VSU PRESENTS
Faculty & Staff Convocation 2024
WHITEHEAD AUDITORIUM
August 12
10 a.m.
PRESIDENTIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
PRESIDENT CARVAJAL SHARES KNOWLEDGE, INSPIRATION, HOPE FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Complimentary Lunch at Palms Dining Center
Beginning at 11:30 a.m.
New Endowment Honors Herb and Linda Reinhard, Supports VSU's Legacy of Athletic Excellence
VSU’s latest endowment promises to support student-athletes by providing them the financial support needed to pursue their academic, athletic, and professional goals.
It will also help VSU attract future generations of student-athletes with the talent, potential, and performance needed to continue Blazer Nation’s legacy of excellence in the classroom and on the field, course, or court.
Allan and Joan Dear, longtime friends of VSU and VSU Athletics, established the Herb and Linda Reinhard Scholarship endowment with an initial gift of $25,000. With a focus on expanding the scholarship’s impact on campus, the couple has vowed to match future gifts to the endowment up to $400,000.
Michelle Ocasio Embraces AI in the Classroom as Governor's Teaching Fellow
VSU’s Dr. Michelle Ann Ocasio recently participated in an intense one-week seminar designed to give her the tools, strategies, and ethical practices for integrating artificial intelligence into the instructional design process.
Ocasio, an associate professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, was one of 16 higher education faculty members from across Georgia selected to participate in the May 2024 Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program symposium titled “Artificial Intelligence in the Holistic Classroom.” She joined the VSU faculty in August 2011.
Ocasio has always been interested in novel technology with a passion for integrating artificial intelligence into the realm of teaching, and she has dedicated her career to revolutionizing how languages are taught and learned. From having office hours in the Metaverse to creating a chatbot to assist students and faculty in navigating VSU’s accelerated undergraduate to Master of Arts in Teaching initiative, with majors in English to Speakers of Other Languages or Foreign Language Education, her forward-thinking approach aims to make learning more accessible, personalized, and effective for students of all backgrounds.
Brannen Purdee, a V-State alumnus, has joined Krowne as the new western regional sales manager for the company’s foodservice division. He has a background in sales and business development and most recently served as the North America business development manager for Henry Penny.
Purdee earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at VSU in 2014.
Stan Flanders, a V-State alumnus, has been named assistant principal at Rome High School in Rome, Georgia. He has nearly two decades of educational experience, including serving as a graduation coach for Tift County Schools and a special education teacher and behavior specialist for Turner County High School. He has also worked as a case manager for Pathway to Hope and for Advantage Counseling Services.
Flanders earned an Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership at VSU in 2023.
Charlee Cain, a V-State alumna, opened Hello House in Athens, Georgia, in January 2020. This summer she invited young children from international families to spend some time expanding their English language skills. Through her business, she works with children and adults and primarily focuses on teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages classes. She also offers language lessons in Spanish and Japanese.
Cain earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at VSU in 2016.
Ashley Hoban, a V-State alumna, has been named assistant principal at East Central Elementary School in Rome, Georgia.
Hoban has more than 15 years of experience in the field of education. She began her teaching career with Bartow County Schools before moving to Rome City Schools in 2016 and serving as a teacher and literacy coach at East Central Elementary School. She was named East Central’s Teacher of the Year in 2020.
Hoban earned an Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership at VSU in 2022. She plans to continue her education at VSU and pursue Educational Leadership (Tier I) Certification.
Maurice Allen, a V-State alumnus, was able to find a renewed purpose as a certified soldier coach through Soldiers to Sidelines. He is a retired United States Army communications specialist who, before enlisting in the military, dreamed of playing college football and pursuing a career as a coach.
After completing his military service and earning multiple college degrees, Allen connected with Soldiers to Sidelines, an organization dedicated to educating, certifying, developing, and supporting members of the military community who want to become expert coaches and role models for community youth. He currently serves as the head football coach at South Paulding High School in Douglasville, Georgia. He recently landed an internship with the NFL’s New York Jets.
Allen earned an Education Specialist in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education at VSU in 2022.
Four V-State alumni have earned promotions at Draffin Tucker.
