UGA School of Social Work 2023 Virtual Graduation Program

GRADUATING CLASS of 2023 Spring and Summer

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.

P RO G RA M WELCOME Philip Hong, Dean and Professor KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Xernona Thomas, ABJ ‘91, MSW ‘92, EdD ‘17 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATES MASTER OF ARTS IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP GRADUATES MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE GRADUATES MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY CERTIFICATE GRADUATES SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELING CERTIFICATE GRADUATES KEEP IN TOUCH!

Photographs in this virtual program were taken by the School of Social Work, UGA Photography Services, Wingate Downs, and friends and family of the persons pictured. Design: Kat Farlowe. © 2023 University of Georgia School of Social Work

Welcome

Philip Hong Dean and Professor

Dear School of Social Work Graduating Class of 2023, On behalf of everyone at the School of Social Work, I wish you a hearty and heartfelt “Congratulations!!!”

I am so proud of each and every BSW, MSW, MA NML and PhD graduate. Your success is a testament to your hard work, commitment, and passion for making the world a better place. The world continues to be challenging and stressful; social injustice, economic struggles, and the hardships left by COVID-19 are bringing much suffering to many. However, I am confident that each of you is well prepared to tackle these challenges and make a real difference. Our faculty have equipped you with many tools and skills, and your capacity to make positive social change is limitless. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will do as you fulfill the School’s mission to address social problems and promote social justice.

All the best to you on this special day and beyond. Please stay connected—we would love to hear how you are doing and we are always here to support you and celebrate your accomplishments. Be safe and well, be grateful and compassionate towards yourself and others, be the change you want to see in the world.

With warm regards,

Dean and Professor

Keynote Speaker

Xernona Thomas ABJ '91, MSW '92, EdD '17 Executive Director, Cottage Factory and former CCSD Superintendent

“Sometimes your biggest challenges are some of your greatest successes...

you can accomplish, just through hard work and commitment and determination,

”

whatever it is you set out to do.

Dr. Xernona Thomas has compiled 31 year's of experience in the public education and social work fields, starting her career as a school social worker for the Clarke County School District and Oconee County Schools before transitioning to administration. After working as an assistant principal, principal, chief of staff, and interim superintendent, Thomas was selected as superintendent by the Clarke County Board of Education in 2020, becoming the first woman to serve in this role.

A member of the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation Board, Thomas was recently named the executive director of College Factory, a Northeast Georgia nonprofit dedicated to helping high school students accomplish their college, career, and workplace goals. She serves on the Peach State Credit Union Advisory and Supervisory Boards. Additionally, Thomas received a Footsteps Award from UGA, an award given to graduates who follow in the footsteps of UGA’s first African-American graduates.

Thomas received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Grady College in 1991 before earning a master’s degree in social work in 1992. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership and administration, in 2017. Receiving all three degrees from UGA earns her the rare moniker of “triple dawg.” Thomas retired as superintendent in fall 2022.

PhD

Doctor of

Philosophy

BARBARA HILTON ARNOLD Ph.D. SPRING '23

Dissertation title – Trauma and the body: A phenomenological study of practitioners’ experiences using somatic approaches to treat trauma. committee members: jennifer elkins, chair rachel fusco, kate morressey stahl

ELISA MARIE CHILDS Ph.D. FALL '22

Dissertation title – Patient-centered medical homes: How the federally supported model impacts older adults’ access to health care in rural Georgia. committee members: orion mowbray, chair javier boyas, ed risler, michael robinson

MEGAN WOODRUFF LEE Ph.D. SPRING '23

Dissertation title – The role of race and income on African American youth participation in out-of-school time programs. committee members: june gary hopps, chair deryl bailey, rebecca matthew

CAROLINE NATHALIE SHARKEY Ph.D. SPRING '23

Dissertation title – Digital storytelling and fostering collective efficacy: Arts-based youth participatory action research and constructing community. committee members: jennifer elkins, chair kevin burke, y. joon choi, rachel fusco

HYESU YEO Ph.D. SPRING '23

Dissertation title – Employment transition trends among older workers in job search activities, job availability, and workforce development program participation in the United States: A three-study dissertation. committee members: orion mowbray, chair mary ager, tony mallon, christina matz

Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Tierra Anniece Benn Addison Morgan Bone Braelen Marquis Bridges Eleanor Ruth Burge Olivia Nicole Byers Caro Dot Caden Katrina Jackson Goudelock Brenna Elizabeth Emelea Hayes Kaila T’maya Hubbard Jailyn Connell Ingram Sydney Hope Leiter Rachel Leah McDaniel Grace Ann Redmond Nicholas Bryan Rulon Laurynn Ellise Scurlock Lillian Corinne Sullivan Katherine Jane Schwind Hannah E. Vorbeck

