GSW Website Search
- Apply
- About
- Academics
- Admissions
- Financial Aid
- Athletics
- Student Life
- myGSW
- A-Z Index
- Directory
- Map
- Visit
- Give
GSW formally inaugurated Michelle R. Johnston, Ph.D., as its 12th and first female president — during a special Investiture Ceremony on Friday, Mar. 28.
Leading up to the ceremony, a weeklong series of events offered the campus and local community multiple opportunities to participate. Events included a Women in Leadership panel, the Griffin Bell Lecture Series featuring former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson, a piano recital featuring Dr. Johnston, chamber concert, and the ribbon cutting for the Griffin Bell Golf and Conference Center.
Recordings of several of these events are available on GSW's YouTube channel. Photos are available on GSW's Facebook page.
The 2025 Teddy Bear Toss on Feb. 26 was a success with over 3,000 bears donated! This incredible event brings together GSW and the community each year to donate stuffed animals to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and surrounding local clinics for children that utilize the healthcare facilities.
After the first basket is made, stuffed animals are thrown onto the court from the stands, creating a shower of plush toys. These donations are then gathered up by players of both teams as well as other GSW athletes, coaches, and staff and placed in individual bags by members of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and delivered to the hospital the next day.
For the second annual Big Event, Georgia Southwestern is partnering with The Fuller Center to build a home for a family in Americus. GSW will volunteer Apr. 14 – 19 and Apr. 22 and 24, while South Georgia Technical College and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will also volunteer several days in April.
Learn more about The Big Event at gsw.edu/BigEvent.
Thanks to the work of Associate Professors Anne Jacobs, Ph.D., and Manoj Thapa, Ph.D., GSW hosted a summit for the Southwest Georgia Alliance of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program Feb. 21-22. This program allows undergraduate students in STEM to perform undergraduate research via a grant and a stipend for the students use. LSAMP scholars from Georgia Southwestern, Columbus State University, Valdosta State University, and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College participated in the event which involved hearing from keynote speakers within the STEM field who discussed how to handle present and oncoming change all while encouraging the students to "know when to pivot."
The LSAMP scholars were able to network, and those who chose to even presented their own undergraduate research to various professors and peers during the event on Saturday. GSW LSAMP scholars Claudine "Clae" Rodriguez and Kenneth "K.J." Daniels welcomed the students to the GSW campus on Friday and even led a Jeopardy style ice-breaker game for the students. This was fruitful for all in attendance as the main goal of this program is to encourage underrepresented minorities, who are participating to complete a degree in the STEM field, by providing grant funding for research and opportunities to present said research!
The National Science Foundation and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minorities Participation Grant No. HRD-1817519 was crucial for funding this event.
Congratulations to the 2025 Intramural Basketball Champions! Over 130 students filled the Storm Dome to cheer on the Championship Games on Mar. 4. The Dream Team secured the title as the Women's Champions, while The Supreme Team triumphed as the Men's Champions!
This year, more than 100 students participated in the IM Basketball League, with eight Men's teams and three Women's teams competing. This marks the first time in five years that GSW Intramurals has hosted a Women's Basketball League.
GSW students compete in NASA Team ChallengeStudents in Principles of Management MGNT 3600, exercised their decision-making skills in the NASA Team Challenge, a test of survival and strategy during a simulated emergency in space. Using learnings from the class and from a NASA case study, over thirty business majors in six groups competed in the simulation, including students in management, accounting, marketing, and human resources. The challenge required assessing a situation and applying group decision-making approaches to make informed choices for a course of action.
Commenting on the experience, sophomore Justin Monden said "good decisions come from asking good questions." Junior Madeline Taylor added that "decision-making as a group gives you the chance to ask for help, to incorporate the insight of others into your thinking." And freshman Mariah Jefferson observed "when you make decisions as a team, it helps to have a process, some structure to follow so that everyone can contribute to an outcome." The winning team this year was comprised of Macy Taylor, Kameron Magaddino, Madeline Taylor, and Gracie Short (pictured from left to right).
Canes Spotlight announced for MarchCanes Spotlights highlight Georgia Southwestern students who hold leadership roles, are involved in extracurricular activities and/or excel academically in their degree programs.
The March Canes Spotlight was senior baseball player Noah Roberts.
Noah transferred to GSW from Arizona Western College. "I chose to attend GSW because of the fantastic baseball program that we have here. The facilities and the winning culture made it an amazing place to continue my education," he said. "Being able to continue my education in history is another reason why GSW was the perfect fit for me."
A native of Canada, Noah hopes to remain in the US after graduation. "After I graduate, I would like to become a graduate assistant baseball coach and earn my master's degree. My ultimate goal is to be the head coach of a college baseball program one day."
Canes Spotlights are nominated by GSW faculty and staff.
