From Classroom to Career: How Georgia Southern’s OCPD is Shaping Student Success

For college students, the transition from classroom to career can feel daunting. But at Georgia Southern University, the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) is ensuring students are not just prepared but poised to succeed. Their efforts, highlighted by events like the upcoming Career Showcase Week, are making a tangible difference in students’ lives and futures.

Hanover Research to Offer Grant Training at GS

Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to enhance their grant-writing skills during a series of workshops led by Hanover Research on Feb. 10 and 11.

Paul Tuttle, a grants consultant with nearly 25 years of experience in research administration, will lead the sessions. Tuttle has helped clients secure over $180 million in funding from major federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation, as well as private organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The workshops, hosted by the Office of Research & Economic Development, are tailored to equip attendees with strategies for securing competitive grant funding. The sessions are scheduled as follows (with lunch provided):

Feb. 10 in Statesboro
9–10 a.m.: "Grantseeking in the Arts and Humanities" — An introduction to the funding landscape and writing competitive proposals.
10:30–11:30 a.m.: "NSF vs. NIH" — A comparison of these federal funders with practical tips for crafting proposals.
1–2 p.m.: "Developing Center-Scale Proposals" — Guidance on preparing large-scale grant proposals.
2:30–4 p.m.: Office hours with Tuttle for individual grantseeking consultations.

Feb. 11 in Savannah (Armstrong Campus)
9–10 a.m.: "Introduction to Grant Seeking" — An overview of key milestones in the grantseeking process.
10:30–11:30 a.m.: Office hours with Tuttle.

Hanover's Content Director Kristen Beales and Account Executive Chloe Cacci will also be available to answer questions about Hanover Research's services.

Click to Register

Explore Interdisciplinary Insights at New Climate Change Exhibit

As you begin your courses for the spring semester, consider incorporating the interactive, interdisciplinary exhibit “Climate Change Across Space and Time: Exploring 125 Years of Change on Georgia Southern’s American and Irish Campuses” into your plans. This exhibit, supported by a Sustainability Fee Grant, explores the impacts of climate change over the past 125 years, offering insights relevant to students in history, biology, chemistry, geography, sustainability, political science, Irish studies, climate science, and education. Created by Georgia Southern students, faculty, and staff, the exhibit will be on display from February 24 through April 25, in the IAB Gallery.

The exhibit will be open during regular building hours, with guided tours available by request. To schedule a tour, please contact graduate student Melissa Cuzzo by clicking below.

Schedule a Tour

Message from the Provost

As we move into February, a month often associated with reflection and renewal, it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the remarkable innovation happening across Georgia Southern University. The dedication and creativity of our faculty and staff continue to propel our mission forward, placing our students at the center of every success.

At Georgia Southern, innovation is more than a buzzword – it’s the lifeblood of what we do. Innovation is not just about groundbreaking research or large-scale initiatives, it’s about the small, everyday wins that make a big difference. It’s the professor who incorporates new teaching strategies to engage students more deeply or the staff member who identifies a better way to serve our campus community. These moments of ingenuity, compassion, and collaboration are what truly set Georgia Southern apart.

Innovation is alive and thriving at Georgia Southern, and we see its impact every day. Through the Office of Career and Professional Development’s Internship Scholarship Program, $130,000 was awarded to students in 2024, helping them gain invaluable real-world experience while reducing financial barriers. These scholarships open doors for students to pursue their dreams and turn their ambitions into achievements. Faculty are encouraged to inspire their students to take full advantage of upcoming opportunities, including attending Career Showcase Week events. By participating, students can connect with potential employers and explore new avenues for career growth, helping them take the next step toward success.

Our faculty are also at the forefront of groundbreaking work. Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., a professor in our Department of Political Science and International Studies, was recently honored with The Professor A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Shining Star Research Award, a prestigious accomplishment for her research in global affairs, international relations, and South and Southeast Asian maritime security. This recognition highlights the global impact of her work and underscores Georgia Southern’s leadership in international scholarship.

As we celebrate these achievements, it’s also important to look ahead to some significant milestones for our university. In March, we will host visitors from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), an essential step in reaffirming our commitment to excellence in education. This will be followed by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents visit in April.

These visits are not just formalities, they are opportunities to demonstrate the strength of our academic programs, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the innovation that defines our community. Together, we will highlight the transformative impact of a Georgia Southern education and our collective focus on student success.

This year, let’s commit to celebrating each win, big or small. Let’s take time to acknowledge the creativity and dedication that make Georgia Southern a hub of excellence and innovation. Together, we can continue to foster an environment where our students, faculty, and staff flourish.

Thank you for your commitment to this incredible journey. Your work makes a profound impact, and I am honored to witness the extraordinary achievements of our academic community.

Abstract submission deadline: March 2

EAGLES SOAR HIGHER

Reframing Sherman's March with Dr. Ben Parten

Ben Parten, Ph.D., an assistant professor of history, is challenging long-held narratives of Sherman’s March in his groundbreaking book, Somewhere Toward Freedom. The Royston, GA native’s work reimagines the infamous Civil War campaign not as an act of destruction but as a pivotal moment of emancipation.

Parten credits his inspiration to E.L. Doctorow’s novel The March. “One of Doctorow’s characters was a freed woman named Wilma Jones who drops everything, runs to Sherman’s army, and follows it to Savannah,” he said. “I began wondering how we could write the story of freed people like her as a work of history and not just historical fiction.”

By centering the experiences of enslaved people, Parten’s research reframes the traditional military focus of Sherman’s March.

New Instructional Designer Joins Georgia Southern to Elevate Online Learning

For Nihan Agacli Dogan, Ph.D., education has always been about empowerment. As the newest instructional designer in Georgia Southern University’s Office of Adult and Online Learning (AOL), she is committed to creating meaningful, engaging, and accessible learning experiences for students and faculty alike.

Faculty Service Committee Call for Proposals

The Faculty Service Committee invites proposals for support of faculty who are providing service to the community or to the profession. Service may be connected to a local or community project but note that it may also be recognized as travel to professional conferences in which you serve in an administrative or organizational role. Travel related to service or projects must be complete and all money spent by June 6, 2025.

Eligibility:

Awards are given to full-time University faculty who propose: (1) to improve the quality of life for the local, state, national, or international community through the use of uncompensated professional skills and expertise, or (2) to serve the academic community through uncompensated public service to professional and honor societies. Note state restrictions on purchase of equipment and supplies, listed as supplement to the application.

Proposals will be evaluated in a blind review process. E-mail your application to Tabitha West in the Office of the Provost at tatmore@georgiasouthern.edu. The deadline for Cycle Two of the 2024-2025 year is February 7.

In the Provost Office, we celebrate the achievements that inspire us to reach new heights. The Congratulations Corner is your space to spotlight the incredible work happening across our campuses—whether it’s earning accolades, publishing impactful research, or receiving noteworthy appointments.

Let’s continue to soar together! Share your success stories with Provost Communications Manager Mary Kate Allen at mallen@georgiasouthern.edu to be featured in the next newsletter.

Get in touch with the editor:

Mary Kate Allen

Communications Manager for the Office of the Provost.