91ɬ�� Sociology Professor April Schueths, Ph.D., has been named the recipient of the by the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Honored at the annual Georgia CASA Conference in Atlanta, the distinction recognizes her long-standing service and exceptional contributions to child advocacy.   

Schueths has served on the board of (CASSEGA), for the last decade, including the last five years as board chair.  Schueths’ tenure as board chair has been instrumental in spearheading strategic fundraising, modernizing organizational policies and ensuring equitable support for youth across the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit.  

The CASA network relies on trained community volunteers to represent the best interests of children in the foster care system. CASSEGA supports foster children in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, which includes Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.

“I’m honored to receive the Board Leadership Award from Georgia CASA,” Schueths said. “I’m so proud of the work our CASSEGA team does every day to make sure children have a voice.”

Schueths leverages her clinical background as a practicing social worker and her academic research to strengthen local human services. At Georgia Southern, she prepares undergraduate sociology students for careers in public service through courses in social welfare policy, counseling skills and introductory social services.   

According to CASSEGA leadership, her dual role as an educator and advocate has significantly expanded the organization’s reach and operational stability.   

“Dr. Schueths brings a combination of scholarly insight and hands-on community care to the organization,” said Julie Pickens, Ph.D., executive director of CASSEGA. “Her rare ability to move seamlessly between policy leadership, academic scholarship and direct community engagement makes her an invaluable asset.”   

While illustrating the importance of 91ɬ��’s Senior Companion Program, Deb Blackburn, the program’s director, recalled one situation with potentially deadly consequences.

“There was a woman on our waiting list who lived alone and was very sick,” she said. “We went to check on her, and could smell the natural gas. She had a leak that no one knew about. We got her out of the house immediately, and called the fire department. The woman quickly recovered.”

Efforts to prevent those kinds of incidents received a major boost in the form of a $378,000 grant increase from AmeriCorps Senior. Effective July 1, the funding is one of three equal installments arriving over the next three years. It’s part of the largest-ever award for the program housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Center for Social Gerontology.

Sometimes called “companions,” volunteers, 55 and older, are paired with seniors needing support to live independently in their homes. They provide socialization while assisting with meal preparation, household chores and occasional transportation.

Clients live in 15 counties across southeastern Georgia including Bulloch, Emanuel and Effingham. These counties, plus six more, have waiting lists. The new contract no longer divides the funds by location, meaning volunteers can go to areas of greatest need. Currently, there are 7 vacancies for volunteers.

Other benefits include an hourly stipend, better travel reimbursement rates for volunteers and the doubling of their daily meal stipend from $1.50 to $3. These changes are significant, because companion eligibility requires an annual individual income no higher than $31,920.

Theretha Alston has been one of those companions for four years. Until recently, she visited  Beatrice Huff, a 94-year-old Bulloch County resident. Huff’s own work with the program inspired Alston to get involved.

“I heard about the program by word of mouth, at the time, Beatrice was still working as a companion,” she said. “Seeing her so excited about the program at the age of 90 inspired me on a daily basis. I thought to myself ‘What if I could be like that at her age?’ She just retired last year.”

Alston spent four days a week with Huff for five hours each day helping with her lunch, her exercises and walks to the mailbox. Unfortunately, Alston needed to be paired with another senior for logistical reasons. Still, she cherishes the conversations she shared with Huff.

“My favorite part was hearing about her history,” she said. “She would start talking about her childhood, her school days, meeting her husband, raising a family and her grandkids. Then she  would start smiling for sure.” 

Blackburn emphasized that social connections like this can improve quality of life for isolated individuals

“To me, that’s one of the best examples of how our participation in the community helps people who are alone and don’t have the capacity to take care of all their household needs,” she said.

Matthew Flynn, Ph.D., professor of international studies and sociology in 91ɬ��’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, has been awarded a 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant. Flynn will spend four months in Brazil researching how developing nations build innovation systems capable of addressing major public health challenges through the creation of new medicines and treatments.

