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Georgia Southwestern has reached a major milestone this fall, surpassing 4,000 students for the first time in its history. Total enrollment climbed to 4,017 students, an 8.5 percent increase over last year, marking the University’s third consecutive year of record-breaking growth.
This year’s surge reflects strong student retention and continued momentum across key student populations. Compared to last fall, dual enrollment increased by 20.5 percent, transfers by 10.4 percent, undergraduates by 7.4 percent and graduates by 13.2 percent.
"Surpassing 4,000 students is a remarkable achievement for Georgia Southwestern and for our entire region," said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. "This growth is the result of strong partnerships, dedicated faculty and staff, programs that meet today’s workforce needs and the confidence students and families place in a GSW education. We are committed to continuing this positive momentum and ensuring that every student has the support and opportunities they need to succeed."
Read more about GSW's enrollment numbers.
Georgia Southwestern has announced the appointment of Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. Abbott will continue to serve as interim provost and dean of the College of Education until December 1, when her new role becomes official.
“I am honored to accept this role and continue serving a university and community that mean so much to me,” said Abbott. “Georgia Southwestern has a long tradition of academic excellence and innovation, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated faculty and staff to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
Abbott joined the faculty in 2009 as an assistant professor in the College of Education. Since then, she has earned tenure and the rank of professor, serving in positions including the Director of Accreditation, Interim Dean, and the Dean of the College of Education. Under her leadership, the College of Education has strengthened partnerships with school districts across the region, expanded graduate programs and maintained accreditation excellence through rigorous academic standards.
“I am confident Dr. Abbott will bring the kind of supportive, dedicated leadership needed to drive academic innovation, foster intellectual growth and champion student success,” said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. “Her proven commitment to collaboration and excellence makes her the ideal person to guide our academic mission forward.”
Learn more about Abbott and her new role.
Georgia Southwestern has announced its outstanding alumni recognized for their professional and personal achievements as well as their contributions to the University. All recipients will be honored during the fourth annual Gold Force Gala on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the new Griffin Bell Conference Center.
The 2026 Alumni Awardees are:
"We are truly honored to celebrate these exceptional alumni," said Angela Smith, alumni engagement specialist. "Their professional achievements and commitment to service continue to inspire. Each one is a shining example of the GSW spirit, and we look forward to honoring them at our upcoming gala with the GSW family, friends, and supporters."
Learn more about the Alumni Awardees.
GSW has been ranked the #1 Most Affordable Online Master's in Computer Science program in the nation, according to a recent national affordability study published by Research.com. The ranking highlights GSW's continued commitment to providing high-quality, accessible graduate education that prepares students for rapidly growing and in-demand careers in technology.
The ranking evaluated accredited institutions across the United States on tuition cost, curriculum value, and student outcomes. GSW's Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) stood out for its strong academic rigor, flexibility for working professionals and one of the lowest total program costs in the country, making it a top choice for students pursuing advanced computing careers without the financial burden often associated with graduate education.
Learn more about the MSCS program's ranking.
Dr. Lettie Watford named interim dean of GSW’s College of EducationProfessor Emerita Lettie Watford (’82), Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) effective December 1, 2025. She assumes the role following the appointment of Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., as GSW’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
Watford previously served in the same position from 2007 to 2013 before her retirement.
“She brings an understanding of our mission, a history of collaborative leadership, and a commitment to our students and faculty,” said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. “Her knowledge, experience, and professional relationships within the community and state will ensure stability and continued excellence in our academic and administrative functions during this transition period.”
Learn more about Watford's new position.
Admissions team attends GACRAOThe Office of Recruitment and Admissions recently attended the Georgia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO) annual conference in Augusta, Georgia. Assistant Director Luke Ellis served as the 2025 GACRAO President.
Five members of the Office of Recruitment and Admissions attended the conference for the first time. The event offered valuable opportunities for collaboration with institutions throughout Georgia and for both professional and personal development. (Not pictured: Sophia Aparicio-Malacara)
GACRAO is a professional organization dedicated to supporting the growth and development of admissions and records professionals across the state.
