November is all about #GRADitude at the UGA Graduate School!
In the weeks before the Thanksgiving holiday break, and in honor of the wonderful mentors and mentees at UGA, members of the Graduate School community submitted messages of GRAD-itude for those who have made a positive impact on their UGA graduate experience.
Responses collected from the survey were shared on the Graduate School’s social media outlets and are listed below.
Jacinta Smith and Dr. Jose Cordero (photo courtesy of Jacinta Smith)
I am deeply grateful for Dr. José Cordero in the College of Public Health for his exceptional mentorship and guidance as my dissertation committee chair. His steadfast support, thoughtful feedback, and belief in my work have been instrumental in my growth as both a scholar and a public health leader. I am truly thankful for the profound impact he has made on my UGA doctoral experience. — Jacinta Smith, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Aila do Carmo Sant’Anna, working with and learning from you is such a gift. Our work together in the world of teaching and researching CYAL is rigorous and joyful. Thank you for choosing UGA, LLED, and me as your advisor. May the coming years remain full of laughter and inquiry. — Dr. Jennifer Graff, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Shriya Kuchibhotla, your brilliance shines through your research and I feel so fortunate to be able to work with you on developing more nuanced and critical perspectives in CYAL. Every time we meet , I give thanks for our intellectually stimulating conversations and your humanizing approaches to research and life. I look forward to what comes next! Thank you for choosing UGA and LLED as your current scholarly home. — Dr. Jennifer Graff, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dear Cristiane Lira, thank you so much for being such a wonderful mentor and source of support to the ROML community. I truly appreciate everything that you do. I hope we can keep dancing together at festas juninas for many years to come! — Elisa Braga, Department of Romance Languages, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Nancy Heiss, I am so fortunate to have extended time with you in LLED. Your life experiences, compassion, intellect, and creative pursuits work together so beautifully as you seek to cultivate a more expansive, accepting, informed, and intellectually curious society. I consider myself so lucky to join you on this part of your academic life. Thank you. — Dr. Jennifer Graff, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Mindy Reid, as a fellow picturebook enthusiast and literacy educator, I am thankful for your ongoing focus on the praxis of CYAL research in elementary school settings. Your commitment to centering teachers and students in your research is unwavering, ensuring that we do not forget the humanizing potential of not only CYAL research but also education. Thank you! — Dr. Jennifer Graff, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Kadianne Francis, thank you for keeping me sane, having my back, and reminding me to relax. I couldn’t do this work without you and am so glad you are in LLED! — Dr. Jennifer Graff, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dr. Dave Muia and Cadence Brewer (photo courtesy of Cadence Brewer)
Thank you Professor Dave Muia for being such a wonderful educator here at UGA! I appreciate how you truly care about every single one of your students and always make class so informative yet engaging. I can’t wait to have another class with you in the spring!! — Cadence Brewer, Sport Management, Mary Frances Early College of Education
I’m thankful for Dr. Santanu Chatterjee’s time and effort to make his class relevant, applicable, and valuable to real world applications. — Adam Long, Terry College of Business
Dr. Sally Zepeda (Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy) truly strives to shape the field of education through each one of her students. She offers invaluable encouragement, sound advice, and extensive written feedback on each assignment. She is only an email, phone call, text, or Zoom session away when her students have questions or desire her input. I am so thankful for her professional guidance both in my degree program and in my teaching role. Her kind words and vast knowledge will stick with me long past the completion of my graduate degree. My students and my school will be positively impacted by Dr. Zepeda’s influence on my teaching and leadership styles. — Anna Herrington, Literacy Specialist Program, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Thank you, Dr. Ivanka Pjesivac (Department of Journalism at Grady College), for your constant guidance and patience with me during my long, long master’s thesis process! — Ed Morales, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
I want to give a huge shoutout to my Human Behavior in the Social Environment professor, Professor Soobin Kim! This class was one of the highlights of my program because she showed up for us in every possible way. Seeing how much she poured into our class pushed me to work harder! Thank you for a great semester! — Kathryn Mayfield, School of Social Work
