Class notes
Professional updates and achievements in
the past year from our graduates
1960s
Margaret Puckett Crow (BSED ’63) earned a master’s degree, was voted Teacher of the Year in 1989, and retired from teaching after 33 years.
Jean Dowell (MED ’69) is currently writing “The Early History of Athletics at Mount St. Joseph University, 1969-1994” and was the guest speaker at the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Convention.
1960
Ernest Golin (MED ’69) celebrated 17 years as a clinical trainer for CORA Physical Therapy, where he specializes in orthopedic and sports medicine rehabilitation.
Susan Hudgens Harper (BSHE ’67, EDS ’94) represents the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia on the Board of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. She was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2009 and has been reappointed continuously by subsequent governors. She has served as secretary, vice chairman, and chairman of the board.
1970s
John DeFazio (BSED ’77) retired from respiratory therapy after 35 years at Athens Regional Medical Center/Piedmont.
Barry L. Jackson (PHD ’75) recently retired as vice president and professor of Oste Re Institute of Osteopathic Medicine in Bucharest, Romania after five years of service. His book on the history of osteopathy and chiropractic health care is expected to be available in early 2025.
1970s
Patricia Murphy (BSED ’77) graduated with a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2023. She was appointed to serve as chaplain of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the 2023-25 biennium.
Samuel F. Smith (BSED ’74, MED ’78) was recently recognized by the Georgia Board of Education, which named the Gainesville High School media center in his honor. A long-time board member, Smith served as treasurer from 2008-2023.
1980s
Monroe Abram (BSED ’86) received the Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association's Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee.
Jill Atkinson (BSED ’89) served nine years as director of college counseling at Boston University Academy. She now serves as a liaison and director of student support at Boston University, where she provides guidance for high school students taking courses at the university.
1980s
Joe Brand (BSED ’81) received recertification for the Certified Fundraising Executive credential.
Angela Butler-Hackett (BSED ’86) is opening her own space to provide recreation therapy, integrated positional therapy bodywork, functional exercises, private adaptive yoga instruction, active aging coaching, and other stress reduction tools. She completed her certification in integrated positional therapy (IPT) in June and is the only IPT practitioner in Georgia at this time.
1980s
Debbie Clark (BSED ’83, MED ’86) began her 42nd year of teaching at Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia. She was a top 20 national semi-finalist for the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Most recently, she authored a soon-to-be-released book “’Twas the Year of the World Series” (Mascot Books) with all profits benefitting the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Judith Hill Garrison (BSED ’81, MED ’87) worked as a travel writer and journalist after leaving teaching. She is author of two books, “North Georgia Moonshine” (History Press) and “100 Things to Do in Athens, Ga Before You Die” (Reedy Press); her third book (History Press) on the Rock City barns is coming in 2025. She contributes to AARP, Southern Living, and more.
1980s
Cynthia Gray (AB ’85, MED ’87) is a healthcare program director/medical terminology instructor at Spartanburg Community College.
Camille Larkin (BSED ’89, MED ’92) started her 36th year teaching.
Mark Lucas (BSED ’87) is an art teacher with Phenix City Schools and is working to reestablish the art program.
Mary Roach (MED ’86) wrote a daily motivation book.
1990s
Kelli Nicole Bivins (AB ’97, MED ’02, EDS ’11) participated virtually in the second International TESOL Conference in Rabat, Morocco. The topic of her presentation was the power and potential of place-based learning, where she highlighted the work of a teacher whom she met while visiting their country on a Fulbright trip with Teachers of Global Classrooms in March 2022.
Mel Bolling (BS ’94) has worked 30 years with the U.S. Forest Service and is currently serving as the forest supervisor for Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland, which comprises approximately 3.1 million acres in southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah.
1990s
James Brightman (BBA ’94, MED ’96, EDS ’99) published a manuscript in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing.
Brian Culp (BSED ’99, EDD ’05) received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education in January, the Honor Award from Shape America Southern District in March, and was inducted as a Fellow for the North American Society For Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. He was selected to give the 18th Annual Jennifer Wall Keynote Address at McGill University.
1990s
Sherna Lott (BSED ’99) wrote and published her first children's book, “My Teacher Sees Me,” in July, available in English and Spanish.
Carmen Smith (BSED ’95) is one of two Georgia elementary math finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. This is the highest teaching award given for math and science.
2000s
Gwynne Ash (PHD ’00) was awarded the 2024 Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award from the International Literacy Association.
Bryna Bobick (EDD ’08) is a professor of art education at the University of Memphis.
Drew Bragg (BSED ’08) currently serves as principal of Valley Point Middle School in the Whitfield County School District.
Evelyn Shaw Corley (BSED ’05) was flown to Washington, DC by Meta to meet with policymakers in support of educational freedoms.