“Dr. Flynn’s Fulbright recognition reflects the kind of globally engaged scholarship that defines academic excellence at Georgia Southern,” said Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “His work demonstrates how faculty research can address complex global challenges while creating meaningful opportunities for international collaboration, student learning and institutional growth.”

According to Flynn, his selection is both a professional milestone and the culmination of a personal journey that began decades ago.

“Brazil has been a constant in my life for many years. I’ve lived there, reported there and built my academic career around understanding its institutions,” he said. “Getting the chance to go back as a Fulbright Scholar and do this research feels like everything is coming full circle.”

Flynn first traveled to Brazil as a Rotary Ambassadorial Fellow at the University of São Paulo, immersing himself in the country’s language and culture. There, he became proficient in Portuguese while building a deeper understanding of Brazil’s political and economic systems.

He later returned to work as a local newspaper journalist and a foreign correspondent, experiences that gave him firsthand exposure to the country’s institutions, industries and social challenges.

Flynn’s connection to Brazil eventually became the foundation of his doctoral research, spending months in the country conducting fieldwork while earning his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin.

His work focused on pharmaceutical policy and access to medicine that later became the basis for his 2015 book, “Pharmaceutical Autonomy and Public Health in Latin America,” which examined Brazil’s efforts to expand access to AIDS medications.

Despite his deep ties to Brazil, Flynn said applying for the Fulbright still felt daunting. The highly competitive program required not only experience, but a compelling vision for how his work could create broader impacts globally.

Flynn credits David Weindorf, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s vice president for Research and Economic Development and former Fulbright Scholar, with helping demystify the process.

“It was incredibly helpful to have his guidance and support,” Flynn said. “Dr. Weindorf’s insight gave me a better understanding of how to frame my own project.”

The mentorship helped transform an idea Flynn had been developing for years into a unique proposal that targeted real-world needs.

“Dr. Flynn’s Fulbright award reflects years of meaningful scholarship and international relationship-building,” Weindorf said. “His work addresses complex global health challenges while creating opportunities for international collaboration that align directly with Georgia Southern’s growing research mission. We’re incredibly proud to see his work recognized on this level.”

Flynn chose Brazil to conduct his field research because the country presents a particularly complex case study due to its significant investments in both public health initiatives and pharmaceutical production; yet it continues to face challenges developing new treatments for both infectious diseases and chronic illnesses forcing the country to rely heavily on importations. 

His work will examine what happens when universities, private industry and government agencies attempt to work together to solve those challenges.

“When those partnerships work well, innovation can happen quickly,” according to Flynn. “When they do not, important medical breakthroughs can stall.”

An important aspect of his research will be interviews with scientists, policymakers and pharmaceutical leaders, as well as site visits and archival research aimed at understanding why some innovation efforts succeed while others fail.

Flynn’s research impact will extend far beyond Brazil. Many middle-income countries face similar challenges balancing economic growth, public health needs and dependence on imported medical technologies.

His goal is to help policymakers better understand how countries can build stronger domestic health innovation systems while expanding access to affordable treatments. The findings could help shape future policy conversations surrounding vaccines, chronic disease treatments and pharmaceutical access worldwide.

His experience will also directly benefit Georgia Southern students as he will bring insights back to his classroom and infuse them into courses focused on global health, world cultures and Latin American studies.

He hopes that the Fulbright experience will strengthen institutional partnerships between Georgia Southern and Brazilian universities, creating future opportunities for collaborative research and study abroad experiences.

“Dr. Flynn’s Fulbright award reflects the kind of meaningful global engagement we’re continuing to build at Georgia Southern,” said Danielle Smith, assistant provost for Global Engagement. “These experiences create opportunities for faculty collaboration, student learning and international partnerships that strengthen our University’s global presence in powerful ways.”

Throughout his extensive résumé of international research and travel, Flynn said what continues to draw him back to Brazil is simple: its people.

Over the years, he has lived in São Paulo, Ouro Preto, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, building relationships that extend far beyond professional collaborations.

“This work is about research,” Flynn said. “But it’s also about relationships, cultural exchange and understanding how countries can learn from one another.”

