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GSW hosted its 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium featuring student research on topics such as politics and history, computer science and IT, mathematics, psychology, biology, and nursing.
Students from a variety of majors and fields shared their research projects with oral presentations and poster presentations. The research projects provide an opportunity for students to actively collaborate with their professors and peers, investigating real-world challenges within their chosen fields of study.
“GSW’s Undergraduate Research Symposium is an impressive showcase of our students’ achievements as emerging scholars,” said Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Their presentations consistently reflect deep disciplinary knowledge, strong communication skills, and a remarkable level of professionalism. The quality of their work is a testament to their dedication to academic excellence and to the invaluable guidance of our faculty mentors. This annual event is one of the most meaningful on our academic calendar. It aligns perfectly with our current strategic plan by offering students a transformative experience—one that prepares them for future success.”
Find the list of winners here.
The College of Education recently announced that its Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Specialist of Education (Ed.S.) programs are now fully online. This transition to a 100% virtual format provides greater flexibility for teachers and education professionals looking to advance their careers while balancing the demands of work and family.
Both the online M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs can be completed in as little as 13 months, offering a streamlined and accessible path for working professionals. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today's educators, these fully accredited programs feature engaging, efficient coursework that allows students to achieve their academic and professional goals on their own schedule — all from the comfort of home. No GRE or GMAT scores are required for admission, removing a major barrier and making it even easier for prospective students to get started.
"This transition to fully online graduate programs was made with careful consideration," said Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education. "We understand the demands our students face — balancing work, life, and professional growth — and we are committed to providing a high-quality, flexible educational experience that empowers them to succeed."
Read more about the transition to online programs here.
GSW students excelled at the Regents Cup debate tournament, securing impressive achievements against a talented field of 13 schools and 26 debaters from across the state. The tournament, created and hosted by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, is intended to highlight the importance of civil debate about important issues as part of a university education.
GSW was represented by freshman Emery Evans from Albany, Ga. and junior Noah Miller from Warner Robins, Ga., with research and preparation support from alternate Gabrielle Foster, a freshman from Atlanta, Ga.
GSW emerged as the only university with two debaters placing to the top 8, with Evans placing 5th and Miller 8th in the competition. Both GSW representatives achieved winning records of 2-1.
Through the combined efforts of the three students, GSW placed first out of schools in the state university group and finished 4th in the overall team rankings, behind only debate powerhouses University of Georgia (1st place), Georgia Tech, and Valdosta State University (tied for 2nd).
Read more about the tournament here.
GSW's College of Nursing and Health Sciences recently provided students with a powerful, real-world learning experience through a full-scale disaster simulation in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Nursing students in GSW’s ASN and BSN programs suited up in full hazmat gear and personal protective equipment (PPE) as they responded to a variety of mock emergency scenarios, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) events. The Americus Fire Department collaborated in the event, leading a decontamination training exercise on-site.
“The goal is to get new nurses mentally prepared for dealing with the chaos of mass casualty incidents,” said Gary Mackey, a FEMA instructor. “When your resources are stretched thin and patients outnumber beds, nurses must be able to think clearly and act decisively.”
Read more about the training here.
Jenkins and Dahlgren complete Executive Leadership InstituteDirector of First-Year Experience and Student Success David Jenkins, Ed.D., and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and QEP Director Paul Dahlgren, Ph.D., have successfully completed the University System of Georgia’s prestigious Executive Leadership Institute (ELI). This highly selective professional development program is designed to strengthen leadership skills and prepare participants—referred to as Scholars—for high-level administrative roles within the University System of Georgia (USG).
Spanning eight months, the ELI includes 120 hours of intensive leadership training, led by experts in executive development. The program features a robust curriculum that combines group learning sessions, individualized assessments, cross mentoring, alumni development, reflective learning practices, and a 40-hour job shadowing experience with senior leaders across USG institutions.
Jenkins and Dahlgren were among 39 participants selected system-wide for the 2024–2025 cohort. Candidates were nominated by their institution's president and chosen through a competitive application and selection process. Their participation in this program not only reflects their commitment to personal and professional growth but also demonstrates a continued investment in fostering strong, visionary leadership within the USG community.
Tribute bricks offer a unique way for students and alumni to leave a lasting impression on campus. Whether you're honoring a friend, remembering a favorite professor, or commemorating your student organization or pledge class, these personalized bricks become part of GSW’s landscape and legacy.
