The Monthly Newsletter from Academic Affairs at Georgia Southern University | | Georgia Southern Professor Elected SEDAAG President and Wins Top Research Award | |
Georgia Southern University Professor of Geography Amy Potter, Ph.D., has been elected president of the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG).
“In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as treasurer of SEDAAG, vice president, honors chair and Georgia’s state representative,” Potter explained. “It has served me well in terms of my career as an academic. I really look forward to the challenge of beginning this new position with the organization.”
Along with her new role in SEDAAG, Potter was also honored with the Excellence in Research Award for her work documenting historic communities throughout coastal Georgia. Her research has provided valuable insight into overlooked regional geographies. The award is presented annually to outstanding professionals in the field of geography.
“It’s an honor to be recognized with such a prestigious award,” said Potter. “I was actually nominated by my colleague Derek Alderman, Ph.D., who’s at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I consider him to be the premier cultural geographer in our field. Derek is also an alumnus of Georgia Southern, so it’s fantastic to see our alumni thriving in our field.”
She notes the University has a close connection with the organization as students get real world experience through many of its programs.
“Georgia Southern students have quite a legacy at SEDAAG,” Potter said. “Our students have won the Geography Bowl twice and have received numerous awards recognizing the quality of their research. Each year, we bring both graduate and undergraduate students to the conference, where they engage with peers from other programs as well as with academics and professionals in the field. They have also gained valuable networking opportunities that have led to research collaborations.”
Ultimately, Potter hopes her newly elected position will allow her to continue supporting students who are interested in studying and pursuing a career in geography. Focusing on opportunities for her students is the most important part of her job as an educator, she said.
“Georgia Southern is a special place, it really is,” said Potter. “The students are truly the best, and I love teaching them. I genuinely feel energized being surrounded by such brilliant minds.”
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Higher education plays a vital role in helping society navigate complexity — whether that complexity is global, economic, technological or cultural. At Georgia Southern, we embrace that responsibility by ensuring that the knowledge created here does not remain theoretical, but becomes practical, relevant and transformative.
Our faculty, students and partners are engaged in work that strengthens communities, advances industry, enriches public dialogue and drives innovation. This is what it means to Soar Beyond. We do not operate in isolation. We build bridges — between disciplines, between campus and community, between research and real-world application.
The strength of our institution lies not only in the expertise of our scholars, but in the reach of their impact. Our researchers, educators and practitioners are addressing real challenges with creativity, rigor and purpose. Through collaboration and discovery, they are shaping conversations, informing decisions and creating solutions that extend far beyond our campuses.
Equally important is our commitment to preparing students for leadership in a rapidly changing world. We strive to provide learning experiences that are intellectually demanding, professionally relevant and grounded in ethical responsibility. Our graduates leave Georgia Southern not only with strong credentials, but with the confidence and adaptability to contribute meaningfully in diverse settings.
As we continue to grow, we remain focused on expanding opportunities for innovation, engagement and access. Strategic partnerships, experiential learning and applied research are central to this work. By aligning academic excellence with workforce development, community needs and global perspectives, we ensure that our University remains responsive and forward-thinking.
This progress is made possible by the dedication of our faculty and staff, the curiosity and ambition of our students, and the support of our alumni and partners. Together, we foster a culture that values inquiry, collaboration and continuous improvement.
The challenges facing our region, our nation and our world demand thoughtful leadership and informed action. Georgia Southern is proud to be part of that work — advancing knowledge, cultivating talent and serving the public good.
Thank you for being part of a university that turns ideas into action, research into impact and opportunity into lasting progress.
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SoTL Commons 2026 Sets Record Participation, Expands Global Reach
SoTL Commons 2026 marked another milestone year for Georgia Southern University, welcoming a record 260 participants from three countries, more than 35 states, and over 13 University System of Georgia institutions. Across three dynamic days, faculty and scholars engaged in research poster sessions, concurrent presentations and keynote conversations that sparked meaningful dialogue, mentorship and the exchange of evidence-based teaching practices.
Recognized for its collaborative spirit and genuine Southern hospitality, SoTL Commons continues to provide an intellectually vibrant space where emerging scholars connect with nationally and internationally respected voices in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The conference reflects Georgia Southern’s commitment to advancing impactful research that strengthens teaching and enhances student success.
Together with our open-access, peer-reviewed journal, ijSoTL (International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning), Georgia Southern stands among a select group of institutions worldwide to host both an international SoTL conference and an international peer-reviewed SoTL journal. This distinction underscores a sustained institutional investment in teaching excellence and scholarly innovation.
As we look toward the 20th anniversary of “SoTL at Southern” in 2027, the continued growth of SoTL Commons reflects the Faculty Center’s dedication to meaningful professional development, cross-institutional collaboration and elevating Georgia Southern as a global leader in evidence-based teaching and learning.
| | | | Counseling Center earns Full Ten-Year Re-Accreditation for Doctoral Psychology Internship | | |
Georgia Southern University’s Counseling Center has earned a full 10-year re-accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for its doctoral internship in health service psychology. The re-accreditation follows a rigorous, multi-year review process that included comprehensive self-study, program evaluation and an on-site assessment by APA-appointed reviewers.
Mark Taracuk, Ph.D., training director for the Counseling Center, said this achievement underscores the program’s exceptional training quality and its impact on preparing future psychologists for careers in collegiate mental health. He said receiving the maximum 10-year accreditation term reflects the strength, stability and national recognition of the program.
