MEET WITH A TRANSITION LEADER
Transition Leaders are current UGA students who are here to help all students navigate UGA and its resources. They are a great starting point if you're unsure where to turn. While they are not professional advisors or counselors, they offer peer support and can connect you with the right people and resources at various stages of your UGA experience, from your first semester to graduation. See what Transition Leaders can and cannot answer during a quick chat in the accordion panel below.
Transition Leaders can:
- guide you in exploring campus resources available to you as a student.
- point you toward the right people and campus offices for extra support.
- share personal tips and strategies for making the most of your time at UGA.
- explain campus culture and share insights to help make your transition smoother.
Transition Leaders cannot…
- advise on degree requirements, including general education and major-specific requirements.
- provide support for test preparation or academic skills coaching.
- assist with exploring or changing majors.
- provide mental health counseling or wellness coaching.
- offer professional career coaching or job search strategies.
- provide personalized coaching for getting involved on campus – however, ELS Peer Leaders can!
For questions on these topics, please reach out to a professional staff member listed below. Transition Leaders are here to help you get connected with the appropriate resources and support.
Ways to Connect with Professional Staff
- Academic Advisors can guide you on the requirements for your degree. Schedule an appointment with your advisor via SAGE.
- Student Care and Outreach offers individualized support if you are facing complex, hardship, or unforeseen circumstances.
- Wellness Coaches can help you work through barriers to personal health and well-being.
- CAPS Clinicians can offer you mental health support for both urgent and non-urgent needs.
- Academic Coaches support you in developing goals and strategies for academic success.
- Career Consultants provide personalized guidance to help you achieve your career goals.
- Exploratory Center Advisors assist undecided students in exploring majors and support intended-business and intended-Grady majors.
- Pre-Professional Advisors can help you explore career paths in healthcare or law.
Feeling unsure about which professional resources might be helpful? A Transition Leader can guide you in connecting with the support you need!
We are taking a break for the summer. Quick chats will be open again in the fall. In the meantime, please reach out to transitions@uga.edu with any questions related to transitioning to UGA.
1
Check out our bios below and choose a Transition Leader you’d like to connect with.
2
Click the button below to book a quick chat. On the booking page, select a Transition Leader, then choose a date and time from their availability on the calendar to complete your booking.
3
Once you’ve booked your quick chat, meet your Transition Leader in Memorial Hall 216 on the scheduled date and time!
MEET THE TEAM
ABBY BROWN
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!
AILEY GUSTAFSON
AILEY GUSTAFSON
Hello friends, my name is Ailey!!! I am a triple major (yes it is possible, yes I do sleep) in International Affairs, Political Science, and Religion with minors in International Human Rights and Security and American Sign Language. When I’m not in class or running around to a million meetings, you’ll probably find me reading something (with a happy ending of course), laughing with friends, or spontaneously trying to learn a new language (I am trilingual and a half).
Ask Me About: the Disability Resource Center (and navigating UGA with a disability), Arch Society, The Fontaine Center, Campus Ministries of any kind, International Student Life, Student Government, the Professional Clothing Closet, studying abroad (!!!), or just how to balance being super busy and being okay.
ALIKA OTERO-RICALDE
ALIKA OTERO-RICALDE
Hello! My name is Alika Otero-Ricalde and I am a second year from Snellville, GA. I am currently on a Pre-law track majoring in Political Science, International Affairs, and Economics with a Spanish minor. I love getting to know people all over campus and being extremely involved. I love helping people naviagte the resources on campus and exploring what UGA has to offer. I am always down for any adventure so dont be afraid to reach out!
Ask Me About: Student Government Association, Dean William Taten Honor Society, Hispanic Student Association, University Housing, Dawg Camp, Greek Life, or any Pre-Law/Business extracurriculars!