Jessica DeCuir-Gunby (MA ’00, PHD ’03) was appointed the Robert H. Naslund Chair in Curriculum and Teaching at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education and is currently the president of the American Psychological Association Division 15: Educational Psychology.
Jenna Dunaway (BSED ’08) earned a master’s degree in special education and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership. She currently serves as the director of special education of Thomaston-Upson Schools and is beginning her 19th year in education. Her district has been awarded two $50,000 grants aimed at addressing mental health and social-emotional challenges among students with disabilities and successfully implemented Project SEARCH.
Amanda Ebel (BSED ’01) graduated from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University with a doctoral degree in leadership and learning in organizations.
Taylor Gibson (MED ’07) has worked at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham and Morganton, North Carolina for the past 11 years as a mathematics instructor. For the last six years, he served in administration, first as dean of mathematics and most recently as the dean of data science and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Holly Hunt (BSED ’07, ABJ ’07) recently accepted a role with Cipher, a Prosegur company, as vice president of channel sales to create an indirect channel sales program.
O'Keefe Johnson (AB ’17, MED ’20) was honored by the establishment of the O'Keefe Johnson Dedication Award by the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Residence Hall Association and became the assistant director of graduate student involvement at UNCW. She plans to apply to a doctoral program in the spring.
Trevis Killen (MSW ’06, EDS ’07) was selected to serve on the National Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NAPSA) executive board during the 57th annual NAPSA Conference. Since 2015, he has been the executive director of student services for the Jones County School System in Gray, Georgia.
2000s
Daniel Kirk (PHD ’08) was appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lindenwood University.
Jamie Lewis (PHD ’04) retired from Georgia Gwinnett College.
Nancy Lewis (BSED ’00) is beginning her 24th year teaching students with disabilities in North Carolina and is working on achieving National Board Certification.
Michael Matthews (PHD ’02) was appointed interim department chair of the Department of Special Education and Child Development in the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Vivienne McClendon (PHD ’08) began a new position as dean of the Mary and John Gray Library at Lamar University.
Lisa Melendez (BSED ’08) taught business at several high schools in northwest Indiana and received her master's degree from Purdue University in 2013. She is now pursuing a doctoral degree in school administration, while also serving as an assistant principal at a Catholic high school.
Claire Miller (BSED ’08, MED ’16) completed a master’s degree in statistics.
Candace M. Moore (MED ’04, PHD ’11) received the Harold R. W. Benjamin Professorship at the University of Maryland.
Colin Muething (BS ’07, MED ’09) received the Atlanta 40 Under 40 Award and was named the 2024 Pediatric Innovator of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He was appointed by Gov. Kemp to the Georgia State Board of Examiner of Psychologists and selected for the Emory Professional Leadership Program.
Laney Park (BSED ’08, MED ’09) began a new position in 2024 as a K-12 digital convergence specialist for the Hall County School District.
Janna Pennington (MED ’08) is directing a new master's program in innovation and leadership at Furman University.
Rodney "Blake" Pierce (BSED ’04) recently completed 20 years as an active-duty Air Force officer. He is currently a lieutenant colonel and was recently notified of his selection for promotion to colonel.
2000s
Whitney Quin (AB ’04, BSED ’04) has experienced continued success for Quin Care, LLC-Tutoring and Caregiving on 30A.
Darrell Ray (PHD ’03) retired from education and launched Systematic Equity Solutions (SES) after a 25-year career in higher education, which began at UGA in 1997. SES serves clients across the U.S. in higher education, K-12, nonprofit, corporate, and city government.
Silas “Ben” Reaves (BSED ’08) is the head football coach at Milton High School and was named the 2023 AJC Head Coach of the Year.
Donald “Donny” Roberson (PHD ’03) recently published a memoir titled “School of Travel.”
Taylor Sharpe (BSED ’08) was named 2023 teacher of the year at Glynn Academy High School.
Kimber Shelton (PHD ’09) released the paperback edition of “A Handbook on Counseling African American Women: Psychological Symptoms, Treatments, and Case Studies,” coedited with Michelle Lyn (PHD ’01), and Mahlet Endale (PHD ’07), in September. Shelton was named 2023 Practitioner of the Year at the Black Mental Health Symposium and an Entreprenista/Chase Ink Entrepreneur awardee in February.
Kirk Shook (BSED ’07, MPA ’13, EDD ’24) graduated in May with a doctoral degree in educational leadership from UGA. His dissertation was titled “Building and Sustaining Culture in a Remote Work Environment in a Statewide Educational Regulatory Agency.”
Cara Simmons (MED ’07, PHD ’18) was elected to serve as the 2024-25 president-elect of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Board of Directors.
Christina Spears (BSED ’04, BS ’04, MED ’07) was the 2023-24 North Oconee High School Teacher of the Year.
