2025 UGA SSW Convocation Ceremony Program

Graduation Convocation Spring 2025

Friday, May 9, 2025 at nine o’clock in the morning The Classic Center Theatre | Athens, Georgia

A Look Back

The story of our school is the story of social impact, with our roots in social justice as the organizing principle and beating heart of our field. Throughout our history, which spans sixty years, five deans, and many faculty, staff, and students, we have continually strengthened our collective vision for a better, kinder, and more equitable world. As we reflect on the many contributions, large and small, that have been made to our school since its inception, I am humbled and filled with gratitude at the opportunity to carry its legacy into the future.

A Look Ahead

Today, we continue our school’s mission by conducting innovative research, engaging with our local and global communities to create meaningful change. We will strengthen our commitment to preparing culturally responsive practitioners and scholars to be leaders in identifying complex, systemic, and intertwined social issues and advancing human flourishing and social and economic development.

With each step forward, we will honor and build upon the work of those that came before us, knowing that we are all part of something bigger than any individual. Our vision to promote and advance social innovation to build a socially just world for all people will be the light that we carry together into the world, and into the future of social work education and profession.

Program

Processional ~ "Pomp and Circumstance, Op. 39: March No. 1 in D" by Sir Edward Elgar

Faculty Marshal - J'Dia Jones, MSW/JD student WELCOME Dean Philip Hong INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER Ms. Myra Blackmon, MED KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Anna M. Scheyett Professor and Former Dean of the School of Social Work HOODING AND CONFERRAL OF DEGREES Students' names announced by Dr. Kate Morrissey Stahl HOODING OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATES Dr. Jeremy Gibbs, Ph.D. Program Director Fahmida Afroz – hooded by Dr. David Okech Christopher A. Strickland – hooded by Dr. Rebecca Matthew HOODING OF MASTER OF ARTS IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP GRADUATES Dr. Anthony J. Mallon Dr. Lori L. Tiller, MA NML Program Director HOODING OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES Dr. Jennifer Elkins, MSW Program Director Ms. Constance Wooden-Smith, MSW, LCSW, Online and Gwinnett Campus Coordinator CONFERRAL OF BSW DEGREES Ms. Evonne Jones, LCSW, BSW Program Director CLOSING REMARKS Dean Philip Hong Recessional ~ "Marche Militaire" by Franz Schubert

K eynote Speaker Speak er Anna M. Scheyett Ph.D., MSW, MS, MPhil, LCSW

"We should always give each other grace."

A

nna Scheyett is a Professor at the University of Georgia School of Social Work and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communication.

She has an Extension appointment as a Behavioral Health Specialist and leads the Extension Behavioral Health Team. She is also a member of the Sports and Social Work Research Lab within the School of Social Work.

From 2016 to 2021, Dr. Scheyett served as the dean of the University of Georgia School of Social Work. Before working in Georgia, she was Dean of the University of South Carolina College of Social Work (2011-2016), and before that was the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work (2007-2011).

Dr. Scheyett has assumed several additional leadership roles in the social work profession, including serving on both state and national boards of the National Association of Social Workers, as Vice President of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, as Treasurer for the St. Louis Group on Social Work Research, and as Editor in Chief for the journal Social Work.

Dr. Scheyett received her Ph.D. with distinction from Memorial University (2007), her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1989), and a Master in Science and Philosophy from Yale University Department of Human Genetics (1982). Her Bachelor of Science in Biology is from Dickinson College (1980).

Throughout her career, Dr. Scheyett’s research has explored issues related to the community well-being of vulnerable populations, including research on ways to promote the community well-being of individuals with mental illnesses, justice-involved individuals, college athletes, and farmers and farm families at risk of stress and suicide. She has published well over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, has made nearly 200 presentations at national and international conferences, and has received over $2.5 million in research funding as principal investigator. In addition to formal scholarship, Dr. Scheyett has authored a weekly blog titled Thriving on the Farm for the past two years.