I want to thank Dr. Hilary Hughes (Department of Educational Theory and Practice) for a semester that truly changed how I see teaching and community. Her class helped me connect the ideas, readings, and conversations in a way that felt meaningful and grounded in real life. Dr. Hughes leads with honesty, care and deep respect for students and their stories. Her guidance strengthened my confidence and clarified the kind of educator I want to be. Thank you, Dr. Hughes, for the impact you’ve had on my journey. — Laura Springfield, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dr. Gayle Andrews! I am so thankful for your thoughtfulness and intentionality as a professor and advisor. You constantly go above and beyond for all your students, and you make me feel seen, heard, and appreciated! I hope you know how much of an impact you have on all us middle grades folks:) — Laura Conway, ETAP / Mary Frances Early College of Education
Qianwen (Cami) Li, thank you for your guidance on research, project and study! I am so lucky to have you as my mentor. Wish you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! — Yiping, School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural & Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Dr. Sheba Mohankumar (Comparative Biomedical Sciences) has been a regular light shining throughout my graduate career. She has met students with boundless positivity, has obvious interest in the subjects she teaches, and has shown strong belief in the capabilities of her pupils. Her encouragement and support have impacted me greatly. — Rebecca Mayo, College of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Catherine Edwards, (Marine Sciences, Skidaway Campus) thank you so much for being such a great teacher for the Oceanography of the SAB class!! Getting to learn about the Georgia coast, read papers by professors that made SkIO, and experience the class as your own perspective was so amazing! Your enthusiasm and passion each class made me so much more engaged, and I truly enjoyed every session!!!! You actually remind me of a combo of my 3 favorite science teachers! Thank you for being such a great professor this semester! Have a wonderful holiday season!!! — Abby Swierz, Department of Marine Sciences, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Shannon Power and Jenay Beer (photo courtesy of Shannon Power)
As I near the close of my doctoral studies, I realize the commitment and bandwidth it takes to be a Dissertation Chair. Jenay Beer (Institute of Gerontology, College of Public Health / CARE Center) has been that and so much more to me. Not only has she prepared me to be an independent researcher, but she has also provided holistic mentorship and student-centered care. She is kind, thoughtful, and determined to make an impact on dementia care in the state of Georgia. I am the scholar I am because of her. — Shannon Power, School of Social Work
Thank you, Dr. John Morelock, for everything you do! You have been an incredible support, a dedicated mentor, an insightful guide, and a genuinely kind supervisor. I am truly grateful to have you as my major advisor. I look forward to a long and meaningful partnership, and to all the growth and learning still ahead. — Varun Kathpalia, Engineering Education Transformations Institute (EETI), College of Engineering
Dr. Jaivime Evaristo, Dr. Charlotte Garing, Dr. Kyle Woosnam, Ms. Linden Dudley, Medical Staff at the University Health Center, UGA Filipino Students – Nino, Ray, Judo, Migs, and Amos: My first semester at UGA as an international PhD student has been challenging. But UGA has a wide range of resources and outstanding faculty and staff who make the journey easier. You’ve made me feel that I’m not alone, and that I have a family away from home. — Marie Jessica Gabriel, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Thank you, Jenna Al-Saleh, for always bringing such good energy into the lab and for being such a wealth of knowledge. Your presence has already had such a positive impact on everyone around you, and I’m really grateful for your contributions! — Erika Bowen, School of Chemical, Materials & Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Thank you, Asuagbor Asuagbor, for the great work you’ve been doing in your cell culture training and showing such great dedication. You bring a positivity to the lab and your community and this makes an impact far beyond the bench. Grateful to have you here! — Erika Bowen, School of Chemical, Materials & Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Dr. Cheryl Gomillion, thank you for all the hard work and dedication you pour into our lab. Your kindness, wisdom, and leadership never go unnoticed, and they make such a meaningful difference in our day-to-day. I’m truly grateful for everything you do! — Erika Bowen, School of Chemical, Materials & Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Dr. Katie Koo (photo courtesy of Eben Boakye)
Dear Dr. Katie Koo, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, guidance, and belief in me. Your mentorship has shaped not only my academic journey, but also the way I see myself as a scholar, practitioner, and human being. You create a space where students feel seen, valued, and empowered, and I am truly blessed to be one of those students. Thank you for being the kind of advisor every doctoral student hopes to have—one who leads with compassion, challenges with purpose, and supports with genuine care. Your encouragement has strengthened my confidence, understanding, and the doors of opportunities and exposure you open to me, and you continued advocacy for international students’ needs, and your feedback has sharpened my thinking, and your example has inspired the kind of educator and researcher I aspire to become. I am profoundly grateful for the time, energy, and heart you pour into my growth. Thank you for walking this journey with me. Your mentorship is a gift I will carry throughout my career and life. With sincere appreciation. — Eben Boakye, Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dear