Our Mission
Transition Ambassadors serve the students of the University of Georgia through impactful and wholistic transitional support.
Who We Are
The Transition Ambassadors is a brand new student group that represents and supports initiatives within the Department of Student Transitions. Student Transitions is the newest department in the Division of Student Affairs, created in July 2020 with the goal of providing support and resources to all UGA students at all points of transition during their college experience.
What We Do
Transition Ambassadors represent the Department of Student Transitions within the Division of Student Affairs. Ambassadors:
- Support students at key moments in their transition to UGA and during their time as a student.
- Plan and facilitate events/programs designed to support specialized student populations, including but not limited to first-year students, second-year students, and transfer students.
- Organize Ambassador recruitment and outreach initiatives.
- Provide departmental support at various large-scale student events such as Welcome UGA, Freshman Welcome, FreshCheckDay UGA, and New Student Orientation.
- Share student experiences and perspective with new students and UGA administration.
Because the Transition Ambassadors represent all UGA students, they have the chance to create initiatives and programs that range in size, scope, and purpose. For example, Ambassadors:
- Work with first-year students as they enter and acclimate into college life.
- Provide individual and group support to the transfer student population as they come to UGA from a previous institution.
- Create programs to support and engage second-year students as they transition off-campus from their first to second year at UGA.
- ...and many more!
Ambassadors are encouraged to explore ways to support a wide range of student populations and to partner with departments across campus to meet their goals.
Meet the Team
Interested in talking with a Transition Ambassador? Follow the steps below to contact and schedule an individualized meeting with a Transition Ambassador.
Step 1: Scroll down to meet the Transition Ambassador team and find a Transition Ambassador that you would like to meet with.
Step 2: Review the hours the Transition Ambassador is available.
Step 3: Email the Transition Ambassador and introduce yourself, explain the reason you are wanting to meet, and when are you wanting to meet with them.
Step 4: Receive confirmation from the Transition Ambassador about a meeting date and time.
JD Bryan
Graduate Student
Email: jdb55367@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Transfer Student, Graduate Student, Medical Reserve Corps, Office of Emergency Preparedness
Availability: Friday 1-3; Monday 12-3; available upon request for weekends
Naomi Chen
Junior
Email: ngc62676@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: UGA MindBlowers, Delta Sigma Pi, Terry College of Business
Availability: Thursday afternoons, available upon request for weekends
Ciarra Cunningham
Senior
Email: clc24110@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Woman of Color/POC, Transfer Student, Dawg Camp, UGA HEROs, Leonard Leadership Fellow, UGA CHAARG
Availability: Tuesday 2-5; Wed 10-11; Thursday after 2; available upon request for weekends
Alana Gerdes
Sophomore
Email: azg50287@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Out-of-State, Dawg Camp, UGA Doctors without Borders, Greek Life, UGA Miracle, Pre-Med
Availability: Tuesdays after 3:45; Wed after 4; Thursdays 1:10-4; Fridays 12:20-2:45; Sundays after 11am
Nolan Hagadone
Senior
Email: njh24690@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: In-State, Dawg Camp
Availability: MWF 11-1:30 & 3-6
Elijah Humphries
Junior
Email: elijahhum@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Demosthenian Literary Society, Service Ambassador (ServeUGA)
Availability: Monday 8-12
Anna Keys
Senior
Email: aek64401@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: First-Generation Immigrant, Woman of Color in STEM, First-Generation College Student
Availability: MWF 10-12; TTh 11:30-12, 2:30-4:30
Nick Milavec
Junior
Email: nem59449@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Christian, In-State, Grady College, UGA Freshley/Wesley, Greek Life (Beta Upsilon Chi), Aces for Athens, Digital Dawg
Availability: TTh after 1
Elena Mitchell
Junior
Email: egm69558@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Georgia Club Dance Team, Dawg Camp, Children’s Ministry
Availability: TTh 9-11
Viviana Ojeda
Senior
Email: vo15589@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Hispanic, Multi-Cultural Greek Life
Availability: Monday 12-2; Wed 12-3
Wyatt Pitts
Sophomore
Email: wyatt.pitts@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Tutor for Athens Prison Tutorial and Division of Academic Enhancement, Pre-Med
Availability: Saturdays & Sundays; available upon request for weekdays
Erika Rosenzweig
Sophomore
Email: etr38225@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Georgia Students of Landscape Architecture, Sigma Delta Tau, University of Georgia Hillel
Availability: M-F 11:30-1:30; T-Th after 4; MWF after 5
Kaylee Scott
Sophomore
Email: kes54206@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Dawg Camp, Freshly, Red & Black, PRSSA
Availability: MWF afternoons
Jayden Shepherd
Senior
Email: jrs52308@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Transfer Student, Pre-Law, Former Crew Rower
Availability: Available upon request for early afternoons
Adriana Tharp
Junior
Email: ajt28101@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: UGA Golf Course, UGA Wesley/Freshley
Availability: TTh after 3:30
Abigail Ventimiglia
Sophomore
Email: aev50195@uga.edu
Identities & Involvement: Public Service and Outreach Student Scholar, Sigma Delta Tau, Jewish
Availability: available upon request
Did you miss the mandatory information sessions but still want to apply to be a 2021-2022 Transition Ambassador? Your last chance to attend an Information Session will be Friday, April 9 at 11:30am!