Dr. Scheyett has been honored with numerous awards. In 2020, she was selected as a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers. In 2019, she received Mentor Recognition from the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Women. The State of the Science, Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, recognized her as a Distinguished Lecturer. The awards she is perhaps most proud of are the Most Supportive Professor, Most Outstanding Professor, and Most Innovative Teacher awards she received before her administrative work from the UNC School of Social Work’s students. She is also immensely proud of the successes of the young administrators, junior faculty, and students she has mentored, who have become deans, directors, noted social work scholars, and professional leaders in various settings nationwide.

D egree R ecipients Doctor of Philosophy Fahmida Afroz Dissertation title: Exploring the impact of parent-child separation on child trafficking vulnerability: A three-study dissertation committee members: david okech (chair), anna cody lydia aletraris nathan hansen

Christopher Alexander Strickland Dissertation title: Catalyzing resistance: A systematic thematic analysis of critical consciousness development in antioppressive social movement spaces committee members: june hopps (chair) rebecca matthew maurice daniels

Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Madison Elizabeth Colonna Rachel Rose Dougal Damellys Cecilia Sacriste Eliana Yonit Solomon Ruth Lauriault Tellano-Daniel

Master of Social Work Heather Abee Alissa M. Adams Linsey Addington Leigh Ann Allen Ashlyn Taylor Alte Angel Arnulfo Anaya-Ruiz Walter Robb Andersen, Jr. Sharon Chioma Anozie-Obi Kendal Ashley Avery Kirsten Elizabeth Grace Barnes Alexandrea Corinne Behler AnnaLynne Laird Bennett Henretta Berry Britsheny Mckibben Bolaji Richard Bosten Cara Bowen Amy Camille Branson Kristina Childre Britton Nicole Fernandez Brunton Chandler Rose Bryan Ron'Nesha Kelli Bryant Annabel Rae Bunton Carolina Butler Angela Butts Abigail Joan Dowler Campbell Sarah Cassel Angelica Castolo Autumn Cavalleri Aniyah Breyonna Renee Coaxum Laura Marie Coco Faith Mary Margaret Coffman Jalynn Elizabeth Colvin Jameshia Kevina Copeland Emily Elizabeth Cornelius Angeles Cruz Destiny Joyce Cruz Katie Cunningham Kayla Marie Elverta Cunningham Camille Simone Davis Aza Michellina Eunique Davis-Picou

Master of Social Work continued

Master of Social Work continued

Lindsey Delgado-Harris K'Oynia Dennard Karen Jill Dent Sherry Deria Shanaya Josephine Dessin Brianna Chauntel Dollar Jaylah Dorsey Caroline Sandra Duncan Qaydar Dunn Jude Oshobughie Edeh Melissa Ashley Ellis Grace Camden Ellsworth Ryan Heath Emilio Kimberly England Ruth Naomi Escamilla Sheila Farley Samantha Farris Autumn James Field Janelle Elizabeth Flerismond Isatu Alphina Forna Cavelle Joan Forrester Kaylie Danielle Frazier Carlyn Rae Gallimore Alexis Melgar Garcia Ellia George Lynn Mariam George David Courtney Gibson Elizabeth Huff Gober Nichesius Godwini Kenadi Ayanna Goodwin Megan Erin Gordon Miranda Suzanne Gragson Cozetta Rose Marie Green Matthew Ray Green Chayce Justice Gunn Elisa Guzman-Pantoja Clinton Gyimah Amica Regina Hamm Grace Virginia Harbin Megan Nicole Hayes Caroline Grace Henry Leigh Hunter Henry

Alondra Jazmin Hernandez-Vega Joyce Elizabeth Hethcox Kylie Jo Hood Tiffany Jean Horton Devon Howard Zuzheng Huang Lauren Celeste Hutton Rashaunda Jacobs Adam Austin Jain-Conti Anna Johnson Damien Juwon Johnson Dajah Syliya-Nicole Jones Olivia Louise Jones Monica Sabrina Joseph Jamila Joy Anna Marie Kennard Hannah Isabella Kepes Rukiyyah Ashanti Khan Kiaura Knox Ashlyn Nicole LaClair Devin Land Rachel Lane Brenda Lee Iyana Josaiah Lee Katelyn Lilly Mya Elizabeth Lingle Ian Marburger Eryn Lynette Marsh Nina Martin Jasmin Stephanie Mata-Sanchez Madison McCarthy Tajzhai McCray Melanie McDonald Katelyn Elizabeth McLendon Immanuel Mejia Allison Sarah Miller Regenia Deloris Miller Mary Grace Mitchell Emily Victoria Mize Kellan Virginia Monroe Bryanna Montgomery Katherine Lili Moreno

