GAPS Alumni Member: Ryan Carty
Program of Study: Master of Education
Graduation Year: May 2013
Ryan Carty currently serves as the director of experiential learning for the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. At Grady College, Carty develops relationships with corporate and institutional partners to further develop Grady’s internship and job opportunities for students. His favorite part of his job is connecting employers to students and empowering students through job search skill development. Carty can be often found on campus presenting to student groups on career development topics such as LinkedIn Branding, Interview Skills, Portfolio Development and Networking.
In addition to his current role, Carty previously served as a career consultant for Grady College where he counseled hundreds of students and directed the college's annual career fair, overseeing one of the largest career fairs in the college's history while creating many employment opportunities for students and recent alumni. Carty is from Stockbridge, Georgia and is a proud "Double Dawg", graduating from UGA with a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunication arts in 2009 and a Master of Education in professional counseling in 2013. He also holds a National Counselor Certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors and NACE Career Coaching Intensive by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Program of Study: Master of Education
Graduation Year: May 2013
Ryan Carty currently serves as the director of experiential learning for the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. At Grady College, Carty develops relationships with corporate and institutional partners to further develop Grady’s internship and job opportunities for students. His favorite part of his job is connecting employers to students and empowering students through job search skill development. Carty can be often found on campus presenting to student groups on career development topics such as LinkedIn Branding, Interview Skills, Portfolio Development and Networking.
In addition to his current role, Carty previously served as a career consultant for Grady College where he counseled hundreds of students and directed the college's annual career fair, overseeing one of the largest career fairs in the college's history while creating many employment opportunities for students and recent alumni. Carty is from Stockbridge, Georgia and is a proud "Double Dawg", graduating from UGA with a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunication arts in 2009 and a Master of Education in professional counseling in 2013. He also holds a National Counselor Certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors and NACE Career Coaching Intensive by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
GAPS Alumni Member: Stephanie Wachs, LMSW
Program of Study: Social Work
Graduation Year: May 2013
Stephanie Wachs is a professional in the field of social work at CHRIS Kids, Inc in Atlanta. She engages with the significantly mentally ill youth in the state of Georgia working to help build community supports around the individual and their families to help them be able to manage their illness and keep them in their homes instead of being continuously hospitalized. Stephanie recently became an LMSW and hopes to use these skills to continue to work with families and children.
Before coming to The University of Georgia, Stephanie earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Family and Human Services from John Brown University in Arkansas. At UGA she earned a Marriage and Family therapy certificate along with her Masters degree in Social Work. During her time at UGA she served in various roles with GAPS as well as chairperson on the Student/ Faculty Committee in the School of Social Work.
In her spare time she loves on her dog Aberdeen Rose, exploring Atlanta, cheering on the Cowboys, and traveling back to her home state of Texas when she can. She is also a member of Renovation Church, which places much emphasis on social justice and transculturalism.
Program of Study: Social Work
Graduation Year: May 2013
Stephanie Wachs is a professional in the field of social work at CHRIS Kids, Inc in Atlanta. She engages with the significantly mentally ill youth in the state of Georgia working to help build community supports around the individual and their families to help them be able to manage their illness and keep them in their homes instead of being continuously hospitalized. Stephanie recently became an LMSW and hopes to use these skills to continue to work with families and children.
Before coming to The University of Georgia, Stephanie earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Family and Human Services from John Brown University in Arkansas. At UGA she earned a Marriage and Family therapy certificate along with her Masters degree in Social Work. During her time at UGA she served in various roles with GAPS as well as chairperson on the Student/ Faculty Committee in the School of Social Work.
In her spare time she loves on her dog Aberdeen Rose, exploring Atlanta, cheering on the Cowboys, and traveling back to her home state of Texas when she can. She is also a member of Renovation Church, which places much emphasis on social justice and transculturalism.
GAPS Alumni Member: Dr. Joseph N. Cooper
Program of Study: Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Sport Management and Policy
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Cooper joined the Sport Management program at the University of Connecticut in August 2013. Prior to joining the faculty at UConn, Dr. Cooper served as an instructor and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Georgia while completing his doctorate. Dr. Cooper's research agenda focuses on the nexus between sport, education, race, and culture with an emphasis on sport as a catatyst for holistic development and positive changes in society. He is a member of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS), North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), and the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
Program of Study: Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Sport Management and Policy
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Cooper joined the Sport Management program at the University of Connecticut in August 2013. Prior to joining the faculty at UConn, Dr. Cooper served as an instructor and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Georgia while completing his doctorate. Dr. Cooper's research agenda focuses on the nexus between sport, education, race, and culture with an emphasis on sport as a catatyst for holistic development and positive changes in society. He is a member of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS), North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), and the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
GAPS Alumni Member: Dr. Christa J. Porter
Program of Study: Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Christa J. Porter is an Assistant Professor in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE)
and Coordinator of the Student Affairs Administration Masters program at Michigan State University. Her administrative background includes experiences in residence life, fraternity and sorority life, multicultural affairs, career services, research and assessment, leadership development, student activities/organizations, TRIO programs, and support services for
underrepresented students who hold majors in science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM).
