The East Georgia Annual Awards program is designed to identify and reward individuals that made outstanding contributions to the success of the East Georgia Campus.
Through this process, Georgia Southern will recognize two individuals who demonstrate exceptional Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Reliability (STAR) to the success of the East Georgia Campus, as well as one individual who embodies the heart, mission and values of East Georgia.
2026 Award Recipients
Faculty S.T.A.R. Award
Jeffrey Howell, Ph.D.
Professor, Social Sciences
Staff S.T.A.R. Award
Tifani Pool
Director, East Georgia - Statesboro Campus
Spirit of East Georgia Award
Courtney Joiner
Chair, Department of Social Science &
Professional Studies in Social Sciences
Years of Service
| 5 Years | 10 Years | 15 Years |
| Brandon Kight Kaydee Olgesby |
M. Katelyn Moore Martiana Sega Alexander Smith |
Georgia Sanders Dr. Yelena White |
| 20 Years | 25 Years | |
| Jeniba Dart Desmal Purcell |
John Smoyer |
About The East Georgia Annual Awards
The East Georgia Annual Awards recognizes staff and faculty for their exceptional Service, Teamwork, Attitude and Reliability (STAR), and honors an employee who embodies the heart, mission and values of East Georgia. A total of three awards are open for nomination. Each STAR award honors one faculty award and one staff award, and the Spirit of East Georgia Award honors one employee.
East Georgia Annual Awards Committee
The East Georgia Annual Awards Committee is composed of representatives from the East Georgia Campus and Georgia Southern University.
- Jazzkia Jones, Chair, Director, Office of Institutional Engagement
- Harley Smith, Co-Chair, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President
- Lauren Draughorne, Coordinator, Office of Institutional Engagement
- Johnna Eaton, Director, East Georgia Campus - Swainsboro
- Dr. Delena Gatch, Associate Provost, Institutional Assessment Accreditation
- Desmal Purcell - Assistant Dean of University Access, College of Arts and Humanities
- Jessi Williamson, Associate Vice President, Enrollment and Student Success
For questions, contact: gsawards@georgiasouthern.edu
