̨Íåswag

Two faculty members and one staff member at the University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) have been honored with Outstanding Transfer Champion awards. They received the recognition at presidential receptions held at ̨Íåswag's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses in early November.

The winners were Lori Bramlett, assistant director of enrollment services on the Blue Ridge Campus; Dr. Ryan Meier, associate professor of chemistry; and Dr. Carly Womack-Wynne, professor of education.

"The most memorable experiences that transfer students expressed through conversations were the relationship or rapport with a faculty or staff member who made a difference in their lives," Chantelle Tickles, assistant director of the Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions office, said. "These individuals are a part of the transfer student support system that aids with acclimating students to the campus environment and providing a sense of belonging at a new institution."

Student Alexandra Chastain nominated Bramlett.

"I transferred to ̨Íåswag's Blue Ridge Campus from the University of West Georgia, and she helped me with my whole process. She communicated with me almost every day about the steps I needed to take, and she let me know when she received everything," Chastain wrote. "When the transfer was over and I was attending ̨Íåswag, she was very helpful and made the transition easy.”

Student Richard Anzaldo nominated Meier.

"He is willing to meet students in any way possible for them to achieve success in a class," Anzaldo wrote. "When I was deployed to Washington, D.C., to defend the Capitol and deployed to work in a hospital, he worked with my schedule and made time to make Zoom calls in order for me to better understand the material."

These individuals are a part of the transfer student support system that aids with acclimating students to the campus environment and providing a sense of belonging at a new institution.

Chantelle Tickles

Assistant director of Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions

Students Jordan Davis and Jillian Holden nominated Womack-Wynne.

"Dr. Womack-Wynne always goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students. She gives us praise and words of encouragement to motivate us to keep striving for our goals here at ̨Íåswag," Holden wrote. "She truly loves her job and her students as it shows in everything that she does. Dr. Womack-Wynne truly made my transfer to ̨Íåswag and continuous education here at ̨Íåswag an unforgettable experience."

In addition to the three Outstanding Transfer Champions, ̨Íåswag honored 15 other award nominees at the events:

• Collin Bruce
• Ronda Carey
• Dr. Inchul Cho
• Dr. Tom Diggs
• Jocelyn Glenn
• Dr. Ralph Hale
• Dr. Amber Ignatius
• Dr. Anota Ijaduola
• Katie Johnson
• Kyle Murphy
• Johanna Norry
• Sallie Parker
• Dr. Connie Ringger
• Brook Shurley
• Michael Tuvlin

"It's important that we highlight the outstanding work of our faculty and staff members in supporting ̨Íåswag transfer students," Rachael Williams, coordinator of transfer and transition programs, said. "Not every transfer student has similar needs, so our faculty and staff are crucial in connecting with these students and finding ways we can support them throughout their specific academic plans."