Intramural basketball team competes in tournamentA GSW intramural basketball team competed in the NIRSA Tournament held Feb. 21-23. They faced off against top teams from across the region, showcasing skill, determination, and teamwork and finishing with an impressive 4-0 record before falling just short in the Final Four.
This outstanding team, consisting of Nathan Henderson, Antwaun Price, Aaron Daniel, Alaunzo Doctrine, Zion Douglas, Novorro Elder, Trey Hardy, Israel Meggett, Dylan Ross, and Trayvon Thomas, represented GSW with pride, resilience, and competitive spirit.
Coordinator of Intramural & Outdoor Recreation Kristen Frantz coached the team alongside senior integrated studies major Isaiah Archie.
With this exceptional performance, the team hopes to play in the National Tournament in April 2025 in Wisconsin.
Daniels presents at Southwestern Undergraduate Research ConferenceUnder the mentorship of Professor Tzvetelin Iordanov, Ph.D., Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) scholar Kenneth "K.J." Daniels traveled to Kennesaw State University from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 to present at the Southwestern Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC). This was the 54th annual SURC conference hosted by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Participating in the second poster session, K.J. presented his work on the application of UV-visible light scattering to estimate vapor pressure above aqueous solutions of non-volatiles. His presentation entered the poster competition between students from R1 universities and comprehensive institutions and received positive feedback that will be used to improve their study. They were both able to network, explore regional graduate school options for K.J. in Environmental and Atmospheric Science, and receive advice from other attendees, as they plan to publish their research. The event provided opportunity to connect with other scientist from the Southwestern United States and provided an indispensable exposure to a larger audience.
The National Science Foundation and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minorities Participation Grant No. HRD-1817519 was crucial for funding this project.
On Mar. 11, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Education Chris Pritchett, Ed.D., and Assistant Professor Jessica Watson, Ph.D., presented at the 2025 Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La. Their presentation, titled "Practicing Educators' Perceptions on Classroom Management: Conclusions and Recommendations for Teacher Educators," could impact how education preparation providers provide classroom management training to pre-service teachers.
Professor of Political Science Jason Berggren, Ph.D., was invited by the local newspaper to provide its lead article to memorialize the life and political career of President Carter. "His Name was Jimmy Carter: U.S. President from Sumter County, Ga., Passed Away in Plains" was published in the Americus Times-Recorder print edition on Jan. 8 and published online on Jan. 2.
This was the conclusion of Berggren's article:
"His name was Jimmy Carter. He was a winner in life, love, and politics. He ran for president, served as president, and he left several presidential legacies. He was often considered among the country’s best former presidents. He was a state governor, a state senator, and a school board member. He served his country in the armed forces. He was an alumnus of Plains High School and Georgia Southwestern. He truly lived a full life and was a man of many good deeds. He was a dedicated and humble public servant who touched so many lives. He was a peacemaker and a humanitarian respected across the world. He was an author, a teacher, a husband, and a family man. He was a Christian who reached out to the religious other. Rest in peace and farewell, Mr. Carter, and may his memory be a blessing." In the same issue, Berggren also wrote, "'The Story of Jimmy Carter is the story of the South'."
The title for this piece came from a speech President Ronald Reagan delivered at the 1986 dedication ceremony of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta. A few other pieces of his were republished in this memorial edition.
Associate Professor Qian "Maggie" Wang, Ph.D., was recently featured on the credit and personal finance website WalletHub. Wang's expertise on car insurance was featured in an “Ask the Experts” column.
Read the full piece here.
Associate Professor of English Alaina Kaus, Ph.D., authored a review of Vinh Nguyen's book "Lived Refuge: Gratitude, Resentment, Resilience." The review appears in the Spring 2025 issue of American Literary History.
Professor of Political Science Jason Berggren, Ph.D., had a book chapter, "Religion and the US Presidency," and three original photographs from his international travels (Portugal, Czechia, and El Salvador) published in The Routledge Handbook of Politics and Religion in Contemporary America, edited by Jeffrey Haynes, December 2024.
This is an abstract of his chapter:
"Presidents of the United States are religious beings, and each, to varying degrees, has a private place for their faith. However, it does not necessarily stay private. Presidents have religious freedom, and they publicly practice their faith. As the country's leader, they also acknowledge the faith of others. Regardless of political party, presidents have used their powers to mix religion and politics. Since 1789, when George Washington was inaugurated as the first president and publicly expressed his profound thanks to the divine, there has been a demonstrable connection between religion and the presidency. In a myriad of ways, presidents of the late twentieth century and the early twenty-first century have continued and greatly expanded the practice symbolically and substantively at home and abroad. The focus of this chapter is less on the individual beliefs of presidents, though important, and more on their common and public religious works."
Berggren's research was partially funded by GSW faculty development grants.
