations about girlhood in our region. In "Turning Girlhood Histories Into Girlhood Futures," the GSW faculty team have worked with students in a variety of classes to identify the complex stories of girls’ experiences in Southwest Georgia.
For example, in Fall 2023, Jones guided student analysis of the gendered and familial-based politics of commemorating Civil War change while Ghosh’s students explored the complex factors motivating girlhood participation in 1960s-era civil rights activism. More recently, Bragg has mentored student research into regional histories of girlhood in a Spring 2024 special topics course, WGSS 4500: The Politics of Girlhood. In this class, students have uncovered a documentary history of girlhood dating back to the 19th c., conducted group oral histories, and practiced assessing visual records of girlhood, including 20th c. GSW student yearbooks.
All campus and community members are invited to participate in the upcoming leadership retreat on April 4. DiPaula will be leading workshops on writing as social advocacy while visitors can view a pop-up museum exhibit exploring girlhood histories in Southwest Georgia produced by WGSS 4500 students. We also look forward to intergenerational conversations about girlhood past, present, and future.
Pictured is GSW student Tamiya Graham (left). She helped interview civil rights pioneer Carolyn DeLoatch (right) in WGSS 4500 on Feb. 15, 2024. DeLoatch was one of the "Stolen Girls" of the 1960s.
For more information, contact Bragg at susan.bragg@gsw.edu
Nursing students visit capitolOn Mar. 7, 2024, a group of GSW's BSN nursing students visited the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta for Nurses Day alongside the Georgia Nurses Association.
There were over 150 registered nurses, students, and faculty who joined this special day to advocate and speak to legislators about legislative priorities related to and impacting healthcare.
Students were able to gain understanding about current policies and bills related to nursing and quality patient care.
Assistant Professor Laura Gosa, DNP RN, PTA, accompanied the student group.
GSW's men's golf team is ranked No. 3 in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek NCAA Division II Coaches Poll released by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and No. 4 in the National Collegiate Golf Rankings provided by Scoreboard.
The Hurricanes moved up two spots in the coaches poll, while dropping one slot in the computer rankings. GSW has completed two of its five events prior to the Peach Belt Conference Championship in April. The Hurricanes finished fourth of 20 teams at the Spring Kickoff in St. Augustine, Fla., back on Feb. 13, and had a runner-up finish this week at the 16-team Battle in the Desert held in Borrego Springs, Calif.
Read more about the rankings here.
Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science Glenn Robins, Ph.D., completed a Historic Preservation Leadership Course through the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The three-week course covered an overview of Georgia history, historic architectural styles, preservation law, and economic incentives for historic preservation.
Over the month of March, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences hosted several visitors with an interest in health care careers and attended local events. Crisp High School and Colquitt High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members visited the simulation lab in the School of Nursing and were able to interact with the simulators and have conversations with faculty members. The students got to administer intravenous mediations, intramuscular injections and subcutaneous injections, listen to heart, lung and bowel sounds, and interview a patient during an admission assessment. They also were given the opportunity to talk with current students in both our BSN and ASN programs.
In addition to allowing groups to visit, tour, and interact within the simulation lab, the School of Nursing sent members of the faculty and staff to Sumter Elementary for their Career Day. Roughly 250 second grade students got to experience the warm welcome that GSW offers to all students who attend. These youngsters were given coloring sheets of Nurse Surge, stickers, “medicine” (skittles in pill cups), and bags with personal protective equipment so they could pretend to be healthcare providers. The month of March was very busy for the School of Nursing.
The Open Hearts Open Conversations Teach-In Series started this semester with the goal of bringing attention to current global social issues through related conversations. The current goal is to bring attention to, and raise awareness of, the war in Gaza and the West Bank.
The series has already covered how to become politically active with Professor of History Susan Bragg, Ph.D., and the challenges of leadership through conflicts like these with Professor of Political Science Jason Berggren, Ph.D. But the conversation doesn't stop there. Organizers also aim to assist students with in understanding the history of the current conflict and building media literacy in times that the news might be questioned or criticized. While these Teach-Ins are neutral, they are intended to spark conversations across campus. This may be both within the classroom and out, so organizers encourage students to share their opinions.
On Apr. 10, Assistant Professor of Communication Jonathan Carter will be discussing media literacy at 5pm in BHP 103.
On Apr. 25, Professor of Political Science Brian Smith, Ph.D., will discuss international law and conflict as well as national self-determination in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict at 5pm in BHP 103.