Donna Lee Sullins (MED ’08, EDD ’16) was awarded the Early Career Teaching Award by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
Julia Webb (BSED ’06) graduated with a master’s degree in literacy education from Georgia State University in December 2019, graduated with a juris doctor from Georgia State in May 2023, passed the bar exam, and has been working at Eversheds Sutherland LLP since October 2023.
2010s
John Adams (BSED ’11) started an EDS/EDD program in mathematics education this summer.
Holly Alewine (EDS ’18) started a new role as assistant principal at Chattahoochee Christian School.
Phil Badaszewski (PHD ’14) began a new role as executive director of residence life and housing at the University of Delaware and assumed the role of editor for the Journal of College and University Student Housing. In June, he served on a panel and a led a presentation at the annual conference for the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. In July, he served as faculty for the National Housing Training Institute.
Crystal Beach (PHD ’17) reimagined the delivery model for the Union County College and Career Academy teaching program to increase enrollment and provide a more hands-on approach for future educators and additional support in P-6 classrooms, including an annual future educator literacy conference for students from districts around the state to participate. In its second year, the conference hosted nearly 200 high school students from six different high schools and garnered support and attendance from state legislators, State Superintendent Woods, and the First Lady of Georgia.
Jacklyn (White) Beck (MED ’18) was appointed clinical assistant professor of education at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In her role, she serves as both an advisor and professor for elementary education preservice teachers.
Kelsey Brown (AB ’17, BSED ’17) started new role as an SLP/AAC specialist at the University of Kentucky’s pediatric outpatient clinic.
Clay Chaffin (BSED ’14) has been on active duty as a logistics readiness officer for over 10 years and has been assigned at Air Force installations located in Illinois, South Korea, Hawaii, and Ohio. He was promoted to the rank of major in December 2023 and graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management in March. He was recognized as a distinguished graduate, department honor graduate, and received the Jerome G. Peppers SOLE Award.
Leigha Ellis (BSED ’11) spent 14 years teaching in public schools at the middle and elementary levels before founding LEAP Academy, a new classical Christian school in Adairsville, Georgia. She also published her first children’s book, “Think!”
2010s
Jennifer Graham (EDD ’19) started a new role as associate dean of students for student integrity and success at Georgia College and State University on July 1.
Catherine Hardy (BSED ’10, MED ’14) recently completed an education specialist degree in special education from Georgia College and State University and is employed as a diagnostician with DeKalb County Schools.
Brian Heredia (BSED ’18) accepted the position of bus operator trainer for UGA Transportation and Parking Services.
Megan Jones (BSED ’11) was recognized as the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year for Veterans High School in Houston County, was named the Sylvia McGee Excellence in Education recipient for Central Georgia at the Golden Eagle awards ceremony in May, and graduated with a doctoral degree from Columbus State University in July.
Caroline Lacksen (BSED ’18, MED ’18) serves as the professional development specialist for the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College and State University.
Claire Ledford (BSED ’12, MED ’14) started a new position as senior regional director of MeBe in August, leading the teams in San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, Virginia, and Arizona. The MeBe team is dedicated to helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities achieve their maximum potential.
Jessica Mathisen (BSED ’10) taught for six years in both private and public schools in Athens and in Chihuahua, Mexico. After leaving the teaching profession, she worked at a church and a nonprofit. Over the last several years, she has written and self-published six books, and her first traditionally published book, a children’s book, will release in partnership with B&H Publishing this coming spring.
Wagner Pierre (MED ’12) was hired as a teacher at Patch Middle School in Stuttgart, Germany for the Department of Defense Education Activity on behalf of the United States Department of Defense. Previously, he taught in Guam, China, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
2010s
Kathleen Rigsbee Pittman (AB ’18, BSED ’18) was promoted to manager of suite sales for the San Francisco 49ers in February 2023. She sold three long-term, seven-figure suite lease deals and traveled with the team to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February for the second time.
Katie Postich (BBA ’10, BSED ’10) has led sport sponsorships for the Coca-Cola Company for the past six years, most recently leading its NCAA property and March Madness. She recently began a short-term assignment on the Powerade brand team.
Nicole Ruiz (BSED ’19) was recently named among the top three candidates for Teacher of the Year for Muscogee County School District.
Carly Seethaler (BSED ’15) completed a doctoral degree in physical therapy. In 2022, she was honored by the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy with the Outstanding PT Student Award and by the Georgia Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association with the Horizon Award. In the last two years, she became one of the 8.4% of all licensed physical therapists in the U.S. to be recognized as a board-certified orthopedic physical therapy specialist and one of the 2.9% of licensed physical therapists in the U.S. who has completed a residency program in any specialty to further education and leadership potential.
Sarah (Woods) Sharpe (BSED ’13) graduated from Auburn University with a doctoral degree in reading education in 2020 and is now an assistant professor of elementary education at Columbus State University.
