UGA Office for Student Success and Achievement

Presentation shoutout! ⭐Sarah Henson, OSSA's Coordinator of Peer Education, and Blythe Jones, a Lead Peer Tutor who recently graduated, presented a session today at the Southeastern College Learning Association Conference at Georgia Tech on the impact of AI on peer tutoring.

Taking a summer class? Don't do it alone.

You can get free peer tutoring all summer. Download the Penji app to get started.

Final shoutout to our Friend of OSSA Award Winners (Part 3 of 3)! Thank you for your continued support of OSSA and of student success at UGA.

Kim Ellis, Carla Dennis, Harper Skinner, and Suzanne Reichner, University Housing - The University of Georgia for being an invaluable partner in launching the newly formatted Thrive at Georgia program, whose flexibility, extended timelines, and collaborative problem-solving during a transitional year made a meaningful difference in program success and reflected a strong commitment to student success.

Felicia Lewis, Undergraduate Admissions, for being a proactive and generous partner who initiated collaboration to create pathways for students from underrepresented communities, demonstrating a strong commitment to student success beyond primary responsibilities.

Fiona Liken, Office of the Registrar, for being a trusted partner whose deep institutional knowledge, candid guidance, and commitment to student success provides clear direction through complex challenges and meaningful support to OSSA’s work.

And last but certainly not least, our ⭐ Most Valuable Partner of the Year ⭐award goes to Nipuna Ambanpola and David Meyers, UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, for being transformative partners for OSSA, whose sustained collaboration led to a rebrand, clarified mission, structured work plan, and future-focused workshops — an exceptional investment that strengthened and sharpened the office’s direction.

Friends of OSSA (Part 2 of 3): Thank you to these campus partners who have gone above and beyond to support OSSA and its mission!

Sabrena Deal, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, for outstanding partnership with the PLA Program and OSSA, demonstrated through mentorship, advocacy, and consistent promotion of PLAs across professional platforms and events.

Erin Benson, Accessibility and Testing, for innovation and leadership in co-designing and launching a UNIV course for neurodistinct students, creating meaningful opportunities for skill development, confidence, and academic success.

Bobby Pelts, Student Care and Outreach, for being an invaluable campus partner and demonstrating unwavering compassion and collaboration through ensuring students facing complex challenges receive coordinated support to persist and achieve their academic goals.

Will Lewis, Megan Brock, Ph.D., and Brionna Johnson, M.Ed., UGA Career Center. Will worked with OSSA on unit-led Career Caravans, a new initiative that required flexibility, coordination, and a willingness to try something different. Megan served as a connector and programming partner, helping OSSA deliver meaningful career-focused content for Thrive at Georgia. Brionna came through at the last minute to deliver an outstanding presentation during First-Generation Celebration Week, ensuring students had access to quality programming despite a tight timeline.

Kelly Slaton, Office of Institutional Research, for being an outstanding data partner whose responsiveness, timeliness, and attention to detail enabled efficient workflows and informed decision-making while demonstrating strong professionalism and commitment to OSSA’s mission.

OSSA's Julie Glenn was awarded an honorable mention for the 2026 Transfer Advocate Award!

The award honors those who have contributed to the success of transfer students and made a positive impact on their UGA experience.

Student nominators recognized Dr. Glenn as a supportive figure as they adjusted to UGA and instrumental to their success, especially through her UNIV course, Success for Transfer Students.

Need a little extra support with calc classes this summer? Our supplemental instruction courses are co-enrollments with MATH 1113 and MATH 2250. See course times and more: https://bit.ly/4wR8cpP

THANK YOU to our 2026 Friends of OSSA (Part 1 of 3). This award is given to campus partners who have gone above and beyond to support OSSA and its mission.

Alvin Crews, UGA Enterprise Information Technology Services, for ongoing support of the Presentation Collaboratory in the Creative Engagement Wing, ensuring VR headsets are operational, providing technical assistance, and keeping us informed of important CEW events.

Hillary Palmer, University of Georgia Department of Communication Studies for support and promotion of the Presentation Collaboratory and the collaboration with the Communication Studies faculty.

Wendy Newbern, Synovus, for the responsiveness, expertise, and positive attitude in helping us successfully host OSSA events at the Synovus Bank Community and Arch Rooms.

Max Grant, UGA Dining Services, for exceptional support, quick problem-solving, and commitment to ensuring OSSA events run smoothly and consistently, going above and beyond to meet our needs.

Yana Cornish and Amy Tolman Williams, UGA Global Student Engagement, for remarkable partnership and support in developing OSSA’s first Study Away program, providing guidance in budgeting, recruitment, and implementation every step of the way.

Leading from who you are instead of leading as someone else creates authentic leadership.

OSSA Director Dr. Cara Winston Simmons was a featured speaker during this year's Lead@3 series, sharing her insights into what leadership looks like.

Lead@3 speakers share insights into impactful leadership - UGA Today Three women leaders shared their journeys and lessons learned along the way.

Being a new transfer student can be overwhelming at times.

Here are some tips for finding your way.

Transfer Tips: Finding your place at UGA Coming to the University of Georgia as a transfer student can be daunting. Whether transferring was always part of your plan or a more recent decision, it can be both

Congratulations to our 2026 OSSA Award winners! 🎉

- Sonya Fears, Leadership Award
- Nicholas Colvard, Innovator of the Year Award
- Tiffani Tallon, Ed.D., Community Building Award
- Stephanie Butler, Rookie of the Year Award
- Grace Chandler, Graduate Student of the Year Award
- Nipuna Ambanpola and David Meyers, UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership, Friends of OSSA: Most Valuable Partner of the Year