Image: As we are preparing for the new academic year, the McBee Institute is happy to announce our 2023-2024 HESS officers and Research Roundtable leaders. HESS officers President, Carlie Cooper: Carlie is a doctoral student. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UGA (2017) and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University (2021). She has previously worked as an academic advisor at the University of Georgia and currently serves as a Research Assistant with the UBelong Collaborative under Dr. Toutkoushian. Her research interests include policies regarding secondary major admissions processes and supporting underrepresented students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Secretary, Isaac Portillo: Isaac Portillo is a doctoral student and is working with the assistant dean for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives in the College of Pharmacy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from West Virginia University and a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. While at USC, Portillo worked for the National Resource Center for the first-year experience and students in transition as a research assistant for the Advising Success Network, a Gates Foundation solutions-network focused on equitable holistic advising redesign. Treasurer, Ty Kunzman: Ty Kunzman is a doctoral student . His research interests center on issues of social class inequality in educational access, opportunity, and outcomes with a focus on student sense of belonging. He attended the University of Virginia where he completed his MEd in Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education and Hamilton College where he earned a BA in Government with a minor in Africana Studies. In addition to his studies, he has held a variety of postsecondary positions and is currently working as a Managing Editor for the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. Master’s Representative, Brenna Mathews: Brenna Mathews is a MEd student and earned her BA from Western Kentucky University in Political Science and Arabic Language in 2021. She worked in the WKU Admissions Office and found her passion in higher education. Serving as an admissions ambassador and orientation leader, she met a diverse population of students through the recruitment and orientation process. Speaking with parents about federal aid and scholarship opportunities for underrepresented students, she saw the importance of funding for public higher education institutions. Research Roundtable leaders Maddie Greenberg: Maddie Greenberg is a doctoral student at McBee and works as a graduate research assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. She earned her BA in Environmental Science and Policy from Florida State University and her MEd in Higher Education Administration from NC State University. Greenberg has worked as a mixed-methods researcher and consultant for institutions of higher education, helping administrators and faculty make data-informed decisions to enhance the student experience. Ursula Reynolds: Ursula Reynolds is a doctoral student at McBee and works full-time as the associate director for the Doctoral Program in the Business School at Georgia Tech. In this role, Reynolds provides leadership and oversees operations for recruiting, admissions, program and marketing development, and student services. She is also an instructor for the Women and Leadership freshman seminar. Type of News/Audience: General News