GSW's mascot Surge celebrated his 16th birthday on Sunday, Nov. 16. On social media, Hurricanes shared their well-wishes and favorite photos with Surge through the years.
Surge was first introduced during a home basketball game in 2009.
GSW Athletics has unveiled a new look online with the relaunch of its official athletics website, gswcanes.com, developed in partnership with SIDEARM Sports, the industry leader in collegiate athletics digital solutions.
The refreshed website provides a modernized, mobile-friendly experience for fans, alumni, and student-athletes, offering improved navigation, enhanced visuals, and streamlined access to schedules, statistics, and multimedia content.
"We're thrilled to introduce the new gswcanes.com," said Director of Athletics Mike Leeder. "Our goal was to deliver a cleaner, faster, and more engaging platform that better represents the excitement of GSW Athletics. Partnering with SIDEARM allows us to bring that vision to life and elevate the way our fans connect with our programs."
Learn more about the new Athletics site.
GSW Advancement team attends annual GEAC Conference, Scott named to boardMembers of GSW’s Division of University Advancement attended the 2025 Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) Conference at Callaway Gardens from Nov. 17-19. With over 250 Georgia advancement professionals attending, the conference included track sessions on topics in advancement services, alumni relations, development, and marketing and communications.
Those attending from GSW were (pictured L to R) Development Officer Hunter Peak; Alumni Engagement Specialist Angela Smith; Director of Marketing and Communications Chelsea Collins; Multimedia Specialist Sydney Scott; Annual Giving Specialist Kim Comer; and Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the GSW Foundation Stephen Snyder.
Scott was named to the GEAC Board with a three-year term beginning in January 2026. Collins will complete her second three-year term on the Board in December 2025.
GEAC, Inc is a statewide organization for those at public, private and technical colleges and universities who work in educational advancement including the areas of alumni, development, publications and communication.
The new GSW chapter of the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) was officially recognized in on October 30. The charter members and their advisors hosted members of the SAM national leadership team, including SAM President Hank Johnson; Associate Professor and Business Department Chair at New England Institute of Technology Patrick Endicott; and Executive Director of SAM Wesley Lopez. They shared their professional experiences as well as insights into how the organization develops leadership, fosters collaboration and connects students with industry professionals.
During the visit, the GSW SAM Chapter was officially recognized in a formal charter ceremony. Each member received a certificate and welcoming gift, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter in leadership and professional growth.
The GSW men's basketball team earned national attention on Tuesday, receiving votes in the first regular-season National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coaches Poll of the 2025-26 season.
GSW collected three votes in the poll, placing the Hurricanes among the programs just outside the nation's top 25. It marks the first time in more than a decade that the Hurricanes have appeared in the NABC poll conversation — the last time GSW cracked the national rankings came on January 7, 2014, when the program reached No. 18.
Learn more about the poll.
MBA student visits campusGSW's MBA program is designed to be fully asynchronous, reaching student-professionals from across the globe who are committed to continuous learning while advancing their careers. While most interactions happen online, every so often faculty get the privilege of meeting students in person, and those moments are truly special.
Recently, Assistant Professor of Management Drew Huey, D.B.A., had the opportunity to meet graduate student Nick Zabinyakov, in the summer session of Organizational Leadership, an MBA course. During a weekly conversation this summer, Zabinyakov mentioned he would be traveling through Georgia, returning to his home in Toronto from a conference in Miami. Huey suggested stopping by campus and Zabinyakov did just that! He and his wife visited GSW, where Huey and Jim Aller, Ph.D., were able to spend a few minutes with them and capture a photo to commemorate the occasion. Encounters like these remind us of the strong connections our program fosters, even in a virtual environment.
GSW's chapter of the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) has created a 2026 GSW calendar that is currently available to purchase from SAM members. Funds raised from calendar sales will support their trip to the SAM national business competition. This is an annual conference that brings together over 100 colleges and universities from around the country to test skills in management. The competitions are team-based and involve case study analyses to solve real business issues. Six students will represent GSW at the conference in March 2026 at the New England Institute of Technology in Providence, Rhode Island.