Adam Mobley works in the firm’s healthcare practice and was promoted to supervisor. A two-time VSU graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2018 and a Master of Accountancy in 2019. Kaley Clay works in the healthcare practice and was promoted to senior accountant. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at VSU in 2018.
William Leader works in the firm’s healthcare practice and was promoted to associate II. A two-time VSU graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2022 and a Master of Accountancy in 2023. Brian Troy works in the commercial and healthcare practices and has been promoted to associate II. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2022.
Robert Jordan, a V-State alumnus, was recently promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s West Georgia Gang Task Force. He is also a certified Peace Officer Standards and Training instructor.
Jordan joined the GBI in November 2016. His first assignment was with the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office. Before that he served 17 years in the United States Army, completing two tours in the Middle East.
Jordan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at VSU in 2012.
VSU Supports Community-Led Change with Rural Development Institute
VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact recently kicked off its third annual Rural Development Institute (RDI) with a three-day Summit designed to help communities across Georgia develop an action plan for rural prosperity.
Nearly 30 economic development, city, county, and community leaders from Charlton County, Coffee County, Early County, Jenkins County, Lee County, and Washington County were selected to participate in VSU’s 2024 RDI.
“Rural communities and their citizens are integral to Georgia’s economy, culture, and future,” said Darrell Moore, director of VSU’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact. “Through the RDI, VSU is working to build capacity that encourages the growth and development of rural communities without sacrificing their distinctive rural character.”
VSU’s Rural Development Institute is an opportunity for the university to continue supporting the work of the Governor’s Rural Strike Team and provide a positive impact on Georgia’s rural communities.
Dr. Richard A. Carvajal to Serve Two-Year Term as Gulf South Conference President
VSU President Dr. Richard A. Carvajal has been elected to serve as president of the Gulf South Conference Executive Committee and chair of the GSC Board of Directors. He will hold the position for two years, after previously serving as conference vice president and vice chair.
“This is an exciting time for the GSC,” he said. “Change provides an opportunity to teach our student-athletes how to adapt, learn, and grow. I look forward to seeing how competitive our conference will continue to be at the national level.”
VSU Nursing Students Outperform National Average on NCLEX
VSU School of Nursing students exceeded the national average for first-time pass rates on the 2023 National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX-RN measures a nursing candidate’s judgment and decision-making abilities as well as the quality of VSU’s undergraduate nursing programs. The exam helps to ensure all nursing students are graduating with a standardized set of skills and knowledge, no matter where they pursue their training.
Nursing students take the exam after earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Those who pass the NCLEX-RN demonstrate that they are equipped to deliver high-quality care and improve patient outcomes by assessing patient needs, developing care plans, and preventing adverse events.
VSU’s July 2023 and December 2023 graduating classes had a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN. The national average first-time pass rate is 87 percent.
VSU Recognizes Spring 2024 Graduates
VSU is proud to celebrate the 1,000-plus students — representing 27 states and seven foreign countries — who earned their degrees during Spring Semester 2024.
Each of these graduates came to VSU with their own ideas and inspiration, and during their time as a student, they stepped outside their comfort zone, made an impact, created new knowledge, promoted an innovation-oriented culture, and developed the communication skills, connections, and critical thinking necessary to create a success story that's all their own.
Today we once again celebrate this powerful and positive community of Blazers and wish them all the best as they find genuine happiness and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives and use it to empower the people and places closest to them.
VSU Announces Spring 2024 Dean’s List
VSU congratulates each of the students who earned a spot on the Spring 2024 Dean's List.
Dean's List honors are reserved for the highest achieving students at VSU. The Spring 2024 Dean's List recognizes more than 1,600 distinguished and accomplished students for exemplifying excellence in the attainment of their educational goals.
To qualify for Dean's List at VSU, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on nine or more semester hours with an institutional grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Please note that developmental studies, transient, and graduate students are not eligible for Dean's List status.
VSU's Spring 2024 Dean's List features students from at least 25 states or U.S. terrorities and 19 countries.
Are You Ready For Some Blazer Football?
