The Red and Black Network: Mexico City Edition

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Bulldog Nation spans far and wide, beyond the hedges and across the globe – keeping the alumni network connected year after year. 

In Mexico City, a small, but passionate group of University of Georgia alumni maintains the Bulldog spirit, stretching UGA’s influence far beyond the Classic City.  

The UGA Mexico City Alumni Chapter connects both current students and alumni, through mentorship opportunities, professional development events and game-watching parties.  

Connecting with Current Students 

In 2025, Andrew Guenthner (BBA ’89, MBA ’91), president of the UGA Mexico City Alumni chapter, learned that Terry College of Business students would be spending spring break in Mexico City for an international business course. Seeing an opportunity to connect with current Bulldogs, Guenthner — along with John Hyatt, CEO of Southward Advisors — helped coordinate a meaningful engagement during the trip.  

   

The alumni chapter hosted the group at Guenthner’s apartment, where alumni shared their experiences living and working abroad. Later in the week, he hosted them at Aeroméxico as part of their visits with multiple corporations in Mexico City. During the visit, students gained firsthand exposure to Aeroméxico’s global business operations through interactive Q&A sessions with multiple Aeroméxico leaders. The group was presented with a case study, which they took back to Athens as part of their coursework. 

This program allows Terry students to learn more about the global economy and the Mexico City chapter was happy to take part. 

“They were able to speak with local businesspeople and understand the business environment for airlines, in this particular case, here in Mexico,” he said.  

“It was clear that the group appreciated the interaction, as many reached out after the visit,” he said. 

Experiential learning trips like this help students learn how to solve real-life problems outside the classroom. 

And the different opportunities that these students are exposed to allows them to explore possible career options in a supportive environment. 

“I like working with students,” he said. “I’ve always done that at work, sometimes continuing to mentor people that used to work with me 15+ years ago.” 

Other Engagement 

The Terry International Business trip isn’t the only event that the Mexico City Alumni Chapter is engaged with. They also host game-watching parties and high school recruiting events. 

With the high school recruiting events, the chapter, led by Bart Rich (BA ’13, BS ’13), VP of recruitment, arranges to be a part of the week of college fairs for the seven major private high schools in Mexico City, providing the students more information about UGA. The college fairs are open not only to students from these high schools, but to others from the surrounding community as well. 

“We provide them with ways to find out about what UGA has to offer and encourage them to reach out,” he said. 

Even while being thousands of miles away from Athens, this chapter finds a way to cheer on the Dawgs during football season. 

They partner with a local restaurant, Pinche Gringo, BBQ and typically have a reserved spot where alumni can spend time together. 

On average, about 10-15 people will attend the game-watching parties. But sometimes, more alumni that just happen to be visiting Mexico City. 

Not only is this chapter interested in cultivating Bulldog pride, but SEC spirit as well. During the 2024 and 2025 football seasons, they hosted a joint watch party with the University of Texas at Austin alumni chapter, the Texas Exes. The goal is to combine efforts and have more SEC alumni come together to share their love for college football. 

Through mentorship, outreach and shared traditions, the UGA Mexico City Alumni Chapter continues to prove that no matter the distance, Bulldog Nation remains strong. 

Interested in connecting with fellow UGA alumni in your area? 

Find Your Alumni Chapter

Scott Cuppari honored as 2026 Seawell Faculty Award recipient 

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The award recognizes a UGA faculty and staff member for excellence in career mentorship. 

Scott Cuppari, lecturer in the department of marketing at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, is the 2026 recipient of UGA’s Lee Anne Seawell Faculty Recognition Award.  

Faculty and staff who receive this honor, given annually by the UGA Career Center, are selected via feedback from the Career Center’s annual Career Outcomes Survey. The survey gave members of the Class of 2025 the opportunity to identify a faculty or staff member who had a positive influence on their career development.  