Canes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The November Canes Spotlights were senior communication and emerging media major Colby Hernandez (left) and senior biology major Cassidy Ware (right).
Colby is capping off his four years with The Sou'Wester student newspaper as editor-in-chief. He came to GSW planning to pursue journalism but decided to shift his career focus after a particularly impactful internship at Andersonville National Historic Site.
"My time at Andersonville made me realize I want to become a social media manager for a national park," Colby said. "The communication major allows me to access a multitude of different job opportunities. Even though my career path changed, I was able to keep my same classes and advisor."
Cassidy has made a big impact at GSW. From the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program and serving as a Senior Residential Leader in Oaks to her work as a Zephyr tour guide and GSW Marshal, she's deeply involved across campus. She is also preparing to attend veterinary school after graduation through the biology program's pre-vet track and her internship in GSW's herpetology lab.
GSW is the most special place on earth," Cassidy said. "Here, you are not just a number; you are a name that even Dr. Johnston, our president, knows. The faculty and staff truly want you to succeed and grow as a leader.
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
On November 8, biology majors Maribel Brizendine, Jake Wilson and Rommel Villarosa attended the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC) alongside Assistant Professor of Biology and Thomas Distinguished Biology Chair Surya Amarachintha, Ph.D., and Associate Professor and Chair of Biology Anne Jacobs, Ph.D. GURC promotes high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship across the state of Georgia and the neighboring states.
During the two-day event, students from several institutions presented around 80 posters and 50 talks showcasing research from several disciplines, visual arts, and performances.
GSW Biology/Pre-veterinary medicine major Maribel Brizendine presented her project from the Introduction to Research class titled "Modeling fatty liver disease in a dish”. William Owens’s research capstone 1 project “Gene expression analysis in CD4 cells of Graves’ disease patients revealed upregulation of apoptosis pathway” was displayed as poster with research conducted under the mentorship of Amarachintha.
Held at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, Georgia, GURC is a well-known annual premiere undergraduate research and creative endeavors conference in the southeastern region of United States. GURC is a great opportunity for GSW students from all disciplines who are encouraged to present their research at this state level conference and make connections to other institutions for career or graduate school opportunities. GSW is a proud member of the Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective institutions. Funding for the conference registration fee and travel expenses was provided by Cofer funds, First-Year Experience and Student Success.
GSW's Men’s All-Star Flag Football team finished undefeated heading into the semifinals at the NIRSA Regional Flag Football Tournament. Their record included at 41-0 win over GSU Armstrong, a 43-0 win over UTampa Spartans (White), and a 25-6 win over NC State White. Although the Canes ultimately fell short in the semifinals against UTampa Spartans (Red), they worked incredibly hard leading up to the tournament, competed like a true family, and represented GSW with pride.
The team consisted of Antoine Johnson, Antwuan Price, Cameron Houston, Cedrick Chalk, Ethan Johnson, Gary Johnson, Jamorion Miller, Jayden Brown, Jy Davis, Landon Jones, Sidney Blackwell and Trayvon Thomas. The team was coached by student Dontavious "Tae" Brown and Coordinator of Intramural and Outdoor Recreation Kristin Frantz.
On October 10, the feature film "Dear Luke, Love Me" was released on Apple TV. The film marks the first feature length representation of asexuality in cinema. Lecturer of English Keith Derrick, Ph.D., was an AVEN consultant and provided sensitivity reading services for the film during the pre-production phase.
The film chronicles the relationship of Penny and Luke as they struggle defining their queer-platonic friendship while under societal pressure to fit in to traditional roles. The film marks the directorial debut of Guillermo Diaz ("Scandal"). The film stars and is written by Mallie McCown ("Dan Brings Home a Cat"). Keith Derrick ("One Hand Clapping") was contacted by the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network, the world's largest asexuality advocacy group, to conduct a sensitivity reading of the material at the request of the filmmakers. Since then, he has regularly contributed and consulted toward seeing the script produced. "Dear Luke, Love Me" was first released on the festival circuit before being picked up for distribution by Apple TV. The film was awarded the People's Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. The film was released in October to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month, ensuring this historic representation can take part in the celebration of the achievements of the community.
