Spring 2022 Transfer Advocate Winners

The University of Georgia recognizes exemplary transfer advocates who are influencing policies, practices, and programs to benefit transfer students.

 

First place winner

Emily Robinson is an academic advisor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education. Emily advises students pursuing the Special Education and Intended Elementary Education majors. 

Since starting her role in August 2020, Emily has earned two advising related certificates and is currently working on two more. She is involved in the Mentoring Advising Professionals program and AACC committee, Transfer Student discussion group, Let's Talk Transfers, and the DEI Task Force. Emily was a nominee for the 2020-2021 Outstanding New Advisor award and was awarded Colleague of the Semester by her peers. 

Helping students make the transition to UGA is a passion of hers and she is determined to not let any single student fall through the cracks. Therefore, she spends extra time keeping detailed records, educating her peers on Core to Core and Transfer Course Evaluations, and learning about the common issues transfer students face at UGA. Her goal is to share resources and engage in cross-campus collaboration to implement change to better serve this student population. Emily's advising philosophy is based upon a student development theoretical framework and helping students find a sense of belonging. Emily has the opportunity to advise students pursuing UGA's only fully online bachelor's program, which primarily consists of transfer students. 

Emily received her bachelor's degree from UGA in 2017 and her M.Ed. in Professional Counseling: College Student Affairs from the University of West Georgia in 2020. 

 

 

Second place winner

Debbie Hargrave is a Senior Academic Advisor in the Mary Frances Early College of Education.

Her programs include Elementary Education and Science Education. She joined the college’s Office of Undergraduate Advising in October 2018. Debbie is passionate about developing relationships and guiding students through their academic journey.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of Georgia. After graduation she returned to the Athens area to teach elementary and middle school for over ten years.