Cuppari earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from West Virginia University. He then moved to Atlanta to start his career in advertising and shifted into broader marketing roles at Earthlink and Coca-Cola Co. After more than a decade of work in the industry, he went back to West Virginia University and earned his Master of Science in integrated marketing communications.  

Cuppari is focused on sharing his industry experience and supporting his students, regardless of whether they are pursuing a degree in marketing.  

“My goal every single day is to bring the real world into the classroom,” Cuppari said. “My courses aren’t about memorization and theory. It’s more geared toward application and building those real-world skills.”  

During his time at Coca-Cola, he was the client for the Terry College’s Digital Marketing Competition in 2016. Through that experience he was introduced to Terry College’s Jennifer Osbon and was inspired to pursue a career in academia. Five years later, he had the opportunity to start teaching part-time.   

He now he teaches two courses on social media strategy and marketing principles as well a master-level course in the Terry College’s Master of Marketing Research program. He will also teach a new course in fall 2026 within the Terry Executive MBA program at the college’s Buckhead campus. 

Cuppari credits his time as a youth soccer coach to helping him find success in academia.  

“Coaching taught me how to be a leader to young adults, how I could be a mentor, how I could be that figure in the lives of a lot of players and how that coaching mentality translates directly into the teaching and mentorship in the classroom,” he said.   

He finds satisfaction in helping students accomplish something they originally thought would not be possible.   

“I’m a firm believer it’s never ‘I can’t,’” he said. “It’s just I have not done it yet.”  

The late Lee Anne Seawell endowed this faculty recognition award, which has been presented annually since 2017. Seawell joined UGA in 1947 as one of the university’s first female administrators, and she worked in career services and student financial aid until her retirement in 1987.  

“I’m humbled and very grateful that the students in the Class of 2025 thought of me and the relationships that I built in and out of the classroom,” Cuppari said. “Certainly, my primary job is to build their capability and teach, but I found more joy in the mentorship, the career coaching, the career advice, the resume skills workshops — some of the other things that I do outside of my normal teaching responsibility.”  

For more information on career outcomes for the Class of 2025, visit https://career.uga.edu/outcomes. 

More Than a Ring: Legacy and Connection

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From ringing the Chapel Bell to cheering in Sanford Stadium, University of Georgia alumni around the world are united by an unbreakable bond.  

That shared loved for UGA is rooted in cherished memories, enduring traditions and milestones that forever shape every Bulldog’s journey. Every Dawg has a story. For many, that story is captured in a single, meaningful symbol: the UGA class ring. 

The UGA class ring is a permanent and personal expression of the classic UGA experience — one that connects past, present and future Dawgs. Worn to honor accomplishments, celebrate memories and showcase pride in the red and black, the ring serves as a lasting tribute to a time that helped define many Bulldogs — who they were becoming and who they are today.

History of the Class Ring 

In 1923, juniors and seniors adopted the official “Senior-Alumni Ring” to be worn exclusively by alumni and graduating students in good standing.  From the beginning, the ring represented achievement and a lifelong connection to the University of Georgia. 

Almost a century later in 2005, UGA partnered with Balfour to redesign the ring, resulting in the collection available today. While modernized, the current designs proudly retain timeless elements from the original ring design, including the iconic Arch. 

Today, the class ring also carries a powerful legacy of giving back. With every ring purchased, $85 supports the Young Alumni Leadership Council Finish the Drill Scholarship, which assists undergraduate students who have taken 60 or more credit hours to help them finish out their college journey without financial uncertainty.

Through the partnership between UGA and Balfour, support for this scholarship has continued to grow.  

Over the past decade alone, over 2,000 rings have been sold — each one helping another Dawg remain on track toward graduation and joining the alumni family. 

Custom(ization)s and Traditions 

Each class ring can be customized with a variety of metals and optional design elements, making it uniquely personal and reflective of every Bulldog’s individual journey. 

For those unsure of their ring size, the Student Alumni Council and Balfour host sizing opportunities at campus locations throughout the spring semester. Rings may also be viewed year‑round at the UGA Bookstore or ordered online, offering a convenient option for alumni who wish to claim this tradition after graduation. 