Register here.
If you are passionate about the student experience and looking for a way to gain leadership skills, support and give back to UGA students, and represent the University of Georgia, consider applying to be a member of the inaugural class of the Transition Ambassadors!
Are you interested in learning more about the Transition Ambassadors? Keep reading to find out who we are, how to join, and what to expect during the recruitment and selection process. If you have any questions about joining the Transition Ambassadors, please contact Sam Sego at samcs@uga.edu.
Transition Ambassadors serve the students of the University of Georgia through impactful and wholistic transitional support.
The Transition Ambassadors is a brand-new student group that will represent and support initiatives within the Department of Student Transitions. Student Transitions is the newest department in the Division of Student Affairs, created in July 2020 with the goal of providing support and resources to all UGA students at all points of transition during their college experience. To learn more about Student Transitions, click here!
Transition Ambassadors represent the Department of Student Transitions within the Division of Student Affairs. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to:
- Support students at key moments in their transition to UGA and during their time as a student
- Plan and facilitate events/programs designed to support specialized student populations, including but not limited to first-year students, second-year students, and transfer students.
- Organize Ambassador recruitment and outreach initiatives
- Provide departmental support at various large-scale student events such as Welcome UGA, Freshman Welcome, FreshCheck, and New Student Orientation
- Share student experiences and perspective with new students and UGA administration
Because the Transition Ambassadors will represent all UGA students, they will have the chance to create initiatives and programs that range in size, scope, and purpose. For example, Ambassadors will have the opportunity to:
- Work with first-year students as they enter and acclimate into college life
- Provide individual and group support to the transfer student population as they come to UGA from a previous institution
- Create programs to support and engage second-year students as they transition off-campus from their first to second year at UGA
- …and many more!
Ambassadors will be encouraged to explore ways to support a wide range of student populations and to partner with departments across campus to meet their goals.
By serving as a Transition Ambassador, students will be able to…
- Identify the diverse needs and key components of transition commonly experienced by students at UGA
- Gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their personal leadership style throughout their experience
- Create inclusive environments and programs that build a sense of community among specialized populations of students, including first-year, second-year, and transfer students
- Gain knowledge and strengthen skills in event planning, mentoring/advising, public speaking, and representing the University of Georgia in an official capacity
Students must…
- Be enrolled full-time at UGA through Spring 2022
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing as set by the University of Georgia
- Welcome Meet & Greet – April 28 (5:30-7:00PM)
- Fall Training Retreat – September 11-12
- Monthly Meetings – Wednesdays 5-7pm / September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1, January 12, February 16, March 16, April 13
- Welcome UGA Kickoffs – August 20, 2021 9am-3pm AND January 10, 2022 9am-3pm
- Freshman Welcome – August 17 (4pm-10pm)
- National Transfer Student Week (October 2021, Dates TBD)
- Applications Open – Tuesday, March 23
- Information Sessions* – Click below to register for a session:
*You must attend (1) Information Session in order to be eligible for selection
- Applications Close – Friday, April 9 at 5:00PM
- Interviews – April 14-16
