Shana Bagley
Manager, Graduate Communications
College of Arts & Sciences
Shana Bagley is the Manager of Graduate Communications in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Office of Graduate Services, where she supports the retention, progression, and graduation of graduate students through the creation of thoughtful and comprehensive communication plans and student resources.
Shana holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a focus on nonprofit leadership from Mercer University. She found her passion for nonprofit work while serving as the Director of Marketing at True Colors Theatre Company and the Director of Operations at C5 Georgia Youth Foundation.
Shana is a proponent of continued professional development and has served on the board of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta, is a member of Georgia Center for Nonprofit’s High Potential Diverse Leaders 2015 cohort, as well as the Association of Fundraising Professionals Diversity Fellows 2016 cohort. Shana is a native metro-Atlanta, an alumna of Emory University, and currently lives in College Park with her husband and two daughters.
Melissa Barnett
Data Governance Manager
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Throughout her career, Melissa has worn many hats: sociologist, peer-reviewed journal author, evaluation researcher, data literacy leader, invited speaker, collaborator, presenter, instructor, steering committee lead, mentor, and guide. Data analysis and data governance, communication and relationship building, and higher ed are at the core of each of her roles.
Melissa joined Georgia State University in 2020 and serves as the university’s inaugural Data Governance Manager. In this role, Melissa supports university leaders, data analysts, and data users in making decisions that affect the university by ensuring its data are known, accessible, trustworthy, and secure, as well as trains users on how to handle data. Additionally, she brings together institutional experts from relevant business units, information technology, and institutional research, so the institution can better understand, manage, and harness its data to advance the university’s mission. At Harvard and MIT, Melissa used data to answer leaders’ questions about academic programs and provide next-step recommendations. Melissa has co-authored several research publications and taught Statistics and Research Methods. Melissa earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Florida State University and a B.A. in English writing from Denison University.
Shantay Bennett
Associate Director of Law Admissions, College of Law
Shantay Bennett serves as the Associate Director of Law Admissions. She joined the College of Law in 2005 as an Admissions Coordinator I. As Associate Director, she manages and oversees the admissions and electronic processes of the J.D. and LL.M. programs; serves as the liaison with internal and external technical support units; counsels and advises prospective and admitted students; oversee on-campus visitations for prospective students; and engages in recruitment activities on a regional and national level.
Bennett takes an active role in the College of Law outside of her admissions duties. She serves on the college’s Staff Culture & Development committee in addition to other ad hoc committees on campus. Bennett is the 2019 recipient of the Marjorie L. Girth Staff Achievement award. The award recognizes Law Staff members who have rendered exceptional service to the College, the University or general community, or who have achieved important goals in professional advancement. Bennett serves as the lead diversity recruiter and is a member of the Executive Planning Committee for the Gate City Bar Association’s Justice Robert Benham Law Camp (a pipeline program for underrepresented high school students) that is held annually at College of Law. She has also served as the college’s representative on the Georgia State University Staff Council.
In an effort to further integrate her skills, Bennett is a 2008 alumnus of the Advancement of Women’s Leadership Academy for Women and received training in conflict management and resolution. Bennett received a BS in Psychology from Georgia State University.
Annette Clark
Graduate Admissions Manager, Graduate Admissions
Annette has been working in higher education since 2016 and joined Georgia State University in 2018. She currently serves as the Graduate Admissions Manager in the Graduate School. In this role, she manages the admissions processes in the CRM Slate, supervises the admissions team, and maintains collaborative relationships with other admissions units and student support services across campus. Prior to joining the Graduate School, she worked as a Manager of Retention & Progression, as well as an Academic Advisor in the Office of Graduate Services in the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Georgia. During her time as an undergraduate student at UGA, Annette joined the Delta Alpha chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority Inc., the first Latina sorority in the US. Her experience as a sister of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority Inc. inspired her to pursue a career in education and eventually led her to Georgia State University. Annette is a native Atlantan and resides in Tucker, with her husband, son, and dog.
Makesha Dockery
Coordinator for Cooperative Education and Internships , University Career Services
Makesha H. Dockery serves as a Coordinator for Cooperative Education and Internships. She is a higher education professional with over 15 years’ experience using her network, strengths, and experience to coach and advocate for students of all backgrounds, ages and abilities in achieving and pursuing their career goals through experiential learning environments. At Georgia State University, she’s developed the 1st sophomore career community to help 1st and 2nd year engage in internship and co-op opportunities before graduation. Her collaborations across campus include academic advising, leadership and civic engagement, TRIO, university housing as well as being an instructor for New Student Orientation (GSU 1010). She actively collaborates with influencers in Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, small business owners, and startup organizations. Her work has been recognized nationally, she has served on non-profit advisory boards and shared and presented her expertise and research-based practices to both national and international audiences in organizations such as Cooperative Education and Internship Association, NACE, and World Association Cooperative Education. She enjoys volunteering to support economic and workforce development projects. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children in cultural, musical and outdoor events.
Shanetha Dugger
Amanda Emery
Associate Director of Student Success, Retention & Student Success
Dr. Amanda Emery joined Georgia State University in 2010. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Student Success for First Year & Transition Programs. In this role, she manages a suite of programs that support student retention, progression, and graduation efforts including Freshman & Perimeter Learning Communities; GSU 1010: New Student Orientation course; Academic Coaching; Early Alert; Success Academy; Panther Gateway Program; Georgia State LIFT initiatives including Perimeter Academy and State Farm Scholarship; Keep Hope Alive and other academic recovery initiatives; special population and scholarship programs. Prior to joining Student Success, she served as the Coordinator of New Student Orientation at Georgia State University and she served as Assistant Director, then Director of Student Activities at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland from 2000 – 2008. She is currently serving on the Panther Athletic Club Board as a past chair and advises the Beta Omega Chapter of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on campus. She holds an Associate’s in Interior Design from Newbury College, a Bachelor’s in Communication Arts and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Framingham State University. She earned her Doctorate from Clark Atlanta University in December 2021.