Class rings are officially presented during the annual UGA Ring Ceremony in April, when students are joined by family and friends to celebrate this milestone and don their rings for the first time. 

There is even meaning behind how the ring is worn. As a student, the Arch on the ring faces inward. After graduation, the ring is then turned outward, symbolizing completion of the degree and readiness to pass through the (actual) Arch into the next chapter of their Bulldog journey.  

The meaning of a class ring extends far beyond the materials used to craft it. Countless memories, lifelong friendships and moments such as passing under the Arch for the first time cannot be measured — but the ring serves as a tangible reminder of those defining experiences and special moments.  

Years later, the ring can evoke memories of the most transformative seasons at UGA: stepping onto the field for the first time to help create the Power “G” and for the last time to receive your degree. It honors the past, celebrates the present and reflects on the future still unfolding.  

A signature symbol of Bulldog pride, perseverance and lifelong connection, the UGA class ring is a piece meant to be worn for a lifetime. No matter where life leads, it stands as a reminder that the UGA family endures — and that Bulldogs never bark alone. 

Be Part of the Tradition

Teed up for impact: when philanthropy meets the fairway

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Each fall, as the Golden Isles fill with familiar faces and the Seaside Golf Course readies for its annual tournament week, Sea Island becomes more than a PGA Tour destination. It becomes a place where Bulldogs reconnect. 

For University of Georgia alumni who call the coast home, The RSM Classic has evolved since its inception in 2010 into a unique way for alumni and friends to gather and work toward building the future for UGA students through philanthropy. 

At first blush, the partnership between UGA and The RSM Classic might seem unlikely. Dig a little deeper, however, and the two institutions begin to look like a natural fit. 

Former UGA Alumni Association president and current UGA Foundation Trustee Bonney Shuman (BBA ’80) saw that alignment early on among her fellow Saint Simons Island residents. With a strong Bulldog presence in the Golden Isles and an increasing number of UGA alumni competing on the PGA Tour, she said the partnership felt inevitable. 

“To me, it was a perfect storm. We had this event, a strong Bulldog community here, and so many UGA alumni on the PGA Tour,” Shuman said. “It just made sense.” 

Several former Bulldogs and PGA players (not pictured) came together to support an endowed scholarship at UGA.

Along with Shuman, Todd Thompson (BSED ’94), the tournament director, is a former Bulldog. John McKenzie (BSA ’89), who works for the Davis Love Foundation, the nonprofit that runs the event in conjunction with the PGA Tour, is as well. 

Not to mention, the tournament is often headlined by several former UGA golfers turned professionals. In 2020, nearly a dozen of those golfers collectively endowed a need-based Georgia Commitment Scholarship for UGA students. 

For Shuman, inviting those golfers to give back was all about storytelling. 

“Like most of us alumni, they were talking about what a great foundation UGA gave them and how meaningful Athens was,” she said. “I just thought it would be powerful to bring them together and ask if we could do something that demonstrated their impact on UGA.” 

The response, she said, was immediate, and perhaps reflective of a broader culture within professional golf.  

“Many people may not realize that philanthropy is really at the heart of what the PGA Tour does and certainly what we’ve focused on with The RSM Classic,” Thompson said. 

The Davis Love Foundation’s mission is to serve children and families in need, McKenzie, director of sales for The RSM Classic, explained. It is an intentionally broad scope designed to support a wide range of community partners and respond to evolving needs. Enter John and Todd’s alma mater. 

For UGA, that drive to make a difference in communities made the Davis Love Foundation and The RSM Classic natural partners and created a meaningful experience for Bulldogs to make an impact. 

In the Dawghouse 

Uga frequently makes an appearance in the Dawghouse at the RSM Classic.

Overlooking the 17th green, the Dawghouse provides an unbeatable view of the tournament.