These bricks will line the back patio of the new Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center, which is sure to be a high-traffic area for both campus and community events. Matching souvenir bricks are also available as an add-on.
To purchase a brick, visit gsw.edu/GriffinBellConstruction.
Three GSW students have earned $1,000 Gas N Go gas cards made possible by Charles Eames, a philanthropist from Waycross, Ga., and Perry Brother’s Oil Company in Americus. E’nariel Clark, a non-traditional commuter student from Thomaston, Ga., Tyler Smelley, a non-traditional commuter student from Fort Benning, Ga., and Teewon Beglar, a residential nursing student from Conyers, Ga. were selected based on winning essays.
With the rise in travel costs, reducing this expense has become increasingly important for GSW students. The gas card program is specifically designed to alleviate financial burdens, helping students balance their education, work and personal responsibilities.
Read more about each student here.
GSW) will proudly celebrate the achievements of more than 265 graduating students during Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9 in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center, also known as the Storm Dome.
Two ceremonies will be held to honor the Class of 2025:
GSW expects to confer degrees to approximately 184 students earning their bachelor’s degree, 75 earning their master’s degree, and 6 students with a specialist who will be walking in the ceremony.
Learn more about the ceremonies here.
The Hospice of Americus-Sumter County Georgia has announced the creation of a new scholarship aimed at supporting students enrolled in Georgia Southwestern’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program. Designed to foster local talent and address the growing need for qualified healthcare professionals, the scholarship specifically targets non-traditional students with healthcare experience or those who are first responders from Sumter County and the surrounding region.
This scholarship initiative underscores a shared commitment to expanding access to nursing education and strengthening the local healthcare workforce. By prioritizing individuals already embedded in healthcare and emergency services, the fund supports career advancement and ensures that compassionate, experienced caregivers remain within the community.
Learn more here.
Thanks to generous donations to the GSW Foundation from Charles Eames and Perry Brothers Oil Co., all currently enrolled GSW students are eligible to win a $100 Gas N' Go gift card each month. The April winners were (pictured L to R) Olivia Henderson, Harleigh James and Logan Stodola.
Students can enter the drawing through the link in sent to their Radar emails each month. Winners will be contacted via email by a representative from the GSW Foundation.
GSW recently celebrated the publication of a new student-edited literary and visual arts journal, Blue Fire. During the release party, held on April 24 in the MSC Pods, chief editors and senior English majors Sam Gainous of Cairo, Ga. and Amari Rudison of Loganville, Ga. and faculty advisor and Associate Professor of English Alaina Kaus, Ph.D., unveiled the inaugural issue and provided contributors the opportunity to read and discuss their published work.
The journal’s name both plays on the University’s colors and speaks to GSW’s creative fire that spreads across campus and beyond. The first issue includes creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, song lyrics and visual art by GSW students, alumni and faculty as well as by authors and artists unaffiliated with GSW.
Read more about Blue Fire here.
The annual Student Awards Banquet was held in the Storm Dome on Thursday, April 24. During the event, 35 students were recognized for their academic achievements and leadership. The full photo album from the evening is available on GSW's Facebook page.
The 2025 award winners were:
Five students traveled with Professor of History Susan Bragg. Ph.D., on April 11-12 to the campus of Coastal Carolina University for the joint Carolinas regional Phi Alpha Theta history honor society conference. Students presented and discussed their research projects with other history majors and history faculty from across three states, as well as participated in a luncheon and keynote speech with a leading scholar of early American history. GSW student essays demonstrated a wide variety of creative scholarly exploration.
History major Temple Williams documented the devastating impact of segregation on the sexual health of black troops in “The Jim Crow Army: The History of Body Politics of WWI.”
Luther Bludsworth, also a history major, presented, “Toyrah, Tameym, and Taboos, Oh My!: Jewish Women and Sex Work in Early 20th Century America.” This project looked at the ways that sexuality, ethnicity, and immigration histories shaped the struggle for female autonomy among Jewish American women.
Amelia Howard, a psychology sociology double major, traced the story of a working-class individual who challenged mainstream gender and sexuality norms in early 20th c. America. In “Definition Without Language: The Development of Jennie June/Ralph Werther,” Howard demonstrated how June/Werther published episodes of their life story in leading scholarly journals of the era, confronting new ‘experts’ who sought to formalize binary notions of identity.