Grace Garrett
HR Officer , Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
Grace Garrett is the College HR Officer for the Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions. In this role she advises senior leadership on HR affairs, manages all HR operations with excellence, and improves business processes and procedures. She is a trusted advisor for leadership, faculty, and staff. During her tenure at Georgia Tech, Mrs. Garrett was the Assistant Director of Administrative Operations for the School of Architecture and the Administrative Manager for the School of History and Sociology. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education. Mrs. Garrett received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her master’s degree from Georgia State University. She holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is currently studying for her Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.
Hailey Hester
Interim Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation
Recreation
Hailey Doss Hester started her outdoor career as a student Trip Leader at Roanoke College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Later she attended Oklahoma State University for her Master of Science in Leisure Studies, focusing on outdoor education. Currently, Hailey is in her final semester of earning a Doctorate in Higher Education & Administration through the University of West Georgia. Her dissertation research is aimed at understanding leisure constraints to campus recreation as it pertains to race and gender.
Over the past 10 years she has served as a professional outdoor guide for private camps, REI, and as the Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for various colleges. In her current position as the Interim Assistant Director of Outdoor Recreation at Georgia State University, she programs around 60-75 outdoor trips annually, trains Trip Leaders in various outdoor sports, and leads expeditions for students. Additionally, she manages the challenge course, climbing wall, equipment rental, and clinics program.
Some of her noteworthy expeditions include 22 days in Fiji/Australia, 9 days sea kayaking and backpacking Pictured Rocks National Seashore, to leading month-long programs in Yosemite and Hawaii. During her career, she has pursued and obtained several certifications including Wilderness First Responder & Instructor, American Mountain Guide Single Pitch Instructor (climbing), Hospitality and Post Crisis Leadership Certificate, EMT/Firefighter, NOLS Risk Management, PADI Open Water Scuba, Challenge Course Manager, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and American Canoe Association level 4 Swift Water Rescue Instructor.
Nikita Howard
Assistant Director of Learning Environments Resources , Instructional Innovation & Technology
Nikita Howard is the Assistant Director of Learning Environments Resources and Support for the Learning and Production Environments Team in IIT (Instructional Innovation & Technology). In her role, she supervises and leads the teams that are responsible for the support, operation, and strategy for general schedule and open access physical environments where teaching and learning occur. This includes general schedule classroom support for all campuses, special support areas, technology lab operation, makerspaces, hybrid classroom support, proctored testing, equipment checkout and event technology coordination. Based on her background working in the early days of Apple Retail and having strong experience in rich media, she has a great belief in customer service, robust processes, and team culture. Nikita grew up in Queens, New York and is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University.
Etosha Philpott
Supervisor, Student Financial Management Center ,Student Financial Service
Etosha Philpott joined Georgia State University’s Student Financial Service Department in May 2019. In her role, Etosha is a supervisor for the Student Financial Management Center. She collaborates closely with a team of enthusiastic advisors that share her passion for guiding students through their collegiate journey. With a career that spans over 16 years in higher education, Etosha’s has experience at both public and private institutions. In each role, she is always looking for improvements in impacting the student experience. Besides her career in Student Finance, she continues to build on her experience and interest in training and talent development. Etosha holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology.
Mariam Qureshi
Manager, Academic and Professional Development, A & S Graduate Services
Mariam Qureshi began her higher education career within Georgia State University’s Office of the Registrar in 2006. Two years later, she transitioned to the Office of Graduate Services as an academic advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences. Her advising responsibilities grew into her current position as Manager of Academic and Professional Development. In this role, Mariam empowers graduate students by overseeing supportive programming and providing resources to identify and strengthen the competencies necessary for academic and career success. A GSU alumna, Mariam received her MA from the Department of English and has completed the graduate Technical and Professional Writing program at Middle Georgia State University. She earned her BA from the University of Georgia. Prior to joining GSU, Mariam lived in Egypt where she worked as an ESOL instructor and magazine editor. Professionally, her background includes corporate experience as a proposal editor at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC. Additionally, Mariam has published food, travel, and lifestyle articles as a freelance writer for the Athens Banner-Herald newspaper and regional magazines.
Teresa Rucker
HR Officer, College of Arts & Sciences
Teresa Rucker is the Human Resources Officer in the College of Arts and Sciences. Teresa has been a full-time employee at Georgia State University for 31 years. She began her career at Georgia State in the Pullen Library and has steadily advanced by working in a variety of areas such as Enrollment Services, Student Life, and the College of Arts and Sciences in Academic Assistance and in Human Resources where she has remained, forming collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and HR colleagues from across the institution.
Allie Seay
Assistant Director of Student Services , International Student & Scholar Services
Allie hails from Liberty, South Carolina and relocated to Atlanta to join the GSU International Student & Scholar Services team in 2016. After graduating from Presbyterian College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a double minor in International Studies and German, she went on to achieve a Master of Arts in International Education from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. She has studied and lived in Germany, which generated a passion for travel and learning about new cultures. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for International Student Services.
Caitlan Shaw
Faculty Review Services Coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences
Caitlan Shaw began her current role as Faculty Review Services Coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences, where she manages structured reviews, promotion and tenure reviews, and delivers various training workshops for faculty in June of 2021. She began her journey at Georgia State University as an Administrative Coordinator in the Department of Sociology in the fall of 2017 and began assisting the Department of Anthropology as well in the spring of 2020 in that same capacity. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Spanish from Clemson University in 2010 and received dual Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration from Kennesaw State University in 2020. Ms. Shaw has been certified by GSU as an Administrative Professional and an Aspiring Leader. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and enjoys serving her community.
Ms. Shaw has assumed various roles in higher education that range from a resident assistant position at Clemson University to an Office Manager at Kennesaw State University. She is passionate about helping others reach the next level and found a passion for resume and cover letter building while working in the Clemson University Michelin Career Center. She is most proud of her Outstanding Junior Staff Award from the College of Arts and Sciences (2021) and her Queen of Patience Award from the Africana Studies Department (2022). Caitlan’s fun fact: “I am the shortest person in my family at 5’11!”
