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GSW delivered a standout performance at the 2026 University System of Georgia (USG) Regents Cup Debate Tournament, finishing fourth overall out of 16 competing institutions and earning second place within the state college and university sector.
The tournament was held April 14–15, 2026, at Columbus State University, bringing together 31 debaters from across the USG. The University of West Georgia claimed the Regents Cup with the top overall team performance. Valdosta State University finished second and Middle Georgia State University placed third. GSW’s fourth-place finish was highlighted by individual and team accomplishments that set the program apart.
Competing against perennial debate powerhouses such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, the GSW team delivered victories against both programs, demonstrating that smaller institutions in the University System are fully capable of competing at the highest level.
“I am very proud of the work of the team,” said Jonathan Carter, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and emerging media at GSW and the team’s coach. “Their hard work and dedication shows that smaller schools in the system, like GSW, are capable of competing with the best any USG school has to offer.”
Noah Miller, senior fine arts major from Macon, capped his collegiate debate career with an exceptional showing, advancing to the semi-finals and earning the distinction of Top Speaker at the tournament for the highest quality-point score among all 31 competitors.
Read more about GSW's performance at the debate.
At Georgia Southwestern, something new is taking shape. As the university’s first-ever Ensemble-in-Residence, Duo Fuerza is creating new opportunities for hands-on learning, performance and community connection.
For pianists Alwen Yeung and James D’Leon, stepping into this inaugural position is both exciting and meaningful. With no established blueprint, they see the opportunity as a chance to build something lasting by creating a model that blends performance, education and outreach. Their goal is simple but ambitious. They desire to give students an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at how a professional ensemble works while sparking a deeper appreciation for classical music.
The duo’s story begins, fittingly, with connection. Their name, “Duo Fuerza,” comes from the Spanish phrase “La unidad hace la fuerza” – “In unity, there is strength.” That philosophy underpins everything they do. Their partnership formed organically through mutual connections and a shared vision for four-hand piano performance. When they finally played together, the synergy was immediate. “It was clear that our musical styles fit really well,” they said. “It just clicked, and the rest is history!”
“Our collaboration is unique because it brings together two distinct artistic voices with a shared musical vision,” they explained, describing performances that blend “intense emotional expression and synchronized physicality on a single piano” into something both powerful and fresh. This balance carries into their teaching philosophy as well. “In a duo, everything is shared — sound, space and visual presence… we aim for contrast and balance,” they said, emphasizing the importance of awareness, listening and adaptability.
Read more about Duo Fuerza.
The men's golf team closed in dominant fashion Tuesday, firing a 6-under final round to capture the Peach Belt Conference Championship at the King and Bear Golf Course at the World Golf Village.
The Hurricanes finished at 5-under for the tournament (280-297-282), securing their second conference title in the past four years and holding off a strong push from Columbus State.
Sam Brown earned individual medalist honors at 7-under par, becoming just the second Hurricane in program history to capture individual medalist honors at the Peach Belt Conference Championship, joining Nicolas Escobar.
Learn more about the Championship win.
GSW hosted its 8th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium featuring student research on topics such as biology, chemistry, communication, computer science, English, history, marketing, math, nursing, political science and psychology.
Nearly 70 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 continues to highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of our students as emerging scholars," said Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "Each year, their work reflects not only a deep understanding of their disciplines, but also the confidence, communication skills and professionalism needed to succeed beyond the classroom. The level of scholarship on display is a direct result of their commitment to excellence and the meaningful mentorship provided by our faculty. This signature academic event remains one of the most impactful on our campus, offering students a transformative opportunity that prepares them for what’s next."
Read more about the Symposium and this year's winners.
On April 3, 2026, Georgia Southwestern hosted the HAIL Teaching Showcase, a full-day event organized by HAIL (High-Impact Approach to Integrative Learning) director Paul Dahlgren, Ph.D., and assistant directors Jennifer Ryer, Ph.D., and Annie Laurie Nichols. Running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the showcase drew 48 participants — faculty and staff from across disciplines — for a rich program of idea-sharing, collegial dialogue and hands-on pedagogy.
The morning program, hosted by the James E. Carter Library, opened with coffee, pastries and welcoming remarks before moving into two structured presentation formats. In the Handout Session, 28 presenters each prepared a one-page summary of a class activity or assignment. Seated in an open circle, presenters shared their materials and engaged in direct conversation with colleagues who came to learn more — a format designed for informal, high-density knowledge exchange.
