Who We Are
The Transition Leaders are a group of students who represent and support initiatives within the Department of Student Transitions. The goal of this student group is to provide support and resources to all UGA students at all points of transition during their college experience.
Our Mission
The Transition Ambassadors aim to serve and support students during all transitions throughout their collegiate experience by providing accessible resources as well as both small- and large-scale engagement opportunities with the goal of making the University of Georgia an inclusive space for all.
What We Do
Transition Leaders support UGA students and the Department of Student Transitions by:
- Working on internal committees to plan, implement, and assess to create events and resources.
- Facilitating individualized 1:1 meetings with students to discuss the transition experiences of various student populations.
- Collaborating with Student Transitions professional staff and campus partners to promote UGA resources and services aimed at supporting student success, engagement, and well-being.
- Advocating for the needs of both incoming and current UGA students.
- Advancing the Student Transitions Pathways to Success and Uniquely U-GA population initiatives.
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.
Meet the 2022-2023 Transition Leaders
Alexis Adkins
Junior
Major: Computer Science
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student, C.L.A.S.S. Advocate, National Society of Black Engineers
Availability: Mon, 6 – 8 pm; Tue, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 6 – 8 pm; Thu, 7 – 9 pm; Fri, 11 am – 4 pm; Sat/Sun upon request
Hope Armistead
Junior
Majors: Financial Planning
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student, UGA Swim Club, One Stop Shop Student Staff Member
Jacob Battle
Junior
Major: Psychology
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student, Camp Kesem, IM Softball
JD Bryan
Graduate Student
Program of Study: Disaster Management
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student, SPIA, UGA Medical Reserve Corp, UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness Student Ambassador
Naomi Chen
Senior
Major: Management Information Systems
Identities/Involvement: UGA MindBlowers, Delta Sigma Pi, Studying Abroad Fall 2022
Benjamin Dozier
Senior
Major: Biological Science
Identities/Involvement: Rural Student, African-American, Pre-Med, Georgia Daze Minority Recruitment, IMPACT, LSAMP, Peer Tutoring Visitors Center
Availability: Tue/Thu, 4 – 6 pm; Fri, 3 – 6 pm; Sat. afternoons upon request; Sun, 1 – 4 pm
Jordan Elwarner
Junior
Major: Political Science
Identities/Involvement: In-State Student, Georgia Commitment Scholar, Pre-Law, University Union, Criminal Justice Society, SPIA Research
Availability: Wed, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Molly Gilarde
Sophomore
Major(s): Journalism
Identities/Involvement: Out-of-State Student, Greek Life, UGA Miracle, Public Relations Student Society of America at UGA
Availability: Thu/Fri, 3 – 5 pm
Nolan Hagadone
Senior
Major: Management Information Systems
Identities/Involvement: In-State, Shop with a Bulldog, Dawg Camp
Maggie Hill
Senior
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student, Rural Student, In-State Student, UGA Wesley, Greek Life, College of Education Ambassador
Availability: Mon/Wed/Fri after 2 pm
Elijah Humphries
Senior
Major: Geography
Identities/Involvement: Serve UGA, Demosthenian Literary Society
Sam Hurley
Sophomore
Major: Journalism
Identities/Involvement: Red & Black, Dawg Camp, Resident Assistant
Corey Jessop
Sophomore
Majors: Biology, Human Development & Family Science
Identities/Involvement: University Health Center Ambassador, Student Health Advisory Committee, Undergraduate Research, Campus Kitchen, Dawg Camp
Availability: Mon/Fri, 1 – 2 pm
Nayna Jooma
Senior
Major: Biology
Identities/Involvement: Pakistani American, Pre-Dental, IMPACT, Oasis Católico Student Tutor, Undergraduate Research
Availability: Wed, 12:40 – 2 pm
Sarah Laguerre
Senior
Major: Nutritional Sciences
Identities/Involvement: Person of Color, First Generation, Child of Immigrants, UGA Wesley, SWAB, Fresh Express, Community Services Assistant – UGA Housing
Availability: Thu, 10 am – 2 pm; Sun, 1 – 3 pm
Shannon Lorusso
Sophomore
Major: Journalism
Identities/Involvement: Greek Life, Dawg Camp, Catholic Dawgs
Availability: Tue/Thu, 12:30 – 2 pm; Fri, 8 am – 2 pm
Lizzie Rice
Junior
Major: Journalism
Identities/Involvement: Transfer Student Club Founder/President, Leadership UGA Peer Facilitator, Photographer with Pandora Year Book and The Chapel Bell
Availability: Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:30 – 11 am & 12:30 – 1:40 pm; Tue/Thu, 9 – 10 am; Sat/Sun, 10 am – 2 pm
Fiona Roche
Junior
Majors: Criminal Justice, Sociology
Identities/Involvement: Rural Student, Pre-Law, UGA @ Oxford, Community Services Assistant – UGA Housing
Availability: Mon/Wed, 3 – 5 pm; Tue/Thu, 4 – 5 pm; Sun, 12 – 2 pm
Erika Rosenzweig
Junior
Major: Landscape Architecture
Identities/Involvement: Out-of-State Student, UGA Hillel, Sigma Delta Tau, Georgia Students of Landscape Architecture, Filipino Student Association
Availability: Mon/Wed/Fri, 12 – 5 pm
Kaylee Scott
Junior
Majors: Public Relations, English
Identities/Involvement: In-State Student, Female, Multiracial, Dawg Camp, Digital Dawgs, Undergraduate Admissions, Talking Dog Agency
Availability: Mon, 8 am – 12 pm
Carson Story
Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Identities/Involvement: Secular, Spring Admit, STEM Major, Pre-Law, Athens Chautauqua Society, Student Government Association, Socratic
Availability: Mon/Wed/Fri, 1:30 – 4 pm, Sun, 12 – 4 pm
Turner Templeton
Sophomore
Major: Exercise Science
Identities/Involvement: Spikesquad, BYX, Dawg Camp
Availability: Mon/Wed, 12 – 1 pm & 4 – 5 pm; Tue/Thu, 5 -6 pm; Fri, 4 – 5 pm
Kaley Terlep
Junior
Majors: Political Science and Criminal Justice
Identities/Involvement: Women’s Studies Student Organization, Serve UGA, Delta Phi Epsilon
Availability: Mon/Wed/Fri, 3 – 5 pm, Thu, 4 -6 pm
Stephanie Tirado
Junior
Majors: Business Management & International Business
Identities/Involvement: Dawg Camp, Women in Business, Rescue Paws UGA, Rural Student Ambassadors
Availability: Wed, 3 – 5 pm
Katy Wilczynski
Sophomore
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Identities/Involvement: Greek Life, UGA Miracle, Intramural Sports
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
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