Shamieca Shine
Interim Director of Operations , College of Arts & Sciences
Shamieca Shine is the Interim Director of Operations for the College of Arts & Sciences, one of the largest colleges in the University. In this newly created role, she coaches and trains thirty Department Specialist throughout the college, oversees the Business Practices and manages all of Facilities for the college. Shamieca joined Georgia State University’s Central Human Resources Office in 2010 where she worked directly under the leadership of the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for 5 years. During this time, she assisted in all areas of HR and worked on projects, implementation of systems and programming to better improve HR. In 2015, she accepted a position in the College of Arts & Sciences as the Manager of the Global Studies Institute. Since she has been a part of the college, she has held multiple roles helping with the success of many departments.
Shamieca graduated from Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business with her degree in Managerial Science with a concentration in Human Resources. She holds a Six Sigma Green Belt and enjoys process improvement. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Jalesha Turner-Davis
Residence Hall Director, Hotel Housing-Staff Personnel
Jalesha E. Turner-Davis joined Georgia State University’s University Housing department as an Assistant Hall Director in June 2019. In July 2020, Jalesha was promoted to serve as a Residence Hall Director (RHD) for the University Lofts, then transferred to Piedmont North the following year. As an RHD, Jalesha oversees the day-to-day residence life operations for her area, while also serving in an on-call capacity to assist with student crises. In addition to her work as an RHD, Jalesha has served on several departmental committees and task force initiatives.
Jalesha received her Master’s of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University in May 2020 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Tennessee in May 2016. Jalesha has served within the University System of Georgia as a student affairs professional since July 2016. In addition to her work at GSU, Jalesha serves on the state and regional level in the following positions: President of Georgia Housing Officers (GHO), Social Media Chair for the Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA), Knowledge Café Co-Chair for the Multicultural Awareness Committee (MAC) within SACSA, and serving on the Marketing and Organizational Promotions (MOP) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committees within the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO).
Whitney Vincenti
Director of Academic Services, Dept. of Intercollegiate Athletics
Whitney Vincenti joined the Georgia State University staff in February 2019 as an academic advisor in the University Advisement Center. In November 2019, Whitney transitioned to the athletics department as an athletic academic advisor. She currently works with the baseball and football programs. As the baseball academic advisor, the program reached its highest mark in Georgia State University history with a 3.2 cumulative GPA in the 2020-2021 academic year. In December 2022, Whitney was promoted to Assistant Director of Academic Services in the department where she oversees duties involved with progression and graduation of all student-athletes. Prior to Georgia State, Whitney earned a Master of Arts in Education at Durham University in Durham, England. While attending Durham, she served as a Graduate Assistant specializing in video and statistical analysis for the Women’s Volleyball team. Whitney is originally from Michigan and is a proud alumna of Michigan State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Erin Weeks
Research Associate , National SafeCare Training and Research Center (NSTRC)
Erin Weeks joined the School of Public Health (SPH) at Georgia State University in 2009. She currently serves as Research Associate in the National SafeCare Training and Research Center (NSTRC) within the Mark Chaffin Center for Health Development (MCCHD). During her time at NSTRC, Erin has overseen several federally funded research projects, supervised staff, and conducted and organized internal projects. Ms. Weeks currently manages the Clarkston SafeCare project within SPH’s Prevention Research Center grant which aims to adapt and implement an evidence-based parenting program for migrant and refugee families in Clarkston, GA. Within this role, Erin manages all aspects of implementation including data collection and analysis, management of the grant’s budget, and setting strategic directions for the project. She also interacts and negotiates with community partners, research participants, study staff, and project funders. Erin graduated from Georgia State University earning both a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s of Public Health.
Egypt Workman
Assistant Registrar for Enrollment & Registration Services
Newton Campus
Egypt Workman serves as the Assistant Registrar for Enrollment & Registration Services at the Newton Campus. She has been with Georgia State University for 8 years. Within her current role, she is not only responsible for leading her team, assisting students, faculty, and staff, she also serves on the leadership team at the Newton campus, advocating to improve the wholistic experience of students and growth on the Newton Campus. She is also responsible for developing and overseeing the customer service experience within the Enrollment & Registration Services unit across GSU’s six campuses. She has assisted with improving the customer service experience through the use of student surveys and reports to implement necessary changes and updates to systematic approaches relevant to our student engagement experience.
She started her tenure at Georgia State as an Enrollment & Registration Services Specialist assisting students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She assisted students with complex tasks in Financial Aid, Student Accounts and Registration and was promoted to Assistant Registrar. Egypt has over 12 years of higher education experience. She is driven by the opportunity to assist students at this pivotal point in their collegiate track to attain their goal of graduation and beyond.
Egypt graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing (Cum Laude). She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership. Prior to joining Georgia State University, Egypt served in a variety of capacities within the Financial Aid Department at Alabama State University for 4 years. Outside of work, Egypt enjoys traveling and experiencing different cuisines, empowering, and mentoring young women, and spending time with family.
Dr. Laura Boudon
Dr. Laura Boudon joined Georgia State University in February 2020 as Director of Study Abroad Programs. In her role, she leads a team of six professional staff providing study abroad opportunities to Georgia State students and speaking about the academic, personal, and professional impact of study abroad on students’ journeys. Study Abroad Programs supports and advises students throughout the study abroad process, works with faculty across campus to develop GSU study abroad programs, engages students with study abroad and manages student applications and application software. Laura was most recently Director of the Office of Study Abroad at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida for almost 5 years, leading FIU’s efforts to increase the number of FIU students who study abroad. During this time, she served as a member of the MSI Summit planning committee for Diversity Abroad from 2016-2018. She participated in Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning Research Seminar on Global Learning and Study abroad from 2015 to 2017. Laura led presentations at the Diversity Abroad conference and the NAFSA region VII conference and co-authored several recent book chapters with colleagues. Laura has more than 15 years of experience in higher education, having also worked at Georgetown University, American University and the University of South Carolina. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Miami, a Ph.D. in International Relations from Florida International University and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Laura is a global citizen, having grown up in France and lived a year in Bogotá, Colombia, teaching English and conducting dissertation research. She loves to travel the world and try new foods.