AUTUMN CRISWELL
AUTUMN CRISWELL
Hey y’all! My name is Autumn Criswell, and I’m a 3rd-year Sport Management major with a Sports Media Certificate, originally from Kennesaw, GA. I transferred to UGA, so trust me, I know how overwhelming it can be to find your people and your purpose on this big campus. But once you do? It’s unmatched. I’m super passionate about photography, football, and making sure students feel seen and supported here. I co-founded Melanin in Motion, a minority-focused workout club, and I’m involved with Georgia Daze, so if you want to talk about building community, navigating UGA as a transfer, or getting plugged into orgs that make you feel at home—I’m your girl. Also, if you ever wanna talk sports, content creation, or where to find the best views to shoot around campus, I’m all in. Whether you’re looking for a new gym buddy, want to get involved with BUGA, or just need someone to walk you through the highs and lows of your UGA journey, I’m always down to chat. Let’s make this place feel like home together!
AVA GRUSZCZINSKI
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
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
BRYSON CLARK
Hey, I’m Bryson! I’m from Madison, Georgia and I’m currently a third-year psychology student. On campus i’m probably in Ramsey, Tate, or the MLC pretending to study. I love reading, getting active, and helping others. Coming from a close by town, I had always heard about UGA. I had lots of expectations of the university and my experience coming here was mostly navigating the actual reality of being a student here. Thankfully, this is an experience lots of people share and i’m very happy to talk about it.
Ask Me About: Choosing the right major, How to make friends, Getting involved, Campus resources, and anything UGA!
EMILY CRAWFORD
EMILY CRAWFORD
Hello everyone, my name is Emily Crawford! I’m a third-year student from Glennville, Georgia (912 represent!). I am majoring in Management with an emphasis in Human Resources Analytics along with minors in Korean Language and Literature and International Affairs. I love all different types of music, trying new foods, learning random trivia facts, reading books, and being around animals. You can usually find me running around North Campus, getting sweet treats, and going to athletic events. Welcome to UGA and Go Dawgs!
Ask Me About: Arch Society, Dean William Tate Honor Society UGA Society for Human Resources, Rural Student Ambassador, and UGA sporting events
ESTEBAN LAZARO
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
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!
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!
SHRIYA RAJAN
SHRIYA RAJAN
Hi guys! My name is Shriya Rajan, I’m a second year majoring in Regenerative Bioscience and Biology, with a minor in American Sign Language. I moved to Johns Creek, Georgia prior to Grade 11 of high school from Toulouse, France where I grew up till then! I was nervous about navigating UGA as I faced some difficulty transitioning into my new high school here in an unfamiliar environment, so I made it my priority to find community here at UGA to feel at home, and I can gladly say my experience here at UGA has been wonderful so far. On campus, I am involved in Student Government Association’s Forum, Shop With A Bulldawg, University Transitions, International Student Life World Leaders, Phi Delta Epsilon, and Leadership UGA! I love reading, playing talking games, listening to music, trying new cafes and restaurants, changing up my study spaces, rotting away on Netflix, and meeting new people along the way! I’m so excited to meet you guys, please feel free to chat with me regarding absolutely anything and everything and I’ll do my best to help you guys feel more at home here at UGA!
Ask Me About: switching majors, the pre-health journey, approaching difficult classes, navigating UGA as an international student, volunteering, and getting more connected with Athens overall.
SHWETA KRISHNAN
SHWETA KRISHNAN
Hi!! My name is Shweta Krishnan, and I’m a fourth year from Marietta, GA double majoring Journalism and Political Science, and minoring in Law, Jurisprudence, and the State. I’m also pursuing a certificate in Public Affairs Communications. I’m hoping to go to law school after my time at UGA, and hopefully, pursue public interest law. I’m super excited to help people find their special place on campus because UGA has been one of the most impactful places in my life. You can always find me studying on the 3rd floor of the MLC or the 7th floor of the Main Library. I’m always down to get coffee, so please feel free to reach out!
Ask Me About: Arch Society, Shop With a Bulldawg (SWAB), Honors Student Council, News Literacy Certificate, Public Affairs Communications Certificate, International Student Orientation World Leaders