At the center of the UGA presence at The RSM Classic is a venue with a name that feels right at home for Bulldogs, the Dawghouse. 

A tented hospitality venue located behind the 17th green on the Seaside Golf Course, the Dawghouse is an ideal spot for viewing, conversation and community. 

But there’s a deeper reason the setting works. It meets alumni where they are. Shuman describes the Dawghouse as more than a hospitality tent, but an extension of Bulldog culture in an unexpected setting. 

“It’s as vibrant as you can get at a golf tournament,” she said. “Supportive, enthusiastic, full of Bulldog pride and still very intentional — even when the rest of the crowd switches to a golf clap.” 

That environment, she added, creates space not just for celebration, but for meaningful conversation about impact. “We’re reaching alumni who might not make it back to Athens very often, but UGA is coming to their community. That resonates.” 

Coastal Georgia, and even neighboring Florida, remains one of UGA’s largest alumni bases, with approximately 15,000 alumni across the region. 

“There are so many alumni down here in this area, and it’s great for the university to have a place to connect with them in a meaningful way,” Thompson said. 

The venue isn’t just for handshakes and shared Bulldog pride but also serves as a central meeting place for alumni, golfers and friends to gather with likeminded, philanthropically focused Bulldogs. 

Beyond the scorecard 

Thompson’s own UGA story is woven into the tournament’s current chapter. He has helped guide the evolving relationship with UGA and has seen the Dawghouse become a place where alumni can interact with players they already cheer for, including a number of former Bulldogs now on tour. 

In fact, Thompson’s own son, Davis (BSED ’21), followed in his footsteps as a UGA golfer. Today, both are connected to the PGA Tour, Todd as a tournament director and Davis as a player. 

He described the unique energy of watching UGA golfers come through the Dawghouse and connect with alumni. “It is just a great connection knowing that we’re supplying an avenue for the university to come down here and, at the same time, for us to build opportunities for students there.”  

For both McKenzie and Thompson, the opportunity to support students through scholarships felt like a natural extension of the Davis Love Foundation’s mission and the RSM Classic’s purpose. 

The focus on philanthropy was already there. Hearing from fellow alumni and university partners about the impact that partnership and collective giving could have on students made UGA an especially compelling partner. 

The Dawghouse provides a place for Bulldogs to gather at the RSM Classic in the Golden Isles of Georgia.

As part of that partnership, the Davis Love Foundation has established two endowed scholarships: one through the Let All the Big Dawgs Eat scholarship program and another through the Georgia Commitment Scholarship program. The Davis Love Foundation remains committed to building on that momentum, as both Thompson and McKenzie see the relationship with UGA not as a finished chapter, but as something to continue growing. 

“We don’t see what we’ve done as an end point, just a continuation,” McKenzie said. 

Thompson echoed that sentiment, emphasizing momentum and visibility. “So many people don’t even know what The RSM Classic is. They don’t know we have a PGA Tour event down here,” he said. His hope is that more UGA alumni will learn the story, experience the event and see the giving firsthand, not for recognition’s sake, but to invite more people into a community that’s already giving back. 

For Shuman, the partnership’s success lies in its ability to keep expanding its reach. 

“Every year, we’re telling the story to someone who hasn’t heard it before,” she said. “And every time we do that, there’s an opportunity to inspire someone new.” 

The RSM Classic isn’t simply a place where Bulldogs gather. It’s a place where they gather with purpose — where alumni connection becomes student support and Bulldog pride turns into meaningful investment. What may have once seemed unexpected now feels par for the course: a community showing up for one another and living out what it truly means to be a Bulldog year-round, worldwide and lifelong.

Carolyn Tieger, Dedicated DAWG and Grady Benefactor

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On June 7, Carolyn Tieger (ABJ ’69) graduated from the University of Georgia. Just 24 hours later, Carolyn got married in the living room and tossed her bouquet from the steps of the Sigma Kappa house on Milledge Avenue. She then traded Athens for the nation’s capital to begin an illustrious career in public relations and public affairs.  

