Georgia State University Sport Administration Program

Throughout this past semester, master's student Moo Kim has been working hard to be able to defend his thesis. As of this morning, Moo successfully defended his thesis, titled: Measuring a 2-Year Campus Recreation Center Participants’ Sense of Community. Congratulations!

As an Events & Marketing Intern at Emory University, graduate student Ben Zipay takes on a leadership role in organizing and executing athletic events. He oversees game day operations, including setup, breakdown, and staff management, while coordinating logistics for multiple sports (Women’s Soccer and Men’s & Women’s Tennis). In addition to his event responsibilities, Ben serves as a tournament director for NCAA championship events, gaining valuable experience managing high-level competitions.

Graduate student Joshua Webb serves as a Marketing & Communication Intern with Officially Human, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting respect for sports officials. In this role, he creates digital content and campaigns designed to increase brand awareness and community engagement. Through storytelling and strategic communication, Joshua helps amplify the organization’s mission while continuing to develop his skills in digital media and marketing.

This spring, graduate student Thibault Villetorte is working as a Tennis Operations Intern at Agape Tennis Academy, where he is gaining hands-on experience in sport facility and program management. In his role, he assists with scheduling, event coordination, marketing efforts, and customer service. His day-to-day involvement allows him to better understand the operational side of running a tennis academy while continuing to build his communication and leadership skills.

Graduate student Vanessa Thraen serves as a Community Relations Intern with Georgia Tech Athletics, where she supports initiatives that connect athletics with the surrounding Atlanta community. She assists with planning and executing outreach events, building partnerships with local organizations, and tracking program impact. Through this role, Vanessa is gaining valuable experience in using sport as a platform for community engagement.

Graduate student Taylor Strickland serves as a Sports Operations Intern at The Galloway School, where he supports a wide range of athletic programs. His responsibilities include coordinating schedules, managing facility logistics, and assisting with game day operations for multiple sports. Taylor also contributes to digital content creation and maintains important documents such as schedules and spreadsheets, helping ensure smooth communication and organization throughout the department.

Graduate student Devin Robertson serves as a Scouting Intern with Between The Lines Hoops, where he evaluates high school and NBA draft-eligible prospects. He creates detailed scouting reports that break down player strengths, skillsets, and long-term potential, while also collaborating with other scouts on mock draft projections. This experience is helping Devin build a strong foundation in player evaluation and preparing him for a future career in basketball operations.

As a Ticketing & Operations Intern, graduate student Nikkel Powell plays a key role in managing ticketing services and supporting event-day operations for Georgia State Athletics. She oversees ticket operations, ensures equipment is functioning properly, and assists fans with any issues that arise. Nikkel also contributes to team meetings and planning efforts, helping deliver a seamless and enjoyable game day experience for all attendees.

As a Groundskeeper Intern, graduate student Ethan Palazzetti is heavily involved in the maintenance and preparation of Georgia State’s athletic facilities. His responsibilities include performing key turf management practices such as mowing, aeration, and overseeding, as well as preparing playing surfaces for competition. Ethan also supports game day operations across multiple venues, helping ensure a safe, professional, and high-quality environment for student-athletes and fans.

As a Recruiting Intern with Georgia State Football, graduate student Lillian Meeker supports a wide range of recruiting and operational efforts. She assists with coordinating official visits, managing game day logistics, and organizing daily schedules for the program. Working closely with coaches and staff, Lillian helps ensure a smooth and professional recruiting experience for prospective student-athletes.

Graduate student Thin Wai Khaing serves as an Assistant Coach Intern with the Georgia State Women’s Golf program, where she supports both the athletic and administrative sides of the team. She assists with planning practices, coordinating team travel, and organizing daily operations while also contributing to recruiting efforts. Working closely with the head coach, Thin plays an important role in supporting student-athlete development and the overall success of the program.