Canes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The March Canes Spotlights were senior psychology major Ty'Ina Moore (left) and senior management major Palmer Braunstein (right).
Ty'Ina's college decision was based on more than the basics. "GSW picked me, chose me, loved me," said Ty'Ina. "From my very first encounter with GSW staff, I knew my needs and wants would be listened to and heard."
Now a senior planning to graduate in May, Ty'Ina has served as Thunder Camp Director, a representative in GSW's Student Government Association, and a Residential Leader.
Palmer has also built quite the resume during his time at GSW. He has held the titles of Homecoming King and Mr. GSW, has served as president of Chi Phi's Delta Pi chapter, and is a member of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program.
"GSW is a place where students can have an impact," Palmer said. "In my time here, I've had the opportunity to personally talk with the president of the University, whereas if I had gone to a bigger school, I would just have been another student. I believe GSW gives students more input in their college experience and that's what makes it special to me."
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
Senior right-handed pitcher Nick McCollum was named the NCAA Division II National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for the week of Feb. 29.
McCollum currently leads the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II in strikeouts with 36 on the season, and ranks fourth in the league in ERA and fifth in opponent batting average. His impressive outing against Indianapolis showcased his skill and leadership on the mound, solidifying his status as one of the top pitchers in Division II baseball.
Read more about McCollum's season so far here.
GSW students present at LSAMP ConferenceFour students from the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program at GSW attended an annual Southwest Georgia LSAMP Alliance meeting. Kenneth Daniels, Nathanial English, Elizabeth Taliaferro, and Nahkiyahs Felder attended the meeting, which was hosted by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. They had the opportunity to learn from keynote speaker, Shannon D. Gregory, Chief of Flight operations at NASA and panelists who spoke about possible careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.
The students also had the opportunity to showcase their research. Daniels, English, and Taliaferro presented posters on the research they had done at GSW. Taliaferro (pictured) won first place for her poster presentation titled "Abnormal proliferation of intrahepatic bile ducts with NOTCH signaling in Biliary Atresia."
English presented "Deception-Based Approach Towards Securing Communication System." This research aims to characterize the game theoretic strategies of the service provider/IoBT data center and the attacker by securing communication. Specifically, the paper considers attacks such as DDoS or jamming attacks. The research uses Prospect Theory to model the behavioral nature of the system and the attacker, and Game Theory to model the strategic interactions between them. In the future, English wants to implement the research in real-time communication systems. His LSAMP mentor is Assistant Professor of Computer Science Satyaki Nan, Ph.D.
Outfielder Matthew Manuel was named the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Freshman of the Week by the league office for the week of Mar. 12.
Manuel hit .600 with a .933 slugging percentage over four games for the Hurricanes, all GSW wins. The Weston, Fla. native had multiple hits in every game, hitting .500 in a three-game conference series against USC Aiken. In that series, he doubled in the first game, driving in a run, doubled again in the second contest with two more RBIs and hit his first collegiate home run in the finale, driving in four. He had eight RBIs on the week to go with five runs scored and three stolen bases. Manuel enters the week with a .335 batting average for the season with 21 RBIs.
Read more about this honor here.
Williams selected as PCAOB ScholarMalena Williams, a junior accounting major from Davisboro, Ga., has been selected as a PCAOB Scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year. Her recognition includes a $15,000 scholarship funded by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).
Williams will graduate in Fall 2025 with a BBA in Accounting. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA while caring for her family and working full-time at a non-profit organization serving underprivileged youth. She is pictured here with her daughter. After graduation, Williams intends to earn an MBA through the Double Canes program at GSW and then pursue CPA certification.
The PCAOB Scholars Program is a prestigious national merit-based scholarship program that seeks to benefit students who are likely to become auditors and to make a difference to students who might otherwise choose a different career path. The program is funded through monetary penalties collected by the PCAOB and was created to satisfy a requirement of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. AACSB-accredited schools with a minimum number of accounting majors are eligible to nominate students for the award. Students must demonstrate high ethical standards and maintain at least at 3.3 GPA or be in the top third of their class as well as meet other criteria.
junior Erik Fogel was named the Peach Belt Conference Men's Golfer of the Week by the league office for the week of Mar. 20.