Finally, integrated studies major Zac Monnier traced the history of segregated recreation and health politics across the South in “Pool’d Apart: Desegregation & the Disburdening of the South’s Third Places.” Monnier focused on how racism shaped access to public pools, using the city of Americus as a case study throughout this larger exploration of Jim Crow culture and its’ continuing impact in the 21st century.
In addition to the valuable work done by these presenters, history major Ariahna Jones also participated to engage in the history conversations of the day. GSW students have built a strong tradition of attending Phi Alpha Theta conferences for over a dozen years. As with past such events, students gained very positive feedback from the experience and represented our campus with pride.
Pictured (L to R) are Monnier, Howard, Jones, Bludsworth and Williams.
Canes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The April Canes Spotlights were senior psychology and exercise science double major Dre'a Singleton (left) and senior English major DeShaun Simmons (right).
Dre'a has built an extensive list of achievements during her time at GSW. She was voted Miss GSW in 2024, is a member of the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program, has served as a Residential Leader, and has won several awards including Outstanding University Spirit.
Attending GSW for her freshman year was "a wildcard decision" that led to so much more. "After my first semester, I chose to stay at GSW because I knew staying at this institution would be a transformative investment towards my future," Dre'a said. "The relationships built, the opportunities afforded, and the hands-on experiences at GSW have not only made the journey worthwhile, but they have also equipped me with the knowledge and skills I need to succeed."
DeShaun has been involved on campus as president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and GSW's National Panhellenic Council, a member of the Student African American Brotherhood, and a residential leader. "I chose GSW because I wanted to experience college away from home," said the Macon native. "I loved the atmosphere of campus life and the fact that class sizes were small, which meant that I could connect better with my professors."
DeShaun chose his major for his love of writing. "With the expansive amount of career options available with an English major (contrary to popular belief), I thought it would be great to simply do what I love!"
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
GSW senior Dhrumil Patel, a computer science major from Americus, recently earned third place in the global “Accelerate App Development with GitHub Copilot” Hackathon. This prestigious competition, judged by industry leaders at Microsoft, showcased the use of AI-powered coding and Azure-based innovations.
Patel’s award-winning project, Study-Buddy, is a voice-activated AI mentor designed to revolutionize the learning experience for students aged 5 to 20. By integrating GitHub Copilot with Microsoft Azure services, the project showcases cutting-edge AI capabilities in education.
The Hackathon attracted over 2,300 participants, making Patel’s top-three finish a remarkable achievement. His winnings include $1,500, exclusive 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with Cloud Advocates, and a feature in GitHub’s social promotions.
Read more about Dhrumil's app here.
Gomez named PBC Men's Golf Player of the YearSenior Felipe Gomez was named the 2024-25 Peach Belt Conference men's golf Player of the Year by the league office on Thursday afternoon.
Gomez joined the GSW golf team for the spring semester and made an immediate impact, winning the Lincoln Memorial University Spring Kickoff in his first tournament with three rounds in the 60s. He played in all six events this spring for the Hurricanes, finishing in the top five four times with a PBC-best 70.61 stroke average.
A native of Santander, Spain, Gomez is currently the top-ranked golfer in the southeast region and No. 7 in the nation according to the NCAA Division II computer rankings by Scoreboard, which are the highest of any PBC golfer. He has played 13 of his 18 rounds at or under par. Gomez becomes the second Georgia Southwestern men's golfer to be named the Player of the Year, joining current PGA Tour pro Vincent Norrman, who won in 2020.
Read more here.
Senior chemistry/pre-pharmacy major Eli Prince recently received the Outstanding Student in Chemistry Award from the local Southwest Georgia section of the American Chemical Society and Optima Chemical, LLC. The award is given to outstanding students in chemistry for their high GPA and exceptional performance inside and outside the classroom. The award includes a plaque sponsored by SOWEGA ACS and $100 Amazon gift card donated by Optima Chemical, LLC.
Costa named Peach Belt Conference Golfer of the WeekJunior Joao Costa was named the Peach Belt Conference Men's Golfer of the Week on Monday by the league office.
