ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

Nachiket Hinge

BS '23
UGA Mentor
School(s)/College(s):
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

Occupation:
Associate Application Developer

Institution you transferred from:
Georgia State University

Favorite UGA memories:
After transferring to UGA, some of my favorite memories include joining various clubs, attending thrilling football games, enjoying the student life, and meeting other transfer students.


What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
One piece of advice I’d give to transfer students is to not hesitate to meet new people. Enjoy the campus by walking around, exploring, and make sure to attend a football game for a great experience.

Sloan Lewandoski

BBA '19
UGA MENTOR
School/College:
Terry College of Business

Occupation: 
Senior Marketing Manager at Verizon

City:
Denver, CO

Institution you transferred from:
University of Alabama

Favorite UGA memories:
– When I transferred to UGA, I felt more at home when meeting other people that lived in the state of Georgia. Instantly, I made connections with other people where it was easy to make new friends instantly. – After I transferred in 2016, I got super involved in several clubs and was one of the first students to participate in the Student Transfer Ambassadors Program. – I also started the Team RWB organization and was on the board for Music Business Ambassadors, CURE, HerCampus, and Active Minds.

What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Get as involved as you can! Transferring to UGA was the best decision of my life! I am now the President of the UGA Alumni Chapter in Colorado and rep my school every single day!

Nikita Kondla

BS '24
UGA MENTOR
School/College:
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

City:
Cumming, GA

Institution you transferred from:
Georgia State University

Favorite UGA memories:
Some of my favorite memories I have made after transferring to UGA was first making new friends at a event called Welcome UGA and meeting the arch. Also, taking pictures of the mascot bulldog.

What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
One piece of advice I would give to transfer students is that don’t be afraid and be social. Always make new friends and try to be involved in the UGA traditions like homecoming week, calling the dawgs, ringing the Chapel Bell and other UGA traditions.

Elliott Marsh

BSA '02, MAL '11
UGA Mentor
School/College:
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Occupation:
Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

City:
Statesboro, GA

Institution you transferred from:
Truett-McConnell College

Favorite UGA memories:
Being able to go to football games, taking my major classes and meeting my wife who was also a transfer student.

What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Have fun, get involved and meet as many people as possible.

lee ann schiffhauer

BA '21, MED '25
School(s)/College(s):
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Mary Frances Early College of Education

Occupation:
Graduate Assistant for the Office for Student Success and Achievement at UGA

Institution you transferred from:
University of West Georgia

Favorite UGA memories:
Some of my favorite memories I made after transferring to UGA were going to football games as a student, meeting so many wonderful people through clubs and organizations, and trying all the amazing restaurants around Athens! Also, shout out to my undergraduate Academic Advisor, Kathy Lou, for being one of my first friends on campus and providing me with various unique opportunities to thrive in my major!

What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
One piece of advice I would give transfer students is do not be afraid to ask for help. There are so many incredible resources on UGA’s campus to help support your well-being, academics, and social integration. Take advantage of those resources, go to engagement fairs, and attend various campus events. Challenge yourself to explore outside of your comfort zone! Whatever you are going through, I can promise you are not the only one feeling that way. Transfer students are so valuable to the UGA community and there are so many resources to support you specifically. Go Dawgs!!!