Carolyn excelled in both D.C.’s public and private sectors. Her experience with the Department of Commerce, Capitol Hill and the Reagan White House led to executive positions with PR giant Burson-Marsteller. She also built her own company, which she sold to leading PR firm Porter Novelli, and then ran Porter’s D.C. office. Carolyn has never slowed down. In retirement, she remains involved in politics, business and philanthropy in Naples, Florida, as well as her beloved alma mater and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications.   

Bulldog Adventures 

During winter 2025, Tieger traveled to Tanzania with Bulldog Adventures, a UGA program that offers a variety of memorable trips for alumni and friends to enjoy throughout the year. A portion of the cost of the trip also helps fund experiential learning opportunities for UGA students. 

Tieger and her fellow adventurers enjoyed daily safari game drives, viewed the vast Serengeti landscape from hot air balloons and visited Tanzanian museums and a local school while on the trip.  

“Africa was always on my bucket list. Not just to see the sights and animals, but to immerse myself in the culture,” she said. “Traveling with other Bulldogs was also such a highlight. It felt just like being back for homecoming week, getting to talk and reminisce on our time at UGA.” 

On a visit to a local primary school, Tieger found herself moved by the immense pride the students had in their country and school work, as well as the dedication of the teachers, who she was surprised to learn often walked long distances — up to two hours one way — to get to the school every day. After returning from her trip, Carolyn connected with the Kibaoni Primary School Foundation to begin a campaign for building housing for teachers, which has received support by many of the alumni on the trip.  

“I love kids, and I love students in particular,” said Tieger. “I don’t have children of my own, so I’m very passionate about supporting students and their education. I try to do as much as I can for Grady students, and after having met those kids in Tanzania, I knew I wanted to take my passion international.”

Carolyn (pictured on the right) in a safari vehicle during her Bulldog Adventures trip to Tanzania. Photo: submitted.

Carolyn’s Bulldog Adventures travel group pictured in Tanzania. Photo: submitted.

Giving back to Grady 

Originally starting her time at UGA as an education major, Tieger soon realized her talents were better suited towards public relations than the classroom.  

“The thing that stuck with me most from my time at Grady was the professors weren’t just interested in educating you, but truly preparing you for what comes after graduation,” she said. “Grady gave me the confidence and credentials to go into the world and go after what I wanted. I was just a kid from Homer, GA and never in my wildest imagination thought that I could go to Washington and have the kind of career I had.” 

Carolyn has helped establish two unique programs at Grady: the Public Affairs Communications (PAC) program and the Talking Dog Agency.  

First and only in the nation, the PAC program provides students with specialized communications skills aimed at educating, shaping or changing public opinion on public policy, legislation, political candidates or issues. The Talking Dog Agency is a full-service, student-led advertising and public relations agency giving students real-world experience before entering the work force.  

“Even though I had my degree and was ready to rock and roll, I knew very little about public policy, how laws are made and specific communications skills you need if you’re going to work in an area with government presence,” Tieger said.  

“[Grady] has so many alumni who have graduated and work in the world of public affairs and politics that I thought if students were equipped with the kinds of skills I didn’t have when I started out in Washington, it would help them get jobs and our students would be in demand,” she continued. 

In addition to her contributions to the PAC program and Talking Dog, Tieger launched what she calls the Ex-PRIZE program while she was chair of the Grady Board of Trust, providing funding for students to participate in experiential learning. Tieger and the Board of Trust raised more than $1.4 million in six months, and the fund has grown exponentially since then.  She has also set up a planned gift to be allocated to the university through her estate plan. With this contribution, her self-dubbed “gift that keeps on living” will continue to sustain the Grady PAC program and its students for years to come.  

Join Carolyn and give back to the areas of UGA that have made the biggest impact on your personal and professional journey. 

Give Today

KBH Industrial repeats as fastest-growing UGA business

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The University of Georgia recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by UGA alumni during the Bulldog 100 Celebration on Feb. 7 in the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium. 