The Poster Session followed, showcasing the work of eight presenters in a traditional academic format. Each poster focused on projects in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), research about how to improve classroom approaches. Participants circulated among the displays and engaged in focused discussions about research, pedagogy and classroom practice.
Learn more about the Showcase.
GSW and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC), located in Phenix City, Ala., recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to ensure concurrent enrollment and a smooth transition from CVCC to GSW’s bachelor’s degree programs in education.
“For too long, the path from community college to university has been unclear. It's been filled with uncertainty about which credits will transfer, how programs will align, and whether students will lose time and money in that transition,” said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D., during the signing. “Today, we're removing those barriers. We are telling students: ‘Your path is clear, it's supported and it’s designed with your success in mind.’”
Through this agreement, students at CVCC will be concurrently enrolled in three of GSW’s introductory education courses. Upon successful completion of an associate’s degree at CVCC, students who meet the requirements will be eligible to transfer to GSW.
Learn more about the agreement.
GSW has been ranked as offering the #1 most affordable Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program in the United States, according to a recent ranking by MBA Grad Schools.
This recognition is featured in its list of the Most Affordable Online MBA Programs in the U.S., highlighting GSW’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible graduate education for working professionals and students nationwide.
GSW’s fully online MBA program stands out for its combination of AACSB accreditation, flexible online delivery, and a curriculum designed to prepare graduates for leadership in today’s global and multicultural business environment.
“This recognition reinforces GSW’s mission to provide exceptional value without compromising quality,” said Gaynor Cheokas, D.B.A., dean of the College of Business and Computing. “We are proud to offer an MBA program that empowers students to advance their careers while remaining financially accessible.”
Learn more about the #1 ranking.
Seven GSW staff members recently completed the USG’s Great from the Middle (GFTM) leadership development program. The program is designed for current managers and supervisors at USG institutions, specifically those at the director level or below who supervise direct reports and demonstrate strong potential for leadership growth.
Focused on strengthening leadership skills for professionals "leading from the middle," the GFTM program consisted of six sessions, including two in-person meetings and four virtual sessions. The Southwest Cohort for Fall 2025/Spring 2026 included participants from Georgia Southwestern State University, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Albany State University, Valdosta State University, and South Georgia State College. The in-person sessions were hosted at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton.
GSW participants included:
GSW held its Student Affairs Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 22 in the Storm Dome.
"What a special event and the perfect evening to celebrate the accomplishments of our students," said GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D. "You have another unforgettable moment coming - when you walk across this very stage and receive your degree from Georgia Southwestern."
Explore the full list of winners.
Dansby earns back-to-back PBC Freshman of the Week honorsLady Hurricanes shortstop Lani Dansby has been named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week, the league office announced April 27, following another strong showing at the plate.
Dansby continued her impressive freshman campaign by hitting .529 across five games, recording nine hits in 17 at-bats while scoring five runs and driving in four. She posted multiple hits in three contests, consistently setting the tone for the Lady Hurricanes' offense.
The freshman from Harris County, Ga., delivered one of her top performances of the week in a win over USC Beaufort, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI's, and a walk while also swiping two bases. She followed that performance with another multi-hit effort in the series finale, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Read more about Dansby's recognition.
Students place fourth at entrepreneurship competitionEmely Jimenez, Macy Taylor and Milced Velasquez represented GSW at the University System of Georgia's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition with their business concept, FitFlow. Competing among top teams from across the state, they were recognized as finalists and earned an impressive fourth place finish.
This inaugural statewide event brought together student teams from all 25 USG institutions to showcase innovative ideas and entrepreneurial talent.
Senior Lecturer of Marketing Becca Jones mentored the team ahead of state competition.
For business majors, Introduction to International Business (MGNT 3650) is a cornerstone of the curriculum. This semester, students rose to the challenge with impressive depth and professionalism. Under the guidance of Assistant Professor of Management Drew Huey, D.B.A., students explored the many dimensions of international business, blending theory, application and insights drawn from Huey’s own global career. Beyond building a strong foundation in international business concepts, MGNT 3650 places a strong emphasis on developing presentation and communication skills that will serve students throughout their professional lives.
This semester, student teams delivered presentations on key areas of law that influence global expansion. Their work incorporated theoretical models, real world examples, and thoughtful personal perspectives. The MGNT 3650 class demonstrated outstanding preparation, engagement, and teamwork. Their ability to translate complex global issues into clear, compelling presentations made the learning experience richer for everyone. Well done to these students for their hard work and excellence.