Fogel finished fourth out of 90 golfers at the First Federal Southeastern Intercollegiate hosted by Valdosta State. In a field that included nine teams ranked in the Top 30 by the National Collegiate Golf Rankings from Clippd, the junior from Stockholm, Sweden, fired the low round of the tournament in the second round with a bogey-free 66 with six birdies. He finished with a 4-under for the tournament, just one stroke out of third and three strokes off the lead with rounds of 73-66-73. Helped GSW to finish second, three strokes behind No. 15 Nova Southeastern.
Read more about this honor here.
Junior catcher Kalvin Alexander recently broke the all-time GSW career home run record. He has hit 22 home runs in just 82 games.
Assistant Professor of English Alaina Kaus, Ph.D. published her essay "Human Rights and Banned Books: Art Spiegelman's Maus in an Era of Rising Antisemitism and White Nationalism" in Myra Mendible’s edited collection, American Fury: Essays on Moral Outrage in Culture and Politics (McFarland, February 2024). Kaus's essay reads Spiegelman's "Maus" in the context of the graphic memoir's removal from the eighth-grade curriculum in McMinn County, Tennessee, in January 2022. The essay demonstrates that the conversation recorded in the school board's meeting minutes reveals an attempt to manage outrage by deflecting outrage away from genocide and toward its representation.
Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science Glenn Robins, Ph.D., was recently a guest on the podcast "Military Historians are People, Too!" He and the hosts discussed chance and circumstance in becoming a historian, working for NASA, POWs, veterans in Congress, and more. The full episode can be found on Spotify or YouTube.
Assistant Professor of economics Mohammad Dehzooei, Ph.D., was recently featured on the credit and personal finance website WalletHub. Dehzooei’s review of LendingClub was featured in an “Ask the Experts” column.
Read the full piece here.
Assistant Professor of Middle Grades Education Michael Crosby, Ed.D., and Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Education Chris Pritchett, Ed.D., presented at the 2024 Georgia Science Teachers Association Conference held in Columbus, Ga. on Feb. 22, 2024. The title of the presentation was Innovative Teaching Practices to Engage Middle School Science Students.
Aller presents at D.C. conferenceThe Academy of Human Resource Development International Conference was held in Washington, D.C. in Feb. 2024. Associate Professor of Human Resources Jim Aller, Ph.D., did a poster presentation on behalf of multiple faculty members (Perry, Chatham, and Mukkavilli) on a working paper: “Assessing the Psychological Contract Barriers Face by International Graduates Seeking Employment in the United States.”
Mukkavilli has been teaching in the computer science area since 2018, and he has noticed some challenges with international students seeking employment in the U.S. Upon discussion, the group of professors decided it was a significant opportunity and a great opportunity to make an impact through research that not only impacts students/administrators but also aligns to that of our professor’s research areas. Higher education strives to educate and build skills for students to better compete in their chose field. It is important to recognize that the business of education creates implied promises about future career opportunities and that dynamic affects the psychological contract of those students. The psychological contract affects relationships and engagement levels, whether that be employment, education, sports or political settings. It is important for administrators in a university setting to understand the psychological contract with students and the activities that affect it both positively and negatively.
Professor of History Susan Bragg, Ph.D., was an invited speaker at a Women’s History Month event on March 23rd, organized by the Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. and sponsored by the New Jersey Historical Commission. This online humanities presentation focused on the life and legacy of Brenda Ray Moryck, an important but under-recognized civil rights activist and creative writer of the early 20th c. Bragg’s discussion traced Moryck’s work with the NAACP in the 1920s and 1930s, with an emphasis on encouraging greater attention to African American women’s intellectual contributions to the black freedom movement.
Lewis presents on Brotherhood in ChicagoOn March 19, Software Solutions Management Specialist Oneil Lewis joined the co-founders former advisors of GSW's Brotherhood for a presentation at the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) 100th anniversary conference in Chicago. The presentation, titled "Lead Black Man: How Communal Spaces Influences Black Male Leadership," was selected as a 2024 ACPA PAN Sponsored Program.
The Mission of The Pan African Network (PAN) is to provide programs and resources that service the needs of ACPA members who identify with–and support the causes of– the Pan African community. PAN strives to accomplish its purpose through the implementation of six Core Values, which serve as guidelines for programmatic outcomes: Educational Leadership, Collaboration, Fellowship, Advocacy, Professional Development, and Mentoring. The presentation and abstract represent PAN's goals to promote and publish the research and practice making a difference in student affairs practice, for, about and by practitioners and students of African heritage in higher education.
Lewis (far left) presented alongside former GSW employees who were instrumental in founding and advising the Brotherhood, including (L to R) Richard Ware, Christopher Avery, and LaToya Stackhouse.