91ɬ��’s Beth McGee, Ph.D., associate professor of interior architecture and design and assistant chair of the School of Human Ecology, was awarded $20,000 through The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education “Create Your Own Grant” program in 2026. 

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. McGee’s achievement,” said Trent Davis, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “Lighting is an important element of interior design, and this grant will allow our students to gain hands-on experience with the latest knowledge in a rapidly evolving field.”

The grant proposal was developed collaboratively with the Lighting Knowledge Network and led by Principal Investigator Stephanie McGoldrick, assistant professor of interior architecture and design at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. 

This funding will be used to create a curated open access educational resource aimed to improve the teaching and learning of lighting design. The team plans to use this online, evidence-based curriculum to foster interior design, architecture and engineering students. 

“Receiving the Nuckolls Grant is a huge win for our team,” said McGee. “It validates the hard work we’ve put into preliminary testing regarding identifying the current needs in lighting design education. We aim to provide an innovative curriculum that will continuously be updated within the Lighting Knowledge Network (LKN) which is one of several knowledge networks within the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC), an organization committed to advancing interior design education.  I am excited to see how bringing together a more up-to-date and evidence-based approach to teaching will inspire student creativity and technical proficiency.”

The interior architecture and design program continues to thrive as a center for learning, technology and craftsmanship. McGee looks forward to continuing to help graduates enter the workforce not just as generalists but as specialists in environmental behavior. 

“My goal is to change how our students see their role,” said McGee. “We aren’t just picking fixtures. We are manipulating the atmosphere to improve lives. The Nuckolls Grant is helping us provide a tool that will support making Georgia Southern a premier destination for innovative lighting-focused interior design.”

For recent Georgia Southern graduate Dorsey Howarth, the transition from high school sports fields in Decatur, Georgia, to 91ɬ��’s Statesboro Campus wasn’t just about finding a classroom, it was about finding a team. 

Having spent years on soccer and lacrosse fields, the isolation of a solo gym workout felt foreign. She craved the team energy she had before, a need that led her to a small group training class at the Recreation Activity Center (RAC) through Campus Recreation and Intramurals (CRI) during her sophomore year. 

There, she didn’t just find a workout; she found her true calling and academic path.

“I loved the group energy and sense of community in my fitness classes so much that I wanted to help others find that feeling as well,” Howarth explained. 

The desire to cultivate belonging sparked a rapid transformation. 

“By that spring, I transitioned from class participant to class leader and chose to pursue a degree in recreation, tourism and event management,” said Howarth. “I realized that I enjoyed bringing diverse groups together and wanted to turn my passion into my profession.”  

After earning her group exercise national certification, she officially stepped into the role of group fitness instructor, determined to make everyone feel welcome in her classes. Her unique relationship-oriented leadership style blended fitness instruction with the feeling of being on a team. 

Howarth soon realized the traditional hour-long class sessions were often a barrier for beginners. 

“I felt like the hour classes were intimidating for people,” Haworth explained. “An hour can feel like an eternity if you’re just starting out, and I wanted my classes to be completely inclusive.”

Her solution was the creation of a new signature format that split the standard hour into two focused, 30-minute, high-intensity sessions called “Arms and Abs” and “Glutes and Guts.” This bite-sized approach allowed students to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. The change was an instant hit, quickly drawing 25-30 participants per session and proving that fitness is most effective when it’s accessible. 

Howarth’s influence soon expanded beyond the fitness rooms. She took on new roles as a small group trainer and CRI social media manager, leveraging digital platforms to dismantle the “gym-timidation” she once feared. By introducing “Meet the Instructor” segments and collaborating with other campus groups on events like “Take Back the Night,” she turned CRI’s social media feed into a welcoming space for all students. 

“Recreation isn’t just about what happens inside the facility. It’s about building connections outside of it,” Howarth said. “Using social media allowed us to meet students where they already were, breaking down walls and turning CRI into a true campus community.”

Howarth’s recreation management classes helped to broaden the skillset needed to go from leading fitness classes to shaping community-wide wellness initiatives. Her leadership capabilities took center stage during the True Blue 5K, where she managed more than 50 volunteers showcasing a collaborative spirit and ability to organize and energize large groups.