Director of the Office of Professional and Experiential Learning Brooke Stefancik recently published research that was completed during her master's program at Purdue Univerity and was rewritten during her time as a Ph.D. student. The research, "Developing morphological prediction equations for switchgrass cultivars in Indiana," created prediction equations for the growth of switchgrass, an important native forage and biofuel warm season grass, based on Day of Year or Growing Degree Days. The equations developed in this research can be used by crop modeling programs and farmers to predict when switchgrass could be ready for management steps such as pesticide application, fertilizing, or harvesting.
In her current role at GSW, Stefancik helps students find similar experiences through internships, study abroad, service learning, and undergraduate research.
Associate Professor of Management Soumendra Banerjee, Ph.D., recently co-published an article titled "The Impact of Managerial Ability on Firm Optimal Distinctiveness: The Moderating Effect of CEO Tenure" in the journal of Group & Organization Management. The article abstract is below.
Optimal distinctiveness within a single policy has been rarely examined in both the market and non-market strategy literature. Both agency theory and Upper Echelons theory suggest that CEOs play a significant role in shaping firms’ strategic behavior. Given the growing importance of managerial talent in today’s complex, dynamic business environment, as well as an increasing focus on firms’ CSR policies, this study investigates the relationship among managerial ability, CEO tenure, and firms’ optimal distinctiveness in CSR practices. We specifically examine the effect of managerial ability (talent) on CSR emphasis differentiation and scope conformity. Using a sample of 28,593 firm-year observations from 1992-2013, we find that managerial ability is negatively related to CSR scope conformity and positively related to CSR emphasis differentiation. We also find that CEO tenure moderates the relationship between managerial ability and CSR conformity, such that as CEO tenure increases, the negative relationship between managerial ability and CSR conformity decreases. Our results contribute to the growing literature on the role of upper echelon characteristics in shaping firms’ strategic behavior and how more able CEOs deal with pressure for legitimacy and competitive advantage in their CSR practices. We provide implications for scholars and practitioners seeking to understand how managerial ability and CEO tenure impact firms’ CSR strategies.
Wu presents at math conferenceProfessor Chuchu Wu, Ph.D., presented "Exploring Tessellation through Slides, Flips, and Turns" at the 2025 Georgia Mathematics Conference on October 24. Participants engaged in hands-on activities creating tessellation patterns using geometric transformations.
Despite being the final session of the conference, attendees were enthusiastic and fully engaged, exploring the beauty of mathematics through art and design.
Wu also volunteered at the event, gaining new instructional ideas and inspiration from other sessions while sharing her passion for innovative and creative approaches to math teaching and learning.
On Nov. 18, Alumni Engagement Specialist Angela Smith presented at the 2025 Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) Conference at Callaway Gardens.
Her presentation, titled "Creatively Engaged," discussed innovative approaches to fostering alumni engagement. She shared several of GSW's alumni initiatives, including the Canes Brew Crew and travel opportunities.
CRM and Communication Administrator Brittany Brittany McKenzie presented alongside Tyler Pennington '17, the admission events manager at Georgia Gwinnett College, at the annual conference for Georgia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (GACRAO). "You Can't Pour From An Empty Coffee Cup" focused on recognizing burnout, keeping your sanity, both in the office and recruiting on the road, and building small moments of calm into a stressful workday. They shared practical strategies for refilling your coffee cups to bring your best selves to our students, team, and ourselves.