GSW Professor of Chemistry Nedialka “Nellie” Iordanova, Ph.D., has been named Outreach Volunteer of the Year for the Southwest Georgia American Chemical Society (ACS) local section.
Iordanova is passionate about chemistry and bringing the sciences to the broader community. She created GSW’s annual Science Day in 2019, which allows local high school students to visit campus and take part in a variety of science experiments to spark interest in the STEM fields. She also regularly organizes outreach demonstrations in local schools and participates in their science fairs.
Read more about Iordanova's volunteer work and award here.
The Department of Human Resources has launched an Employee of the Month program with the purpose of encouraging recognition of GSW faculty and staff who have significantly benefited the University and made contributions beyond the usual expectations or their employment.
Nominations can be made online each month here.
The February 2024 Employees of the Month were:
Collins graduates from South GeorgiaLEADS programChelsea Collins, Director of Marketing and Communications, recently graduated from South GeorgiaLEADS in the 2023-2024 cohort.
The comprehensive leadership development initiative spans 21 counties, and is committed to investing in and enhancing the communities of South Georgia by strengthening the region’s leaders. LEADS is designed to raise awareness about challenges and opportunities unique to South Georgia and vital to the future success of the region. Participants are equipped with the skills and training needed to lead effectively with a deeper understanding of how to engage on issues and find meaningful solutions.
Facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the eight-month program included 29 participants in its seventh cohort. With a strong emphasis on this year’s theme of "Telling Our Story," the sessions aimed to empower leaders to become effective communicators, storytellers, and advocates, thereby fostering greater understanding, collaboration, and positive change within their spheres of influence.
LEADS participants actively engaged in a variety of activities to help them effectively articulate and share their experiences, challenges, and successes within their communities and beyond. Collins, along with other members of her cohort, explored the following communities and learned about:
"This was truly a transformative experience," said Collins. "I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless individuals passionate about their communities and dedicated to improving the economic vitality of South Georgia. While I anticipated to further develop my leadership skills and learn more about the partnerships, resources and needs of our region, I was pleasantly surprised by the genuine friendships formed within our diverse group. We forged unexpected bonds, created cherished memories, and shared invaluable experiences. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the generous sponsors whose support made this program possible, and to the board of directors and day chairs who carefully organized each session and community visit."
Further details and pictures from each session can be found on South GeorgiaLEADS Facebook.
Jacob Crawford selected as women's soccer head coachDirector of Athletics Mike Leeder has announced that Jacob Crawford has been tabbed to lead the GSW women's soccer program. Crawford comes to Americus after serving the 2023-24 season as the interim head women's soccer coach at the University of West Georgia where he led the Wolves to a 6-5-2 Gulf South Conference record and an appearance in the GSC women's soccer tournament.
"We are very pleased to be able to add Jacob to our staff here at GSW," Leeder said. "He has deep roots in women's soccer across the state of Georgia, and we look forward to watching him continuing our upward trajectory in the Peach Belt Conference."
Crawford becomes the eighth head coach in program history.
"I am very humbled to know that I was a desirable candidate for head women's soccer coaching position at GSW," Crawford said. "I'm excited to see what this program can achieve in the future. I want to thank GSW's AD Mike Leeder for this opportunity and for seeing my potential to lead this program."
Learn more about Crawford here.
Courtney Seay joined the Office of Public Safety as an officer on Mar. 25, 2024.
Erin Andrews, CRM and Communication Administrator in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, exited that role on Mar. 8, 2024.
The GSW Accounting Club is working on a Social Impact Project to promote financial literacy. Club members Curtianna Johnson, Curtis Raines, Geanna Richards, and David Williams recently visited GSW Pre-K students, where they read stories and gave out piggy banks. We thank Citizens Bank of Americus for providing the piggy banks. The GSW Accounting Club is planning more fun projects to positively impact society, so stay tuned for updates!
Eight members of GSW's African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) attended the Georgia Board of Regents AAMI Black Male Collegiate Summit at the Georgia Power Headquarters Building in downtown Atlanta Feb. 22-23. The Summit focused on tech, commercial construction, financial planning, wealth building and a connection to all attendees to apply for those jobs in these fields before they graduate. The companies received information from all attendees to keep in touch with them. The companies that presented and recruited were Balfour Beatty US and AWS. It was a powerful conference that focused on the attendees finding a great paying job upon graduation. The attendees received a free tour of Truist Park and the Battery. The attendees also enjoyed their two-day stay at the Crown Plaza Downtown Atlanta and the surrounding areas. The group was accompanied by GSW's AAMI Director Ervin Anderson.