Lisa Sims (PHD ’12) recently published her children's book, “Shnozzle,” available in paperback or eBook.
Amanda Taylor Solomon (MAT ’17) celebrated a year of certification as a registered behavior technician while working at Pathways Behavior Center. She started her second year at Florida Institute of Technology where she is working on becoming a board-certified behavior analyst.
Rachel Staggs (MED ’19) spearheaded reinstating a farm-to-table initiative and oversaw the implementation of new raised garden beds and the initial planting of vegetables and pollinators in her district this past spring. She started teaching third grade for the first time at Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary in Decatur, Georgia.
T. Hunter Strickland (BSED ’10, MED ’11, PHD ’19) transitioned to a new tenure-track position as an assistant professor of reading, language, and literacy at Georgia College and State University.
2020s
Trisha Barefield (PHD ’24) started a new role as a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Kansas State University.
Chirre' Barron (EDS ’22) is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security and obtained a Teacher Leader Endorsement.
Rachael Buffa (BSED ’22) began teaching eighth grade English at Oconee County Middle School following graduation.
Danielle Carrier (PHD ’22), an assistant professor of elementary education at the University of Southern Mississippi, was elected vice president and program chair for the Organization of Educational Historians, an academic society of scholars throughout the U.S. focused on producing research on educational history.
Patricia Carter (PHD ’24) received the 2022 Jack Mezirow Living Theory Award at the International Transformative Learning Conference, generating an invitation to publish an enhancement of her paper for the 2023 New Directions for Adult Continuing Education Journal. She was also awarded the 2024 Patricia Cranton Distinguished Dissertation Award by the conference for her dissertation titled “Unlocking Embodied Cognition in Transformative Learning: Navigating Edge-Emotions Captured by a Disorienting Dilemma.”
Kayla Curry (BSED ’21, MED ’22) is an official court reporter for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit.
DeLauren Davis (MED ’20) is a project coordinator for a government technology company in Washington, DC.
2020s
Michele Dugan (EDD ’22) was recently named as director of communications of Forsyth County Schools in Cumming, Georgia.
Madeline Franz (BSED ’23, BS ’23) is working as a certified clinical medical assistant at University Surgical Vascular and hopes to attend medical school.
Jennifer Gaines (EDS ’22) currently serves as a high school film and broadcast teacher in Bulloch County and advisor for the Technology Student Association at her school. She presented at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in 2023, was awarded the Exemplar CTAE Teacher Award for Bulloch County Schools, and was selected to participate in the Bulloch County Schools’ Teacher Leadership Academy cohort for 2024-25.
April Greene (MED ’21) was named director of programs and strategy of Blue Ridge Abortion Fund this spring, where she designs systems and supervises client services staff.
Jordan Henley (PHD ’22) was selected as a member of the Data Science Education K-12: Research to Practice Conference launch collective.
Trey Hill (BSED ’22) will soon graduate with a doctoral degree in physical therapy from the University of North Georgia. He is also working on becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist focused on dry needling.
Ashley Johnston (BSED ’21) earned her doctoral degree in physical therapy, passed her board exams, and started a job as a physical therapist.
2020s
Parker Keys (BSED ’24) started a full-time job with UGA Athletics in May.
Roderick Langston (EDD ’22) has been selected to serve as a new council member for the UGA Black Alumni Leadership Council for the 2024-25 academic year.
Mary Mayse (BSED ’22) started a master’s degree program in biology at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Cameron McCarthy (BSED ’21) graduated from Florida State University with a master's degree in exercise physiology in May 2023, worked as a clinical research coordinator for a project grant titled "Resistance Training Modulation of Fat Metabolism in Obese, Postmenopausal, Prediabetic Women,” and began a doctoral degree in chemistry with a nutritional sciences concentration at Georgia State University in August.
Gray McGee (BSED ’23, MS ’24) graduated with master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management and policy and began a new job with Parker Executive Search in Atlanta.
Allison Mehler (BSED ’22) graduated with a master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of South Carolina in August. Currently, she is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with Prisma Health in Columbia, South Carolina.
Lorraine Montague (EDS ’23) was selected as a roundtable presenter at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America National Fall Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.
2020s
Amanda Mooney (MED ’23) was promoted to assistant director of human resources in the UGA College of Engineering and received professional certification from the Society for Human Resources Management.
Emory Perry (BS ’20, BSED ’20) is the adult program coordinator at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
Lidia Colato Raez (MED ’22) was named assistant director of career education with University Career Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in July.
Katelyn Weyenberg (BSED ’21) received a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Kelsey Wohlford (MED ’24) is the new assistant director for fraternity and sorority life in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at Hofstra University.
Taibin Xiong (MED ’24) is teaching Mandarin Chinese at a dual language immersive elementary school, his first full-time job after earning his master's degree.
Junhui Xue (MED ’24) started working at China Daily.
