The Division of Student Affairs cultivates an inclusive environment to advance

students' holistic development through intentional learning and

transformative engagement.

A Message from our VP

As we approach the season of thanksgiving and gratitude, I am reminded of my gratefulness to be part of the GS Division of Student Affairs community. You, my Student Affairs colleagues, make GS a great place to work. You show your commitment to students and their engagement and development every day and your work has a tremendous impact on the student experience.

This fall, our division has a new cohort for CREST, our leadership development program where we Commit to the Relentless Enhancement of Self and Team. The following group – Sara Friedel, Taylor Goody, Justine Cozza, Jonathan Rivera, Kellianne Curley, Kelsi Simpson, Lexi Booth, Brandi McGee, Francisco Lugo, Justin Brown, Taylor Elkins, and Verva Jean Shumate - has committed to enhancing their own leadership and impact on campus. I also appreciate Jodi Kennedy who co-facilitates this group with me. I’m grateful for this cohort and their impact on me and my own leadership development as well.

I hope you take time during this season to show your appreciation to others. The Staff Council professional development program is this month and will offer a unique experience for staff; explore that opportunity.

Student engagement is strong this fall; I believe that your efforts will positively impact student success! Thanks for all you do! I appreciate you and your passion for our students and the student experience.

Hail Southern,

DSA Holiday Celebration

Commencement Volunteers Needed!

As commencement is a respected University-wide event, the Commencement Committee is currently seeking faculty and staff volunteers to serve as Commencement Hosts and Candidate Assistants for each ceremony.

Ceremonies will be at the following times and locations:

Paulson Stadium - Statesboro

For undergraduate and graduate candidates who choose to graduate in Statesboro

Thursday, December 14, 2 p.m.

Enmarket Arena - Savannah

For undergraduate and graduate candidates who choose to graduate in Savannah

Saturday, December 16, 2 p.m.

Volunteers can select their preferred ceremony location(s) within the volunteer form.

All volunteers will be asked to arrive for their shifts 1.5 hours prior to the start of the ceremony. Staff who work on Saturday, December 16, will be expected to work with their supervisor to adjust their work schedule for the week of commencement, or alternatively, be provided compensatory time for their efforts.

As a Commencement Host, your primary tasks will be to greet guests, assist with guest seating and post-ceremony departure.

As a Candidate Assistant, you will need to ensure that students are in the correct college seating area, ensure each student has a GradPass, and that college rows have an equal number of students, in addition to other assigned duties throughout the ceremony.

All volunteers should complete the form linked below by Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Volunteer Form

Thank you for your support of this important University event! We look forward to providing the best experience possible for our graduates and their guests.

If you have any questions, please reach out to commencementstaff@georgiasouthern.edu.

Thank you for being a part of this memorable experience for our students and guests!

Student Media

Your Newsroom, a streaming television news outlet, was named one of six finalists in the nation for the Broadcast Pacemaker Award. The Pacemakers, awarded by Associated Collegiate Press, are considered the highest honors in college media. It was the second Pacemaker finalist nomination in Georgia Southern history. The first was in 2022, when The George-Anne Media Group was named a finalist and a winner in the Innovation Pacemaker competition.

Your Newsroom also received a second-place award for best newscast in the College Media Association. In the Associated Collegiate Press Broadcast Story of the Year awards, Your Newsroom reporter Ke'juan Humphries received fourth place for sports story and executive producer Ashley Watts received an honorable mention for news story.

The George-Anne Inkwell Edition, which serves the Armstrong Campus, received second place for best enterprise coverage of diversity for schools with enrollments of less than 10,000 in the College Media Association Pinnacle Awards. The winning entry was written by Inkwell co-editor-in-chief Emmie Roper and was part of a package of coverage about Gullah-Geechee culture.