Kristina Rust, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the kindness, encouragement, and genuine friendship you have shown me throughout our doctoral journey. As an international student, navigating graduate school in the United States can feel overwhelming at times—but your presence has made this journey lighter, brighter, and deeply meaningful. You are the kind of classmate every international student needs: someone who listens with empathy, shows up with compassion, and supports without hesitation. Your openness, cultural humility, and willingness to explain things to my understanding have made me feel welcomed, valued, and understood in ways that words can hardly describe. Thank you for helping me find community, confidence, and belonging here at UGA. Your kind has been one of the most beautiful gifts of my doctoral experience, and I am grateful for the learning, thoughtfulness, and support we continue to share. With heartfelt appreciation. — Eben Boakye, Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dear Dr. Ginny Boss, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for the extraordinary guidance, support, and care you provide through your supervision. You are the kind of supervisor every student—especially international students—needs to truly thrive in the States. Your leadership is rooted in kindness, understanding, patience, and a genuine commitment to helping students grow, and I am profoundly grateful to be under your mentorship. Thank you for seeing my potential, encouraging my strengths, and creating an environment where I feel valued, supported, and empowered. Your compassion and understanding have made my transition and experience at UGA richer and more meaningful than I could have imagined. You lead with both excellence and heart, and working with you has been one of the greatest blessings of my doctoral journey. I appreciate all the time, energy, and wisdom you pour into my development—not just as a graduate assistant, but as an emerging scholar and professional. Thank you for making a lasting difference in my life. With sincere appreciation. — Eben Boakye, Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Jing Li, Dr. George Engelhard, Dr. Zhenqiu (Laura) Lu, Dr. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, and Dr. Seock-Ho Kim (photo courtesy of Jing Li)
I’d like to begin by expressing my gratitude to my committee members—Dr. George Engelhard, my major professor, and Dr. Seock-Ho Kim, Dr. Zhenqiu (Laura) Lu, and Dr. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett—for all of your guidance, support, and encouragement throughout my PhD dissertation research process. I am truly fortunate to have learned from each of you. — Jing Li, Quantitative Methodology Program, Department of Educational Psychology, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Beauty Acheampong (Akua) (Department of Communication Studies), I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the friendship, support, and warmth you have shown me since the day I arrived at UGA. As international students navigating a new country, new systems, and new experiences, having someone who truly understands the journey makes all the difference—and you have been that blessing for me. You are the kind of friend every international student needs to succeed: someone who brings comfort, encouragement, laughter, and honesty into every moment. Your kindness has anchored me, your guidance has strengthened me, and your presence has made this unfamiliar place feel like home. Thank you for being a sister, and friend, a confidante, and a light in this doctoral journey. You have shown me genuine care, shared wisdom only another Ghanaian student could understand, and reminded me that even far from home, community can still be found—and beautifully so. I appreciate you more than words can say. Medaase paa, Akua. Your friendship is one of my greatest joys at UGA. With gratitude. — Kwame, Eben Boakye, Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Thank you, Dr. Mahos Bourlai, for your incredible mentorship and for always leading with authenticity. I deeply appreciate the way you consistently put your students’ success and well-being at heart. — Hayat Abdulla Asad Cue, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
Dr. Mary Guay, thank you for our in-depth conversations and guidance in our Literacy Specialist program. I feel more confident, and I know that I have grown as an educator because of the ideas that you have shared with us. — Jenn Calhoun, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Thank you, Andrew Kraus, for your continued support throughout our courses. Your support has helped me to receive clarity with assignments due. — Kris Ann Higgins, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dr. Diann Jones, thank you for being transparent with me and taking the time to help me develop a better game plan. — Kris Ann Higgins, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Gretchen Thomas is wonderful to work with. She’s easy to talk to, always supportive, and genuinely thoughtful in the way she guides us. She makes expectations clear, shares everything we need to stay on track, and creates an environment where it’s comfortable to ask questions. She’s a truly kind person, and her support has made my experience so much better. I’m really grateful for her. — Komal Farooq, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology, Mary Frances Early College of Education
Dr. Erik Ness, Ginger Fay, Dr. Meseret Hailu, and Dr. Libby Morris (photo courtesy of Ginger Fay)
