UGA SSW Convocation Program Spring 2022

Graduation Convocation Spring 2022

Friday, May 13, 2022 at two o’clock in the afternoon The Classic Center, Grand Hall 8 | Athens, Georgia

The University of Georgia School of Social Work

Advocates for positive social change

Program Processional ~ Pomp and Circumstance by Sir Edward Elgar Faculty Marshal - Robert Wright 2nd Year MSW Student of the Year, Gwinnett Campus WELCOME Dr. Llewellyn Cornelius Interim Dean and Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Professor of Civil Rights Studies KEYNOTE SPEAKER Bob Sleppy (BS ’05, MBA ’10, NP Management and Leadership Certificate ʹ11) Executive Director, Nuҫi's Space HOODING OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE Dr. Tiffany Washington, Interim PhD Program Director Student's name announced by Dr. Rachel Fusco, PhD Faculty Member of the Year Katherine F. Gower - hooded by Dr. Llewellyn Cornelius HOODING OF MASTER OF ARTS IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP GRADUATES Dr. Anthony Mallon, Director, Institute for Nonprofit Organizations Students’ names announced by Dr. Rachel Fusco HOODING OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES Dr. Jennifer Elkins, MSW Program Director Constance Wooden-Smith, MSW Extended-Time Program Coordinator Students’ names announced by: Vivian Burrell, MSW, LCSW, Gwinnett Campus MSW Teacher of the Year Dr. Rebecca Matthew, Athens Campus MSW Teacher of the Year Evonne Jones, Online MSW Full-Time Teacher of the Year CONFERRAL OF BSW DEGREES Dr. Leon Banks, BSW Program Director, BSW Teacher of the Year Students’ names announced by Dr. Mary Ager Recessional ~ Marche Militaire by Franz Schubert

Keynote Speaker Speak er Bob Sleppy

BS ’05, MBA ’10, NP Management and Leadership Certificate ʹ11 Bob Sleppy received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia. In addition to Master of Business Administration coursework, Mr. Sleppy completed the requirements for a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations.

He has been the Executive Director of Nuçi’s Space in Athens, GA, since 1999. The mission of the organization is to prevent suicide. With a focus on musicians, Nuçi’s Space advocates for and helps alleviate the suffering of those living with brain illness and fights to end the stigma of mental illness. Nuçi’s Space has been recognized by the University of Georgia as a Bulldog

100 organization five times since 2012. The Bulldog 100 celebrates the top 100 fastestgrowing organizations owned or operated

by UGA alumni each year.

In addition to his work with Nuçi’s Space, Mr. Sleppy has been a part-time lecturer at the University of Georgia School of Social Work since 2012. He teaches the courses Theory and Management of Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit Financial Management, Social Entrepreneurship, and Nonprofit Leadership to graduate students in the Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program. Mr. Sleppy was awarded the Part-Time Teacher of the Year for the program in 2016 and 2021.

Photo by Peter Frey

Degree Recipients Doctor of Philosophy Barbara Hilton Arnold Dissertation title - Trauma and the body: A phenomenological study of practitioners' experiences using somatic approaches to treat trauma

Katherine Fitzgerald Gower Dissertation title - Exploring an online adaptation of reflective structured dialogue

Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Mayowa Michael Benson Maya Denise Caldwell Caroline Hogg Preston Norvell Horne, Jr. Kendall Adell King Caroline Marie Kramer Emily Bentley Pettigrew Caitlyn Rose Richtman Nicholas Bryan Rulon Renee Nicole Seligman

Master of Social Work Jacqueline Estes Adams Rachel Joy Adams Mashfia Sajeda Ahmed Elkana Maureen Alexandre Ashley Nicole Archer Nicole Aussin Chantal Marie Austin Erica Renee Autry Olivia Kendall Baggett Kirsten Leigh Bagley Tameka Deidre Barber Yashimabet N. Baronian Shadonna Nicole Bell TaLysa Shante' Bethea

Master of Social Work continued Qiana M. Beverley Melody Susan Bloomfield Emma Marie Boardman Melissa Deanne Braden Emily Ruth Brandon Kimberly Iris Brown Shanice Ladonya Brown Jenna Caitlin Bruck Elyse Sydney Bryman Oliver Demarquis Burrell Sabol Payne Rodgers Butler Thomas Jackson Carani William Caraway Britney N. Carr Victoria Joyce Brooklyn Casey Jackie Chi-Kei Cazares Jayla Alexis Chapman Kacie Diane Chasteen Caitlin Clark Olivia Brynn Cona Caelen Javier Contreras Nicole Convis Lexi Jacqueline Cooper Katherine Anne Cope Catherine J. Corfah Elizabeth Cowart Eric Jarmal Cox Colleen Elise Craven Brynn Leah Crosby Gisela Cruz Lauren Mariel Dennis Lauren Elizabeth Deutser Jozsalina Del Val Sally Joann DeVane Catherine Sarah Dills Emily Grace Doyle Erin Alyse Dryden Mariale Dunbar Munyerenkana M'lubala Euphrasie Zachary Ferer Brittney N. Ferguson Maria Fernandez Ivory Fillmore Cody Davis Fitzpatrick Margaret Hancock Gaddis Emily Mills Galenbeck Grace Mary Gilbert Jenna Margaux Gould

