February 2022 | Georgia Southern University - Student Affairs E-Newsletter | |
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The Division of Student Affairs cultivates an inclusive environment to advance students' holistic development through intentional learning and transformative engagement. | |
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I am teaching a course this semester and it is hard to believe that I just completed the fourth week of lesson planning. Despite colder temperatures, this semester is moving right along! I hope the warmer temperatures will be here soon too (despite Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow). I am visiting with our division committees this semester and they are doing great work! From promoting engagement and professional development to assessing student learning outcomes, nurturing our inclusive excellence action plan, developing our division strategic plan, and implementing the Eagle experience, they are doing great work! I hope you will explore all they are championing in this and other newsletter issues. I am focusing on visiting student organization meetings and engaging with our student leaders this month. If you have any recommendations of student organizations I should reach out to so I can visit, please let me know. I hope you find this edition of the newsletter informative and another reminder of the great things we are doing and the great impact we are making on our students. Keep up the great work!
Go Eagles!
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Dr. Clayton Martin
Assistant Director, Counseling Center
Dr. Clayton Martin joined the Armstrong Counseling Center on January 4th as an Assistant Director. Dr. Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. He earned a PhD in Counselor Education from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Counseling from Barry University in Miami Shoes, FL, and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Welcome to the DSA team Dr. Martin!
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Maria Burton
Budget Analyst, Student Union
Maria Burton joins the Student Union team as our new Budget Analyst. Maria holds a Bachelor's in Business and an Associate's in Accounting. For the last 15 years of her career, she has been dedicated to Georgia Southern, in the role of Inventory Clerk. We are excited to have her. Welcome Maria!
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Brett Ballinger
Southern Adventures Coordinator, CRI
Brett Ballinger has accepted the Southern Adventures Coordinator position beginning January 24. Brett graduated from Asbury University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Recreation with an emphasis on Adventure Leadership. Brett also received his master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern this December 2021. Since Brett joined CRI in January 2020 he has demonstrated his commitment to SA, CRI, and our students. Additionally, Brett has experience as an instructor at a climbing gym along with numerous certifications including single pitch instructor, climbing wall instructor, canoeing instructor, white water kayaking instructor, and Leave No Trace trainer. There is no doubt Brett is well suited to hit the ground running as the Southern Adventures Coordinator at CRI. Congratulations Brett!
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Welcome New Additions to the GS Golf Course | |
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Jeremiah is a 2021 Graduate of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management. He also received a certificate in Principles of Turfgrass Management from the University of Georgia. Previously, Jeremiah held an internship at Atlanta Athletic Club and was a part of the 2021 Women's KPMG PGA Championship, before returning to the Georgia Southern Golf Course to become the Assistant Superintendent. Jeremiah is a previous Greenskeeper of the Year award winner as well as CRI's highest honor as the 2021 William P. Ehling CRI Employee of the Year.
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Jim joins us from the Brickyard Golf Club in Macon, Georgia, a private course where he served as their Head Golf Professional. Over the course of Jim’s career, he has served in multiple capacities at a variety of golf facilities including Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones trail in Alabama, Kinderlou Forest in Valdosta, Georgia, Country Club of Columbus, Columbus, GA. and Healy Point in Macon, GA. Jim was recognized as the 2005 Georgia PGA Merchandiser of the Year, served as the Host Golf Professional for the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Open from 2015-2017 and is well respected as a golf instructor, serving golfers of all ages, amateur and professional. | | | |
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Dr. Ken Gassiot Appointed to the NASPA AVP Steering Committee
NASPA’s AVP Steering Committee strives to encourage excellence in the number two position (e.g., assistant/associate vice presidents, deans of students). The AVP Steering Committee accomplishes this through professional development, knowledge dissemination, networking opportunities, and recognition aimed at the unique role of AVPs. The Steering Committee seeks to address the diverse needs of all AVPs, from those new to the role to those seeking to advance to their next position as well as those student affairs professionals who aspire to the AVP role. Congratulations on your appointment Dr. Gassiot!
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Flextime/Alternative Work Agreement | |
As you know, GS has a Telework-Flextime Policy for employees. This policy provides guidance on the use of flexible work schedules and flexible workspaces consistent with the University’s efforts in promoting work/life balance for employees. While this policy has been in place for more than 10 years, it has been significantly revised in the last two years and is a tool for supervisors and directors to use when working with employees. If you have questions about this policy and its applicability for your role, please speak to your supervisor and department director. This policy can be implemented for a variety of roles, but not all positions are eligible. Directors are encouraged to work with their teams and explore the utilization of the Telework-Flextime Policy with their teams! | |
Join us for the Spring Staff Development Conference! The Conference agenda can be found here.