KBH Industrial earned the No. 1 spot for 2026. The company is led by Tarun Ganeriwal, president and chief executive officer, who received his Master of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business in 2009. 

Left to right: Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Jill Walton; president and CEO of KBH Industrial, Tarun Ganeriwal; Hairy Dawg; president of UGA Alumni Association, Corey Dortch.

Headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia, KBH Industrial delivers energy solutions through professional, architectural, engineering, design and construction services for partners across the energy industry. This year marks the company’s third time on the Bulldog 100 list, and the second year in a row in the top spot. 

The rest of the Bulldog 100 top ten includes: 

  1. Marlin Construction Partners, Lake City, Florida
  2. SlicedHealth, Woodstock, Georgia
  3. The King Firm, LLC, Tifton, Georgia
  4. I Buy All Shoes, Alpharetta, Georgia
  5. Rugged Road, Norcross, Georgia
  6. Merit Partners, Atlanta, Georgia
  7. Hess Media Inc., Gallatin, Tennessee
  8. Ellsworth Cleaning and Facility Services, Atlanta, Georgia
  9. Rise Property Group, Marietta, Georgia

“This remarkable class of honorees represents all that is possible when talent, determination and the Bulldog spirit come together,” said Corey Dortch, president of the University of Georgia Alumni Association Board of Directors. “Their success strengthens our university, fuels economic growth and inspires the next generation of Bulldogs to dream even bigger.” 

“Each year, this program reminds us how far a UGA education can take you and how powerfully our alumni continue to shape their industries and communities,” Dortch said. 

The Bulldog 100 rankings are based solely on their three-year compounded annual growth rates. The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors — a Bulldog 100 partner since the program began in 2009 — verifies the information submitted by each company and determines the final rankings. In total, revenues for companies in the 2026 Bulldog 100 increased by 121% percent from 2022-2024, representing strong economic momentum and entrepreneurial leadership. 

This year’s class includes businesses headquartered in a total of 10 states, with 85 of the businesses located in the state of Georgia. In total, 140 alumni representing over industries from health care and engineering to construction and marketing were recognized. 

Left to right: Lelia Bryan, Stephanie and Chad Powell, Corey Dortch.

The annual Michael J. Bryan Award was presented during the Feb. 7 event. Named for co-founder and managing partner of Vino Venue and Atlanta Wine School who passed away in 2017 from cancer, the award recognizes a returning Bulldog 100 honoree who exemplifies Bryan’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA. This year’s recipients were Stephanie and Chad Powell, second-generation leaders of 50-year-old Georgia-built business, Joe Powell & Associates, in addition to Joe Powell Services Incorporated.  

To view the complete list of 2026 Bulldog 100 businesses, visit alumni.uga.edu/b100.

Nominations for the 2027 Bulldog 100 will open in April. 

UGA announces 2026 Alumni Awards 

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The University of Georgia announced the 2026 Alumni Awards honorees. These annual awards recognize individuals that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to UGA. The 2026 honorees are:  

  • Larry R. Benson | Alumni Merit Award
  • Nancy C. Juneau | Alumni Merit Award
  • Robert E. Hoyt | Faculty Service Award
  • Jim and Rene Nalley | Family of the Year Award
  • Brian E. Harman | Young Alumni Award

The 2026 Alumni Awards honorees will be welcomed to Athens on Thursday, April 2 for a luncheon to celebrate their dedication to the University of Georgia. More about these distinguished members of the UGA community will be available following the luncheon in April at alumni.uga.edu/alumniawards.  

“The Alumni Awards honor some of the University of Georgia’s most dedicated supporters,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Our accomplishments in research, teaching and service would not be possible without the continued generosity of our loyal alumni and friends, and I am truly grateful for all they do to advance our vital land-grant and sea-grant mission.”