The Beta Gamma Sigma chapter at GSW held an induction ceremony and reception on Tuesday, April 7, to honor its newly admitted members. Eighteen students were formally inducted into the society.
The 2025-2026 inductees for Beta Gamma Sigma are:
BGS is an international honor society for juniors, seniors, and graduates with high academic achievement in business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The mission of BGS is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to cultivate and celebrate leadership and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members. 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.
Colquitt wins research award in New OrleansSenior psychology major Hanae Colquitt accompanied several faculty members to the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting in New Orleans, La.
She presented her poster, titled "The Effect of Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, Problematic Behavior, and Depression on Academic Aspirations and Achievement in College Students," at the undergraduate research poster session and won an award for her work.
This research was conducted under her faculty sponsor, Assistant Professor of Psychology Yongwon Cho, Ph.D. Colquitt also presented this work at GSW's Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Fifteen students at Georgia Southwestern were officially inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) national honor society on Thursday, April 2. Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society for freshmen which honors high academic achievement in the first year of college. Alpha Lambda Delta’s purpose is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.
Alpha Lambda Delta was founded in 1924 at the University of Illinois. The Georgia Southwestern chapter has been active on campus since 1976 and has inducted over 600 GSW students. To become a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, students must be enrolled full-time and earn a 3.5 grade point average after their first semester or first year.
Pictured (L to R) are Director of First-Year Experience and Student Success David Jenkins, Ed.D., Arnyla Allen, Ethan Beck, Harper Bishop, Zipporah Singleton, Chloe Kilgore, Brayden Evans, AnissinA Ludlam, Logan Powell, Jakobe Chrispen, Keneyanna Mosley, Sarah Domonkos, Rommel Villarosa, and Dr. Michelle Johnston, President. Not pictured are Allison Farmer, Kenton Jordan and Kayden Poole.
Professor of Psychology Gary Fisk, Ph.D., recently published an invited commentary article in the journal Integrative Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. The article addresses experimental psychology research into unconscious sensory processing. Fisk supports methodology improvements recommended by other investigators. However, updated theoretical models and experimental expectations are also needed to advance research. This article, titled "Updated expectations are needed for masked priming experiments: Commentary on Tsikandilakis et al. (2025)," will contribute towards increasing scientific understanding of consciousness.
Assistant Professor of Communication Elizabeth Shiller, Ph.D., co-authored an article titled "When the Perfect Christmas Can't be Perfect: Juxtaposing Hallmark Christmas Movies With Real Life During COVID-19." It was published in the Journal of Popular Culture on April 8, 2026.
Associate Professor of Management Soumendra Banerjee, Ph.D., recently published an article titled "Performance feedback and strategic change: the moderating effects of firm visibility and firm slack" in the journal International Studies of Management & Organization. The abstract is below:
Focusing on strategic change initiatives, this study examines the influence of internal and external exigencies on organizational responses to performance feedback. Grounded in behavioral theory and stakeholder theory, we examine how historical and social aspiration gaps influence the intensity of strategic change, while being moderated by firm visibility through analysts' coverage (external factor) and slack resources (internal factor). We analyzed 3,558 firm-year observations through 2007-2017 using dynamic panel regression and found that negative historical aspiration gaps significantly increase strategic change, particularly under high visibility and slack, as firms signal responsiveness to external stakeholders and leverage available resources. Conversely, positive historical gaps reduce change efforts unless visibility or slack moderates the relationship. Social aspiration gaps show weaker effects, highlighting the dominance of historical benchmarks in decision-making. Our study challenges linear performance feedback models by demonstrating that external accountability pressures are amplified by firm visibility, whereas slack enables resource-intensive pursuits, even under conditions of exceeding performance aspirations. Our results take a step toward integrating stakeholder and behavioral theories. Our study offers practical insights for managing strategic adaptation under varying scrutiny and resource conditions.
