February, 2021 | Georgia Southern University - Student Affairs E-Newsletter
Student Affairs Connection
Message from the VP- Dr. Shay Little
I couldn't be more proud of this Division of Student Affairs team. We've entered yet another semester requiring multiple adjustments and precautions and you have handled it exceptionally well! Thank you all for your continued diligence in maintaining the best and safest COVID practices. All your efforts are allowing more students to have the opportunity to actually step foot on campus more often.

Spring 2021 semester is well underway, and I enjoy seeing more students out and about on our campuses and especially in our unions! You need to plan your trip to Chick-fil-A ahead of time these days as there is a line at lunch!

Welcome to the division, Dr. Aileen Dowell! I am thrilled to welcome our new Dean of Students, Dr. Dowell. Join me and extend your welcome to her as she joins the Division of Student Affairs family this week.

Later this month you will hear more about the Employee Engagement Survey. Be on the lookout for more details forthcoming. I encourage you all to participate to help the advancement of our division.

Lastly, I enjoyed our first Little Convos session last week! I loved the questions you asked me, as well as the virtual conversation we had together. We plan on hosting another session later this semester, but we are open to ideas from everyone on how to potentially make the event more engaging. If you have any ideas for the Little Convos coming to a Zoom meeting near you later this semester, please let Alison Gould and I know!

This week, the university is launching the For The Love of Blue Campus Giving Campaign. I have established a project fund, Eagles Lead (GS4505). This fund is intended to endow a scholarship program to support student leaders who are serving in leadership roles for a registered student organization. As you consider how you will show your Love of Blue this year, consider the Eagles Lead fund, GS4505!

I am so grateful to be working alongside such a dedicated group. Let's keep doing right and make our campus as safe and engaging as possible for all of our students! Go Eagles!
New Face
Alison Gould is one of the newest faces you might see around within the Division of Student Affairs. Alison serves as the Executive Assistant III to the Vice President for Student Affairs, and manages the day-to day administrative operations of the VPSA Office, as well as supporting Dr. Little any way she can.

Alison grew up in Metter, GA, and received her bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design right here at Georgia Southern.

She said she enjoys being back on campus at her Alma Mater, and loves the family atmosphere within the VPSA office. Alison said the most exciting thing about working in the Division of Student Affairs thus far is being able to contribute to some of the new mental health initiatives that the division is rolling out. "I'm very proud of what we're doing to support our Eagle Nation," Alison said.

Outside of the office, Alison enjoys researching the fashion history of different cultures, and seeing how they compare and contrast. Be sure to say hello to one of the newest members of the Division of Student Affairs!
Black Heritage Month
Shine, Black Girl, Shine Awards-Shine Black Girl Shine will highlight the positive contributions of black women at Georgia Southern University. Honorees include students, alumni, faculty and staff members, as well as individuals from student organizations. 
Clothesline Project (Monday-Friday)
  • Statesboro Locations: Russell Union Commons, Henderson Library, Pedestrium, RAC
  • Armstrong Locations: Union, Lane Library, Learning Commons
  • Liberty: TBD 
Virtual Creating Champions
  • Details TBD
Virtual Take Back the Night
  • Thursday, February 25, 7:00PM Via Zoom 

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training- QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. “To save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.” During the Spring 2021 semester, QPR trainings take place on the 1st Tuesday of every month and the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

How to Register for QPR:
Have colleague you think deserves recognition for what they are doing in and outside the workplace?

 Nominate them here and have their actions shared with the rest of the staff!
Familiar Face
America Minc is the Director of Recreation and Fitness for Campus Recreation and Intramurals. Her primary role is to support the team of professionals, graduate assistants, and student employees who execute CRI's purpose: To inspire self-discovery through sport, fitness, wellness, and adventure.

America grew up "OTP" (outside the perimeter of Atlanta) in Peachtree City before enrolling at Georgia Southern, where she would eventually become a Double Eagle.

America said that her favorite thing about her job is that she gets the chance to work work with such a dedicated and talented group of young professionals. "I love serving my alma mater and giving back in the same ways many of the faculty and staff did for me during my collegiate experience," America said.

She is a big fan of the Atlanta Braves, and also loves cooking, traveling, entertaining and planning DIY projects she says she never gets around to. Away from the office, America says she is obsessed with looking for shark teeth, and was lucky enough to find her first Megaladon tooth in January!
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Mark Taracuk- Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mark Taracuk for being selected as the winner of the Georgia College Counseling Association's Clinical Program of the Year Award for his work on the Creating Champions program at Georgia Southern University. As many of you know, Mark created this program as his contribution to the Prevention of Men's Violence Against Women Champions Committee! Additional thanks to the many of you who supported the program by participating in a pilot workshop this past Fall. Mark is also the recipient of the Georgia College Counseling Association's Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge Award. Congratulations Mark!
Nikita Robinson- Please join us in congratulating Nikita Robinson on winning the Georgia College Counseling Association Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year Award. Nikita has dedicated several years to building the suicide prevention program at Georgia Southern University. She not only is a QPR trainer but also works to promote this training on campus to nursing students, sorority life, and staff and faculty. She has also helped in getting these same programs and trainings offered on all campuses- including Suicide Prevention week and monthly QPR trainings to all staff and faulty. She wears many hats within her job at the counseling center such as; case manager, suicide prevention coordinator, field experience coordinator, SOAR liaison, TRIO Liaison and mental health counselor. She spends countless hours putting together proposals that have helped to start in the development of a Postvention team at Georgia Southern University. Nikita is always willing to help even if it means sitting outside at a table offering resources to students. Congratulations Nikita!
AB15 is a celebratory event that will be hosted by the Alternative Break Board on the Statesboro campus on March 4th. Everyone on campus, in addition to our program alumni, are welcome to attend the event to celebrate our program's anniversary. We will be set up for multiple no-touch activities throughout the event, such as:
  • AB15 T-shirt Tie-dye station
  • Postcard writing station
  • Bracelet making table
  • AB 'campfire stories' read throughout the event
  • Photo-Booth
Cake pops will be available as take away snacks. All University COVID-19 health & safety guidelines will be enforced during the entirety of the event. We hope to see you out and celebrating with us on March 4th!  
Thank you to everyone who attended the first "Little Convos" session in January! Dr. Little loved hearing your questions and further introducing herself to the entire division.

In case you missed it, we plan on having another meeting some time in the future! Be on the lookout for the announcement of a time and date!