MA NML

M S W

Master of Social Work Reuben Aliah Abedine Turk Aljallal Vernisa Charnae Allen Kaitlin Carter Andrews Hannah Armstrong Carlisle Michele Bading Nakia Nicole Ball John Edwin Barnes India Iuyania Barrow Alison Grace Beale Alyssa Bedard Sydney Michele Benator Tierra Anniece Benn Laura Leigh Blanco Halle Blanding Tylisaea Nycole Bonner Rachael Mirabella Boyd Lindsey Neale Bray Jack Joseph Briggette James Francis Brower Brittani Michelle Brown Kelly Rebecca Brown Lorna Natalie Bruno Katharine Alyssa Buechner Donna Jean Buttafuoco

Claudia Calle Trinidad Maria Camelio-Montes Kayla Marie Carter Christine Louise Chambers Griffin Benjamin Cole Elisabeth Dianne Colquitt Sarah Elizabeth Comito Samantha Clay Council Luz Carina Covarrubias Rachel Lindsay Crump Iko Davis Danyelle Denham Courtney Denney Susan Olwen Detrick-Atchley Hope Addie Dockweiler Alexis Marie Dodson Emma Rosalie Drake Chiodera Kaelyn Drayton-Smith Karima Dukes Chantel Simone Eaton Drue Edwards Adeyinka Mukhtar Erinfolami Frances Aurora Leilani Farmer Ganseh Naplaser Forsh Jasmine Shay Fortner

Danielle Marie Frank Emma Gabrielle Furman Krishma Gajurel Anna Grace Galster Samantha Heather Gambuti Kelly Elizabeth Garcia Andrea Garcia-Garcia Hailey Alexa Garfinkel Karena Elizabeth Glaze-Barker Claudia Fabiola Gonzalez Erin Christy Gowen Jade Kira Graver Jordan Victoria Gross Peng Guan Rebekah Jane Gunter Robert Young Hagwood Alana Hall Eliza Hamilton Jasmine Laerika Harper Brandon Kemp Harrelson Cameron Leigh Harris Katie Alexis Heinold Heather Ray Henry Matthew T. Hitchcock Kaila T’maya Hubbard

M S W

Ashley Elizabeth Hunter Khurtasha Monshay Hutchinson Madeline Louise Ingmire Mckenna Jarrard Julianna Rachel Johnson Johnathan Tyrell Jones Sharita Saori Khatiwada Bertha Shaunita Knight Hannah Bo Yeon Kwon Lee Megan E. Lance Joseph Ray Lavine Denese Clea Lawrence Abigail Hope Leedy Devin Lemon Kevin Gerard Linder Meredith Renee Lloyd Drew Lockhart Alden Lee Loftis Shelby Lynne Lopez Julianna Lorey Morgon Lovingood Yleen Lubin Aimee Lynch Agriana Shanice Mahone Kayla Addison Mapel

MSW

MSW

Anna Louise Mayle Leah Ann McCoy Cherdrina Maria McCray Michaela McElroy Tiara McGrew Jennifer Deon McKay Amber Lin McKenzie Melanie Denise McLain Julia Desiree McLendon Dahlia Terika Medlock Anna Claire Mell Abbigael Joan Mercer Isabella Michel Deja Milton Lael Asha Mixon Yhoseline Lizeth Montoya Cheronne Monique Moore Andrea Moreno-Schmucker Ciarra Motes Joyce Joy Wanjiru Ndungu Kristen Nelson Jordan Cassidy Newnam Taylor Nicholson Jordan Norquist Sodiq Oladigbo

M S W

Hillary Rose Olson JunTae Park Rachel Marie Parker Leonardo Lamont Paskell, Jr. Tiffani Geanice Paul Olivia R. Payne Olivia Monaghan Taylor Pennock Cabria Delores Chamblee Perry Dustin Khanh Phan Rachael Sierra Pierce Courtney Kingston Poppleton Emily Frances Prentice Kayla Radford Jennifer Rapowitz Maddison Reed Haley Reese Carley Moore Reeves Asia Malikah Robinson Kiarah Ross Mandy Lea Royall Danae Sainz-Ruiz Mayra Stephanie Sanchez Shabrea Cashawn Sanders

Morgan Sanford Ja’keila Scott Kelly Inch Scott Lauren Kathleen Scott Ebony Selvie Faith Ann Settipani Madison Olivia Shelnutt Prism Revolution Shilling George Harrison Shu Amon Khalid Siddiqi Sarah Simpson Lynne Elise Smith Destiny Smith Natalie Rachel Smith Kelly C. Smoltz Jeremy Sonne Sabrina Noelle Spivey Ari Elle Strickland Emma Hendley Taylor Alondra Monique Thomas Ciara Thomas Carina Claudia Thompson Natalie Anne Thompson Ana Catalina Torres Quintero Cheryl Marie Trawick

M S W

M S W

Alexis Simone Tuggle Natalia Valencia Zometa Trisha O’Connell Varnell Karina Vasquez Sandra Marie Vetrano Charlotte Susann Vick Nikeria Shanta’ Walker Anna Wallace Zoe Webb Anna Miriam White Sarah Elizabeth Wigton Danielle Kimesha Williams Jacquelyn Williams Michaelyn C. Wilson Jada Chantel Wilson Megan Rene Wilson Martha Taylor Windham Sarah Wong Tieranny Lesha Woods Alisha Yang

