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COBAC Advisory Council

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The College of Business and Computing Advisory Council is a dedicated group of business and community leaders, alumni, and industry professionals who partner with our faculty and staff to strengthen programs and opportunities for students. The council provides valuable insight on:

  • Workforce needs
  • Emerging trends
  • Strategic initiative

Their guidance helps ensure our curriculum remains relevant and impactful. By sharing their expertise and knowledge, council members play a vital role in preparing our students for successful careers while fostering meaningful connections between the college and the professional community.

COBAC Advisory Council

From left to right : Hunter Peak (GSW Foundation), Robert Bennett (Professor of Management), Gaynor Cheokas (Dean), Barry Blount (Council Member), Jim Aller (Associate Dean), Rene Smith (Council Member), Mark Blalock (Chair, Advisory Council), Jessica Sinclair (Council Member), Stenio Araugo (Council Member), President Michelle Johnston, Kelsie Dieter (Council Member), Chase Burnfin (Council Member), DJ West (Council Member), Shannon Perry (Associate Dean), Danny Adkins (Council Member), Mathura Ramalingam  (Accounting Student), Carol Bishop (Associate Dean), David Williams (Computer Science Student)

Council Members not pictured: Royce Hackett, Ross Youngdale, Kim Folmar, Jenny Gerba, Jenny Frantz, and Terrell Templin

Donate to Annual Fund

Contact

Georgia Southwestern Foundation

Hunter Peak
Development Officer
Newman Alumni Center

334-750-1924
foundation@gsw.edu

Social Info

Resources

Community Engagement Activities
Student Engagement Activities
Meeting Dates
The Advisory Council actively supports the College of Business and Computing by strengthening connections with the broader community. Members contribute through event planning, communication with community leaders, and collaborating with faculty to promote research and professional development. They also help connect alumni with the college through special events and networking opportunities.
Advisory Council members are committed to enhancing the student experience by providing a variety of engagement opportunities. These include shadowing experiences, experiential learning activities, and participation in Preview Days and STORM Days. Students also benefit from valuable opportunities such as guest speakers, company tours, and professional networking to prepare them for future careers.
  • Fall 2025 – October 7th at 5:30PM
  • Spring 2026 – March 3rd at 5:30PM + Annual Leadership Dinner.

Annual Leadership Dinner

Stenio Araujo

Stenio Araujo (Annual Leadership Dinner - March 2025)

Keynote Speaker: ’22 MSCS alumnus and Council member - Stenio Araujo, Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, shared invaluable insights from his professional journey. From contributing to distributed systems research at Hewlett-Packard in Brazil to supporting animation artists at Blue Sky Studios, Stenio's diverse career path led him to Microsoft’s Identity Organization, where he plays a key role in security infrastructure. He spoke about the importance of education, adaptability, and seizing opportunities, highlighting how earning his MSCS degree from GSW helped shape his career and open doors in the tech industry.