Master of Social Work continued

Master of Social Work continued

Derek Byron Mouzon Rashmi Nair Hayden Namkung Renee Taylor Neves William Alan Newcomb Jacob Scott Newman Cynthia Joan Nist Iruoma Bethel Ogueze Idris Toheeb Ogunade Esther Oh Emmanuel Abiodun Oke Yvonne Kemi Okoruwa Hannah Grace Olive Sarah Oliver Abayomi Moses Olusanu Natasha Ortega Jamie D. Owens Hatice Ozsoy Cunha Campos Eris Olivia Grace Packer Kelly Danielle Page Angie Carolyn Palacios Kiley Anne Paro Lauren Alexandria Pilman Genesis Giovanna Pineda Megan Elizabeth Riedinger Nicole Marie Rigoroso Kolby Geralyn Riser Sashana Rowe-Harriott Abigail Ryan Louis Allen Saxon Haley Morgan Schirner Zoe Beth Searles Tesfamariam Selam Rylee Laine Shade Ria Hemal Shah Mary Barry Shepard Danielle Mashay Sherman Emmaline Amber Simpson James Tatum Slaughter, III Michaela Davida Smith Ana Laura Solis-Sanchez

Minjee Son Mary Elizabeth Soto Martina Annette Stanley Cheyenne Jarnae Alize' Stevens Nina Stone Latosha Sullivan Farah Tasneem Kimberly Lee Tate-Nuwar Brianna Michelle Taylor Kathryn Elaine Taylor Mary Irene Thompson Nancee Elaine Tomlinson Elizabeth Grace Trapnell Kelly Marie Travelstead Robert Jeremy Turner Enrriqueta Jean Van Tassel Ashley Renee Vanzant Emily Vaughan Amaya Marie Velasquez Laura Liliana Villegas Gutierrez Demilade Abosede Vincent Alexa Ashley Walker Kati Rae Waller Kristin Jenae Washington Katelyn Maree Wasson Laura Way Patricia Ann Webb Anna Peyton West Stephon Lee Williams Renee Kelly-Ann Wilson Jasmine Leann Wood Soraya Nicole Wright Johannah Nana Yankey Breck Lathrop Zavodny

Bachelor of Social Work Allison Elizabeth Archer Jordan Boling, Cum Laude Amanda Rachel Buchheit, Magna Cum Laude Ana Maria Correa Isabella Anne Costa Alexa Jade Doblado, Cum Laude Bennett Andrew Ekmark, Magna Cum Laude Madison Jessa Ellis, Cum Laude Molly Suzanne Gilarde, Summa Cum Laude Penelope Stella Gooding, Magna Cum Laude Journey Simone Hayes, Magna Cum Laude Abigail N. Jenkins, Cum Laude Morgan Scout Jennings, Summa Cum Laude Brianna Nicole Lawrence, Magna Cum Laude Bentley Isaiah Malone Kelly Maya Medina Ansley Christine Melnick, Cum Laude Sarah Broussard Ozio, Magna Cum Laude Owen Manning Parker Kayla Christine Pettenon Phoebe Grace Ringers Sarah Elizabeth Roberson, Magna Cum Laude Ethan Jordan Santos-Felgenhauer, Summa Cum Laude

Emma Marie Schroeder, Magna Cum Laude Dylan Matthew Tedder, Cum Laude Abigail Reese Tew, Summa Cum Laude Gracie Christin Thompson, Magna Cum Laude Adisyn Rhea Tice, Magna Cum Laude Madison Grace Tomberlin, Magna Cum Laude Alex Watts, Cum Laude Emma Grace Wilson, Cum Laude