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Graduate Assistant Placement Program
Registration is OPEN for prospective and current graduate students to participate in the Graduate Assistant Placement Program. The full process timeline, registration, position descriptions, and additional information can be found at https://students.georgiasouthern.edu/gapp/.
The deadline for students to register is March 1. Thank you to all departments in Student Affairs who are participating! Questions about GAPP can be directed to gapp@georgiasouthern.edu or Dr. Ken Gassiot at kgassiot@georgoiasouthern.edu
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Eagle Experience
Summer and Fall planning are underway and campus communication will be going out soon that will invite faculty/staff/student groups to be actively involved. Begin thinking now how to introduce and build interest in your department’s programs, services, and activities. All departments are strongly encouraged to utilize the summer to help introduce your dept. to incoming students through videos on your website, a virtual conversation series, or another creative approach. Residence halls open on Friday, Aug. 5th with Operation Move In and classes begin on Wednesday, August 10th. The Eagle Experience will extend into the full month of August and beyond with a few exciting changes that will only enhance the transition experience for incoming students. The Eagle Experience will continue to be an initiative that involves the entire university community, in and outside of the classroom. Questions about The Eagle Experience can be directed to eagleexperience@georgiasouthern.edu or Dr. Ken Gassiot at kgassiot@georgoiasouthern.edu
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Accolades for the Counseling Center at the Annual Georgia College Counseling Association
Dr. Keith Gunnerson was elected onto the council and won the award for "Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge."
Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge Award: This award is given for a demonstrated contribution to the advancement of college counseling theory and/or practice by means of a dissertation, thesis, publication, or scholarly presentation.
Dr. Shay Little won the "Advocacy Award."
Advocacy for College Counseling Award: Demonstrated advocacy of college counseling services or an organization which has made a significant contribution to the improvement of college counseling services; may honor a college president, vice president, dean, board member, or legislator who has made a significant impact on the national, state, or local level.
Dr. Katie Jones began her term as President of GCCA.
Dr. Mark Taracuk, who was CE Coordinator of the conference, was elected President-Elect of GCCA.
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QPR Training
Spring '22 QPR training sessions are posted. Please register HERE.
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
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Coffee Talk With Counselors
Join us for lively conversation as we talk about mental heath, topics impacting students, and ways to help students manage the semester.
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Safe Space
Safe Space is a camps-wide initiative offering a visible message of inclusion, acceptance, and support to individuals of the LGBTQ+ in the university community. The program offers participants an interactive two-hour orientation to raise awareness and knowledge of gender and sexuality issues and to suggest ways to continually serve as an ally. Following the orientation, participants receive a Safe Space decal to display in their work or living space. Additional information about registration can be found here
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Office of Career and Professional Development | |
The Office of Career and Professional Development has hosted a number of events in February, and more to come in March. To see a full list of events please visit the OCPD website. | | |
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Sculpt and Slide with Instagram Fitness Influencer @SimplyTone
More than 250 students came to the RAC MAC Gym on January 26 for our fitness influencer event. Georgia Southern alumna and former CRI Personal Trainer, Sadia Yansaneh (aka @SimplyTone) brought her high-energy team down from Atlanta for a mega group fitness class, motivational speech about how Georgia Southern and CRI changed her life, and hung out with participants. Check out the highlight reel and read about her journey from the George-Anne.
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Office of Leadership and Community Engagement | | |
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OLCE is still accepting student applications for Track Your Impact awards. This is an opportunity for students volunteer efforts to be recognized on the local and national level. Attached is the flier and here's the website link. Students must complete the application by Feb. 17, 2022.
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The Gulf-South Summit, which is our region's professional organization focused on service-learning and civic engagement through higher education, just announced today that their 2022 Conference will be virtual. Since Georgia Southern University is a member institution for the Gulf-South Summit, this means that we have unlimited registrations for interested faculty, staff, administrators, and students to attend virtually.
The registration link is here: Gulf-South Summit 2022 Registration
The university's promo code is 2022GSSGSU
The summit dates are March 23-25. Registration closes at 4 PM on March 23. If anyone has questions or has any trouble registering, please contact Jodi Kennedy at jmiddleton@georgiasouthern.edu.
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Top 5 Reasons Students Should Live on Campus | | |
NASPA-GA Drive-In Conference
The NASPA-GA Drive-In Conference will take place on Friday, February 25, 2022 at Kennesaw State University. This professional development opportunity has been a long-time coming and we hope to see you there. Registration site coming soon.
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Marvin Pittman Administration Building, Suite 1002
912.478.2796 | studentaffairs@georgiasouthern.edu
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