Emily Cahill
Emily Cahill joined Georgia State University’s School of Public Health in 2014. She currently serves as Executive Assistant to the Dean. In this role, she manages operations, communications, and strategic initiatives for the Dean’s Office and serves on the School’s Leadership Team. Prior to joining the School of Public Health, she worked as an Academic Advisor in the University Advisement Center at Georgia State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Cognitive Science from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Georgia State University. She has taught Georgia State’s new student orientation course as well as undergraduate courses on introduction to philosophy, and she frequently participates as a witness in Georgia State’s Employment Law Mock Trial organized by the GSU Office of AA/EEO Training and Compliance.
Melissa Duncan
Melissa Duncan is the College Research Officer for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS). She is tasked with managing a pre- and post-award portfolio for Second Century Initiative (2CI) and Next Generation faculty at the AYSPS, liaising between the AYSPS and central administration offices, training new research administrators as needed, reviewing all proposal submissions, and coordinating research administration for the AYSPS. In this role, she manages federally-funded projects, such as support received by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation, just to name a few. She is also responsible for managing state funded projects as well as private institutions and foundations.
In 2012, after working 12 years as a Grants and Financial Analyst with CARE, International, Ms. Duncan was introduced to research administration by way of Emory University. After leaving Emory in 2015, Melissa worked at Georgia State University as a Grants and Contracts Officer III in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. She then moved on to Georgia Tech for two years in the role of Senior Grants Administrator, before assuming her current role as College Research Officer in AYSPS.
Melissa earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and her Master’s degree from Emmanuel College. Melissa is also a Certified Research Administrator (CRA). In her spare time, she enjoys serving her community through volunteering as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). She also enjoys traveling, reading, theater, and live music.
Fatou Egegbara
In her current role as the HR Officer for Facilities Management Services at GSU, Fatou Egegbara works closely with the VP and the directors to develop and implement strategies that increase the acquisition and retention of highly productive employees. Fatou has about eight years of experience in the University Systems of GA (five at GA Tech and three at GSU).
In her previous role as Human Resources Officer for the College of the Arts, she advised College leadership on strategic and operational decisions on human resources management. Fatou also managed the college’s HR transactions, policies, and procedures to support a more productive work environment. While at COTA, she worked with Dr. Lisa Armistead, Associate Provost and Central HR to implement an onboarding system for graduate student assistants that was modeled after the one used at Georgia Tech. The new process has led to efficiency gains and has immensely benefited the graduate student assistants and those hiring them.
During her five years tenure at Georgia Tech as a Senior Recruiting Consultant, she partnered with colleges and divisions across campus to recruit for faculty and staff positions. Prior to joining Higher Ed, Fatou’s private sector experience includes time at Fortune 500 companies like Honeywell and Bank of America. Her experience in both higher education and the private sector has allowed her to possess a wide range of skills and knowledge in her field.
Fatou received her master’s degree in human resources from Suffolk University in Boston and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts. She also speaks six languages including French and English.
Donna Frazier
Donna Frazier is an Admissions Counselor III, for the Georgia State University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Donna is one of the department’s senior members, who started her higher education career at Georgia State’s Perimeter College, Clarkston. While at Perimeter College, Donna managed the Clarkston and Decatur Admissions Offices with student assistants under her supervision. Donna manages a recruitment territory that includes Dekalb County, South Georgia and several mid-western states. She works primarily with both Traditional and Non-Traditional First-Year students as well as GSU-62. Donna has worked in higher education more than 15 years.
Donna earned a B.A. in Psychology from Virginia Union University and is currently pursuing an MBA at Georgia State University. Prior to her career in higher education, Donna work over 10 years in the field of Criminal Justice as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Case Manager for federal offenders.
During the 2020, COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the reemergence of racial unrest in the U.S. and around the globe, Donna served as the Georgia State University Staff Council Chair (2020-2021) and a member of Georgia State’s inaugural Racial Equity Task Force. Subsequently, Donna was elected to serve as a member of the Georgia State University Presidential Search Committee, tasked with electing a successor for former President Mark Becker.
Donna is a creative, solution-oriented team-player, who is always seeking opportunities to develop her leadership skills and expand professionally.
After hours Donna enjoys producing community television, travel, fine arts and serving community through her local ministry. A fun fact about Donna is that her high school and college mascots were Panthers, so technically she has been a “Panther” since high school.
Jennifer Harris
Jennifer Harris is the Business Manger III for the University Library. In her role, she oversees budget and financial operations which includes ensuring compliance with GSU and BOR policy. She also serves as grants administrator for pre and post award management. In 2005, she earned her B.B.A in Management from Georgia State University. A career employee, she has previously served in financial roles for GSU Housing and the Department of Biology. An avid supporter of GSU Athletics, Jennifer spends her spare time attending various sporting events such as a football and basketball.
Emily Heberlein
Emily Heberlein is Assistant Project Director on the Population and Global Health Team at the Georgia Health Policy Center. In her role, she supervises and leads multi-disciplinary project teams, managing all aspects of the grant lifecycle. Her areas of expertise include evaluation, monitoring, and quality improvement. She has experience in a range of evaluation approaches to plan, coordinate, and conduct studies of complex and adaptive initiatives to produce actionable and timely results for funders and stakeholders. She also provides evaluation technical assistance to internal and external clients. She has a particular area of research interest in maternal and child health, including group prenatal care and telehealth.
Dr. Heberlein holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Northwestern University.
Japera Hemming
Japera Hemming, PhD is an Assistant Project Director with the Georgia Healthy Policy Center at Georgia State University. She is an experienced educator, engaging facilitator and research program administrator with expertise in achieving data-driven outcomes. She is actively involved in health systems transformation and is committed to advancing health equity, whole-person health, and social justice research.