Master of Social Work continued

Master of Social Work continued

Haley M. Granville Morgan Elizabeth Guthrie Katelyn Marie Hackbarth Tayler Delainee Hall Alexandria Brevard Hamilton Takieshia Nekiea Handy Nayjha Mienye Harris Jorden Ruth Hayes Aspen Bailey Holeman Janae Angelique Johnson Keshia L. Johnson Joann Elizabeth Johnston Cori Lynn Jones Wallace Wade Jones Rashidah Jones Erica Sade Jones Alisha Shana Jones Gabriela Juarez-Rodriguez Nadege Emiline Kanumba Kira Deniece Kellogg Derek Andrew Key Jasmine Nycole Key Zachary C. Kumpula Andrew Lake Lisa Anne LaRoche Jamie Katherine Lee Lily Marie Letourneau Ellen Georgia Lopez Gabriela Beatriz Lor Joshua Hung Luong Tavia Yvette Lyons Austin Leigh Macenczak Alexander MacLean MacNicol, IV Olivia Rachael Maley Abbegale Carynne Malone Chassidy Chantea Mann Hudson Quinn May Ashley Lynn McAllister Alan Long McArthur Kaitlin McCullough Cameron McGlothen Lauren Alexandra Melville Kathryn Elizabeth Miller Charisse Renee Moore Kierra Moultrie Kristen Nicole Mulkowsky Brian Mulwo Jayle Imon Myers

Abigail Jessica Nelson Heather-Leigh Owens Nies Robert Lee Nolan Bodunde Olubadewo Mensford Obeng Owusu Yvanna Pantner Katherine Elaine Parker Julie Lynn Peters Shelby Rae Pluger Megan Ruth Pluymert Sara Ashley Polin Gabrielle Nichole Prince Elise Simone Darrow Ramia Kara Leigh Reeves Laura Amy Remillard Elizabeth Autry Rhea Peyton Lashlee Ricketts Valerie Payne Rivenbark Jade Marie Rodriguez Michelle Rodriguez Angela Iakovou Romero-Shih Ileigha Anna Sanon Gia Elizabeth Santiago Martha Louisa Selph N. Zakiya Shareef-Givens Ashley Nicole Smith Aspen Dee Starbird Virginia Millie Stearns Ashley Marie Stephens Sarah Katherine Still Monica Marie Tate Jessica Mackenzie Taylor David Joseph Terraso Erik Charles Thompson Jordan E. Tildon Corlisa Tillman-Hampton Courtney Elizabeth Toth Miranda J. Towns Abigail McCane Turner Wimberly Ford Underwood Shoko Uno Taya Jasmine Van Boxel Morgan Whitney Vance Ashley Whitten Vasile Kyle Robert Verhaeg Raven Janae Walker Yasmine Zhane Wallace Sharee Lynnette Walls

Master of Social Work continued

Bachelor of Social Work continued

Victoria Elizabeth Ward Alana Alexandria Ward April Leah Waters Ashlee Ann Watson Melody Faye Weisbaum La Shaun White Travis Anton Williams Cornell Lee Williams, Jr. Imelda Dionne Williams Meredith Lacy Williamson Rebekah Joann Wyant Siang Zaem

Megan E. Lance, Summa Cum Laude Sidney Rebecca Looney, Magna Cum Laude Sophia Kennedy McIntyre,

Bachelor of Social Work Carlyn Rose Autry Karena Elizabeth Barker, Cum Laude India Iuyania Barrow, Cum Laude Grace T. Beasley Alyssa Bedard, Magna Cum Laude Carli Joan Bernardo Hannah Blair, Summa Cum Laude Ansley Taylor Brague, Summa Cum Laude James Francis Brower, Magna Cum Laude Donna Jean Buttafuoco Sarah Elizabeth Cline Romona Deodath Rylee Elise Dickinson Vivian Elaine Finch, Magna Cum Laude Madison Lynn Grabher Brandon Kemp Harrelson Skyler Raven Walker Harris Aereyona Charissa Heaton Mary Leigh Holden, Magna Cum Laude Khurtasha Monshay Hutchinson, Magna Cum Laude

Malaya Lauren Ilustrisimo, Magna Cum Laude Anna Lynn Jarrett, Magna Cum Laude Julianna Rachel Johnson, Cum Laude Nicholas Johnson, Summa Cum Laude Morgan Elizabeth Jones Courtney Anne Jones, Magna Cum Laude Marley Britt Jones, Summa Cum Laude Christina Joseph Addison Grace King