Professor and chair of the Department of History and Political Science Glenn Robins, Ph.D., recently presented a paper at the 2025 McMullen Naval History Symposium on the campus of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His paper, "Jimmy Carter and the Nuclear Navy, Military Occupational Specialties and the Socialization Debate," examined the ways in which the ideas, practices, and distinctive attributes of nuclear submarine organizational culture informed Carter’s work as president and as commander in chief. Robins focused specifically on Carter’s technocratic origins, management style, political ethics, and personal strategic thought. The paper offered a new perspective on socialization theory and demonstrated the importance of Carter’s lived experiences in the nuclear Navy.
Professor of History Susan Bragg, Ph.D., led a GSW History contingent to participate in the 2025 South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) conference in Atlanta on Nov. 6-7. Bragg shared expanding research on 19th century black girlhood politics in Sumter County. Her paper, "Contested Terrain: Black Girlhood in the New South Press—A Southwest Georgia Microhistory," identifies how the local white press focused particular critical attention on black girls in the era of expanding segregation codes. Bragg argues that 21st c. politics of 'adultifying' black girls can be traced back to this history of anxiety about black girls’ unwillingness to conform to expectations of racial order. At the same time, the actions of black girls demonstrates a significant and unique pattern of youth resistance to racial inequity under Jim Crow.
Two GSW undergraduates from the history program also shared their research at SAMLA. Lu Bludsworth read "'Toyrah, Tameym, and Tabovos Oh My!': Jewish Women and Sex Work in Early 1900s America," a paper which traces the tensions of class, gender, and ethnicity in the early 20th c. Using the diary of Mamie Pinzer, Bludsworth defined the challenges of both seeking to escape from patriarchal traditions within immigrant households and providing for oneself as a single women in these years. Bludsworth has recently been hired as a research and guide by the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah.
Morgan Dollar, a senior History major graduating in December 2025, presented "'Almost Correct': Locating Youth Transgender Politics in Southwest Georgia," a paper that used Sumter County newspaper accounts from the 19th century to identify histories of complex gender and sexual politics in our region. Long before formal vocabularies of transgender experiences had emerged, Dollar demonstrates that Georgians wrestled with stories of individuals whose gender presentation did not meet mainstream norms. At the same time, these press accounts reveal an acknowledgement of diverse experiences in the rural South.
In addition to Bludsworth and Dollar, undergraduates Nate Vines and Emery Evans attended the SAMLA to gain conference experience and participate in interdisciplinary scholarly dialogues. The group found the experience inspiring and thank Dr. Mark Laughlin, Dean of Arts & Sciences, for supporting the trip.
At the annual meeting of the Association of Global South Studies, Professor of political science Jason Berggren, Ph.D., delivered a presentation on "Jimmy Carter and Mexico: Journeys South of the Border." The conference was held in October in Merida, Mexico. While Carter visited Mexico several times over the years, Berggren primarily focused on his 1972 visit as governor and his 1979 visit as president. Berggren explored these travels and discussed what perhaps they tell us about Carter and his views and interests not just toward Mexico but also of Latin America and the Global South.
On October 15, Professor and Director of the Writing Center Lauren DiPaula, Ph.D., presented with two writing center consultants (Kennedy Daniels and Chris Pickett) at the International Writing Centers Association Conference. Their presentation was entitled, "Tutors Talk across Time and Space: How Renovations and Relocations Affect Us." Their project was the result of IRB-approved qualitative research involving interviews with former consultants about their experiences with the various locations the writing center has inhabited on campus over the years and how those locations have altered tutoring practices and experiences.
COBAC faculty present in Las VegasOn November 5, Senior Lecturer of Marketing Becca Jones, Senior Lecturer of Management Amber Stovall and Associate Professor John Stovall, Ph.D. presented in Las Vegas Nevada at the Society for Marketing Advances Conference. Their paper was titled "The Same Model for All? The Argument for a New Service Development Model."
Most models of new product development (NPD) are grounded in the development of tangible goods. However, the new service development (NSD) process presents unique challenges that these traditional models fail to address. This paper argues for the necessity of a distinct NSD process based on evidence from academic literature regarding customer participation, employee alignment, and communication inconsistencies. A particular focus is placed on the service marketing triangle between management, employees, and customers. Services are co-produced, intangible, and prone to communication breakdowns, which makes their development more vulnerable to failure without strategic integration of customer and employee insight.