Dr. Hemming leads a project supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that examines cross-sector alignment to facilitate recovery from the triple crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic recession, and the ongoing impacts of systemic racism.
Dr. Hemming’s work designing, managing and implementing programs that close opportunity gaps is reflected in a variety of organizations including Georgia Policy Labs, Morehouse School of Medicine, the National Research Mentoring Network, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award Programs, and the National Diversity Council. She is proud graduate of Spelman College where she earned a BS in Environmental Science. She also holds an MA in Environmental Policy Design from Lehigh University and a PhD in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Georgia.
Linda Lee
Linda Lee is the Assistant Director of Student Experience, serving three applied mathematical graduate student programs. She joined the Robinson Graduate Student Experience team, in 2017, after participating nearly 15 years on various teams at Georgia State University and a Fortune 10 healthcare company. Linda is a servant-leader with expertise in Program, Project and Talent Management, and Student Success. She is also a credentialed Judgement Index Practitioner. Her warm style of engagement, coupled with her unique blend of relational, tactical, and strategic capabilities, enable her to quickly identify the individual, team, and operational needs, close gaps, and move forward with what matters most. Linda has a passion for cross-functional team collaboration, training and development, and delivering results that exceed stakeholder expectations. Initially from Northern, KY, Linda pursued her undergraduate degree in business administration at Northern Kentucky University before relocating to Atlanta, GA. Outside of Robinson, Linda enjoys extending hospitality to others, utilizing her culinary skills, hiking, teaching, reading, and writing.
LaTisha Mitchell-Johnson
LaTisha Mitchell-Johnson is the assistant director of engagement for the Honors College. In this role, she plans and executes honors college events, oversees the Honors College Ambassador corps, assists with recruitment initiatives, and serves as the college’s liaison for the Parent and Alumni boards. LaTisha is also the founder and co-chair of the college’s first ever Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion committee and serves on the Georgia State University Staff Council.
LaTisha has a passion for higher education and, as a first generation college graduate, recognizes how the college experience can unlock the potential in underserved communities. Using her lived experience as a student in the Upward Bound TRiO program, and later by through roles in college admissions, new student orientation, career services, student activities and college access programming, she has demonstrated her gift for connecting with students to aid in their personal, academic, and professional growth. Prior to joining Georgia State, LaTisha has served at Clark Atlanta University, University of San Francisco, Georgia Gwinnett College, Agnes Scott College, and the University of South Carolina-Columbia.
A South Carolina native, LaTisha holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, a master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from Mercer University, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Student Affairs Leadership at the University of Georgia. She has also been recognized for her outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to community work in Atlanta as a Young Nonprofit Professionals of Atlanta, 30 under 30 award recipient.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, mentoring through Save a Girl, Save a World, and trying out new restaurants.
Erin Oakley
Erin Oakley is the planning and resource manager for the Public Finance Research Cluster at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, where she is responsible for the Executive Education in Public Finance training program, internal operations, and special projects. In 2019, Erin served as Administrative Director for the Mandela Washington Fellowship of the US State Department’s Young African Leadership Initiative. Prior to working at Georgia State University, Erin facilitated social enterprise programming at the Center for Civic Innovation and served as trial court liaison with the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts, supporting the Council of Probate Court Judges and the Judicial Council Committee on Access and Fairness. She began her career at the Georgia Commission on Family Violence as an administrator of intimate partner violence intervention programs.
Erin was a 2018 fellow with the Georgia Women’s Policy Institute of the YWCA of Greater Atlanta and a founding board member of the Dream Warriors Foundation. Through her professional pursuits and other volunteer activities, Erin holds central her career-long commitment to capacity building for public servants through servant leadership and effective programming. Erin is a proud alumna of Berry College in Rome, Georgia, a novice gardener, and an invested community member.
Jackie Slaton
Jackie Slaton serves as Manager of Learning Community Development (LCD) in Georgia State’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education (CETLOE). In CETLOE, Jackie has the privilege of curating digital leadership initiatives that prepare GSU students for success in the 21st-century workplace by increasing their digital, professional, and leadership skills while working with industry leaders. As a member of the CETLOE leadership team, Jackie collaborates with administrators, professors, and GSU staff to provide innovative and award-winning programs that serve students at both the downtown and PC campuses.
Jackie holds a BA in International Relations from Wesleyan College and an MPA from the Andrew Young School Policy and is currently a doctoral candidate in the College of Education and Human Development, seeking an Ed.D in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education.
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith is a Research Assistant Professor and Assistant Project Director at the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She joined GHPC in 2016 as a Senior Research Associate and led data analytics for the Medicaid Policy and Business Team, applying her extensive experience in statistical programming and data management to support the research and policy evaluation needs of the Georgia Department of Community Health.
In 2019, Jessica began leading the Medicaid Policy and Business Team as an Assistant Project Director and accepted a research faculty appointment at GSU. Jessica also directs the Center’s portfolio of work related to substance use disorders and conducts research focused on health care delivery and health outcomes for publicly insured populations. In her roles, she manages an interdisciplinary team of senior researchers, research assistants, and administrative staff; maintains lines of communication with state partners and clients; oversees multiple project budgets and contracts; and contributes to the advancement of scholarship at GHPC.
Jessica graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and spent two years in Washington, DC working in economic consulting. She went on to earn a master’s in Economics and a doctorate in Population Health from the University of Wisconsin. She is an avid runner and enjoys being outdoors with her husband and two sons.
Elizabeth Spears
Elizabeth Spears serves as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences. She has been with the college since January 2019. In her role, Spears is responsible for cultivating support from alumni and friends of the College of Arts & Sciences.
Spears holds a B.A. in History and a B.A. in Religion from Baylor University. She is a proud alumna of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies with a Master of Public Administration degree, focusing on nonprofit management. Spears is a Certified Fund Raising Executive or CFRE.
Before returning to Georgia State University, Spears solicited support for Public Broadcasting Atlanta, Southern Poverty Law Center, and The Study Hall.