1960s
Margaret Puckett Crow (BSED ’63) earned a master’s degree, was voted Teacher of the Year in 1989, and retired from teaching after 33 years.
Jean Dowell (MED ’69) is currently writing “The Early History of Athletics at Mount St. Joseph University, 1969-1994” and was the guest speaker at the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Convention.
Ernest Golin (MED ’69) celebrated 17 years as a clinical trainer for CORA Physical Therapy, where he specializes in orthopedic and sports medicine rehabilitation.
Susan Hudgens Harper (BSHE ’67, EDS ’94) represents the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia on the Board of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. She was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2009 and has been reappointed continuously by subsequent governors. She has served as secretary, vice chairman, and chairman of the board.
1970s
John DeFazio (BSED ’77) retired from respiratory therapy after 35 years at Athens Regional Medical Center/Piedmont.
Barry L. Jackson (PHD ’75) recently retired as vice president and professor of Oste Re Institute of Osteopathic Medicine in Bucharest, Romania after five years of service. His book on the history of osteopathy and chiropractic health care is expected to be available in early 2025.
Patricia Murphy (BSED ’77) graduated with a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2023. She was appointed to serve as chaplain of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the 2023-25 biennium.
Samuel F. Smith (BSED ’74, MED ’78) was recently recognized by the Georgia Board of Education, which named the Gainesville High School media center in his honor. A long-time board member, Smith served as treasurer from 2008-2023.
1980s
Monroe Abram (BSED ’86) received the Bill Chisolm Professional Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association's Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee.
Jill Atkinson (BSED ’89) served nine years as director of college counseling at Boston University Academy. She now serves as a liaison and director of student support at Boston University, where she provides guidance for high school students taking courses at the university.
Joe Brand (BSED ’81) received recertification for the Certified Fundraising Executive credential.
Angela Butler-Hackett (BSED ’86) is opening her own space to provide recreation therapy, integrated positional therapy bodywork, functional exercises, private adaptive yoga instruction, active aging coaching, and other stress reduction tools. She completed her certification in integrated positional therapy (IPT) in June and is the only IPT practitioner in Georgia at this time.
Debbie Clark (BSED ’83, MED ’86) began her 42nd year of teaching at Johnson High School in Gainesville, Georgia. She was a top 20 national semi-finalist for the National Teachers Hall of Fame. Most recently, she authored a soon-to-be-released book “’Twas the Year of the World Series” (Mascot Books) with all profits benefitting the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Judith Hill Garrison (BSED ’81, MED ’87) worked as a travel writer and journalist after leaving teaching. She is author of two books, “North Georgia Moonshine” (History Press) and “100 Things to Do in Athens, Ga Before You Die” (Reedy Press); her third book (History Press) on the Rock City barns is coming in 2025. She contributes to AARP, Southern Living, and more.
Cynthia Gray (AB ’85, MED ’87) is a healthcare program director/medical terminology instructor at Spartanburg Community College.
Camille Larkin (BSED ’89, MED ’92) started her 36th year teaching.
Mark Lucas (BSED ’87) is an art teacher with Phenix City Schools and is working to reestablish the art program.
Mary Roach (MED ’86) wrote a daily motivation book.
1990s
Kelli Nicole Bivins (AB ’97, MED ’02, EDS ’11) participated virtually in the second International TESOL Conference in Rabat, Morocco. The topic of her presentation was the power and potential of place-based learning, where she highlighted the work of a teacher whom she met while visiting their country on a Fulbright trip with Teachers of Global Classrooms in March 2022.
Mel Bolling (BS ’94) has worked 30 years with the U.S. Forest Service and is currently serving as the forest supervisor for Caribou-Targhee National Forest and Curlew National Grassland, which comprises approximately 3.1 million acres in southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northern Utah.
James Brightman (BBA ’94, MED ’96, EDS ’99) published a manuscript in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing.
Brian Culp (BSED ’99, EDD ’05) received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education in January, the Honor Award from Shape America Southern District in March, and was inducted as a Fellow for the North American Society For Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. He was selected to give the 18th Annual Jennifer Wall Keynote Address at McGill University.
Sherna Lott (BSED ’99) wrote and published her first children's book, “My Teacher Sees Me,” in July, available in English and Spanish.
Carmen Smith (BSED ’95) is one of two Georgia elementary math finalists for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. This is the highest teaching award given for math and science.
2000s
Gwynne Ash (PHD ’00) was awarded the 2024 Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award from the International Literacy Association.
Bryna Bobick (EDD ’08) is a professor of art education at the University of Memphis.
Drew Bragg (BSED ’08) currently serves as principal of Valley Point Middle School in the Whitfield County School District.
Evelyn Shaw Corley (BSED ’05) was flown to Washington, DC by Meta to meet with policymakers in support of educational freedoms.