Christa's research focuses on the identity development of Black undergraduate women, qualitative research design and methodology, and assessment in student affairs and higher education.
During her time at UGA, she served as the President of GAPS (2011-2012) and will forever carry lifelong friendships and memories as a result of the familial bond created within the organization and among its members.
Words that Christa lives by:
1) "To much is given, much is required."
2) "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
No matter the situation, trial, or success, remember that you are where you are as a result of others who paved the way. We did not get to where we are by ourselves; it took (and continues to take) a village. Remain in a state of gratitude and carry the obligation to serve.
Program of Study: Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Christa J. Porter is an Assistant Professor in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE)
and Coordinator of the Student Affairs Administration Masters program at Michigan State University. Her administrative background includes experiences in residence life, fraternity and sorority life, multicultural affairs, career services, research and assessment, leadership development, student activities/organizations, TRIO programs, and support services for
underrepresented students who hold majors in science, technology, engineering, and math(STEM).
Christa's research focuses on the identity development of Black undergraduate women, qualitative research design and methodology, and assessment in student affairs and higher education.
During her time at UGA, she served as the President of GAPS (2011-2012) and will forever carry lifelong friendships and memories as a result of the familial bond created within the organization and among its members.
Words that Christa lives by:
1) "To much is given, much is required."
2) "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
No matter the situation, trial, or success, remember that you are where you are as a result of others who paved the way. We did not get to where we are by ourselves; it took (and continues to take) a village. Remain in a state of gratitude and carry the obligation to serve.
Alumni GAPS Member: Marcie McClellan
Program of Study : Health and Medical Journalism/ MA in Journalism and Mass
Communications
Graduation Year: 2012
Marcie McClellan is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The ORISE Research Participation Program enables students, postgraduates, and university faculty to participate in public health research and develop program activities at CDC, with an eye toward grooming them for future leadership roles.
Before coming to the University of Georgia, Marcie earned her Bachelors of Art degree in English from Spelman College and spent three years in Fulton County, Georgia, developing prevention programs for at-risk youth. At UGA she earned a global health certificate along with her Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.
In her spare time, Marcie enjoys spending time with friends, reading, working out, and traveling.
Program of Study : Health and Medical Journalism/ MA in Journalism and Mass
Communications
Graduation Year: 2012
Marcie McClellan is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The ORISE Research Participation Program enables students, postgraduates, and university faculty to participate in public health research and develop program activities at CDC, with an eye toward grooming them for future leadership roles.
Before coming to the University of Georgia, Marcie earned her Bachelors of Art degree in English from Spelman College and spent three years in Fulton County, Georgia, developing prevention programs for at-risk youth. At UGA she earned a global health certificate along with her Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.
In her spare time, Marcie enjoys spending time with friends, reading, working out, and traveling.
Alumni GAPS Member: Dr. Tiffany J. Davis
Program of Study : Ph.D. Counseling and Student Personnel Services
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Tiffany J. Davis serves as Teaching Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the Higher Education Administration Master’s Program at North Carolina State University. While at UGA she served as a research assistant within the College of Education.
The focus of Dr. Davis’ research reflects her desire to conduct research that helps practitioners do their work in the most effective way possible, and it examines the process we use to prepare student affairs professionals. Dr. Davis is currently engaged in projects related to student engagement and psychosocial development at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), quality supervision and socialization of new professionals, and structuring and assessing supervised practice experiences in graduate preparation programs.
Dr. Davis remains active (and quite busy these days) in professional associations, namely NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She was recently appointed Chair for the NASPA 2014 Undergraduate Student Conference.
But apart from work, Dr. Davis is enjoying the revival of her social life post-PhD and finding the Triangle an awesome area to explore.
Program of Study : Ph.D. Counseling and Student Personnel Services
Graduation Year: May 2013
Dr. Tiffany J. Davis serves as Teaching Assistant Professor and Coordinator for the Higher Education Administration Master’s Program at North Carolina State University. While at UGA she served as a research assistant within the College of Education.
The focus of Dr. Davis’ research reflects her desire to conduct research that helps practitioners do their work in the most effective way possible, and it examines the process we use to prepare student affairs professionals. Dr. Davis is currently engaged in projects related to student engagement and psychosocial development at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), quality supervision and socialization of new professionals, and structuring and assessing supervised practice experiences in graduate preparation programs.
Dr. Davis remains active (and quite busy these days) in professional associations, namely NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She was recently appointed Chair for the NASPA 2014 Undergraduate Student Conference.
But apart from work, Dr. Davis is enjoying the revival of her social life post-PhD and finding the Triangle an awesome area to explore.
Alumni GAPS Member: Chris Chavis
Program of Study : Environmental Planning & Design
Graduation Year: 2012
Chris Chavis is in the professional field of Urban Planning. He specializes in Land Use Zoning, Land Use Development, and Community Revitalization. His introduction to this profession started at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Bachelors of Art degree in Urban & Regional Planning. After three years of working inside the profession, he pursued and obtained a Masters of Environmental Planning & Design degree at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Now as a working professional, Chavis is attempting to use urban planning as a social justice instrument for all communities. By doing so, he hopes to revitalize distressed areas and help thriving neighborhoods protect their visions for their futures.