Costa finished in a tie for first at the 70-player Arkansas Collegiate hosted by Southern Arkansas University at the challenging par-72, 7,111-yard Mystic Creek Golf Club, ranked the No. 1 course in Arkansas by Golfweek, and fell in a playoff after shooting rounds of 75-72-74 (+5). He led the field in par-5 scoring at 4-under-par for the week and helped the 10th-ranked Hurricanes to a 22-stroke victory in the 13-team event. His second round score of even was tied for the low round of the day.
It was Costa's second top 5 finish of the season. The junior from Carcavelos, Portugal, ranks No. 49 in the NCAA Division II Scoreboard computer rankings powered by Clipped.
Read more here.
Congratulations to the newest members of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) at GSW! On Tuesday, April 8, the GSW BGS chapter hosted its Spring 2025 Induction Ceremony and Reception to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of our outstanding students and faculty. This year, 20 students and one faculty member from the College of Business and Computing were formally inducted into this prestigious international business honor society.
The faculty inductee was Yangil Park.
Masters inductees were Mark Howell, Tiffany Irby, Andrew Norton, Steve O'Donoghue, Jeanette Pinyan, Nicholas Rex, Arturo Rocha, Justin Serna, Johnny Underwood, Tyneshia Edwards and Keontae Gibson.
Senior inductees were Cabella Fuller, Amanda Layfield, Lillian Peppers, Leah Robertson and Buffy Zorn .
Junior inductees were Connor Briggs, Axel-Ambroise Gravel, Elizabeth Kennedy and Krista Washburne.
Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes the top academic performers in business programs accredited by AACSB, honoring students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and professionalism. To become a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, students must be enrolled full-time and be in the top 10% of the class academically in their junior or senior years or the top 20% in terms of graduate students.
Watson garners second PBC Freshman of the Week AwardDesignated player Cooper Watson was named the Peach Belt Conference softball Freshman of the Week on Monday by the league office. It's the second time in three weeks Watson has received the honor.
Watson hit .556 over the weekend with a home run, two doubles and four RBIs in the Lady Hurricanes PBC series win at Georgia College & State University. She was perfect with runners in scoring position (2-for-2) and overall went 3-for-3 with runners on base. Watson had multiple hits in two of the three games, highlighted by a 5-for-6 doubleheader sweep on Saturday when she delivered a home run in the first game of the day and two doubles in the nightcap.
A native of Auburn, Ala., Watson currently leads the PBC in on-base percentage (.532) and ranks third in both slugging percentage (.814) and OPS (1.346), while sitting sixth in batting average (.419). She has reached base safely in 11 of the Lady Hurricanes last 12 games.
Read more here.
HAIL Director and Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences Paul Dahlgren, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Marketing Becca Jones, Associate Professor of Political Science John LeJeune, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology Jamie McLennan, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of English Jennifer Ryer, Ph.D., presented at the 2025 USG Teaching & Learning Conference on April 3-4 in Columbus, Ga. Their interactive presentation, "Enhancing Student Engagement through Collaborative Integrative Learning," featured ways that instructors can incorporate integrative learning activities into their classes, form collaborations with each other to create linked experiences across courses, and enable students to connect and reflect on their learning. The presentation team guided the audience through several integrative activities drawn from GSW’s QEP, HAIL: High-impact Approach to Integrative Learning.
Along with co-author Caddie Alford (VCU), Assistant Professor of Communication Jonathan Carter, Ph.D. presented a paper titled "A Cesspool of Toxicity, Hatred, and Discrimination: Twitter, Free Speech Absolutism, and Adoxastic Enshittification" at the Southern States Communication Association conference on April 3. The paper explores the ways Elon Musk changed the platform of X to promote his political goals at the cost of user experience. Has ramifications for the ways that user experience can be influenced by CEO politics.
Assistant Professor of Information Technology Jonathan Hobbs, D.Sc., recently presented at two conferences. He presented "Phishing in the Age of Generative AI: A New Frontier in Cybersecurity Threats" at ABR in New Orleans on March 19 and "AI Prompting and GPT Models: Engaging Students by Role-Playing Historical Figures and Tasks" at the 2025 USG Teaching & Learning Conference.
Ghosh presents at Chicago conferenceAssistant Professor of Sociology Debaleena Ghosh, Ph.D., attended the annual conference of the Midwest Sociological Society in Chicago, held March 13-16. She presented at a teaching technique/method session as well as presided over and served as a panelist in an author meets critics panel featuring the book, "Revolutions in Cuba and Venezuela: One Hope, Two Realities," authored by Silvia Pedraza (Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan) and Carlos A. Romero (Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Universidad Central de Venezuela).