A native of North Carolina, Spears lives in Atlanta. Most weekends you can find her on the tennis court.
Keyonna Sutton
Keyonna Sutton joined the Project Management Office (PMO) as an entry-level Project Coordinator in 2014, worked her way to a Sr. Project Manager position, and was promoted to the Manager of the PMO of Instructional Innovation & Technology (IIT) in 2020. In this role, she defines and upholds the standards for project management, focuses on the development and implementation of project management processes that support and enable technology services, provides training in the fundamentals of project management, and promotes the PMO value-add proposition across the organization. Keyonna also serves as and manages a team of project managers that are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the completion of projects while safeguarding the projects’ time, budget, and scope. Year-over-year, the PMO supports several high-cost, high-priority, university-impacting strategic initiatives that have a direct impact on faculty, staff, and students.
Keyonna is a long-term GSU constituent, earning both her BS in Psychology (’07) and BA in Sociology (’10) from Georgia State University. She has served on Staff Council, is a recurring GSU Cares volunteer, and has served as a subject matter expert in presentations on project management for various departments and student programs.
Keyonna has shared her love for GSU with her spouse and children, who are now part of the GSU community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading murder-mystery novels, gardening, and DIY projects.
Crystal L. Turnage
Crystal L. Turnage is a Police Sergeant for Georgia State University Police Departments Community Outreach/Crime Prevention Unit. She is an accomplished Law Enforcement official with over twenty years of dedicated service. She oversees and coordinates signature events for the Police Department/University. Crystal is a certified Peer Support Counselor who functions as a support and debriefing resource for employees and their families. Crystal also serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Harm’s Way Non-Profit Domestic Violence organization, where she partners with other stakeholders to combat the efforts of Domestic Violence.
Crystal graduated from Saint Leo University with a Master of Criminal Justice specializing in Critical Incident Management. Crystal is also an Adjunct Criminal Justice Instructor with Atlanta Technical College and believes that the essence of education is to make learning contagious. Prior to this role, Crystal served as a police officer in various capacities at the Forest Park Police Department. Crystal has helped to bring about positive change in the community through various outreach programs educating the public and helping them to understand how to navigate the criminal justice system. In her spare time, she enjoys movies, riding her motorcycle and fishing.
Iris Trejo Valencia
Iris Trejo Valencia is a Retention Coordinator for the office of Latinx Student Services and Outreach (LASSO) at Georgia State University (GSU). Iris implements new initiatives and programs to support our Latinx students and provide them with a culturally rich experience. Iris also coordinates and oversees the cohort meeting programming for over 100 Goizueta scholars for the Atlanta campus. She is a former Goizueta scholar and graduated with B.S. degree in psychology from GSU. During her time as an undergraduate at GSU, Iris became one of the chapter founders of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Incorporated. She also found her passion for higher education while working as an undergraduate student at the LASSO office.
Prior to joining GSU, Iris spent five years gaining graduate and undergraduate admissions experience and developing new initiatives to provide prospective students with a more welcoming campus experience. She earned her Master’s in Education degree in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern University. Iris enjoys finding new ways to make the higher education experience more accessible to first-generation students. She is glad to return to GSU and work in the office that she once considered her home away from home.
Adrienne Veal
Adrienne Veal serves as the Director of Donor Relations for the division of University Advancement. In her role, Adrienne leads a team to create, implement, and manage the University’s donor recognition programs and stewardship efforts. Working closely with advancement leadership, senior administrators and top donors, Adrienne and her team ensure that donors are recognized and thanked graciously and that they remain engaged with the University in ways that make them feel the impact of their philanthropy. Before joining the University in 2008, Adrienne was an executive recruiter for the fashion industry.
Adrienne earned a B.A. in Theatre with a minor in French from Kennesaw State University. In her free time, she enjoys working out, baking/cooking, painting, gardening and spending time with her husband and fur-kids.
Jyll Walsh
Jyll Walsh is currently the Program Manager at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia which is housed in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. In her role, she works to educate and advocate for programs and policies that support kids and strengthen families. Additionally, she manages statewide training and technical assistance for family serving professionals to prevent and mitigate child abuse and neglect. She also recently completed her Doctorate in Public Health at GSU and the Civic Leader Fellowship at Hands On Atlanta.
Dr. Walsh was previously an ORISE fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, where she supported communication efforts related to the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program for parents of children with developmental delays.
Ashley Watts
Ashley Watts is the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations in the office of Career Services and Alumni Relations in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYS). In this newly created role, she manages alumni-related programs and events, social media, and serves as the staff advisor for the AYS Alumni Council, as well as provides career counseling to alumni and students of AYS. Ashley began her tenure at Georgia State in October 2013, previously working in the central University Career Services office as a Career Counselor and Employer Relations Coordinator. She loves to connect people to one another, to services, and to resources that help them achieve their goals, and she is passionate about career development because of the strong link between career and one’s identity. This is best reflected in Ashley’s favorite career quote, “The career development process is, in essence, a spiritual journey reflecting our choices concerning how we will spend our time on Earth,” Niles & Harris-Bowlsbey, 2005. Ashley is a native Texan and holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University.
Lyshandra Bennett
Lyshandra Bennett is the Business Manager II for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute. She oversees the institute’s business and financial operations, course scheduling, and grant management. Lyshandra earned her B.B.A. from Georgia State University and MBA from Mercer University. Previously, she worked with an interdisciplinary research initiative funded by GSU’s Second Century Initiative and the Next Generation Program. In this role, she managed pre-award and post-award for sponsored programs supported by the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Department of Justice, European Commission, Atlanta Housing Authority, and various private foundations. Lyshandra has served on Staff Council and the College of Arts & Sciences Staff Executive Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, exploring restaurants, and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.
Shayla Bennett
Shayla Bennett is Assistant Project Director for the Georgia Title IV-E Child Welfare Education & Training Program in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies – School of Social Work. Shayla oversees the administration of the Title IV-E program for all eight of the University System of Georgia participating schools of social work. Shayla is the lead facilitator in planning and managing the program administrative portal system. She is also responsible for the contract, budgets, and monitoring the federal claiming process for all certified public expenditure of the participating universities.