Certificate R ecipients Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Counseling Alissa M Adams Walter Robb Andersen, Jr. Kirsten Elizabeth Grace Barnes Alexandrea Corinne Behler Henretta Berry Cara Bowen Ron'Nesha Kelli Bryant Laura Marie Coco Kayla Marie Elverta Cunningham Melissa Ashley Ellis Ryan Heath Emilio Ruth Naomi Escamilla Lynn Mariam George Chayce Justice Gunn Anna Johnson Dajah Syliya-Nicole Jones Jamila Joy Brendan Leahy Brenda Lee Tajzhai McCray Allison Sarah Miller Emily Victoria Mize Bryanna Montgomery Derek Byron Mouzon William Alan Newcomb Cynthia Joan Nist Jamie D Owens Louis Allen Saxon Haley Morgan Schirner Tesfamariam Selam Kathryn Elaine Taylor Ashley Renee Vanzant Laci Watson Patricia Ann Webb Stephon Lee Williams Jasmine Leann Wood

Certificate Recipients continued Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Joshua Peter Baylor Sherri Lynn Bennett Richard Bosten Kristina Childre Britton K'Oynia Dennard Sherry Deria Sheila Farley Kaylie Danielle Frazier Nichesius Godwini Rashaunda Jacobs Brittney Cierra Kilgore Sabrina Nicole Lewis Nina Martin Hayden Namkung Iruoma Bethel Ogueze Idris Toheeb Ogunade Esther Oh Emmanuel Abiodun Oke Madeline Elyse Oliff Abayomi Moses Olusanu Genesis Giovanna Pineda Abigail Ryan Martina Annette Stanley Nina Stone Latosha Sullivan Brianna Michelle Taylor Laura Liliana Villegas Gutierrez Soraya Nicole Wright

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Linsey Addington Cozetta Rose Marie Green Clinton Gyimah Ashlyn Nicole LaClair Natasha Ortega Mary Barry Shepard Katelyn Maree Wasson

Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy Linsey Addington Angel Arnulfo Anaya-Ruiz Sharon Chioma Anozie-Obi Lindsey Delgado-Harris Samantha Farris Carlyn Rae Gallimore Elisa Guzman-Pantoja Zuzheng Huang Katelyn Elizabeth McLendon Mary Grace Mitchell Renee Taylor Neves Yvonne Kemi Okoruwa Sashana Rowe-Harriott Zoe Beth Searles Emmaline Amber Simpson Cheyenne Jarnae Alize' Stevens Kimberly Lee Tate-Nuwar Demilade Abosede Vincent Laura Way Renee Kelly-Ann Wilson

Undergraduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Abby Elizabeth Adams Elizabeth Brooke Billig Allie Michelle Carter Karly Ferazi Trenton Jeremiah Holloman Tessa Noelle Johnson Briana Carolina Long Madeleine Reese Mitchell Molly Qiuyuan Schweitzer Grace Rosalee Smith Anastacia Stoyanov Abigail Reese Tew Kirklyn Leigh Thacker Gracie Christin Thompson Virginia Ruth Vaughan

C

hartered in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America. As Georgia’s flagship institution, the university is recognized for its commitment to student excellence as it tackles some of the world’s grand challenges — from combating infectious disease to advancing economic growth and improving community well-being.

S

ince its founding in 1964, the University of Georgia School of Social Work has demonstrated its commitment to student excellence by preparing more than 9,000 culturally competent social work practitioners and scholars to be leaders in addressing persistent and emerging social problems through practice, research and policy. The school offers a learning environment that emphasizes social justice for all, with relevant experiences both inside and outside the classroom, training in reflective and critical thinking skills that incorporate global perspectives and cultural humility, and hands-on research and leadership opportunities.

W

e wish all our graduates continued personal and professional success. As a Bulldog alum, you will always have our support. Stay in touch!

Our Mission The School of Social Work at the University of Georgia prepares culturally responsive practitioners and scholars to be leaders in addressing social problems and promoting social justice, locally and globally, through teaching, research, and service.

Graduation Committee Chair Trelle Turner

Special thanks to the commitment and hard work of the staff and student volunteers of the School of Social Work for making this event possible.

Photography Grad Images