Jessica DeCuir-Gunby (MA ’00, PHD ’03) was appointed the Robert H. Naslund Chair in Curriculum and Teaching at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education and is currently the president of the American Psychological Association Division 15: Educational Psychology.
Jenna Dunaway (BSED ’08) earned a master’s degree in special education and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership. She currently serves as the director of special education of Thomaston-Upson Schools and is beginning her 19th year in education. Her district has been awarded two $50,000 grants aimed at addressing mental health and social-emotional challenges among students with disabilities and successfully implemented Project SEARCH.
Amanda Ebel (BSED ’01) graduated from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University with a doctoral degree in leadership and learning in organizations.
Taylor Gibson (MED ’07) has worked at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham and Morganton, North Carolina for the past 11 years as a mathematics instructor. For the last six years, he served in administration, first as dean of mathematics and most recently as the dean of data science and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Holly Hunt (BSED ’07, ABJ ’07) recently accepted a role with Cipher, a Prosegur company, as vice president of channel sales to create an indirect channel sales program.
O'Keefe Johnson (AB ’17, MED ’20) was honored by the establishment of the O'Keefe Johnson Dedication Award by the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Residence Hall Association and became the assistant director of graduate student involvement at UNCW. She plans to apply to a doctoral program in the spring.
Trevis Killen (MSW ’06, EDS ’07) was selected to serve on the National Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NAPSA) executive board during the 57th annual NAPSA Conference. Since 2015, he has been the executive director of student services for the Jones County School System in Gray, Georgia.
Daniel Kirk (PHD ’08) was appointed interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lindenwood University.
Jamie Lewis (PHD ’04) retired from Georgia Gwinnett College.
Nancy Lewis (BSED ’00) is beginning her 24th year teaching students with disabilities in North Carolina and is working on achieving National Board Certification.
Michael Matthews (PHD ’02) was appointed interim department chair of the Department of Special Education and Child Development in the Cato College of Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Vivienne McClendon (PHD ’08) began a new position as dean of the Mary and John Gray Library at Lamar University.
Lisa Melendez (BSED ’08) taught business at several high schools in northwest Indiana and received her master's degree from Purdue University in 2013. She is now pursuing a doctoral degree in school administration, while also serving as an assistant principal at a Catholic high school.
Claire Miller (BSED ’08, MED ’16) completed a master’s degree in statistics.
Candace M. Moore (MED ’04, PHD ’11) received the Harold R. W. Benjamin Professorship at the University of Maryland.
Colin Muething (BS ’07, MED ’09) received the Atlanta 40 Under 40 Award and was named the 2024 Pediatric Innovator of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He was appointed by Gov. Kemp to the Georgia State Board of Examiner of Psychologists and selected for the Emory Professional Leadership Program.
Laney Park (BSED ’08, MED ’09) began a new position in 2024 as a K-12 digital convergence specialist for the Hall County School District.
Janna Pennington (MED ’08) is directing a new master's program in innovation and leadership at Furman University.
Rodney "Blake" Pierce (BSED ’04) recently completed 20 years as an active-duty Air Force officer. He is currently a lieutenant colonel and was recently notified of his selection for promotion to colonel.
Whitney Quin (AB ’04, BSED ’04) has experienced continued success for Quin Care, LLC-Tutoring and Caregiving on 30A.
Darrell Ray (PHD ’03) retired from education and launched Systematic Equity Solutions (SES) after a 25-year career in higher education, which began at UGA in 1997. SES serves clients across the U.S. in higher education, K-12, nonprofit, corporate, and city government.
Silas “Ben” Reaves (BSED ’08) is the head football coach at Milton High School and was named the 2023 AJC Head Coach of the Year.
Donald “Donny” Roberson (PHD ’03) recently published a memoir titled “School of Travel.”
Taylor Sharpe (BSED ’08) was named 2023 teacher of the year at Glynn Academy High School.
Kimber Shelton (PHD ’09) released the paperback edition of “A Handbook on Counseling African American Women: Psychological Symptoms, Treatments, and Case Studies,” coedited with Michelle Lyn (PHD ’01), and Mahlet Endale (PHD ’07), in September. Shelton was named 2023 Practitioner of the Year at the Black Mental Health Symposium and an Entreprenista/Chase Ink Entrepreneur awardee in February.
Kirk Shook (BSED ’07, MPA ’13, EDD ’24) graduated in May with a doctoral degree in educational leadership from UGA. His dissertation was titled “Building and Sustaining Culture in a Remote Work Environment in a Statewide Educational Regulatory Agency.”
Cara Simmons (MED ’07, PHD ’18) was elected to serve as the 2024-25 president-elect of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Board of Directors.
Christina Spears (BSED ’04, BS ’04, MED ’07) was the 2023-24 North Oconee High School Teacher of the Year.
Donna Lee Sullins (MED ’08, EDD ’16) was awarded the Early Career Teaching Award by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.