The paper concludes with recommendations for more integrated, employee-informed, and customer-driven NSD frameworks. Importantly, the content of this paper represents a comprehensive literature review that will serve as the foundation for future research.
Bell receives eHero AwardLecturer of Criminal Justice Brandon Bell received the eHero Award recognizing outstanding eCampus faculty. The nominating letter praises Chief Bell for developing high-quality educational content, being responsive to student needs, and applying his on-the-job experience to improve learning.
The nominator wrote: "I am excited to nominate Chief Brandon Bell for an eHero Faculty Award. This year, I had the privilege of collaborating with Chief Bell on two CRJU major course revisions for eMajor. His dedication to creating high-quality content combined with positive learner experiences is evident in his dual roles as a Subject Matter Expert and an Instructor."
Chief Bell is commended for carefully reviewing student feedback, data analytics, and teaching experiences to make decisions, always considering what students need to succeed in both coursework and their careers. Despite a demanding workload that includes teaching and local and federal law enforcement duties, he consistently meets or exceeds expectations and completes projects on time.
A review of CRJU 4700 and CRJU 4800, which he redesigned in 2023 and 2024, shows overall satisfaction ratings increasing to 99%, with instructor ratings of 99% and 100%. Module survey scores rose to about 92%. The nominating letter concludes: "It is always a pleasure to work with such a thoughtful, strategic, and dedicated professional."
Professor Michelle Dykes, Ed.D., received the honored recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau (Mu Pi Chapter) Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to her during the Fall 2025 Sigma Induction Ceremony.
Professor Brian Parkinson, Ph.D., received the Presidential Service Award from the Association of Global South Studies. This is an annual award given by the AGSS president to a member who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the AGSS as a professional organization.
Jimmy Moore joined the James Earl Carter Library as the digital repository and archives assistant on November 3.
Preslee Owen joined the College of Education as an administrative assistant on November 3.
Khyyn Fernander joined the Department of Athletics as the assistant women’s soccer coach on November 15.
Garret Payne joined Physical Plant as a painter on November 17.
Alecia Pinckney joined the Department of First-Year Experience and Student Success as the student retention and CRM support coordinator on November 17.
Zachary Hatchett joined Physical Plant as a painter on November 24.
As of December 1, Rachel Abbott has been promoted to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. She previously served as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor and Dean College of Education.
As of December 1, Lettie Watford has been promoted to Interim Dean of the College of Education. She previously served as a part-time instructor in the College of Education and retired as Dean of the School of Education in 2013, having served in that position since 2007.
Over 100 students from GSW, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southern, Columbus State University and Valdosta State University came together on November 14 to share their emerging research at the 5th Annual GSW Humanities Symposium. First organized in Spring 2022 by Professor of History Susan Bragg, Ph.D., the Humanities Symposium has become an important tradition at GSW, allowing students to present original intellectual work and network with faculty from across our campus.
This year’s event was organized around the theme of Youth Politics and partially funded by a grant from the Society for the History of Childhood and Youth (SHCY). President Michelle Johnston kicked off the day with welcoming remarks in the Magnolia Manor Nursing Auditorium. Fourteen student panels followed, exploring themes such as histories of girlhood, race and education, the politics of film and fiction, gendered health and body politics, and historic experiences of modernization.
Paige Gray, Ph.D., of the Savannah College of Arts & Design at Atlanta provided a keynote speech during the luncheon. "Bloom Literature: The Cultivation of Young Black Writers, A Youth Literature, and Intergenerational Collaboration in Twentieth Century Periodicals" explored the historic significance of youth writing in civil rights journals. This event was followed by a poster session including over fifty undergraduates, including many lower-division students completing History and English core classes. Professor and chair of the Department of History and Political Science Glenn Robins, Ph.D., introduced this session in Canes Central as faculty, friends and parents circulated around to view and discuss individual posters.