Her impact in CRI and across campus did not go unnoticed, and she earned the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Watson Award for excellence in campus recreation as well as the Leader of the Pack Award voted on by her peers. 

These natural leadership instincts found their foundation in the classroom, where Howarth’s education provided the strategic blueprint for her future. By blending recreation, tourism and event management theory with her real-world experience at CRI, she is ready to step seamlessly into the professional world after graduation. 

Howarth’s time at Georgia Southern taught her that leadership isn’t just about leading a class or directing an event; it is about using recreation to design and create spaces and experiences that bring diverse groups together. 

“My journey in recreation started because I missed the energy of a team,” she said. “Through my academic and CRI experiences, I not only found a team, I learned how to build one that brings people together to achieve their health and wellness goals.”  

Anthropology graduate Logan Collins fondly remembers the first classes that brought her to the front door of 91ɬ��’s Carroll Building.

“I was initially looking to do a history degree,” explained Collins, also an Honors College student. “But then I realized I wanted to do that because I enjoyed connecting with people living through historical events.” 

Those first courses — Intro to Social Science and Intro to Natural Science — were an affirmation that she was in the right place.

“It was so much fun, even though I literally had no clue what I was doing,” she said.  “All I knew was that I wanted to be there.” 

That kicked off a journey that hasn’t slowed down. Since then, she’s consulted on countless interdisciplinary projects, interned at a Bulloch County recovery center and flown across the country to attend anthropological conferences, all while working on a grueling and deeply personal thesis for the Honors College. 

“I worked with Dr. Jennifer Tookes on analyzing the relationship between narcotics and Georgia’s shrimping industry,” she said. “The industry is in decline for a lot of reasons: environmental regulations, government regulations and it’s difficult to make a profit. But substance abuse also plays a crucial role in that decline.” 

Collins explained the abuse stems from a few sources: years of untreated injuries due to a lack of health insurance, as well as shrimpers who want to stay awake as long as possible to make as much money as they can.

“I loved being with the shrimpers,” she said. “My family has a history of addiction. I grew up in the back of churches hosting Narcotics Anonymous meetings, hanging out with the children of addicts. So as I was doing this, I realized so much of my life revolved around recovery.” 

That personal connection only proves how important the study of anthropology is, she said. 

“So much of anthropology is talking with people, listening to them and seeing the threads of community that connect them,” she said.

Collins’ love of finding those communal threads has gone beyond what would constitute a hobby. She developed a keen eye for picking out hidden connections between people, following them relentlessly to see where they lead. It’s a habit she’s built over the years, ever since she was a young child with a calendar to maintain. 

“I did ballet for 12 years,” said the Commerce, Georgia, native. “I was on the swim team for most of my childhood. I was really into theater. I was in the marching band and color guard with the flags.”

She wanted to bring that same can-do, say-yes-to-anything attitude with her to college, but she wasn’t sure where she wanted to go. Her high school counselor and Georgia Southern alumna Sarah Holmes (’16) encouraged her to check out Southeast Georgia’s prettiest little campus. 

“I had gone on a few college tours by then, but nothing stuck out,” she explained. “Sarah was really insistent that I go tour Southern, so I did and fell absolutely in love with the campus. The pedestrium, the trees, all of it…I just loved it.”

She got to work the moment she set foot on campus. 

“I just started doing things that sounded interesting to me,” Collins explained. “That’s how I got involved with the Model UN, the ethics bowl team…I even became a resident advisor and part of the college partnership for prevention program.” 

But she admits that she may have gotten a little too involved at first. 

“I started by taking on like 18 credit hours,” she said. “That was…too much. But it helped me understand my limits and what I was capable of. It also taught me that I’m much more interest-driven than goal-driven.”  

That willingness to follow her interests is what carried her across the stage at Georgia Southern’s 2026 spring commencement. Her journey won’t end here; her goal is to earn a Ph.D. in addictive disorders and recovery studies to help communities suffering from issues she’s all too familiar with. 