First Honor Graduate, Summa Cum Laude

Erin Margaret Moore Ridhi T. Patel Olivia R. Payne, Magna Cum Laude Dustin Khanh Phan, Magna Cum Laude Madeline Riley Pool, Summa Cum Laude Rebecca Anne Rankin Charity Sade Robinson, Cum Laude Victoria Lynn Schiffer Madison Olivia Shelnutt, Summa Cum Laude Bethany Ann Shires Kelly C. Smoltz Charlotte M. Strazis, Summa Cum Laude Emma Hendley Taylor Avery Lange Terrell, Summa Cum Laude Natalie Anne Thompson, Cum Laude Elizabeth Grace Trapnell, Magna Cum Laude Gabriella Welch

Graduate Certificate Recipients Marriage and Family Therapy Elkana Maureen Alexandre Nicole Aussin Erica Renee Autry Olivia Kendall Baggett Yashimabet N. Baronian Shadonna Nicole Bell Emily Ruth Brandon Kimberly Iris Brown Elyse Sydney Bryman Oliver Demarquis Burrell Kacie Diane Chasteen Lexi Jacqueline Cooper Eric Jarmal Cox Jozsalina Del Val Lauren Mariel Dennis Lauren Elizabeth Deutser Munyerenkana M'lubala Euphrasie Ivory Fillmore Alexandria Brevard Hamilton Keshia L. Johnson Cori Lynn Jones Erica Sade Jones Kira Deniece Kellogg Derek Andrew Key Lisa Anne LaRoche

Marriage and Family Therapy continued

Substance Abuse Counseling continued

Austin Leigh Macenczak Kathryn Elizabeth Miller Kristen Nicole Mulkowsky Heather-Leigh Owens Nies Robert Lee Nolan Ileigha Anna Sanon Martha Louisa Selph Aspen Dee Starbird Jessica Mackenzie Taylor David Joseph Terraso Ashley Whitten Vasile Ashlee Ann Watson Cornell Lee Williams, Jr. Meredith Lacy Williamson Siang Zaem

Jozsalina Del Val Sally Joann DeVane Zachary Ferer Jorden Ruth Hayes Joann Elizabeth Johnston Wallace Wade Jones Chassidy Chantea Mann Hudson Quinn May Charisse Renee Moore Brian Mulwo Mensford Obeng Owusu David Joseph Terraso Courtney Elizabeth Toth Sharee Lynnette Walls Cornell Lee Williams, Jr.

Nonprofit Management and Leadership Yashimabet N. Baronian Qiana M. Beverley Colleen Elise Craven Emily Grace Doyle Mariale Dunbar Emily Mariko Eng Francesca Felicella Brittney N. Ferguson Maria Fernandez Cody Davis Fitzpatrick Grace Catherine Gelpi Rebekah Marilyn Groth Aspen Bailey Holeman Janae Angelique Johnson Rashidah Jones Gabriela Juarez-Rodriguez Andrew Lake Jamie Katherine Lee Ellen Georgia Lopez Tavia Yvette Lyons Alan Long McArthur Abigail Jessica Nelson Heather-Leigh Owens Nies Mark Eric Pettit Megan Ruth Pluymert Macy Jordan Reeves Valerie Payne Rivenbark Ashley Marie Stephens Amy Elizabeth Sweet Jordan E. Tildon Corlisa Tillman-Hampton Melody Faye Weisbaum

Substance Abuse Counseling Jacqueline Estes Adams Nicole Aussin Olivia Kendall Baggett Tameka Deidre Barber Victoria Joyce Brooklyn Casey Elizabeth Cowart Eric Jarmal Cox

Undergraduate Certificate Recipients Nonprofit Management and Leadership Alexa Elsie Al-Hameed Olivia James Bauer Sophia G. Dodd Megan Gallagher Maruthappan Saminath Gandhi Mary Grace Huffman Kristen Michelle Huffstutler Evan M. King Sydney Brooks Laughlin Callie Anne Maffett Abigail Hongdou McGillis Abigail Julia Parkes Alexandra Althea Piacek Elizabeth A. Quilliams Gouri Rajesh Alyson Newman Satisky Sarah Chandler Sewell Charlotte M. Strazis Meghan Elizabeth Toomey Julianne Mary Vogel

o Graduation Committee

Co-chairs: Jennifer Abbott and Trelle Turner Staff of the School of Social Work

Special Thanks to

The student volunteers of the School of Social Work

Photography Grad Images

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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 UGA School of Social Work has demonstrated its commitment to student excellence by preparing more than 8,000 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!

Regalia Recycling JOIN A TRADITION OF SUPPORT Donate your cap, gown, hood or all three!

Free future students from the financial strain caused by rising regalia fees. Items may be recycled in bins immediately after convocation or dropped off in bins in the lobby of the School of Social Work.