Ghosh's presentation, entitled as "Understanding Gender via Textual Analysis of Media/Popular Culture," discussed how in order to help students get a hands-on experience in understanding how media/pop culture constructs dominant gender ideologies, she encourages them to explore a diverse range of media/pop culture categories/elements—including but not limited to movies, tv shows, newspaper articles, blogs, vlogs, music videos, commercials, clothing websites, social media posts and comments, podcasts or video games—to identify the gender message that's being portrayed. This includes an understanding of the supposed target audience, decoding and analyzing the construction and portrayal of hegemonic gender ideologies and other social identities including men's and women's attitudes, behaviors, and thoughts, dominant stereotypes, roles or messages, and if media/pop culture challenges them in any way.
She uses this experiential learning technique in her two upper-division undergraduate courses, Gender and Society and Identity and Pop Culture, with the goal that students can gain a deeper understanding about gender issues—and how they intersect with sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, age, etc.—in the real world and how media/pop culture produces and reinforces the prevailing ideas of masculinity and femininity including their societal implications. While analyzing media/pop culture’s role in the construction of gender, students also learn to apply course materials including feminist concepts/theories.
Associate Professor Jesse Russell, Ph.D., presented a paper titled "Eros and Magic in Magic in Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene" at the 2024 Renaissance Society Conference on March 3.
Four psychology faculty members gave presentations at the 2025 Southeastern Psychological Association meeting in Atlanta. They also learned more about the latest developments in psychology research and teaching practices.
Robins publishes book on President Jimmy CarterIn his most recent book, "A Debt of Gratitude," Professor of History Glenn Robins, Ph.D., examines Carter’s role in the creation of Vietnam veterans’ issues as a national agenda item. The book is part of the Modern War Studies Series published by the University Press of Kansas. Several advance reviews are available below.
"With impressive new scholarship, 'A Debt of Gratitude' fills a significant hole in our understanding of the aftermath of the Vietnam War by giving Jimmy Carter his proper due in transforming the image of Vietnam veterans from victims into patriots, finally granting the appreciation they long deserved."
— Jonathan Alter, author of "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life"
"Glenn Robins’s 'A Debt of Gratitude: Jimmy Carter and Vietnam Veterans' joins the growing body of well-researched scholarly books that set the record straight about the presidency and legacy of Jimmy Carter. It not only reveals in convincing detail both Carter the politician and Carter the humanitarian at work, it demonstrates how the often-maligned veterans earned and deserved the gratitude that the thirty-ninth president offered them."
— E. Stanly Godbold, Jr., author of "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: The Georgia Years, 1924–1974" and "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: Power and Human Rights, 1975–2020"
"Based on prodigious archival research, Glenn Robins details how Jimmy Carter grappled with the complex issue of Vietnam veterans, ultimately to his political detriment. 'A Debt of Gratitude' expertly uncovers Carter’s motivations and his efforts on behalf of the veterans of an unpopular war while simultaneously providing an intriguing window into US presidential politics and sociocultural mores in the aftermath of the Vietnam conflict."
— Andrew Johns, author of "The Price of Loyalty: Hubert Humphrey’s Vietnam Conflict"
"In this eye-opening book, Glenn Robins makes a convincing case that Vietnam War veterans do, indeed, owe a debt of gratitude to Jimmy Carter, who during his governorship of Georgia and while in the White House did more to recognize their service and support meaningful readjustment programs than any other American political leader. This is a clear-eyed and revealing look at the 1970s Vietnam War veterans’ movement and a solid addition to the history of that consequential time."
— Marc Leepson, arts editor and columnist, "The VVA Veteran magazine and editor of The Webster’s New World Dictionary of the Vietnam War"
"History has not been kind to Jimmy Carter in his role as commander-in-chief. Glenn Robins, however, excels in offering a thoughtful necessary revision to that history by cogently and fairly evaluating Carter's relationship with veterans of the American war in Vietnam. A superb analysis of political advocacy, veteran readjustment, and collective memory."
— Gregory A. Daddis, author of "Pulp Vietnam: War and Gender in Cold War Men’s Adventure Magazines"
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Satyaki Nan, Ph.D., published two papers in March for the 59th Annual Conference on Information Sciences and Systems (CISS).