“Anyone I’ve ever interviewed always leaves me feeling like there’s still hope for the world,” she said. “That people can have a conversation in the age of social media and screens. So for me, every interaction I have is my chance to inject a little humanity back into the world.” 

Georgia native William (Xander) Russell chose 91ɬ�� for two reasons: scholarship and friendship.

Russell, a first-generation student, was awarded a full-ride scholarship through the Honors College, allowing him to pursue his dream of one day entering the medical field without the stress of debt. Knowing he’d have a built-in community through his two best friends, who had also committed to Georgia Southern, made the decision even easier.

“It was the perfect storm in deciding where I should go,” Russell said. “Having the full cost of my tuition covered was a major deciding factor. During my time in the Honors College, faculty mentors, student organizations and campus programs helped create an environment where I felt challenged, supported and encouraged to grow into the person I am today.”

In his sophomore year, Russell became an inaugural Goel Scholar through the Honors College. His on-campus support network was an integral part of his success as a student and this scholarship provided an opportunity to become a leader for other students.

“My experience at Southern was shaped by an incredible support system of mentors, faculty, staff, peers and friends,” Russell said. “I had moments where I doubted whether I truly belonged in certain academic or professional spaces. However, these challenges ultimately became some of the most transformative parts of my experience because they taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of seeking mentorship and community support. Becoming a part of this cohort truly bridged my relationships, allowing me to be both a mentee and mentor, passing on knowledge about university life to others.”

A key supporter for Russell was his honors research mentor , assistant professor of chemistry in the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics.

“Dr. Pérez invested in my growth as both a researcher and student from very early on, allowing me to develop my thesis, present research at conferences, and grow tremendously as a scientist,” Russell said. “Presenting my research at conferences showed me that the work I had spent years developing could contribute to larger scientific conversations and collaborations.”

While research was a core focus of his academic experience, Russell didn’t limit himself to the lab or the classroom.

“Coming into college as a first-generation student, I knew I wanted to fully take advantage of every opportunity available to me because I did not always know what pathways or experiences existed unless I actively sought them out,” Russell said. “Getting involved helped me build confidence, friendships, mentorships and a sense of belonging very early on in my college career.”

From serving as development chair for the to founding , completing the Sustainable Leadership Certificate, earning $75,000 in grants for Sustain Southern, and more, Russell was determined to experience every opportunity for growth that Georgia Southern had to offer.

“Research taught me persistence and analytical thinking, sustainability work taught me advocacy and systems thinking, and student organizations taught me how to collaborate and support others effectively,” Russell said. “I learned how interconnected different disciplines and communities can be. More than anything, involvement transformed Georgia Southern from simply being the university I attended into a community that genuinely felt like home.”

Having now graduated with his bachelor’s in biochemistry and a minor in social science and medicine, Russell will continue working toward advanced medical degrees with the goal of becoming a physician-scientist.

“At Georgia Southern, I learned how to believe in my own potential,” Russell said. “I aim to continue contributing to research that improves patient outcomes while also practicing medicine in a way that emphasizes empathy, accessibility and advocacy for underserved communities. Ultimately, I want my career to combine scientific innovation with patient-centered health care so that I can contribute both in the laboratory and directly within clinical settings.”

He encourages future 91ɬ�� to make the most of their time at Georgia Southern, too.

“Don’t be afraid to take up space and pursue opportunities even if you initially feel underqualified or intimidated,” Russell said. “College moves much faster than people realize, so allowing yourself to explore different interests and take chances is incredibly important. As a first-generation student, I came into college uncertain about where I would fit, but I am leaving with lifelong mentors, friendships, leadership experiences, research accomplishments and confidence in my future goals.”

Beth McGee, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant chair in the , has been named the 2026 Postsecondary Professional of the Year by the Georgia Association of Teachers of Family & Consumer Sciences (GATFACS). This award recognizes her transformative impact in Career Technical Education (CTE) and her success in connecting academic study with community needs.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from my peers in GATFACS,” said McGee. “Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) provides a vital foundation for students to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. At Georgia Southern, we strive to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world impact, and this award is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our entire department.” 

