September 2021 | Georgia Southern Student Affairs E-Newsletter

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

Summer is turning into fall and the campus is active as we begin a new academic year. As we still balance health and safety guidelines and student engagement, I was thinking about the challenges we all face at home and on our campuses in light of the pandemic. I was reminded of one of our commencement speakers this year, Dr. Patrice Jackson. As one of our own student affairs colleagues, she reminded me of the importance of living our purpose and staying focused on our students. She said, “I can. I will. I must.”

Dr. Jackson reminded us we all can. We have the ability to live our purpose. We are good enough. We are smart enough. We are able to live our purpose. She reminded us that we will. We will persevere. We have chosen to live that purpose even when it is hard. When you are knocked over, say I will. You will move forward. Lastly, she reminded us that we must. You know that this journey is not just about you. When you win, others around you win as well. Your ‘I must’ is for those you care about. Who is your ‘I must’ for?

Dr. Jackson reminds us of these principles so much better that I can restate them here. So, check out the commencement video at the 16:10 time to hear her words of inspiration. I appreciate all you do to support students. I hope you will enjoy the updates in this newsletter and reading all the information about the initiatives championed by our division.

Go Eagles!

New Face

Emily Tanner serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement.

Emily came to Georgia Southern as a transfer student in 2014, and said she quickly found a home in Statesboro. She went on to receive her B.S. in Psychology in 2017, and become a Double Eagle in 2020 when she recieved her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration.

Emily said she loves the Georgia Southern environment, and her role in OLCE gives her the chance to build relationships with community partners, while also helping students feel at home on campus and in the community through service and involvement.

Familiar Face

Arlene farmer is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Office of Student Activities. In January, Arlene will have 33 years of experience working in the education field.

Arlene was born and raised in Bulloch County, where she spent 28 years working at a Regional Educational Service Agency for K-12 education before coming to Georgia Southern several years ago.

Outside of the office, Arlene enjoys riding her motorcycle, saying, "there is nothing like riding the open road and feeling the wind on my face as I drive along the Florida coastline. She is a proud mother to one son, Blake, who lives and works in Statesboro, and two cuddly cats, Kidden and Poppy.

Campus News

Three Tree Coffee Roasters is coming to campus. The local Statesboro business will be adding a second location on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus starting on September 15th at 8:00 AM! The new coffee shop will be located on the second floor of the library (replacing Zach's Brews) and their hours will be 8 AM - 2 PM Monday through Friday.

Division Announcements

Armstrong Farmers Market

September 8; 10am-2pm; Residential Plaza

This is our one big campus farmers market of the season. Join dozens of local vendors for delicious produce, baked goods, honey, ready-to-eat food, crafts and more. Live music, lunch and activities for all!

Contact: Leigh Johnson (912) 433-3134

Small Group Training

Small Group Training (SGT) is a group training program that offers unique training styles in a setting that allows adequate attention to each individual. SGT provides all the benefits of a personal trainer for a fraction of the price! Whether you’re trying to get stronger, lose weight, work on lifting techniques, or meet new friends while exercising, Small Group Training allows you to obtain your fitness goals while participating in a community atmosphere. Classes meet twice a week for six weeks.

Contact: Alexis McGhee (912) 478-5436

Swim Lessons

CRI offers swim lessons and clinics for Georgia Southern students, faculty and staff members who have a recreation membership. We offer three class options: non-swimmer, swimmer, and advanced. All classes are supervised by American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. All classes last 45 minutes.

Register at the RAC Member Services counter. CRI offers a FREE preview day to experience the instruction you will receive and to determine which class level you should enroll in.

RAC Aquatics Center

Contact: Max Holloway (912) 478-5436

CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

Registration Closes, Sept. 23; Class is Friday @ 2pm

Embrace The Fray and learn How to Save a Life! This class will teach you how to perform ventilations, chest compressions, how to provide aid to someone choking, learn how to care for someone who is having a seizure, how to control external bleeding, how to aid victims of bone injuries and more. With successful completion of this class, you will obtain an American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Adult, Child and Infant with AED certification valid for 2 years.

Contact: Max Holloway (912) 478-5436

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Need help navigating the student organization & engagement platform, Eagle Engage (Presence)? Join us for an informative tutorial on how to create events, forms, etc!

Click on this link or use the QR code to register.

Alternative Breaks Resident Scholar Position

The Alternative Breaks Resident Scholar position is a great professional development opportunity that allows staff to connect with students outside of the office or classroom. Resident Scholars are the professional staff or faculty members that accompany a group of students on an Alternative Breaks experience. There is currently an application out for the Resident Scholar role out now! Any questions can be directed to kasiethompson@georgiasouthern.edu.

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Marvin Pittman Administration Building, Suite 002

912.478.2796 | vpstudentaffairs@georgiasouthern.edu