Blazer Football is scheduled to play six exciting home games this fall. The first one kicks off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, against the Albany State University Golden Rams. Season tickets are on sale now.
Senior quarterback Sammy Edwards and senior tight end Noah Gillan have been named to the Preseason All-Gulf South Conference Team.
The football team learned it is ranked fifth nationally in the Division II Top 25, according to Lindy's Sports. Quarterback Sammy Edwards was named to the Lindy's 2024 All-Division II Team.
VSU's Noviello Completes USG Executive Leadership Institute
VSU’s Dr. Sheri Noviello, interim provost and vice president of the Division of Academic Affairs, is the latest Blazer to graduate from the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Institute.
The 2023-2024 Executive Leadership Institute invited 34 faculty and staff scholars from 23 schools and the system office to participate in this annual leadership development program.
Throughout the eight-month Executive Leadership Institute experience, Noviello had an opportunity to participate in multiple group learning sessions and assessments designed to encourage intense introspection, drive growth, and help her better appreciate her personality style and its influence on her effectiveness as a leader. She also attended cross mentoring group sessions for peer-to-peer mentoring, accountability, and opportunities to expand her network and and learn from diverse perspectives.
VSU's Eischeid Publishes New Book
Dr. Susan Eischeid, principal oboe with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and professor of music at VSU, recently published “Mistress of Life and Death: The Dark Journey of Maria Mandl, Head Overseer of the Women’s Camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.”
Eischeid joined the Department of Music faculty in 1994. She earned VSU's 2017 Presidential Excellence Award for Research for her extensive research on music from the Holocaust, especially the women’s orchestra that was formed in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War II. Her interest in the Holocaust began when she was a teenager.
VSU Introduces Migrant Education Students to Career, College Opportunities
Sixty high school students from VSU’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy recently took a field trip to ACE Electric, where they had an opportunity to view live demonstrations and learn about career opportunities. The group was joined by Marisela Trejo, coordinator of the Georgia Department of Education’s Migrant Education Program Region 2.
VSU’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help participating students build leadership and academic skills while exploring post-high school options. It is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education as well as VSU’s College Assistance Migrant Program and Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Administration.
VSU Hosts Aramark Southeast Region Summer Engagement Summit
Aramark Southeast Region recently invited campus dining teams from colleges and universities across Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina to attend Summer Engagement Summit 2024 at VSU. It was an opportunity for these dedicated professionals to network with nearly two dozen vendors (and each other) and attend a series of training sessions.
The two-day event ended with a Blazin’ Summer Nights dinner and awards ceremony. Blazer Dining team members at VSU received the Student Engagement Award and were recognized for their response to Hurricane Idalia. During the storm and throughout the recovery process, these individuals served hot meals to all VSU students who needed one, including those without a meal plan. They also donated meals to law enforcement, a local homeless shelter, and city residents who were unable to leave their homes due to fallen trees and downed powerlines. They did all of this without electricity.
Tim Wilson Named Spring 2024 Employee of the Semester
Tim Wilson, a highly valued member of VSU's landscape and grounds crew, was named Spring 2024 Employee of the Semester. He joined the Blazer Nation staff more than 24 years ago. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to a Blazer in need and was instrumental in helping the university recover after Hurricane Idalia. He takes great pride in creating a warm and welcoming campus community and maintaining the distinctive beauty of VSU's campus.
VSU Names New Baseball Coach, Third in University History
VSU is excited to welcome Jan Weisberg to Blazer Nation. He is the third head coach of the VSU baseball program since 1967. He joins the Blazers following a 17-year stint at NCAA Division III Birmingham Southern College, where he compiled a record of 544-209-1 (.722), culminating in a magical run to the College World Series.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for me and my family to join Valdosta State University and the Blazer Athletics family," he said. "You will get a lot of passion from me as we move forward to create sustained success as a program. Valdosta State is a beautiful place, there is great tradition in this program, and we will work tirelessly to create a high-expectation, high-achievement culture that will lead to great successes on and off the field that the VSU alumni, student-body, and university can be proud of. I look forward to joining with our players to help elevate the Blazer brand through a successful baseball program."