Julia Webb (BSED ’06) graduated with a master’s degree in literacy education from Georgia State University in December 2019, graduated with a juris doctor from Georgia State in May 2023, passed the bar exam, and has been working at Eversheds Sutherland LLP since October 2023.
2010s
John Adams (BSED ’11) started an EDS/EDD program in mathematics education this summer.
Holly Alewine (EDS ’18) started a new role as assistant principal at Chattahoochee Christian School.
Phil Badaszewski (PHD ’14) began a new role as executive director of residence life and housing at the University of Delaware and assumed the role of editor for the Journal of College and University Student Housing. In June, he served on a panel and a led a presentation at the annual conference for the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. In July, he served as faculty for the National Housing Training Institute.
Crystal Beach (PHD ’17) reimagined the delivery model for the Union County College and Career Academy teaching program to increase enrollment and provide a more hands-on approach for future educators and additional support in P-6 classrooms, including an annual future educator literacy conference for students from districts around the state to participate. In its second year, the conference hosted nearly 200 high school students from six different high schools and garnered support and attendance from state legislators, State Superintendent Woods, and the First Lady of Georgia.
Jacklyn (White) Beck (MED ’18) was appointed clinical assistant professor of education at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In her role, she serves as both an advisor and professor for elementary education preservice teachers.
Kelsey Brown (AB ’17, BSED ’17) started new role as an SLP/AAC specialist at the University of Kentucky’s pediatric outpatient clinic.
Clay Chaffin (BSED ’14) has been on active duty as a logistics readiness officer for over 10 years and has been assigned at Air Force installations located in Illinois, South Korea, Hawaii, and Ohio. He was promoted to the rank of major in December 2023 and graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management in March. He was recognized as a distinguished graduate, department honor graduate, and received the Jerome G. Peppers SOLE Award.
Leigha Ellis (BSED ’11) spent 14 years teaching in public schools at the middle and elementary levels before founding LEAP Academy, a new classical Christian school in Adairsville, Georgia. She also published her first children’s book, “Think!”
Jennifer Graham (EDD ’19) started a new role as associate dean of students for student integrity and success at Georgia College and State University on July 1.
Catherine Hardy (BSED ’10, MED ’14) recently completed an education specialist degree in special education from Georgia College and State University and is employed as a diagnostician with DeKalb County Schools.
Brian Heredia (BSED ’18) accepted the position of bus operator trainer for UGA Transportation and Parking Services.
Megan Jones (BSED ’11) was recognized as the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year for Veterans High School in Houston County, was named the Sylvia McGee Excellence in Education recipient for Central Georgia at the Golden Eagle awards ceremony in May, and graduated with a doctoral degree from Columbus State University in July.
Caroline Lacksen (BSED ’18, MED ’18) serves as the professional development specialist for the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College and State University.
Claire Ledford (BSED ’12, MED ’14) started a new position as senior regional director of MeBe in August, leading the teams in San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, Virginia, and Arizona. The MeBe team is dedicated to helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities achieve their maximum potential.
Jessica Mathisen (BSED ’10) taught for six years in both private and public schools in Athens and in Chihuahua, Mexico. After leaving the teaching profession, she worked at a church and a nonprofit. Over the last several years, she has written and self-published six books, and her first traditionally published book, a children’s book, will release in partnership with B&H Publishing this coming spring.
Wagner Pierre (MED ’12) was hired as a teacher at Patch Middle School in Stuttgart, Germany for the Department of Defense Education Activity on behalf of the United States Department of Defense. Previously, he taught in Guam, China, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Kathleen Rigsbee Pittman (AB ’18, BSED ’18) was promoted to manager of suite sales for the San Francisco 49ers in February 2023. She sold three long-term, seven-figure suite lease deals and traveled with the team to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February for the second time.
Katie Postich (BBA ’10, BSED ’10) has led sport sponsorships for the Coca-Cola Company for the past six years, most recently leading its NCAA property and March Madness. She recently began a short-term assignment on the Powerade brand team.
Nicole Ruiz (BSED ’19) was recently named among the top three candidates for Teacher of the Year for Muscogee County School District.
Carly Seethaler (BSED ’15) completed a doctoral degree in physical therapy. In 2022, she was honored by the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy with the Outstanding PT Student Award and by the Georgia Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association with the Horizon Award. In the last two years, she became one of the 8.4% of all licensed physical therapists in the U.S. to be recognized as a board-certified orthopedic physical therapy specialist and one of the 2.9% of licensed physical therapists in the U.S. who has completed a residency program in any specialty to further education and leadership potential.
Sarah (Woods) Sharpe (BSED ’13) graduated from Auburn University with a doctoral degree in reading education in 2020 and is now an assistant professor of elementary education at Columbus State University.