Ghosh presents in St. LouisAssociate Professor of Sociology Debaleena Ghosh, Ph.D., participated in the Midwest Sociological Society's annual conference held in St. Louis, Mo., from March 22-26. She presented a paper titled "Contextual and Intersectional Approach to Understand the 'Color of Success': Experiences of Asian Faculty in United States Higher Education." The paper abstract is below:
Using the theories on tokenism and drawing from in-depth interviews with Asian faculty (i.e., those born in Asia) and ethnography conducted at a large public Midwestern university, this study shows how the racial trope associated with the "color of success" or "model minority" is contextual and that, it should be understood from an intersectional perspective. The data reveal that while Asians are generally perceived as "super studious," "super intelligent," "smart," and "hardworking" in the American workplace, Asian women faculty particularly in white- and male-dominated departments or programs (e.g., STEM) are perceived as "submissive" or "office wives" (i.e., private secretaries) by their white—male—colleagues and/or are challenged or disrespected by their native-born white and male students. In contrast, their male counterparts are pushed toward and placed in leadership positions and at least, apparently, respected by their native-born students and colleagues. There's a caveat though; the extent to which Asian men faculty enjoy the privileges associated with gender is limited—and especially in situations when they have limited or no white male contenders including those who are U.S.-born. This is contingent on the departmental—and organizational—culture of diversity surrounding gender, race, ethnicity, and national origin. Overall, this study helps strengthening our understanding of how gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, and immigration status intersect to impact the professional and social standing or experiences of integration—or exclusion—of Asian faculty in U.S. higher education. Dr. Ghosh also participated as a panelist in an author-meets-critics session featuring the book "Just the Facts: Entangling Contradicting Claims" by sociologist, Joel Best.
Assistant Professor of Communication Elizabeth Shiller, Ph.D., and Logan Spence presented their co-authored research study titled "Have you ever tried this one? A shared autoethnographic exploration of Sabrina Carpenter's 'Juno' pose" at the Popular Culture Association’s national conference. The event was held in Atlanta, Ga. from April 8-11.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Mark Laughlin, D.M.A., presented at the international Academic Research Conference on April 7, hosted by the University of West Alabama. His presentation, "Breaching the Academy: An Examination of Cyber Events in Higher Education," analyzed common cyber threats in higher education, including malware, ransomware, denial of service attacks, MFA prompt bombing, and adversary-in-the-middle attacks.
Associate Professor of Communication Jonathan Carter, Ph.D. presented a paper titled "They Just Left: Banal Absence in Public Memory" that examines monuments in Morocco, India, Spain, and Albania to examine how remaining populations use the memory of groups that migrated out to further the political agendas of those who remained.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Yongwon Cho, Ph.D., presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology's Annual Convention in Chicago, Ill. on February 28.
Huey and Grimes present paperAssistant Professor of Management Drew Huey, D.B.A., and Professor of Management Mark Grimes, D.B.A., presented a paper entitled "Implementing A Practical First-Step Solution for Implementing HR in Micro Enterprises" at the Society of Business, Industry, and Economics (SOBIE) annual conference in Destin, Fla. in early April. The concept was that micro business, defined as having 10 or fewer employees, often see the need for HR-related practices, but do not typically have the expertise, the people, or the financial resources to know where to start.
The paper supposes that a small business could make great strides if it can just get the right people - nothing else has the same impact if it is done with the wrong people. Thus, knowing how to find and hire the right people is critical, and a great first step to incorporating some HR function into the ongoing processes. It outlines how the owner can improve the odds of hiring great people, without hitting too many obstacles in the process.
Several faculty from the Department of Psychology and Sociology attended the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting in New Orleans, La.
Professor of Psychology Debbie Palmer, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor Sally Merritt, Ph.D., both participated in symposiums that covered innovative class activities and assignments for undergraduate students.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Yongwon Cho, Ph.D., co-presented a paper titled "College Students' Motivational Self-Regulation in Response to Academic Setbacks: Associations with Social Support by Peers and Faculty."
Merritt also moderated a paper session.
Crystal Cheek joined the Office of the Registrar as a registrar support specialist and transfer coordinator on April 6.
Joyce Carter joined the Office of Student Health and Counseling Services as a case manager on April 20.
As of April 1, Tremayne Andrews-Bryant is coordinator of fitness and wellness in the Office of Recreation and Wellness. He previously served as heads women's tennis coach in the Department of Athletics.
As of April 16, CJ Newberry is transfer evaluator and veteran benefits coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. He previously served as an admissions counselor in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
As of April 26, Hannah Finley is system administrator in the Office of Information and Instructional Technology. She previously served as IT/telecommunications help desk coordinator in the same office.
Royce Hackett, Chief Information Officer in the Office of Information and Instructional Technology, retired on April 30.
Terry Thorpe, executive assistant to the president in the Office of the President, left that role on March 18.
Bryce Bass, system administrator in the Office of Information and Instructional Technology, left that role on April 24.
Jared Yarbrough, information security officer in the Office of Information and Instructional Technology, left that role on April 30.