As my Major Professor, Dr. Meseret Hailu’s subject matter expertise, critical insights, thoughtful suggestions, and intrepid sense of adventure made my work better— and more fun to do. I am grateful for her support all along the “FDR” (future doctor!) Drive. Thanks also to Dr. Erik Ness and Dr. Libby Morris who round out the best dissertation committee! — Ginger Fay, McBee Institute of Higher Education
Dr. Allie Cox has consistently provided the most transformative learning experience of my graduate degree. With one astute comment in a group class session, she motivated me to pursue additional learning in coaching and changed my life by making a statement that empowered me to make an incredibly challenging decision to step away from a job that was not good for my work life balance. Her ability to listen deeply, her grace, her kindness, her intelligence, and her deep understanding of humans is inspiring for us all. Attending her live class sessions makes me happy and I always look forward to them. Her courses are intentionally designed to provide thought-provoking learning opportunities and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from her. Thank you, Dr. Cox! — Marina Smitherman, Department of Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development, Mary Frances College of Education
If the social work world had a North Star, it would 100% be Professor Valerie McBee. She’s this rare mix of compassion with a punch of “we’re gonna get real today.” If you’ve been in her class, you already know: McBee creates a space where curiosity is safe, courage is expected, and growth feels like an adventure you didn’t realize you signed up for but are now deeply invested in. She has this uncanny ability to make you believe that you can be a braver version of yourself. She is the absolute best! — Serena Kramer, School of Social Work
Professor Fadel Matta has been one of the most engaging and inspiring instructors I’ve had. His enthusiasm for research, teaching, and organizational behavior is contagious, and he brings a level of energy that keeps every class both fun and thought-provoking. He pushes us to think beyond the obvious and truly connect with the material. As someone in my first semester at UGA, his class has set an incredible tone for the program and has made me genuinely excited for what’s ahead. — Jalen Barnett, Professional MBA Program, Terry College of Business
Thanks to Dr. George Zheng for providing an opportunity rich environment where I can study drug development in an manner integrating biology, chemistry and molecular modelling and encouraging me to find novel ways of applying machine learning and artificial intelligence in this research endeavor. — Carl William Trieshmann, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy
Thank you for always being so supportive Dr. Lindy Parker! You are an incredible professor, and learning from you these past few years has been such a huge blessing! I am a better professional and scholar because of you. — Alli Hurtado, Student Affairs Leadership Program (SAL), Mary Frances Early College of Education
Thank you, Dr. Racheida Lewis! The seminars this semester were very helpful for me! I’m certain they’ll be a valuable source for my research, and I appreciate you for bringing such awesome people! — Tathyana Moratti, Engineering Education – College of Engineering
Thank you, Dr. Beshoy Morkos (ECAM, College of Engineering)! I really appreciate your support and help for the whole year. Under your guidance, I was able to publish and present papers at conferences I had always dreamed of attending! Hope I can add much more to our lab! Thank you! — Tathyana Moratti, Engineering Education – College of Engineering
Jidong Yang, thank you very much for your guidance, patience, and support throughout my PhD journey. I truly appreciate everything you have done to help me grow. I wish you good health, continued success in your work, and a happy life. — Ningning Xu, ECAM, College of Engineering
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Fred Beyette, without whom I would not have been able to come closer to finishing my degree as an international student. His unwavering support, patience, and genuine care provided the mental strength and stability that sustained me through the most challenging moments of my academic journey. In a world where true mentorship is rare, his guidance has been a constant source of encouragement, clarity, and confidence. I carry forward not only the knowledge he taught me but also the profound belief he instilled in me: that with compassion and dedication, we can lift others higher. — Md Asaduzzaman Jabin, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
I am grateful for the incredible amount of care, understanding, and effort that Jim Lauderdale (Department of Cellular Biology) puts into his role as the head of Cell Biology and as a mentor in general. — Anthony Sego, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Robert Phillips, I am grateful for you, thank you for all you do. Thanks for being a wonderful PI and a great father figure to me. Regards, — Oluwaseun Ajayi, Department of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jennifer Graff (Department of Language and Literacy Education), thank you very much for all your guidance and support. Every piece of advice, every laugh, and every bit of knowledge you have shared has been truly invaluable. I am deeply grateful to have a graduate coordinator who is so present and engaged, and a professor who goes above and beyond to scaffold and support international students. Thank you! — Aila do Carmo SantAnna, LLED/ LCL/ MFECOF