During her time as the interior design program coordinator, McGee helped double the program’s size to more than 300 students while maintaining top-tier accreditation. She also led the 2025 launch of a new interdisciplinary major in Family and Consumer Sciences Education to address the regional shortage of middle and high school teachers.

Trent Davis, Ph.D., interim chair of the School of Human Ecology, praised McGee’s dedication, noting that her work aligns with national high-quality CTE frameworks. 

“In both of Dr. McGee’s roles as assistant chair and program coordinator for interior design, she consistently exemplifies excellence through her contributions to program quality, innovation and leadership,” said Davis. “Her work has had a profound effect on students, educators and the broader community.” 

The GATFACS Postsecondary Professional of the Year award honors educators who drive innovation and show an unwavering commitment to advancing CTE within their institutions.

“I would struggle, I would flounder, I would face loss,” said graduate Susan Hamilton. “I would rise, I would thrive, I would succeed. My personal journey to graduation has been long and hard, but I knew I was always on the right path.”

Hamilton’s collegiate journey began over 25 years ago with an associate degree, and through the years, she faced many twists and turns, hills and valleys, on what seemed to be an endless road to her dream of attaining a master’s degree. 

For Hamilton, that day is finally here as she walks onto the stage once again and receives her Master of Arts in social sciences degree.

“I can’t believe I’m finally here!” said Hamilton. “It feels like a lifetime ago I received my first degree, and now, I’m completing my educational journey with my master’s degree. Over 25 years later, my dream, my parents’ dream for me, has finally been realized.”

After earning her associate degree in marketing, Hamilton was married and soon welcomed a baby boy. 

“I wanted to get my bachelor’s degree, but I needed to take a step back and focus on raising my son,” she said. “I always kept my dream of completing my education simmering in the background. At that time in my life, we were young and just starting out with a new baby. I didn’t think we could afford it both financially and from a time perspective.”

Hamilton has always been drawn to education since both of her parents were teachers with advanced degrees. After a few life changes, she wanted to work with students in some way so she began her career at 91ɬ��. 

After three years, she was established in her role and felt it was the right time to get started on the path to earn her bachelor’s degree. 

“I knew about the TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) for full-time employees and at 42 years old, I was finally at a place in my life where I was ready!” she said. “I applied as a transfer student and was accepted the following semester. I couldn’t believe my dream was finally going to come true— to finish my undergraduate degree I started when I was 18 years old!”

However, life had other plans. Shortly after beginning her undergraduate program, Hamilton lost her father to Alzheimer’s Disease and became the full-time caregiver to her ailing mother. “I lost my hero,” she said. “How was I supposed to finish school, be a mom and caregiver and work full-time? I wanted to give up, but I kept hearing my dad’s voice, ‘You’re not done. You can do this.’” 

Five years later, pushing through many obstacles and hardships, she graduated in the spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in human and family development at the same time her son graduated with his degree from Ogeechee Technical College. Not only did Hamilton achieve one of her life-long dreams, she also watched her son achieve his own dream at the same time.

 “Achieving one of my dreams was hard-fought and felt amazing, but watching my son walk across the stage to accept his degree in a field he was passionate about, was even more fulfilling than I could ever imagine,” she said. 

Hamilton kept that positive momentum going and began the master of social science program with a concentration in sociology in the fall of 2024. But life had one more major twist in store for her. 

“On the first day of my master’s program, my mother unexpectedly passed away,” she recounted. “Here I was again, beginning a degree program with the loss of my last living parent. Like before, I considered giving up because the loss just seemed too heavy to continue. I didn’t know how I could move forward without my parents guiding me through graduate school. They had walked that same graduate journey, and I had been depending on them to help me through it, but now they were both gone. But, I had come too far to stop now. I had to keep going – I wasn’t done yet.”

With a heavy heart and uncertain future, Hamilton was going through her mother’s personal papers and found an old thesis her mother had worked on many years before. Reading through it, she felt the heaviness in her heart lighten. 

