FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
Do you know a faculty or staff member at UGA who has made a positive impact on your transfer experience at UGA? Complete this form to send them a personalized thank you e-note! Thank you for helping us recognize faculty/staff who support and advocate for transfer students!
Misha Boyd
Odum School of Ecology
2024 Transfer Advocate Award Recipient
School/College/Unit/Department:
Odum School of Ecology
Professional Title:
Academic Advisor
School/College/Unit/Department:
Odum School of Ecology
Professional Title:
Academic Advisor
Jason Edwards
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Professional Title:
Public Service Faculty Member
Institution you transferred from: Florida Atlantic University
Institution you transferred to:
University of Georgia
What was the biggest challenge you encountered as a transfer student and how did you overcome it?
I was overwhelmed by how large UGA was compared to the institution I transferred from. I came from out-of-state and did not anyone on campus, and I wasn’t sure where I would fit in. I overcame this fear by researching student organizations I wanted to be involved with, and it’s where I found my place and formed lifelong friendships.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Join student groups or organizations that align with your passion. It’s where you will find like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships.
School/College/Unit/Department:
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Professional Title:
Public Service Faculty Member
Institution you transferred from: Florida Atlantic University
Institution you transferred to:
University of Georgia
What was the biggest challenge you encountered as a transfer student and how did you overcome it?
I was overwhelmed by how large UGA was compared to the institution I transferred from. I came from out-of-state and did not anyone on campus, and I wasn’t sure where I would fit in. I overcame this fear by researching student organizations I wanted to be involved with, and it’s where I found my place and formed lifelong friendships.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Join student groups or organizations that align with your passion. It’s where you will find like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships.
Lauren Flowers
Mary Frances Early
College of Education
College of Education
2024 Transfer Advocate Award Recipient
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
Mary Frances Early College of Education
Professional Title: Academic Advisor
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
Mary Frances Early College of Education
Professional Title: Academic Advisor
Dr. Julie Glenn
Office for Student Success and Achievement
School/College/Unit/Department: Division of Academic Enhancement
Professional Title: Instructor and Academic Coach
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I teach 2 sections of UNIV 2102S – Success for Transfer Students.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
No matter what you are experiencing, UGA has people dedicated to helping you. UGA supports not only your academic success with peer tutors, OSSA, and the Career Center, but also helps with food insecurity, counseling services, financial services, and anything else you might need to be successful. Your success is UGA’s success. We are here for you.
Professional Title: Instructor and Academic Coach
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I teach 2 sections of UNIV 2102S – Success for Transfer Students.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
No matter what you are experiencing, UGA has people dedicated to helping you. UGA supports not only your academic success with peer tutors, OSSA, and the Career Center, but also helps with food insecurity, counseling services, financial services, and anything else you might need to be successful. Your success is UGA’s success. We are here for you.
Debbie Hargrave
Mary Frances Early
College of Education
College of Education
2022 & 2023 Transfer Advocate Award Recipient
School/College/Unit/Department:
Mary Frances Early College of Education – Undergraduate Advising
Professional Title:
Senior Academic Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
My goal is for my students to have knowledge of courses, resources, the community, and endless opportunities that are available to them as students at the University of Georgia.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Get out and meet people! Join clubs, committees or activities.
School/College/Unit/Department:
Mary Frances Early College of Education – Undergraduate Advising
Professional Title:
Senior Academic Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
My goal is for my students to have knowledge of courses, resources, the community, and endless opportunities that are available to them as students at the University of Georgia.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Get out and meet people! Join clubs, committees or activities.
Jill Hopkins
Terry College of Business
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
Terry College of Business – Finance and Real Estate
Professional Title:
College Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I support students interested in transferring to UGA before and after they arrive by walking them through transfer credit opportunities, timing to graduation, proposed course schedules, etc. Basically, I provide whatever assistance I can to make their transition to UGA easier!
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
I would tell the students to get involved quickly and ask questions. The sooner they get involved the easier the transition will be and it will also help their performance in classes since they will not be stressed out on the personal side.