COBAC students in BUSA 3020: Perspectives on Business & Leadership took learning beyond the classroom this semester. Divided into teams by major - marketing, management and accounting - students launched a Krispy Kreme fundraiser to benefit COBAC and support future service projects. From setting goals and managing logistics to leading and collaborating as a team, they gained real-world experience in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. This hands-on project allowed students to apply what they've learned, support future service projects and and strengthen their leadership skills. The course is taught by Assistant Professor of Management Toney Duckworth-Chambless, D.M.A.
Over 35 travelers with GSW Alumni & Friends enjoyed Iceland's Magical Northern Lights tour and returned home with amazing photos, new and stronger friendships, and stories of adventure in the land of fire and ice from start to finish. The sights were phenomenal and the weather was perfect throughout the tour, culminating with a winter wonderland of record snow (15 inches!) which was a beautiful sight (though created an interesting return home).
The management Information Systems students from COBAC presented a campus AI Bot Showcase, taught by Assistant Professor of Management Toney Duck-Worth Chambless, D.B.A. Students presented live demonstrations of their AI projects, responded to audience questions, and illustrated how artificial intelligence can be applied to solve real business challenges.
GSW alumni in the Macon area had a fantastic evening at Fall Line Brewery on November 11! GSW Canes in the area stopped in for food, fun and fellowship from 6pm-7:30pm and to catch up with friends. Dr. Michelle Johnston enjoyed meeting alumni and was able to share GSW's outstanding achievement in USG retention rates and many of the great things happening at GSW.
On October 24, GSW students attended Augusta University’s Health Sciences Graduate School Fair & Expo. Chemistry major Natalie Heath and biology majors Sofia Mendez and Rommel Villarosa gained firsthand insights into AU's graduate programs, groundbreaking research, and the evolving world of healthcare. To explore what’s possible in health sciences, they also attended the keynote speech from David Brooks, Ph.D., CEO of Brooks Pharma Consulting LLC, on "Beyond the Bench: Interviewing and Leading in the Health Sciences.
In addition, they participated in informative sessions such as "Tips for Applying to Graduate Programs," "Exploring Biomedical Sciences and Medical Physiology programs," "Balancing Research and Coursework," and "Effective writing for Research and Publications." Trip was organized by Assistant Professor of Biology and Thomas Distinguished Biology Chair Surya Amarachintha, Ph.D., and Biology Club, while funding for the trip was provided by the Thomas Chair Foundation.
Dr. Gaynor Cheokas met with COBAC UNIV 1000 freshmen during the Donuts with the Dean to share tips for success during their college journey The students also heard from two incredible guest speakers: Hailey Henderson Hobbs from TCI, who shared her insights on networking and leadership, and Krystal Whittaker, GSW alum and Web Content Strategist, who spoke about perseverance, internships, and building connections that lead to success.
The Accounting Club in conjunction with COBAC faculty, staff, and students gathered food items for Canes Harvest, GSW’s community pantry. It is available to students and staff who need essential items like canned or frozen food and personal care items.
As part of their ongoing service initiative to support financial literacy and youth empowerment, the Accounting Club members also donated school supplies to the residents of the Methodist Home. This effort not only helps young students succeed in the classroom but also strengthens our commitment to serving the community and supporting the next generation’s growth, both academically and financially.
All Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 student teachers participated in Mock Interviews the first week of November as part of the College of Education’s Teacher Preparation Program. A total of 55 students in the online education program participated in virtual interviews on November 5. On November 7, 49 on-campus student teachers participated in two face-to-face interviews and one virtual interview. Each interview lasted 15 minutes, which allowed for a ten minute question and answer time as well as 5 minutes for feedback from the interviewers. Each student teacher also presented their resumes for critique.
The whole experience is designed to ensure that GSW student teachers are well prepared to present themselves in the best possible way to potential employers. The feedback was wonderful. "We are excited about the future for each of our teacher candidates," said Assistant Director of Field and Clinical Experiences Christi Kendrick. "The College of Education would like to thank our interviewers who helped us with this experience. All interviewers were volunteers from GSW, our community, from across the state, and even a volunteer from Tennessee. We could not do this event without the help of our volunteers. Mock Interviews are always a great experience, and this year was no different."
