COMMUNITY & SUPPORT AS YOU NAVIGATE UGA
We're here to help you have a college experience that is supportive and meaningful!
The Dawg Pack gives incoming students like you an easy opportunity to build meaningful connections with peers who can relate to your journey - whether you're a first generation, out-of-state, transfer, or spring start student, or simply looking for community.
You'll get to connect with your peers, Transition Leaders, and resources to help you thrive at UGA - no matter your path.
The Dawg Pack gives incoming students like you an easy opportunity to build meaningful connections with peers who can relate to your journey - whether you're a first generation, out-of-state, transfer, or spring start student, or simply looking for community.
You'll get to connect with your peers, Transition Leaders, and resources to help you thrive at UGA - no matter your path.
Join the (Virtual) Conversation
Upon joining the Dawg Pack, you will receive an invitation to a group chat to begin connecting with peers. This group chat will also be a place where you can get your questions about navigating UGA answered and find out about exciting events happening on campus!
Build Real Connections
We will offer several opportunities for you to meet up with fellow members of the Dawg Pack and connect with various campus resources. Most meetups will take place weekly during the first 6 weeks of the semester. Meetups beyond that will be adapted to meet the needs of the Dawg Pack. Join the Dawg Pack GroupMe to get the latest updates on when meetups will occur!
Chat with Peer Leaders Who've Been There
Each Dawg Pack is facilitated by peer Transition Leaders who are eager to support you in navigating UGA. They will help answer your questions and provide insider tips to help you make the most of your UGA experience.
MEET THE DAWG PACK TRANSITION LEADERS
Abby Brown
Hi everyone! My name is Abby, and I am from Huntsville, Alabama. I am a second year majoring in Mechanical Engineering and I am so excited to meet you all! I love traveling, music, and going on walks around Athens. If you want to explore campus, someone to study with, watch a movie with or talk about Formula One with, please contact me. I can’t wait for this year! Go Dawgs! Ask Me About: UGA Mentor Program, Jere W. Morehead Honors College, engineering majors, Greek Life, Leadership UGA, Peer Tutoring, being an out-of-state student, or the best restaurants in Athens!
Ava Gruszczinski
Hey there! My name is Ava, and I’m a third year English major on the pre-law track. I’m from Clarkesville, Georgia near the beautiful Tallulah Falls area. I love to goof off and dive into obscure topics like video game lore and specific history, explore neat spots around Athens like Bear Hollow Zoo and the Botanical Garden, and spend most of my free time crocheting or creating something. I’m a part of The Chapel Bell and Phi Alpha Delta. I love to help with anything, but I’m all about getting involved, finding good friends, curating studying tips, and feeling comfortable in a new environment. Go Dawgs!
Brandon Noel
Hey y’all! My name is Brandon Noel, and I’m a third year Civil Engineering Major with a minor in Urban Planning from Woodstock, Georgia. I hope to continue on to get my Master’s in Urban & Regional Planning! I love doing anything outdoorsy, listening to all kinds of music, and trying new restaurants! You’ll usually find me somewhere south campus near Science Library, Driftmier Engineering Center, or sitting in Jittery Joes with an iced dirty chai latte! Ask me about College of Engineering, National Society of Black Engineers, Melanin in Motion, transferring from an H.B.C.U. to a P.W.I., Study Spots, exploring majors, and Iced Coffee!!!
Bryson Clark
Hey there! My name is Ava, and I’m a third-year English major on the pre-law track. I’m from Clarkesville, Georgia near the beautiful Tallulah Falls area. I love to goof off and dive into obscure topics like video game lore and specific history, explore neat spots around Athens like Bear Hollow Zoo and the Botanical Garden, and spend most of my free time crocheting or creating something. I’m a part of The Chapel Bell and Phi Alpha Delta. I love to help with anything, but I’m all about getting involved, finding good friends, curating studying tips, and feeling comfortable in a new environment. Go Dawgs!
Esteban Lazaro
Hey Everyone! My name is Esteban, and I’m a fourth year studying French, Spanish, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies minoring in Latinx Studies and International Affairs from Lawrenceville, GA. I love all things art, music, crafts, etc. During my free time, I spend time with my friends grabbing a coffee or eating out. You’ll typically find me at jittery joes in MLC, Bolton Dining Commons, or anywhere North Campus. Ask me about: UGA en France Ambassadors, French National Honor Society, New Student Orientation, Tri-Alpha First Gen Honor Society, and Romance Language Ambassadors.
Linda Zapata
Hi! My name is Linda, and I’m a fourth-year Biomedical Physiology major with a Chemistry minor on the Pre-Dental track! I’m from Dalton, GA with a Mexican background. You can ask me anything about being a first-gen, transfer and/or spring start student! You can find me at the McBay Science Library studying, or trying new restaurants around Athens! Additionally, ask me about: undergraduate research, LISTo (Latinos Invested in the Students of Tomorrow), TRIO McNair Scholars Program, Pre-Professional Advising Office (PPAO), the Pre-Dental pathway, or any questions related to STEM classes!
QUICK FAQs
Absolutely! Dawg Packs are open to all students looking to build community. We highlight these identities to make sure students who share similar experiences know there’s space and support for them—but everyone is welcome to join in, ask questions, and attend events!
No! While Dawg Packs are geared toward students beginning their first semester at UGA, any UGA student is welcome to join!
You should have received an email with a link to join the Dawg Pack GroupMe to the UGA email address you put in the sign-up form. If you did not receive an email with the link to the GroupMe, please email transitions@uga.edu.
Most Dawg Pack meetups will take place weekly during the first 6 weeks of the semester. Meetups beyond that will be adapted to meet the needs of the students in the Dawg Pack. Join the Dawg Pack GroupMe to get the latest updates on when meetups will occur!
No, you will not be required to attend every Dawg Pack meetup. However, you will be required to RSVP for meetups via GroupMe so we can plan accordingly.
We encourage you to join us at meetups whenever you can fit them into your schedule! The more you participate, the more you will get out of it. We will have free snacks and opportunities for you to connect with campus resources that will help you thrive at UGA!
Are you the first in your family to go to college? Maybe your parents have some college experience but you still feel unsure about navigating UGA. Join the First Generation Dawg Pack to connect with peers who can relate to your journey of being a first generation college student and discover the resources and opportunities available to help you fully immerse yourself in the UGA experience!
Are you navigating the exciting yet sometimes challenging experience of attending college far from home? Join the Out-of-State Dawg Pack to connect with peers who can relate to your journey of adjusting to college life far away from home and discover the resources and opportunities available to help UGA and Athens feel like a second home.
Starting at UGA mid-academic year as a spring start first-year student offers a unique experience—that’s why we’re here to help! Join the Spring Start Dawg Pack to connect with fellow spring starts and discover the resources and opportunities that will help you make the most of your first semester at UGA!
New to UGA after transferring from another college? Join the Transfer Dawg Pack to connect with fellow transfer students and gain valuable insights about campus life so you can feel empowered to adapt what you already know about college to your life at UGA!