"Securing Multi-Domain Attacks: A Game Theoretic Approach" presents a novel security framework where multiple domains can be present and each domain can have multiple users or resources. Nan and co-author Nahkiyahs Felder investigate the necessity for multiple domains such as cyber and physical domains to enhance the overall believability and effectiveness of defensive strategies. The paper also investigates the cost-benefit analysis of the security infrastructure using game theory while considering the actions of other users and their different potential losses from security breaches.
Their model considers the potential collateral damage from an indirect attack and cross-side channel attack. The research finds that an increase in the probability that the security infrastructure is compromised, given a successful attack on a user, may force the low profile users such as cyber domain participants to protect and thus increase the overall security to yield better outcomes to high profile users such as the physical domain participants. The paper investigates the relation between the total cost required to invest in security. The paper also presents numerous numeral results to gain important insights into our analytically characterized strategies.
"Behavioral and Strategic Modeling of Trojan Insertion and Testing Under Imperfections" addresses the problem of testing Integrated Circuits (ICs) for the presence of hardware Trojans, considering the hierarchical classification of Trojans, the inherent imperfections of testing processes—including different detection probabilities and false alarm probabilities—and the strategic and behavioral characteristics of IC buyers and manufacturers.
Nan demonstrates that these factors significantly influence the design of Trojan insertion and detection strategies. Under a hierarchy of Trojan types and testing imperfections, he first analytically characterizes Trojan insertion and testing strategies at the Nash Equilibrium (NE), assuming the buyer (defender) and the malicious manufacturer (attacker) are strategic and rational. Subsequently, Nan extends this analysis to account for behavioral irrationalities (cognitive biases), examining the impact of these biases on strategic decision-making.
The results highlight the asymmetric effects of detection probabilities, false alarms, and behavioral irrationalities on the defender and attacker utilities. Finally, extensive simulation results are presented to validate the analytical findings and provide deeper insights into optimal Trojan insertion and testing strategies.
GSW recently recognized the contributions of employees during the annual Faculty & Staff Awards ceremony. During the ceremony, President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D., reviewed some of GSW's recent accomplishments and praised the dedication and hard work of our faculty and staff. Awards winners, who were nominated by their peers, were presented with plaques in special recognition of their hard work.
Find the full photo album on GSW's Facebook page.
In March, Associate Professor Jesse Russell, Ph.D., was awarded the Lindsay Young Regional Fellowship to study at the University of Tennessee's Marco Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. The fellowship, which includes a stipend, gives scholars in the region access to research resources in late antique, medieval, Renaissance, and early modern fields.
Assistant Professor of Communication Elizabeth Shiller, Ph.D., was awarded the 2025 Kathy Merlock Jackson Dissertation Award from the Popular Culture Association. This award is given to recognize an outstanding contribution to the field of Popular Culture in the form of a doctoral dissertation. Shiller’s dissertation was titled, “Can I Have Your Autograph: Exploring Parasocial Relationships in Person." She was recognized at PCA’s annual conference in New Orleans in April.
Jisun Iafigliola joined the Office of the President on April 14 as the Administrative Coordinator for Executive and Business Affairs. She is a GSW alumna, having earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with a teaching certificate from Georgia Southwestern in 2011.
Iafigliola is committed to supporting the executive and business affairs team, as well as serving the faculty and students of Georgia Southwestern. She also shares her passion for music as an active member of the Southwest Civic Chorus here at GSW.
Aaron Coombs, head men's basketball coach in the Department of Athletics, left that role on April 4.
Payton Johnson, admissions counselor in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, left that role on April 4.
Sheni Reese, assistant in the Office of Student Accounts, left that role on April 8.
Austin Taylor, assistant in the Office of Materials Management, left that role on April 11.
The College of Education hosted its fourth annual Recruitment and Appreciation Fest on April 22. High school students interested in teaching as a profession from Sumter County, Taylor County and Crisp County were welcomed to campus for food, fun, games and a campus tour.
Faculty, staff and teacher candidates from the College of Education socialized with the high school students inside and on the front lawn of the Education Center. Admissions staff completed the high schoolers' visit by giving full campus tours.