GSW Alumni & Friends recently returned from a Springtime River Boat Cruise through Holland and Belgium. The group enjoyed a variety of sensory delights including Keukenhof Gardens at the peak of the tulip bloom. They embarked on the MS Amadeus Brilliant in Amsterdam and traveled through the Holland locks, enjoying stops in Arnhem, Middelburg, Kinderdijk, and Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and Bruges and Antwerp in Belgium. From medieval towers to fairy tale cities, and 18th century windmills to charming canals, the trip was full of picturesque places, amazing architecture, interesting history, unique sites and culinary delights. In addition to the gorgeous weather and amazing scenery, the camaraderie experienced with each new destination was a highlight of the tour.
Alumnus speaks to computing studentsGSW alumnus Dalton Holley spoke with students in Sai Mukkavilli's Cloud Computing class and Alexander Yemelyanov's Concepts of Programming Languages course. Holley shared his journey as a computer science student at GSW and in his current role as a Technical Account Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
During the session, he discussed industry trends, the growth of cloud computing, various roles in the field, AWS services for AI and insights into the Amazon hiring process. He also took time to engage with students, answering questions about career paths, required skills, certifications, interview preparation and what it takes to succeed in the field.
Draffin Tucker recently hosted an evening social for accounting majors and faculty at The 1800. Students had the opportunity to network with Draffin Tucker partners and employees, including several GSW alumni, while learning more about career paths and opportunities in the field.
The College of Business and Computing held its Spring 2026 Research Workshop on March 26 in the Business Administration conference room. This event provided an engaging forum for scholarly exchange and highlighted the continued research productivity within COBAC.
The workshop was attended by COBAC faculty, including Allen Brown, Ph.D.; Yangil Park, Ph.D.; Alexander Yemelyanov, Ph.D., D.Sc.; and Maggie Wang, Ph.D., who all engaged in discussion and provided valuable feedback.
Assistant Professor of Management Brian Mallett, D.M., presented two ongoing research projects. "Six Sigma and DMAIC in Higher Education" is an examination of process improvement methodologies within academic settings. "Student Evaluations/Perceptions vs. Course Completion Rate" is an empirical investigation into the relationship between student feedback and course outcomes.
Associate Professor of Management Soumendra Banerjee, Ph.D., presented his study titled "Corporate Lobbying–Strategic Risk Taking Relationship and the Moderating Role of CEO Triality." This is an empirical analysis exploring how corporate political activity interacts with executive leadership structure to influence firm risk taking behavior.
Both projects offer meaningful contributions to their respective areas of research and to the broader academic literature.
Professor of Chemistry Nedialka Iordanova, Ph.D., was invited to serve as a judge at the University of Georgia College of Engineering's 2025-2026 Capstone Project Showcase Presentation on April 22 in Athens, Ga.
Building on the success of last year, the Department of Computing hosted its second annual Technology Career Fair on April 8 in Crawford Wheatley Hall. Organized by Assistant Professor Satyaki Nan, Ph.D., the event provided students with the opportunity to connect with employers, explore career paths in technology and learn about available internships and job opportunities.
Participating employers included TCI Powder Coatings, Sumter County School System, Sumter EMC, GSW's Office of Information and Instructional Technology, Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs & Advisors and The Social Security Administration.
Students were able to share their resumes, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into different organizations and career pathways. The event saw strong student engagement and meaningful conversations between students and employers.
Over Spring Break, a group of students participated in a faculty-led study abroad program across France, Switzerland, and Italy. This experience allowed them to earn course credit while engaging in structured learning. Students immersed themselves in new cultures, exploring cities such as Paris, Geneva, Milan, and Florence. They examined the geography, history, and cultural dynamics of each region while engaging directly with local communities.
As part of the program's service component, the group partnered with Serve the City Paris, a volunteer program that serves the community through action and kindness. Students prepared sandwiches and hygiene kits and distributed them to individuals in need on the streets of Paris.
In April, these students shared their experiences in a presentation for the campus community.
On April 17, the Computer Club visited residents at Magnolia Manorto assist with their technology needs. Senior Lecturer Karen Cook, Ed.D., and club members had a wonderful time helping residents, answering questions, and sharing their tech knowledge. It was a rewarding day of service, connection, and community engagement for everyone involved.
Thank you Physical Plant! During the week of April 6-10, pre-k lofts were replaced in each classroom with new lofts. Additionally, the playground was refurbished with new equipment. Several pieces of older equipment were removed. I appreciate their tireless efforts during the week to ensure everything was completed before the students returned from their Spring Break. Well done! Thank you!
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on myGSW, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