Mentorship that builds futures

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When Mong Vo ’26 first stepped onto the University of Georgia campus as a freshman, she was filled with curiosity and just a little uncertainty. With no immediate family members working in the corporate world, she wondered how to navigate the journey toward her dream career. Should she pursue research opportunities? Should she join a student organization? What were the steps she could take to get her where she wanted to go?

That’s when she discovered the UGA Mentor Program, which is designed to connect students with alumni and professionals who can provide guidance, encouragement and real-world perspective. Mong hoped it would help her understand the corporate world and give her direction. What she didn’t know then was that it would also lead her to a mentor who would change the trajectory of her career.

A mentor’s motivation to give back

Hayden Scarbrough (BSEE ’18), a proud UGA alumnus and lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan, had already been involved with the UGA Mentor Program for several years when he met Mong. For him, mentoring was about more than just giving advice — it was about giving back to the university community that shaped him.

“I saw how mentoring was such an instrumental part of corporate culture,” Hayden explained. “I wanted to make sure I had my Dawgs’ backs as they transitioned into their careers.”

Hayden has been able to provide guidance and mentorship to Bulldog students through the UGA Mentor Program.

Opportunity awaits

Hayden helped Mong sort through the choices ahead — research versus corporate work and the many paths within computer science — offering perspective and encouragement.

With his guidance, Mong landed an internship at AT&T, one of UGA’s top 25 employers for 2024, which was a major milestone in her professional journey. During her internship, Hayden continued to mentor her, offering advice as she delivered presentations to executives, collaborated with teams, and navigated the corporate environment.

By the end of the program, Mong had earned a coveted full-time job offer with AT&T, giving her the security of knowing she would graduate with a career already in place.

“I’m so grateful,” Mong said. “The job market, especially for computer science degrees, has been really competitive. Having that offer gave me peace of mind for my last year of school.”

Mong, Hayden and team present their project with AT&T during Mong’s internship.

Lessons in networking

Beyond the internship and job offer, Mong says the most important lesson she learned from Hayden was the value of networking.

“Networking is the job,” Hayden told her. At first, Mong thought of networking as something useful but secondary. Through Hayden’s guidance, she came to understand that building relationships was central to success — not just for landing a job, but for finding opportunities within a company and connecting with people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

During her internship, Mong put that advice into practice, meeting colleagues across teams and even helping connect fellow interns to opportunities. “I love that feeling of being able to help other people through my network,” she said.

Hayden echoed the importance of networking, noting that it has been the most impactful advice he has received in his own career.

“Networking is what allows you to climb the ladder others have built for you,” he explained.

“Mong went from not knowing what she wanted to do to owning it,” Hayden said proudly of his mentee. “She took charge, excelled in her internship, and earned a full-time position. That’s not easy to do.”

“Once you find that one mentor you really click with, it can change the trajectory of your academic and career journey,” Mong said of her mentor.

Their story is a testament to how the UGA Mentor Program provides guidance, confidence and connections to students. For alumni, it offers the chance to give back and witness firsthand the impact of investing time in future Bulldogs.

Hayden encourages other alumni to get involved, reminding them that mentorship doesn’t require an executive title or hours of weekly commitment. “There’s always time to give back,” he said. “Any stage of your career can be beneficial for students. All perspectives are welcome.”

As Mong prepares to graduate with a full-time job secured, and Hayden continues to mentor future Bulldogs, their journey shows that mentorship is more than advice — it’s a bridge to opportunity, growth and lasting success.

Join the UGA Mentor Program today to make an impact on the next generation of Bulldog leaders and attend the Spring Career & Internship Fair to find the next step in your professional journey.

 

Join the UGA Mentor Program 

 

Attend the Spring Career & Internship Fair

 

UGA opens nominations for prestigious Footsteps Award

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The University of Georgia is accepting nominations for its Footsteps Award, an annual honor celebrating UGA graduates carrying forward the pioneering spirit of three trailblazers who helped to integrate UGA — Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63), Hamilton Holmes (BS ’63) and Mary Frances Early (MMED ’62, EDS ’67). 