Eight GSW Association of Nursing Students (GSWANS) members took Seattle by storm at the 73rd Annual National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) Convention. The future nurses attended NCLEX prep classes, focus sessions, earned specialty certificates, used virtual reality simulation, and networked with nursing students from across the country. Forty-eight states were represented at the convention.
GSWANS appointed a national delegate to represent them during the House of Delegates. This student partook in parliamentary procedures including voting on resolutions and selecting the upcoming NSNA Board of Directors.
After classes were done for the day, the students had time to explore Seattle. They saw the Space Needle, Pike Market, and saw a Mariners game. The GSWANS members are excited to bring back all that they learned to our school and continue pushing GSWANS forward.
Pictured on "Show Your Scrubs" day are (standing) GSWANS Public Relations Director Jazmin Artiga, Angela Jones, GSWANS VP and GANS South District Director Maykin Velasquez, GSWANS President Kaylen Jones, Laporsha Robinson, Ami Robinson, Juliet Burge, Advisor Brandy Pfeiffer, (squatting) Advisor Carrie Bachhofer, and Logann Morrison.
In an effort to better prepare students for the demands of today’s rapidly evolving job market, a Technology Career Fair was held April 16 in Crawford Wheatley Hall. Organized by Senior Lecturer Karen Cook, Ed.D., with the help of the GSW Computer Club, the event provided a valuable platform for students to meet with potential employers, learn about internship and job opportunities, and explore different career paths in the technology sector.
Representatives from Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany, Ga., Sumter County School System, Sumter EMC, Georgia Southwestern's Office of Information and Instructional Technology, TSYS representatives from Columbus, GA and Snellville, GA, and Pineland TelCo participated in the fair.
Students were able to present their résumés, discuss job openings, and internships. Representatives also answered questions about their organization and what opportunities they offered. The event was a great success and plans are already underway to expand next year’s event to include even more employers and networking opportunities.
If you missed Coach Kevin O'Connor's introductory press conference earlier this month, the video is available on the GSW Athletics YouTube channel.
O'Connor is the new head coach of GSW's men's basketball team.
Twelve Georgia Southwestern students and two faculty members, Professor Nedialka Iordanova, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Benjamin Meador, Ph.D., traveled to Peru during spring break in March 2025 as part of a study abroad experience. The 10-day trip was connected to the UNIV 4000 Service Learning course, which combined on-campus instruction with international travel.
While in Peru, the group explored Lima, the capital city, as well as La Florida and Lunahuana in the Cañete region, and Puno and Lake Titicaca. They visited several museums and archaeological sites, interacted with local communities, and sampled traditional Peruvian cuisine.
In Lima, students attended a concert showcasing Peruvian folk music and dance. In La Florida, they participated in a service project by collecting trash and purchasing and delivering more than 5,000 bricks to assist with home construction for residents in need.
The group also traveled to Paracas, where they took a boat tour of the Islas Ballestas - home to penguins, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds - and enjoyed a white-water rafting adventure in Lunahuana.
The final leg of the trip included four days in Puno and on Lake Titicaca. Students stayed overnight with host families on Amantaní Island, experiencing local food, music, dance, and cultural traditions. They also visited Taquile Island and the renowned Floating Islands of the Uros.
The trip offered a rich blend of service, culture, nature, and personal growth, leaving lasting memories for all who participated.
The eleven accounting students who participated in COBAC’s inaugural year in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program celebrated a successful tax season with a Tax Day Lunch on April 15. This year, they prepared over 80 tax returns for community members.
The VITA program is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, and GSW partnered with the Sumter County Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Georgia VITA program. VITA is a service-learning experience in federal taxation in which students meet with tax clients in the local community to gather their tax information, complete their tax returns, and have a second meeting with the clients to review their return after an independent review.
On March 29, three GSW writing consultants, Alexander Morton, Adaora Nwagbara and Kennedy Daniels, attended the Southeastern Writing Center Association’s Mini-Conference at Georgia Institute of Technology with the Director of the Writing Center Lauren DiPaula, Ph.D. The theme for this year’s conference was “Leading from the Center.” Writing consultants from Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia Institute of Technology, Agnes Scott College, Georgia State University, Emory University, and Oglethorpe University attended the event as well, and led various panels and workshops during the event.
Consultants were also able to network and discuss tutoring strategies with other students and administrators in attendance as well. A few of the topics discussed included helping newer writing consultants become leaders, the use of artificial intelligence in writing center administration, accessibility in the writing center, and leadership through adaptation.