B S W

Bachelor of Social Work Sophia Nan Barkhouse, Magna Cum Laude Isabella Anne Costa Elizabeth Anne Crane, Magna Cum Laude Sophia Piquet Diaz, Magna Cum Laude Emma Anne Duncan Catherine Jean Eppley, Cum Laude Kamryn James Gillham, Cum Laude Mikaila Chloe Go, Magna Cum Laude Mary Lauren Golden, Summa Cum Laude Claire McKenna Grant, Summa Cum Laude Abigail Logan Gwinn, Cum Laude Rachel Elizabeth Henderson, Magna Cum Laude Erin Elisabeth Hobbs, Cum Laude Emily Grace Howard, Summa Cum Laude

Zaylon Hubbard, Magna Cum Laude Jane Lewis Zollicoffer Jackson, Summa Cum Laude Jessica A Jewell, Summa Cum Laude Christina Joseph Morgan Jo Keith, Magna Cum Laude Bailey Anne Knoche, Magna Cum Laude Fernanda Simoes Lima, Summa Cum Laude Kaycie Leighanne Malcolm, Cum Laude Samantha Glenn Martin, Cum Laude Julia Mei Mathis Molly Elizabeth Maupin, Magna Cum Laude Peyton Jefferson McCollum, Cum Laude Claire Elizabeth Mistretta, First Honor Graduate, Summa Cum Laude Abigail Grace Monahan, Cum Laude Samantha Demyra Peterson Alexis Paige Poole, Cum Laude McKay Louise Powers, First Honor Graduate, Summa Cum Laude Elizabeth Katherine Ratajczak, Summa Cum Laude Laurynn Ellise Scurlock, Magna Cum Laude Sadie Elizabeth Shah Emily Nicole Shewbert Odessa Jewel Stoelzel, Summa Cum Laude Kaitlyn Tamara Totten, Cum Laude Angela Arlene Warren Gabrielle Nicole Wood, Summa Cum Laude

BSW

Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Counseling

Alyssa Bedard Tierra Anniece Benn Brittani Michelle Brown Susan Olwen Detrick-Atchley Emma Gabrielle Furman Andrea Garcia-Garcia Hailey Alexa Garfinkel Jade Kira Graver Brandon Kemp Harrelson Heather Ray Henry Bertha Shaunita Knight Hannah Bo Yeon Kwon Lee Alden Lee Loftis Amber Lin McKenzie Cheronne Monique Moore Dustin Khanh Phan Emily Frances Prentice Trisha O’Connell Varnell Charlotte Susann Vick Sarah Elizabeth Wigton

Elizabeth Caitlin Archer Rachel Lindsay Crump Karima Dukes Erin Christy Gowen Mary Elizabeth Grey Khurtasha Monshay Hutchinson Johnathan Tyrell Jones Alaine B. Lambertson Kevin Gerard Linder Agriana Shanice Mahone Amanda L. Martin Leah Ann McCoy Michaela McElroy Isabella Michel Nelson Luis Millan Nales Joyce Joy Wanjiru Ndungu Taylor Nicholson Tiffani Geanice Paul Kiarah Ross Shabrea Cashawn Sanders Lauren Kathleen Scott Kelly Inch Scott Madison Olivia Shelnutt Lynne Elise Smith Taryn Nicole Spires Ciara Thomas Michaelyn C. Wilson

Vernisa Charnae Allen Nakia Nicole Ball Tierra Anniece Benn Halle Blanding Kayla Marie Carter Courtney Denney Karima Dukes Ganseh Naplaser Forsh Danielle Marie Frank Claudia Fabiola Gonzalez Rebekah Jane Gunter Cameron Leigh Harris Matthew T. Hitchcock Sharita Saori Khatiwada Devin Lemon Cherdrina Maria McCray Tajzhai McCray Julia Desiree McLendon Andrea Moreno-Schmucker Danae Sainz-Ruiz Shabrae Cashawn Sanders Albrey Sorrell Ari Elle Strickland Natalia Valencia Zometa

Undergraduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Emily Taylor Armour Lindsay J. Chappell Josephine Nahara Dennis Ryan Dorsett Evans Allyson Richter Griego Catherine M. Iracondo Jane Lewis Zollicoffer Jackson Jessica A. Jewell Molly Elizabeth McElroy Hayden Leaf Morris Sarah E. Oney Bhumi Bhadresh Patel Jessica Lynne Rao Calvin Lillian Rausch Sydney Augusta Sanders

Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski

Chartered 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.

Since 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.

We wish all our graduates continued personal and professional success. As a Bulldog alum, you will always have our support.

BRAVO! Congratulations graduates and welcome to the School of Social Work’s alumni family!

Each of you are amazing and have persevered through a challenging time. I am so proud to be your alumni director and it is my hope that I can be resource and a connection back to the school as you begin this new journey.

Please take a moment to complete the survey at the link below so that we can stay connected.

Again, congratulations Class of 2023!

Jennifer Abbott, MPA Director of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives

STAY IN TOUCH Click on the following link to update your alumni information and let us know how you are doing.

https://bit.ly/SSW-alumni-records