“Our re-accreditation is vital to the continued success of the internship and enables us to keep contributing to the field of psychology by training psychologists with the specialized skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed in collegiate mental health,” said Taracuk. “The University’s strong support throughout this process has been essential and reflects its broader commitment to holistic student development, including mental health, by investing in the training of competent providers in the specialty of collegiate mental health.”
One of only 10 APA-accredited doctoral internships in the state of Georgia and among more than 700 sites nationwide, the program has grown significantly since it was established in 2010. After earning initial accreditation in 2017 with two interns per year, the program now accepts four doctoral interns annually through the National Match Service. To date, 42 interns have completed the program.
Liz Deibel, a Counseling Center intern from Roosevelt University’s Clinical Psychology program, said the variety in cases and responsibilities has been constructive to her career ambitions.
“Georgia Southern has been a great site for my internship,” said Deibel. “Everyone at the Counseling Center is very supportive and has helped me in growing my professional independence and getting specialized training prior to graduation. I’ve been able to facilitate group therapy, provide relationship counseling and get more experience with rural populations.”
At Georgia Southern, interns are immersed in a learner-centered, year-long training model that blends instruction with hands-on clinical practice in a collegiate setting. This approach prepares interns to understand and treat the unique mental health needs of college students while working within a multidisciplinary campus environment.
Throughout the year, interns develop proficiency in nine profession-wide competencies required by the APA: research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills. Along with supervision from licensed psychologists, interns refine skills in therapy, psychological assessment, crisis intervention, outreach and consultation.
“Graduate students typically complete several practicum experiences, but the doctoral internship is the most essential hands-on training they receive,” said Taracuk. “Our program gives interns supportive, comprehensive and formative experiences that help them integrate theory, research, and professional standards into their practice.”
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| Georgia Southern’s Associate Vice President for Student Development Ken Gassiot earns national student affairs award | |
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) has selected a Georgia Southern University leader for national honors. Ken Gassiot, Ph.D., associate vice president for student development, is the recipient of the 2026 NASPA AVP/Senior-Level Student Affairs Professional Award, recognizing his leadership and service within the student affairs profession.
Gassiot was selected for this same award at the regional level in June 2025 by NASPA Region III at their conference in Savannah. NAPSA Region III is the largest region in NASPA and stretches from Texas to North Carolina.
Gassiot will be honored for his work, which demonstrates an outstanding commitment to student success, the development of impactful programs, the creation of campus environments that promote student learning and development, and active engagement in NASPA. He will be recognized at the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference in March in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Being selected for this national award by peers and other leaders around the country is truly humbling,” said Gassiot. “Serving at Georgia Southern along with the service opportunities gained through NASPA have been, without a doubt, the most fulfilling time during my career in higher education. I hope this award brings added spotlight to the incredible work happening at Georgia Southern, where our heartbeat is to create an unparalleled student experience. I’m thankful to be in a position and on teams that help shape that.”
The University has won several awards and national recognition from NASPA in recent years, and has earned a reputation for its use of analytics and assessment to improve all aspects of campus life for students.
Gassiot said that legacy is built on a culture of student programming, engagement and support.
“Full credit to the people and leadership across all of our campuses that embrace collaboration and are fully dialed in to meet the unique student and campus needs that change over time,” he said. “It’s that culture that maximizes student involvement, care and belonging.”
Gassiot’s involvement in NASPA includes serving as the 2025–27 chair of the NASPA AVP Steering Committee and co-chair of the 2026 NASPA AVP Symposium, in addition to extensive prior service across NASPA leadership, faculty roles and planning committees.
For more information on the Division of Student Affairs and their team, visit the division website by clicking here.
| | | Georgia Southern University signs MOU with Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health to expand resources to students | |
The Georgia Southern University Counseling Center on the Statesboro Campus.
Georgia Southern University and Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health have teamed up to ensure students who need more comprehensive mental health care can access resources beyond campus.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Georgia Southern University Counseling Center and Coastal Harbor will collaborate to establish a framework for communication, referral procedures and ongoing coordination to support students and their care needs.
“This partnership is particularly beneficial for students because it expands access to care beyond what the Counseling Center alone can provide,” said Ty White, case manager for the Georgia Southern Counseling Center. “Coastal Harbor offers specialized and extended mental health services, which can be especially helpful for students needing longer-term or more intensive support. Additionally, collaboration between the Counseling Center and Coastal Harbor allows for smoother referrals, shared care coordination and improved overall support for student mental health and well-being.”
Under the MOU, the Counseling Center may refer students to Coastal Harbor for services such as inpatient treatment, crisis stabilization, psychiatric evaluation and other intensive behavioral health interventions when clinically indicated. Coastal Harbor agrees to provide timely assessment, communicate admission decisions and coordinate with the Counseling Center regarding continuity of care, discharge planning and follow-up recommendations.
“Both Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health and Georgia Southern’s Counseling Center are dedicated to breaking the stigma associated with mental health intervention and self-care,” said Sneha Patel, CEO of Coastal Harbor Health System. “The established MOU outlines best practices for both institutions once a student is referred to and/or elected to receive inpatient therapeutic care at Coastal Behavioral Health. The intention is to serve as a therapeutic blueprint upon discharge.”
This partnership also ensures a continuity of care should a student return to campus with additional needs, as it connects the on-campus and off-campus systems to reduce gaps in care.
The Georgia Southern University Counseling Center provides comprehensive mental health support to enrolled students through free, confidential counseling services and wellness programs. Services are designed to empower students to manage personal challenges, promote emotional resilience and support academic success. Counseling services are available at no additional cost to all enrolled Georgia Southern students aged 18 and older.
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