Since joining the school of social work in 2006, Ms. Bennett has served in administrative roles for other grant/contract supported programs in the university such as; senior training and technical assistance coach for The Georgia Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant – The Georgia Alcohol Prevention Project; and as evaluation coordinator for the Georgia Strategic Prevention System and the Georgia Treatment Alcohol Recovery Clubhouses for Youth.
Ms. Bennett has a bachelor’s degree in Print Journalism from Georgia State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.
Shayla is also an active GSU alumna. She is a proud member of the Panther Athletic Club and is a basketball & football season ticket holder. She serves on the Georgia State University Library Board of Advocates as well as on GSU Alumni Association Board of Directors as Constituent Partners Committee Chair.
Jez Catambay-Lopez
Jez Catambay-Lopez joined Georgia State University in November 2017 as the Associate Director of Student Life for Perimeter College. In her role, she leads a team of 13 professional staff providing co-curricular growth for students at the five Perimeter campuses. From speaker series and leadership development to student clubs and Homecoming, Student Life represents the primary engagement point for students outside the classroom. Working collaboratively with academic and student services departments across the University, she has initiated a renewed focus on the educational connection between curricular and extra-curricular campus life.
Prior to joining the team at Georgia State University, Jez served as Director of the New Student Center for Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida, where she helped to establish strategic partnerships between academic departments & student services to increase campus enrollment by 4% over prior years. During her career at Miami Dade College, she served as chair of multiple steering committees, including the North Campus Commencement team and the Ashoka Institute chamgemaker team. As Director of Student Life for Miami Dade College’s North Campus, Jez served as a liaison for students to connect with local, state and federal legislators, and was instrumental in developing opportunities for legislative advocacy for students and staff. Her campus involvement included the oversight of 54 student organizations and management of multiple large-scale annual flagship events, including the MDC Rally to Vote, with over 15,000 students and community members in attendance.
A recent transplant from Miami, Jez loves exploring the food, culture and geeky-fun side of Atlanta. She spends her free time most summers competing in an international scavenger hunt to benefit Random Acts of Kindness worldwide.
Theresa Glasheen
Theresa Glasheen joined Georgia State University’s School of Public Health (SPH) in 2013. She currently serves as the inaugural SPH Department Coordinator for Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences. This department includes the Health Management & Policy and Health Promotion & Behavior concentrations. Position responsibilities include developing graduate course scheduling, maintaining department databases, assisting with SPH accreditation, faculty promotion and tenure, and handling all business expenses including travel, reimbursements, subcontract awards, contractor, and consultant invoices. Theresa also serves as the primary point-of-contact between the graduate and undergraduate programs, the Office of Academic Assistance and Career Services, the Office of Grants and Contracts, and the Office of the Dean.
Prior to this role Theresa served for 5 years as a Project Coordinator at a university-level research center within SPH: The Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development. Within this center, Theresa managed a statewide grant for Georgia with the National SafeCare Training and Research Center. This position included coordinating home visitation statewide trainings, overseeing all aspects of implementation, maintaining provider databases, preparing state reports, and managing the grant’s budget. Theresa has also served as a program coordinator for numerous research grants including Dad2K, which was an adaptation of SafeCare that worked with at-risk fathers, and Project Intersect, which worked with a statewide therapist network who served youth victims of commercial sex trafficking.
Theresa graduated from The University of Georgia earning both a Bachelor’s of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and a Master’s of Science in Child and Family Development. She has also earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from Georgia State University.
Katelyn Graham
Katelyn Graham joined Georgia State in June 2017 to serve as the Alumni and Events Coordinator for the Honors College. She was promoted to Assistant Director for External Relations in January 2019. In her role, Katelyn develops and coordinates signature events for the Honors College, assists with recruitment initiatives, oversees the Honors College Ambassador Corps, and advises both the Honors College Parents Club and Honors College Young Alumni. Prior to joining Georgia State, Katelyn served in a variety of capacities including admissions, recruitment, financial aid, orientation, and student life at the University of Mobile and The University of Alabama.
Katelyn holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Mobile and Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from The University of Alabama.
Kay Hudson
Kay Hudson is the Project Coordinator for the Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni into Graduate and Professional Programs (CASA), which serves as an institutional hub that supports the progression of students from all backgrounds into medical, law school, and Ph.D. programs. Her responsibilities include but are not limited to; coordinating education program workshops, managing budgets, and designing marketing material.
Kay graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies (Cum Laude), with a self-designed focus on the Art and Structure of Storytelling. She also holds a degree in Advertising Sales, with a minor in Graphic Design from Mount Ida College of Business. In addition to her academic pursuits, Kay also works as a consultant creating branded content for a leading digital media company. She also serves as national press to film studios which include but are not limited to; Warner Bros, Disney Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Fox Studios.
Ashley Jones
Ashley Jones is the operations manager at the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. GHPC has a staff of nearly 80 people and annual revenue of more than $12 million. Ashley works closely with the associate director to manage the center’s business operations and support center-wide strategic planning activities to ensure a high performing work environment. Her role includes supporting the center’s proposal development through overseeing the identification of funding opportunities, managing pre-award functions for submission of grant applications, and monitoring contracts through execution. Ashley is also responsible for coordinating across the continuum of human resources including managing recruitment, hiring and orientation of new staff, as well as facilitating staff training and skills development opportunities.
Prior to joining Georgia State in 2016, Ashley spent time in the private sector providing program coordination, project management, capacity-building, and community engagement as a public health consultant. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition science at the University of Georgia, and her master’s of public health from Mercer University. Ashley lives in Atlanta with her husband and enjoys exercising, cooking, planning parties, and exploring the city.