Several GSW pieces were submitted to the 2025 Educational Advertising Awards. A video ad produced by Capture Higher Ed using content from Technology Services Director Bob Slenker and senior Kaliyah Jordan won Gold in the category of Digital Video Ads under two minutes.
GSW also won Merit awards for several pieces produced by the Department of University Relations, including the 2024 Aeolian magazine, the 2024 viewbook, and a print ad in James Magazine.
Find the full list of Education Advertising Award winners here.
Assistant Professor or Special Education and Assessment Director Michele A. McKie, Ed.D., and Professor and Dean of the College of Education Rachel Abbott, Ph.D., have received funding for an educational project, Induction Support Program from the DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF). This funding will enable the GSW/DKG Induction Support Program to achieve two main goals for the upcoming year. First, it seeks to provide stipends to both new teachers and veteran educators (mentors). This stipend will help cover costs such as classroom supplies, travel expenses, and additional professional development opportunities, encouraging continued participation, especially for interns who graduate mid-year.
Second, the grant will support a book study on "Light up the Learning Brain: 7 Keys to Reducing Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom" by Sinarski (2024). Facilitated by COE faculty, this book study will explore strategies for understanding child brain development and managing classroom behavior, while also promoting 21st-century competencies like flexibility, adaptability, and empathy. DKGIEF Board of Directors chair Dr. Margie Nowak announced that over $3.4 million has been awarded since 1964 to fund educational projects worldwide.
The DKG International Educators Foundation supports and encourages intercultural understanding and educational excellence. Established in 2020 from the merger of The Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation and the DKG Supporting Corporation, the DKG International Educators Foundation is a non-profit organization associated with The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The DKG Society was established in 1929 and today is an international organization for key women educators with members in 17 countries.
Kevin O'Connor to lead GSW men's basketballGSW Director of Athletics Mike Leeder announced on Mar. 31 that Kevin O'Connor has been named the new head men's basketball coach for the Hurricanes. O'Connor comes to Georgia Southwestern after serving as head men's basketball coach at NCAA Division II Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., for the past three seasons.
"I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to be the next head coach at Georgia Southwestern State University," said O'Connor. "I would like to thank President Michelle Johnston and Athletic Director Mike Leeder for allowing me the opportunity to lead such a great program. After visiting the Americus community, I can tell this is a special place, and truly a dream come true for me. I would also like to thank my wife Jessica, without her, none of this would be possible. Our family cannot wait to get to Americus and hit the ground running. Now the real work starts."
"We had a very competitive pool of applicants, and we are really excited that Kevin has accepted our offer to be the fourth head men's basketball coach in the NCAA Division II era here at GSW," said Leeder. "Kevin was able to help resurrect the Cameron men's basketball program in the very competitive Lone Star Conference."
Learn more about O'Connor here.
Joseph Castongia has been promoted to Director of Physical Plant, effective March 1. Since joining GSW as Assistant Director of Plant Operations in October 2023, Joe has made significant contributions to our facilities team. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from LaGrange College and an Associate of Applied Science from GSW. His diverse experience spans higher education, manufacturing, and utilities, including roles at Molson Coors, Southern Nuclear, and Albany Technical College. He also served in the U.S. Army and Georgia Army National Guard. The search for our next Assistant Director of Plant Operations will begin soon.
Kimberly Carter has been appointed as our next Director of Human Resources, effective March 15. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida A&M University and brings over 15 years of human resources experience, including more than a decade within the University System of Georgia (USG). She is professionally affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR), and the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). Kimberly joins us from Albany State University, where she has held roles as Equity & Compliance Director/Title IX Coordinator and Associate Human Resources Director.
Adrian Hollomon is now the Access Services Supervisor in the James Earl Carter Library as of Mar. 1. She was previously the Interlibrary Loan Library Technician in the Library.
Hannah Finley is now the IT Telecommunication Help Desk Coordinator in the Office of Information and Instructional Technology as of Mar. 17. She was previously a computer and imaging technician in the same office.
Dana Dillard, part-time instructor in the Department of English and Modern Languages, left that role on Mar. 4.
Tammi Johnston, part-time instructor in the School of Nursing, left that role on Mar. 5.
Barbara Watford, part-time instructor in the College of Education, left that role on Mar. 5.
Jason Warnock, part-time call center assistant in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, left that role on Mar. 12.
Lorelle Carey, admissions counselor in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, left that role on Mar. 21.
Associate Professor of English Alaina Kaus, Ph.D., facilitated book discussions focused on R. F. Kuang’s 2023 novel "Yellowface" on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the English Building's Room 212. Part of a Spring 2025 GSW Reads initiative sponsored by the Department of English and Modern Languages, these discussions were opportunities for GSW community members to come together and talk about a novel.