School/College/Unit/Department:
Terry College of Business – Finance and Real Estate
Professional Title:
College Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I support students interested in transferring to UGA before and after they arrive by walking them through transfer credit opportunities, timing to graduation, proposed course schedules, etc. Basically, I provide whatever assistance I can to make their transition to UGA easier!
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
I would tell the students to get involved quickly and ask questions. The sooner they get involved the easier the transition will be and it will also help their performance in classes since they will not be stressed out on the personal side.
Whitney Jones
College of Agricultural and environmental sciences
2023 & 2024 Transfer Advocate Award Recipient
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Office of Academic Affairs
Professional Title:
Academic Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I advocate for transfer students by offering them ways to make their transfer credits work for the degrees they seek. We create a transfer plan before students arrive at UGA to best prepare them for success here. I also share updates about events on campus and follow up on students’ involvement in advising meetings.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Take pride in going to another school before transferring to UGA. Your perspective as a transfer student is more valuable than you know to your peers, staff, and faculty!
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Office of Academic Affairs
Professional Title:
Academic Advisor
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
I advocate for transfer students by offering them ways to make their transfer credits work for the degrees they seek. We create a transfer plan before students arrive at UGA to best prepare them for success here. I also share updates about events on campus and follow up on students’ involvement in advising meetings.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Take pride in going to another school before transferring to UGA. Your perspective as a transfer student is more valuable than you know to your peers, staff, and faculty!
Narke Norton
College of Veterinary Medicine
UGA Mentor
School/College/Unit/Department:
College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Academic Affairs
Professional Title:
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Institution you transferred from:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)
Institution you transferred to:
University of Georgia
What was the biggest challenge you encountered as a transfer student and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the fear of starting over and being 3 hours away from home. Not only was I a transfer student, but I was first-generation and from a rural community. The first few weeks were lonely, but my secret to growing roots involved joining several student organizations like UGA Mock Trial and the Demosthenian Literary Society. By the time graduated, I was involved in 8 student organizations and gave a TED Talk through TEDxUGA!
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
I would first acknowledge the difficult transition that transfer students experience and then I would tell transfers – you belong! It may take you awhile to figure out the buses, or find hidden resources, or discover bulldawg traditions, but you will find your community here! Your degree will say “University of Georgia,” like everyone else and our institution will be better because of you!
School/College/Unit/Department:
College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Academic Affairs
Professional Title:
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Institution you transferred from:
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)
Institution you transferred to:
University of Georgia
What was the biggest challenge you encountered as a transfer student and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the fear of starting over and being 3 hours away from home. Not only was I a transfer student, but I was first-generation and from a rural community. The first few weeks were lonely, but my secret to growing roots involved joining several student organizations like UGA Mock Trial and the Demosthenian Literary Society. By the time graduated, I was involved in 8 student organizations and gave a TED Talk through TEDxUGA!
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
I would first acknowledge the difficult transition that transfer students experience and then I would tell transfers – you belong! It may take you awhile to figure out the buses, or find hidden resources, or discover bulldawg traditions, but you will find your community here! Your degree will say “University of Georgia,” like everyone else and our institution will be better because of you!
Emily Robinson
Mary Frances Early
College of Education
College of Education
2022 Transfer Advocate Award Recipient
School/College/Unit/Department: Mary Frances Early College of Education
Professional Title: Academic Advisor & Transfer Specialist
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
My main priorities revolve around educating transfer students about the information they need to be successful in our college, whether that be preparing for their major application or getting the most out of their transfer credits. In the spring, I also teach a seminar for transfer students to help build community and familiarity with UGA’s traditions, resources, and culture.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask questions!
School/College/Unit/Department: Mary Frances Early College of Education
Professional Title: Academic Advisor & Transfer Specialist
How do you advocate for and support transfer students?
My main priorities revolve around educating transfer students about the information they need to be successful in our college, whether that be preparing for their major application or getting the most out of their transfer credits. In the spring, I also teach a seminar for transfer students to help build community and familiarity with UGA’s traditions, resources, and culture.
What is one piece of advice you would give transfer students?
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask questions!