Lisa Sims (PHD ’12) recently published her children's book, “Shnozzle,” available in paperback or eBook.
Amanda Taylor Solomon (MAT ’17) celebrated a year of certification as a registered behavior technician while working at Pathways Behavior Center. She started her second year at Florida Institute of Technology where she is working on becoming a board-certified behavior analyst.
Rachel Staggs (MED ’19) spearheaded reinstating a farm-to-table initiative and oversaw the implementation of new raised garden beds and the initial planting of vegetables and pollinators in her district this past spring. She started teaching third grade for the first time at Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary in Decatur, Georgia.
T. Hunter Strickland (BSED ’10, MED ’11, PHD ’19) transitioned to a new tenure-track position as an assistant professor of reading, language, and literacy at Georgia College and State University.
2020s
Trisha Barefield (PHD ’24) started a new role as a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Kansas State University.
Chirre' Barron (EDS ’22) is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security and obtained a Teacher Leader Endorsement.
Rachael Buffa (BSED ’22) began teaching eighth grade English at Oconee County Middle School following graduation.
Danielle Carrier (PHD ’22), an assistant professor of elementary education at the University of Southern Mississippi, was elected vice president and program chair for the Organization of Educational Historians, an academic society of scholars throughout the U.S. focused on producing research on educational history.
Patricia Carter (PHD ’24) received the 2022 Jack Mezirow Living Theory Award at the International Transformative Learning Conference, generating an invitation to publish an enhancement of her paper for the 2023 New Directions for Adult Continuing Education Journal. She was also awarded the 2024 Patricia Cranton Distinguished Dissertation Award by the conference for her dissertation titled “Unlocking Embodied Cognition in Transformative Learning: Navigating Edge-Emotions Captured by a Disorienting Dilemma.”
Kayla Curry (BSED ’21, MED ’22) is an official court reporter for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit.
DeLauren Davis (MED ’20) is a project coordinator for a government technology company in Washington, DC.
Michele Dugan (EDD ’22) was recently named as director of communications of Forsyth County Schools in Cumming, Georgia.
Madeline Franz (BSED ’23, BS ’23) is working as a certified clinical medical assistant at University Surgical Vascular and hopes to attend medical school.
Jennifer Gaines (EDS ’22) currently serves as a high school film and broadcast teacher in Bulloch County and advisor for the Technology Student Association at her school. She presented at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in 2023, was awarded the Exemplar CTAE Teacher Award for Bulloch County Schools, and was selected to participate in the Bulloch County Schools’ Teacher Leadership Academy cohort for 2024-25.
April Greene (MED ’21) was named director of programs and strategy of Blue Ridge Abortion Fund this spring, where she designs systems and supervises client services staff.
Jordan Henley (PHD ’22) was selected as a member of the Data Science Education K-12: Research to Practice Conference launch collective.
Trey Hill (BSED ’22) will soon graduate with a doctoral degree in physical therapy from the University of North Georgia. He is also working on becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist focused on dry needling.
Ashley Johnston (BSED ’21) earned her doctoral degree in physical therapy, passed her board exams, and started a job as a physical therapist.
Parker Keys (BSED ’24) started a full-time job with UGA Athletics in May.
Roderick Langston (EDD ’22) has been selected to serve as a new council member for the UGA Black Alumni Leadership Council for the 2024-25 academic year.
Mary Mayse (BSED ’22) started a master’s degree program in biology at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Cameron McCarthy (BSED ’21) graduated from Florida State University with a master's degree in exercise physiology in May 2023, worked as a clinical research coordinator for a project grant titled "Resistance Training Modulation of Fat Metabolism in Obese, Postmenopausal, Prediabetic Women,” and began a doctoral degree in chemistry with a nutritional sciences concentration at Georgia State University in August.
Gray McGee (BSED ’23, MS ’24) graduated with master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management and policy and began a new job with Parker Executive Search in Atlanta.
Allison Mehler (BSED ’22) graduated with a master’s degree in speech language pathology from the University of South Carolina in August. Currently, she is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with Prisma Health in Columbia, South Carolina.
Lorraine Montague (EDS ’23) was selected as a roundtable presenter at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America National Fall Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.
Amanda Mooney (MED ’23) was promoted to assistant director of human resources in the UGA College of Engineering and received professional certification from the Society for Human Resources Management.
Emory Perry (BS ’20, BSED ’20) is the adult program coordinator at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
Lidia Colato Raez (MED ’22) was named assistant director of career education with University Career Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in July.
Katelyn Weyenberg (BSED ’21) received a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Kelsey Wohlford (MED ’24) is the new assistant director for fraternity and sorority life in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement at Hofstra University.
Taibin Xiong (MED ’24) is teaching Mandarin Chinese at a dual language immersive elementary school, his first full-time job after earning his master's degree.
Junhui Xue (MED ’24) started working at China Daily.
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