The Chattahoochee-Flint RESA Science Fair was held Feb. 26-27 at South Georgia Technical College Crisp County Center in Cordele, Ga. Students in grades 5-8 from several local school districts participated in the event. Lecturer of Math Education Kathy Early, Assessment Director and Assistant Professor of Special Education Michele McKie, Ed.D., and Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Education Chris Pritchett , Ed.D., from GSW's College of Education served as judges at the event.
GSW's College of Education and Chattahoochee-Flint RESA partnered to host the 2025 Teacher Career Fair on Feb. 21. The fair brought personnel representatives from 40 school systems throughout the state of Georgia including, but not limited to, the school districts from the Chattahoochee-Flint RESA region and GSW partner school network. Certified educators, those eligible for teaching certification in the 2024-25 school year, and those holding a degree were encouraged to attend. Chattahoochee-Flint RESA also had representatives available to discuss the GaTAPP program, which is an alternative pathway for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, who did not compete a traditional teacher education degree program, and who wants to transition into the teaching profession.
Faculty and students attend PAGE Day on Capitol HillProfessional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), in partnership with the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (GACTE) and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL), hosted 2025 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Director of Field & Clinical Experiences Amber Ward, Ed.S., Lecturer of Math Education Kathy Early, and GSW teacher candidates Easton Cummings and Emma Montgomery met State School Superintendent Richard Woods and advocated to legislators for education bills currently moving through the General Assembly. Easton and Emma were recognized as GACTE student ambassadors for their advocacy under the Gold Dome.
The Marketing and Management Association (MMA) hosted a successful Resume Workshop & Headshot Day during Presidential Investiture Week, drawing over 25 students eager to enhance their professional presence. Attendees had the opportunity to have their resumes reviewed, set up LinkedIn profiles, and receive free professional headshots.
COBAC is incredibly grateful to Associate Professor John Stovall, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Management Amber Stovall, and Senior Lecturer of Marketing Becca Jones for organizing the event and sharing their time and expertise with students. Special thanks to the Division of Student Engagement and Success for their support and for providing access to the Career Closet—helping students look and feel confident as they prepared for future opportunities.
BSN junior students at Houston Medical Center took time out of their clinical experience to explore AirEvac Lifeteam 102 out of Dublin's helicopter. The students loved being able to learn more about the helicopter and see the flight team in action.
"We are incredibly grateful to all our clinical partners for all the wonderful experiences they provide to our nursing students," said Lecturer Brandy Pfeiffer.
GSW alumni and friends took a bite out of the Big Apple and had a blast! It was a chilly one with snow, rain, sleet and sunshine for our tour of the city, Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Broadway shows (including Hamilton), and so much more! They spent four nights in the heart of Manhattan and while it was chilly, it was a great time in the city that doesn't sleep.
Find more Alumni travel opportunities here.
College of Business and Computing students, faculty, and the Advisory Council came together to strengthen connections with the community. COBAC empower students with applied learning and networking opportunities, giving them a competitive edge in the job market. As part of this initiative, the Leadership Dinner following the Advisory Council meeting provided a meaningful opportunity for student leaders to engage with industry professionals, build connections, and gain insights from experts in their fields.
The keynote speaker, Stenio Araujo, a '22 GSW alumnus and Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, shared invaluable insights from his professional journey. From conducting distributed systems research at Hewlett-Packard in Brazil to supporting animation artists at Blue Sky Studios, Stenio’s diverse career path ultimately led him to Microsoft’s Identity Organization, where he plays a key role in security infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of education, adaptability, and seizing opportunities, highlighting how earning his MSCS degree from GSW helped shape his career and open doors in the tech industry. Stenio is also a valued member of the Advisory Council, who helped organize a field trip to Microsoft for the Computer Club, giving students a chance to explore the industry up close.
"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Mark Grimes (HR) and Amber Stovall (Plant) for chairing [the] search committees [for Director of Human Resources and Director of Physical Plant], as well as to the committee members for their dedication and hard work throughout the selection process."
- Jeff Hall, Vice President for Business and Finance
"I want to express my gratitude for Krystal Whittaker for bringing her energy and expertise to the updated Graduation Application process. This project could not have been completed without her!"
- Angela Jenkins, Assistant Registrar
"Thank you [to all who] helped with Accepted Student Day. In total, we welcomed 122 students and their families to campus. This event has grown in a way that I didn’t anticipate. Our goal is to make this event different than any other event they have attended on campus. The only way we are able to achieve this goal is through the incredible help you provide. Every student I spoke with had an amazing experience. The excitement and the welcoming nature of our faculty and staff emanated throughout the event. Friends were made, roommate were discovered, and it was a great day for current and future Hurricanes alike.Thank you all for making this event possible and for making this event better every year! Go Canes!"
- Luke Ellis, Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions
Find more events on the GSW academic calendar, on CanesConnect, and on the Events Open to the Community webpage.