MMA holds annual fundraiserThe Marketing and Management Association finished their 2nd annual barbecue ribs fundraiser. The event involved students selling tickets to local community members in order to raise money for the organization and for spring conference travel expenses. In total, 64 rib sales were made to the community, GSW faculty and staff, as well as family and friends of the association members. On November 11, Professor Robert Bennett , Ph.D., prepared the ribs as students assisted in managing sales and packing up the ribs to give to those that purchased. The fundraiser not only helped raise money but also allowed students to develop their communication and salesmanship skills. Students plan to develop more fundraisers for the upcoming semester.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to support, and a special shoutout to Dr. Bennett for cooking his amazing ribs. The cold couldn’t beat us down, and what made it all work was teamwork and communication," said Petrona Leon, the president of the Marketing and Management Association. "From seasoning and wrapping ribs to charting sales, everything flowed like a factory assembly line. We pulled together, and that’s what made this fundraiser truly successful."
The Marketing and Management advisors would like to commend the dedication and hard work the students committed to this event.
The College of Education hosted several partner schools at the Education Center on November 10. The schools met with education students to begin building relationships with the school systems where they will potentially go for field experience and eventually student teaching. This event allowed our education students the opportunity to find out which school systems are around GSW. It also allowed the partner schools the opportunity to tell GSW students why they should want to come to their school system for both field experience and student teaching.
Partner schools are the public school systems that have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the College of Education stating they will participate in providing mentors and classroom experience to aid in the preparation of those students in the Education Program. Organizers received positive feedback from both students and partner schools. This event was the first of what education faculty hopes is an annual event.
The College of Education would like to thank the following GSW faculty and staff for volunteering to help with our recent Mock Interviews: Jim Aller, Christy Barry, Caitlin Downs, Laura Gosa, Mark Grimes, and Brooke Stefancik. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
- College of Education
The Office of Alumni Affairs wants to thank the following students for their assistance at the Alumni Tent and Tailgate during Homecoming: Rylan Conner, Jake Wilson, Maddie Taylor, Chris Ingram, Lily Dooley, and Mary Thomas Smith. The students are Alumni Legacy Scholars who volunteered during the homecoming festivities.
- Angela Smith, Alumni Engagement Specialist
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support our Area 11 Special Olympics! We are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community here at GSW, and this event simply wouldn’t be possible without YOU.
This year marked our largest fall event since 2019. While I don’t have data prior to that year, I can say with confidence that our team and school districts worked tirelessly to ensure as many young athletes as possible could participate and proudly represent our Area 11 districts. Last fall, we welcomed 236 P–12 athletes—and this year, that number grew to 410 athletes! WOW!
I am truly grateful for the collaboration among the College of Education, GSW Athletics, and the Jimmy Carter Leadership Program...and of course, our volunteers who came from every corner of campus. All colleges were represented through student and faculty involvement, which speaks volumes about the spirit of GSW.
Throughout the event, I saw countless smiles, heard plenty of laughter, and received many positive comments from partner schools and volunteers.
We hope you’ll join us again this spring for our outdoor competitions in soccer, softball, bocce ball, and flag football. Our date will be announced soon!
- Michele McKie, Assistant Professor & Director of Assessment
In addition to support from GSW administrators, we thank the over thirty student and faculty volunteers who chaired panels, moderated discussion, viewed posters, and supported student dialogue at [the 5th Annual Humanities Symposium]. We also appreciate the support of Dr. Nedialka Iordanova who organized the lunch session, Ms. Jenn Smith who ensured we had white boards and other supplies necessary, Mr. Bob Slenker who taped the keynote speech, Ms. Sydney Scott for photographing the event throughout the day, and Ms. Malika Jones for printing posters and programs. We look forward to continuing this tradition in Fall 2026!
- Susan Bragg, Professor of History
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on Canes Connect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