UGA alumni, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to nominate deserving graduates by completing the online form at alumni.uga.edu/footsteps-award. Nominations close February 13, and the recipient will be announced in late spring.  

The award recognizes a graduate whose influence extends across multiple areas of their community. A committee of UGA faculty, staff, alumni, and students will select the honoree, who will be formally recognized during the 1961 Club Celebration this summer. 

Now in its fourth year, the Footsteps Award has honored leaders including Eugenia Harvey in 2022, Richard Dunn and Xernona Thomas in 2023, Justice Robert Benham in 2024, and most recently, Marti Health founder and CEO Dr. Michael V. Smith.  

“Our alumni continue to inspire us with the ways they lead, serve, and uplift their communities,” said Adam Roell, UGA’s executive director of alumni relations. “The Footsteps Award shines a light on those who extend the legacy of Hunter-Gault, Holmes, and Early, proving that the Bulldog spirit reaches far beyond campus.” 

Questions about the award can be emailed to alumni@uga.edu. 

Nominate Today

Georgia’s Capital and the Bulldogs’ Backyard

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Right in the Bulldogs’ backyard and at the heart of the Peach State, the UGA Atlanta Alumni Chapter stands as the largest alumni chapter, representing nearly one-third of all UGA alumni. 

“This chapter represents around 30% of all living UGA alumni, so our board has the opportunity to connect a huge Bulldog family and rally them to support both the university and our Atlanta community,” Will Ferrand (BBA ’15), the Atlanta chapter president said. 

“Working for this UGA family is a big responsibility, but a massive privilege as well.” 

With multiple game-watching parties across the city, the Atlanta game day experience is always a classic. The chapter’s most well-known watch party location is Monday Night Brewing, located in West Midtown; this year, they also incorporated Red Pepper Taqueria and the new greenspace in the city of Tucker, Georgia. 

Members of the Tucker municipal government reached out to the university and the Atlanta chapter to inquire into being an official game-watching party venue in their newly created outdoor space. By working with the Mayor of Tucker and city council staff, they were able to create the first UGA Alumni chapter/local municipality partnership of its kind.  

“We held three watch parties in Tucker this season, and each was a great success,” Ferrand said. “We’re excited to continue working with them and hope this kind of partnership can become a model for other chapters as well.”

The Atlanta Chapter hosts game-watching parties across the city.

The Atlanta Chapter hosts game-watching parties across the city.

Per game, there is an average of 75-100 people ready to cheer on the Dawgs and for the bigger matchups of the season, up to 200 fans will gather together. With UGA making post-season appearances the past few years, they have also seen huge crowds of over 300 people for events like the SEC Championship.

Aside from cheering on the Dawgs, this chapter loves to host events to support Atlanta sports teams, including the Hawks and the Braves. In previous years, they helped host the UGA Night at the Hawks and the UGA Day at the Braves events, where a portion of ticket proceeds supported the Atlanta Chapter Scholarship Fund.  

This fund supports a student in the greater Atlanta area attending the University of Georgia.  

Fun UGA merch that the UGA Atlanta Alumni Chapter has at their game-watching parties.

Fun UGA merch that the UGA Atlanta Alumni Chapter has at their game-watching parties.

Alumni chapter leaders work with business leaders and large corporations from all over the metro Atlanta area to help connect the community back to UGA. From the Georgia Economic Outlook series hosted by the Terry College of Business each year at the Georgia Aquarium, to UGA Emeritus Board of Trustees events around the city, Atlanta is a home away from home for UGA outside of Athens. 

“The partnership between Atlanta and Athens is such an important one for our state and our university, and our chapter is excited to be a part of it,” Ferrand said. 

“The Atlanta Chapter is going to have more opportunities for alumni engagement. Since we Never Bark Alone, the chapter wants to be a conduit for our alumni to find the UGA causes they are most passionate about and help them contribute their time, talent, or treasure back to the university.” 

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