Julie Lawson
Julie Lawson is the assistant to Jerry Rackliffe, Sr. Vice President for Finance & Administration and has served in this role since July 2016. She also assisted Mary Beth Walker, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovations in the Next Generation program, and other programs as directed by the Provost. Previous to her work in University Administration she worked in the Department of Athletics as assistant to the Executive Senior Associate Director and has over 15 years in higher education experience. She holds a BS degree in city planning from Georgia State University. Julie lives in Atlanta and enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering around the city and reading autobiographies.
Dori Neptune
Dori Neptune joined the Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Programs in 2014 as Project Coordinator and is responsible for the planning and implementation of professional development workshops, events, and orientation for new graduate students. Working closely with the AP for Graduate Programs, Dori’s mission includes maintaining databases, gathering data for graduate initiatives, and dissemination of graduate programs information. Dori serves as a liaison on behalf of the Associate Provost to various colleges, offices, departments, and external constituents. In 2018, she was elected to and currently serves as the Communication Officer for the Georgia Council of Graduate Schools. She earned her B.A. degree in psychology, M.A. degree in sociology and graduate certificate in gerontology from the University of South Alabama. Dori is also an Adjunct Sociology instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College.
Dionne Polite
Dionne Polite has over 18 years of higher education experience. Prior to coming to Georgia State University in 2015, Dionne worked in the Division of Student Services at Morehouse College for seven and a half years. In her work at GSU, Dionne served as Associate to the Director in the J. Mack Robinson’s College of Business (RCB) Office of Undergraduate Academic Assistance, where she managed the departmental budget, oversaw daily operations, supervised a full-time staff member and student assistants, while also working with over 25 RCB student organizations and their faculty advisors. She presented a yearly proposal to the Dean of Students and the Student Activity Fee Committee to affirm the allocation processes to apportion funds to the RCB student organizations, and ensured they adhered to fee guidelines. Additionally, Dionne was selected by the Assistant Dean of Administration and Finance in 2017 to serve on the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Operations Committee. Currently, she serves as Administrative Specialist-Academic, the sole staff member for the University Senate and Staff Council Office, leading day-to-day operations which touches virtually every corner of the university. Her duties entail coordinating university administrator evaluations with OIE, OIR, the Provost Office, elected evaluation committees and the Senate Executive Committee. She also organizes all Senate and Staff Council agendas and meetings, coordinates elections for the Senate, as well as maintains webpages and calendars for these two organizations. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Georgia Southern University and a M.S. in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Capella University. Dionne is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Amanda Puché
Amanda Puché is the Director of Development for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies having served this role since January 2018. Working as the only frontline fundraiser for the college, Amanda focuses on major gift fundraising from alumni, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations and friends. She’s demonstrated success closing a half million-dollar endowment establishing a named faculty chair and several student scholarships during her tenure. Before sharing her talents with the Andrew Young School, Amanda worked for Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and our very own Office of Annual Giving at Georgia State University.
Amanda is a proud triple Panther having earned a B.A. in journalism, a B.A. in anthropology, and an M.A. in anthropology with a graduate certificate in nonprofit management all from Georgia State University. Amanda is an active community member and regularly volunteers for organizations like The Giving Kitchen, Fringe Festival and the Grant Park Neighborhood Association. In her free time, Amanda is a fitness fanatic, world traveler and self-proclaimed foodie.
Rachel Strickland
Rachel Strickland joined Georgia State University as Assistant Director of Annual Programs in 2015. She was promoted to Associate Director of Annual Programs in 2018. As a member of the Annual Programs team, her focus is growing the donor pipeline for Georgia State through marketing, solicitations, engagement events, and peer-to-peer fundraising. In her role, Rachel directly overseas the direct mail solicitations of the office, faculty and staff giving, segmentation and data analysis, and matching gift fundraising efforts. She also plays an important role in managing the phone program through a third-party vendor, creating and implementing the annual giving strategy each fiscal year, and maintaining strong relationships with various departments and offices across the university. Previously, Rachel worked for Ruffalo Noel Levitz, a fundraising vendor, as manager of the call center on the Georgia State campus beginning in 2013 and managing a staff of 40+ GSU students making fundraising and stewardship calls to alumni, parents, and friends of the university.
Rachel earned her B.B.A. in Business Management from the University of Mississippi in 2012 where she discovered her passion for fundraising working part-time as a student fundraiser through their call center.
Laura Viilo
Laura Viilo is the Assistant Director of the Urban Studies Institute in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She been with the institute since its inception just over two years ago; working closely with the director and faculty to build the unit, create new academic programs, and shape research priorities. Responsible for the overall administration of the institute, she works on hiring, grant proposals, events, and strategic planning. She came to GSU in 2015 to work in the Dean’s Office for the College of Arts and Sciences at GSU, supporting the dean and exchange programs at the college level. She currently serves as a Chapter Advisor for Golden Key Intl. Honour Society and as a Staff Senator on the Staff Council.
Prior to joining GSU Ms. Viilo spent five years within the international non-profit sector, including at the Carter Center, and time living abroad as a Peace Corps trainee. A native New Yorker, Ms. Viilo earned her M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington, DC. She loves volunteering with different organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Atlanta Food Bank and Woodruff Arts Center, and serves on the board of the YNPN Atlanta and My World Program. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her family, dogs, and backyard chickens!
Diana Wrenn Rapp
Diana Wrenn Rapp serves as the Assistant Director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center, a Title VI National Resource Center. In this role, Ms. Wrenn Rapp coordinates and communicates with a growing network of university and community partners who work together on projects and programs that expand language learning and international cooperation in the Atlanta region. In addition, she manages the prestigious FLAS Fellowship Program for graduate and undergraduate students at GSU interested in advanced language learning and global area studies. Before joining the Atlanta Global Studies Center in 2019, Diana taught English as a Second Language to international college students for over 10 years, mentored and trained new teachers, directed special programs, and organized events. Diana’s professional goal is to help build a strong and dynamic global institute in Atlanta that fosters international and intercultural awareness and engagement in students, faculty and the public. In her free time, Diana likes to explore Georgia’s many natural parks and trails.