Sierra Kraynak Joins McBee Institute as GCAC Program Director

The Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education is excited to announce that Sierra Kraynak recently joined the Institute as the director of the Georgia College Advising Corps (GCAC). Kraynak brings a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities and a strong background in student-centered program leadership to this role.  

“I’m thrilled to join UGA as GCAC’s new director and look forward to building upon the strong foundation here that’s long been established for college-access programming,” Kraynak said.  

As director, Kraynak will lead GCAC’s statewide efforts to increase college enrollment among students underrepresented in higher education, particularly those from lower-income, first-generation, or rural communities. The program places recent college graduates as near-peer college advisers in high schools across Georgia, where they help students navigate the college application and financial aid process.  

Kraynak previously managed strategic initiatives for first-year scholar cohorts at Georgia State University where she focused on policies to increase college retention and high school recruitment across metro Atlanta. As a first-generation college graduate and former English teacher, she integrates research and storytelling into her approach to program administration.  

“One of my priorities is to ensure that GCAC advisers feel motivated and empowered in their work so they may continue to serve as resources and advocates for underserved students across the state,” she said.  

Kraynak holds an M.F.A. in Narrative Media Writing from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Tennessee. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies and is dedicated to transforming educational barriers into breakthrough opportunities for students across the South.  

“There’s no doubt that pursuit of higher education is entering a new era,” Kraynak added. “I’m so excited to collaborate with the McBee Institute and with my new colleagues in the Corps, so that we may find innovative solutions to the problems we’re facing together.”