In addition, the Writing Center recently hosted two events. For Presidential Investiture Week, writing consultants led other GSW students and faculty for an hour of poetry and song. They also hosted a consultant-led literary game night.
"[On April 2,] we hosted our Area 11 Special Olympics for 268 P-12 student athletes. This is the third SPRING event we have hosted since 2019. Coming back from the pandemic required us to be patient as we worked with schools and families to get medicals on file! We started back from the pandemic in spring 2023 with 63 registered athletes and our volunteers far outnumbering our athletes. This year, we set a record for all our fall and spring games!
- Spring 2023 – 63 competitors
- Spring 2024 – 198 competitors
- Spring 2025 – 268 competitors
Without the support of everyone on our campus, there is no way we could host these events! I am thankful for each one of you! Each of your 'jobs' on these event days is so important to ensuring our athletes are happy, encouraged, and safe!
Thank you to the Special Education Teacher Candidates and SpEd Faculty (Ms. Tarrer and Dr. Watson) for your organization and support through the planning and implementation processes. Each year our teacher candidates bring ideas to the table and seek to refine the processes we are making for the events. I believe it helps us to make the event better each semester.
Thank you to Coach Crawford and Caitlin Downs for your collaboration! You work with your coaches and athletes to ensure we have the manpower to run the games, set-up, clean up, and cheer! This year we worked together to ensure we had everything we usually have PLUS a changing station tent, extra restrooms, and snacks! I am so thankful for the donation from the donors who work closely with your department. It allowed for these extra things to be locked in place for our athletes and teachers. I look forward to continuing to work with you both as we plan for future games!
Thank you to the College of Education faculty and staff for volunteering your service to our community. You are each an encouragement to me as we work toward the day of the games! You do a lot of little things that I request, and I truly appreciate the help! Thank you, Dr. Johnston, for your warm words of encouragement today! You really helped to set the stage for our event today! We are excited to have you on campus with us to celebrate events such as this! Thank you, Sydney, for the FANTASTIC photos of the day! I always enjoy seeing the photos you take of our campus community!
A special thank you to the GSW Athletics Department, Coaches and Athletes, for your continued support! You all truly help our P-12 athletes have a great time while learning a skill they may still be working to improve! I really enjoy interacting with your players. It never fails that we get to joke around together plus get the work done. Thank you all for your support or this program. As always, Keith, you did an amazing job getting us started for the day and helping with sound/music!
Thank you to our campus volunteers – you all showed up and showed out for us when we needed the help! We had so many students representing almost every college on campus! I saw representation from our student leadership organizations, fraternities, and sororities. You served as either a student athlete, teacher aide, score keeper, Olympic village game facilitator, serving snacks, etc. I’m always amazed at how we put out a call to our campus and we show up and show out!
A special thank you to campus safety, Americus Fire Department, and GoldStar EMS! You help to keep us safe at these events and take care of those in need of assistance. One highlight today was watching a group from Sumter Co. Primary School get a 'tour' of the fire truck! As our firemen rolled open the sides of the truck and showed the students what was in the compartment the students 'ooohhhed' and 'awwwwed' at the equipment. It was the best reaction!!
Thank you to our physical plant for your help with getting us tables, ensuring we had clean restrooms, and plenty of trash cans/trash bags! I appreciate how you helped us with the podium, too! You are always willing to help with tasks that we need to ensure a great day for our campus events!
I look forward to working with you all this fall when we host our fall special Olympics! Keep up the great work!"
- Michele McKie, Assistant Professor of Special Education and Assessment Director
"I want to take a moment to express my sincere and immense gratitude for those who contributed to [the April 15] FEMA disaster training event. Your dedication and hard work were truly instrumental in making this event a success and a valuable experience for our students.
From our incredible CONHS Support Staff who expertly handled the preplanning, smooth check-in process, and food and hydration stations, to our faculty who provided essential logistical support and guidance, your collective efforts did not go unnoticed.
I also want to offer a special thanks to our Physical Plant Team, Public Safety, the Sumter County Fire Department. Food Services, FEMA and community stakeholders. We deeply appreciate your willingness to go the extra mile and your commitment to providing exceptional learning opportunities for our students. The positive impact of your contributions was evident throughout the day.
Thank you! We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and supportive team."
- Courtney Ross, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