“As I read over her work, I was able to better understand some difficult material I had been struggling with that semester,” she said. “It was just the sign I needed to not give up and to keep going on the path to earn my master’s degree. I knew both my parents were with me and I wouldn’t have to do it alone.” 

One year later, Hamilton is fulfilling her dream. She will take the last steps on a long and challenging path as she walks onto the stage and receives her master’s degree. 

“I know my parents are proud,” she said. “They always had faith in me, even when I didn’t have faith in myself. The road was long and I didn’t follow a traditional path, but I always had my parents and my family supporting me along the way. Education is a lifelong journey with many starts and stops, it’s not just a destination.” 

Hamilton’s journey will continue and her new path begins as a Double Eagle. 

“I’m not sure exactly what direction I will take this time, but I look forward to continuing my work at Georgia Southern and my volunteer role at Camp Brightside working with students who have special needs and disabilities,” she said. “Like me, their journeys are filled with many twists and turns, struggles and hardships. I’m ready to help inspire them as they travel down their own paths from education to career to success and achieve their dreams. I know firsthand what it takes to get there, all they need is the courage to soar.” 

Georgia native, University Police Department Investigator and, now, Double Eagle — Heiko Ellis will cross the commencement stage this December with a Master of Science in criminal justice and criminology, embodying his personal commitment to continuous learning.

“Education stands among the most enduring commitments we can make to ourselves, to one another and to the future we share,” Ellis said. “It is not a task we complete, but a promise we uphold to keep learning, to keep questioning and to keep striving for a deeper understanding of the world around us.”

Ellis’ educational journey began as an undergraduate student studying criminal justice and criminology and psychology at 91ɬ��. He was drawn to the University because of the academics, but it was the people who made him want to stay.

“Georgia Southern is a place where curiosity is encouraged, where potential is recognized and where growth is not only possible but expected,” Ellis said. “I was initially drawn to Georgia Southern because of its strong academic reputation and its commitment to developing leaders who serve their communities. What kept me coming back is the sense of belonging and purpose that this university fosters. The support from faculty, staff and colleagues, combined with the opportunities for advancement and professional development, makes Georgia Southern a place where people can truly build their future.”

He completed his bachelor’s degree in 2021 before beginning work with the University Police Department (UPD), where he continues to serve as an investigator.

“I have worked for Georgia Southern for approximately four years,” Ellis said. “During that time, I’ve handled a broad range of cases that have significantly shaped my professional perspective.”

His coursework in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences has been directly applicable to his work with UPD.

“My academic work and my professional responsibilities truly grow together, each informs and strengthens the other,” Ellis said. “The analytical skills and theoretical frameworks I gain through my coursework enhance the way I approach complex situations on the job, while the hands-on experience I’ve gained at Georgia Southern provides context and depth to my studies. This side-by-side development has helped me become more well-rounded, more thoughtful and more effective in both arenas.”

Ellis recognizes the Eagle Nation community, specifically his professors and leadership, for providing him with the support necessary to balance his growth and responsibilities.

“My time here has been shaped by individuals who reflect the very best of this institution,” Ellis said. “Professors who challenge us to think critically, colleagues who work with integrity and purpose, and leaders who set the example for what service truly means. Their guidance and support have strengthened my resolve and reminded me that progress is never achieved alone, it is built through community, cooperation and shared values.”

Ellis’ education will not stop with this master’s degree. He is currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Cybercrime program, which focuses on applied digital forensics. He is on track to complete the certificate in 2026.

“My goal is to strengthen my technical capabilities and enhance my abilities to investigate digital related incidents with precision and professionalism,” Ellis said. “This program provides training on how to identify, collect and preserve digital artifacts using best practice methods that align with contemporary standards in the field. I see it as an important step forward in supporting the evolving needs of the community.”

With two degrees and soon a professional certification under his belt, Ellis has no intentions of slowing down.

“As I look to the road ahead, I remain committed to the mission of bettering myself, uplifting others and honoring the principles that have defined Georgia Southern for generations,” Ellis said. “It is a privilege to be part of this university’s story. I am proud to contribute to its continued growth, excellence and enduring legacy.”