Senior Lecturer Bonnie Gary and Interim ASN Coordinator, Lecturer, and Student Success Mentor Laura Stanley visited Crisp County Health Occupations classes on Mar. 20, 2024. The day was spent at the school to meet with all classes grades 9-12. Gary and Stanley discussed GSW School of Nursing requirements for both the ASN and BSN programs. Students were encouraged to take current classes seriously and provided insights on how the concepts they are learning about will contribute to their overall health occupation career goals. Students were educated on how to properly put on and take off personal protective equipment (PPE).
After learning about PPE, students were teamed up and engaged in PPE relays. For students who were not interested in nursing or other health care fields, Gary and Stanley discussed the importance of maintaining competence in skills previously learned through their health occupation classes at Crisp County High School. Skills such as CPR prove to be invaluable in other occupations and set students apart form other applicants. Students enjoyed having opportunities to ask career related questions, hear real life nursing care stories and learn about different career paths in nursing.
GSW's College of Education and Chattahoochee-Flint RESA partnered once again to present the 2024 Teacher Career Fair. The fair brought personnel representatives from 33 school systems throughout the state of Georgia including (but not limited to) the school districts from the Chattahoochee-Flint RESA region and GSW area. Certified educators, those eligible for teaching certification in the 2023-24 school year, and those holding a degree were encouraged to attend. Chattahoochee-Flint RESA also had representatives available to discuss the GaTAPP program, which is an alternative pathway for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, who did not compete a traditional teacher education degree program, and who wants to transition in the teaching profession.
Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Geology, & Physics N. Iordanova, Ph.D., and four Chemistry Club members visited the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga. on Mar. 9, 2024. The group attended Georgia Tech's Science and Engineering Day, part of the larger Atlanta Science Festival. They were able to observe numerous demonstrations and science activities and toured the campus with a former GSW student, Kacy Shrader, who is currently attending Georgia Tech as a transfer student from the pre-engineering program at GSW.
In January 2024, GSW's African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) hosted Stephen Woodson as a speaker. Woodson is the Truancy Prevention Officer for the Southwest Judicial Circuit and Southwestern Georgia Children’s Alliance. His speech was titled, “Let’s Do Great Things in Our Lives and In Our Future Careers.” He reflected on his job that is very important to young developing students, and he used examples in his life that helped him mold himself into the man he is today. He emphasized why quitting your educational dream is not an option and how nothing can get in your way, if you put forth a structured and discipline effort. The students really enjoyed his presentation and asked questions. The connection and attention were greatly appreciated by the students as well as the speaker.
AAMI also hosted a Black History Month/Black Greek Reunion event in February 2024. The speaker was GSW alumna Shakira Brown Rice. She is the Clayton County Executive Director of Creative Services, Community and Employee Engagement and Strategic Improvement Communications Department. Rice spoke about the contributions of African Americans in the United States, the progress of Black males in education, Greek organizations, and the understanding that college is not easy and that one must not give up! Students were excited about her enthusiasm, her poise and her sincerity. She reminded the students to “Keep Showing Up Until You Are Noticed.”
GSW student-athletes attended Canes Career Night, which was aimed at offering invaluable insights into life after athletics and the journey towards professional growth.
Meribeth McNeil, owner and operator of the Americus Chick-fil-A, was the keynote speaker. She discussed Chick-fil-A's philosophy on company culture and team while inspiring the audience to "spill joy" in their everyday lives.
Students also head from two panels, one in which former student-athletes shared their post-collegiate experiences and another that included distinguished members of the GSW community.
"The College of Education would like to thank Plant, IT, and University Relations staff who helped make our 2024 Teacher Career Fair successful."
- College of Education
"Congratulations to Dr. Bryan Davis for his exceptional leadership in writing the SACSCOC Compliance Certification and Focus Report and for hosting a successful onsite visit. Dr. Davis's dedication and expertise were instrumental in showcasing our institution's strengths and ensuring compliance with SACSCOC standards. Let's all acknowledge this important achievement and thank him for his outstanding contributions to our institution."
- Dr. Jill Drake
"I would like to say thank you to everyone for your help and support and making this school year a wonderful one despite the ups and downs we’ve had. I’m thankful to God for making this school year a wonderful one. I pray and hope that next year, everyone will continue to be in good health, and receive more blessings, happiness and success."
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