Photo caption: Representing The George-Anne Media Group at the National College Media Convention were (left to right), students Nayia Worrell, Brianne Dollar, Ashley Watts, Elise Taylor and Anna Claire Edenfield; and student media director David Simpson. Not shown: Justine Cozza, assistant director of student media.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center is thrilled to sponsor a FREE engagement for all Faculty & Staff.

December 5th, 1:30pm - 3:00pm in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room.

Dr. Patrice Jackson, "Dr. PBJ" will be at Georgia Southern presenting, Disrupting Burnout- Managing Capacity

In this presentation, Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, known as Dr. PBJ, will unveil the true solution to the burnout so many professionals face. In this transformative experience, Dr. PBJ will challenge the conventional tactics of time management, resilience, and work-life balance. Drawing from personal experience and her extensive expertise as an EduCare Training and Consulting, LLC 2 executive coach and educator, Dr. PBJ understands the toll burnout takes on higher education and healthcare professionals. She highlights the inadequacy of surface solutions and reveals why they fall short of addressing the underlying causes of burnout. Participants will participate in an Energy Audit to determine where their time, attention, efforts, and emotions should be invested for maximum benefit and productivity. Dr. PBJ will empower participants to shed the burdens of burnout and embrace your brilliance of teamwork. With her compassionate approach and practical wisdom, she shows you how to break free from the cycles of exhaustion and rediscover the joy and

meaning in your personal and professional life.

Office of Leadership and Community Engagement

The Office of Leadership and Community Engagement would like to invite Eagle Nation to participate in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Holiday Helper Tree. Started in 1994, this program provides students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members the opportunity to give back during the Holiday season. Visit the commemorative exhibit honoring the history and legacy of the Holiday Helper Tree in the Russell Student Union.

The virtual Holiday Helper Tree is open from now until December 1st for individuals to pull tags and ship their gifts. Scan the QR code or visit the physical tree in the Russell Student Union or the Armstrong Student Union.

We are one week away from the Alternative Breaks fundraiser at Surcheros in Statesboro! 10% of all sales made between 6 PM & 9 PM on Tuesday, November 14th will go to the Alternative Breaks student volunteer program to assist in funding meals, travel, and lodging for our volunteer groups!

The Alternative Breaks program at Georgia Southern aims to empower students to make positive change in their communities and beyond through life-changing service opportunities! Join us in supporting that mission!

Mark your calendar so you don't forget to join us for dinner next Tuesday!

See you there!

CRI

Thanksgiving Break Holiday Hours for the RAC and ARC

The RAC and ARC will be closed from Saturday, November 18 through Saturday November 25. Regular fall hours will resume Sunday, November 26. Check out our full hours at cri.gs/hours.

Winter Day Camp for SSEC

The SSEC is excited to offer our three-day Winter Camp for your youth - December 18 - 20! We have 3 different sessions in firearms and archery so your youth can maximize the opportunities learning how to shoot safely with our fun activities. Choose from either a firearms or archery session in the morning and follow it up with an archery session in the afternoon.

If you only have half a day, participants can choose from either firearms or archery in the morning or archery in the afternoon. Our full-day participants should bring a sack lunch to enjoy. A snack will be provided during each session.

Visit cri.gs/wintercamp for more information.

Group Fitness classes

Workouts are sometimes better in a group setting! Our GroupFit classes are FREE and you just have to reserve your spot on IMLeagues! No matter your preference - you can find a class that fits your schedule and your forté! Each class is led by enthusiastic instructors who will help you #FindYourFit!

Check out the Statesboro or Armstrong campus schedules.

10-Play Pass at the Georgia Southern Golf Course

Your favorite special, our 10-Play Pass sale runs Monday, November 13 through Friday, January 12, 2024!

Stop by the GS Golf Course Pro Shop to purchase your 10-Play Pass for only $199 and save more than 25% off the general public green fees rate pass.

The pass is good for 12 months from the purchase date, and limited to one pass per person.

Marvin Pittman Administration Building, Suite 1002

912.478.2796 | studentaffairs@georgiasouthern.edu