2023 Orientation Leaders
Ryan Hurst | Wild One
Major: Science Education
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Rome, GA
Involvement: The Georgia Association of Educators; UGA University Union
UGA Bucket List: It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I would say you have to experience UGA Football. Being around 92,000+ people who are all on the same page is the most amazing feeling.
Sydney Palmer | Turnt Two
Major: Public Relations
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Conyers, GA
Involvement: Student Alumni Council; Georgia Football Recruiting Intern; Resident Assistant
UGA Bucket List: If you are able to, go to an away football game. It’s always fun roadtripping and seeing other campuses, especially when we all know the Dawgs are going to win!
Alex Scott | Triple Threat
Major: Sport Management & Journalism
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Stonecrest, GA
Involvement: Georgia Daze; Freshman Advisory Board; UGA Football Recruiting Specialist; UGA Garden Volunteer; UGA University Union; Black Affairs Council; Greek Life; IM League basketball
UGA Bucket List: Snellibrating is an absolute must!
Fatima Banda | Fantastic Four
Major: Criminal Justice & Psychology
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
Involvement: Hispanic Student Association; Dawg Camp; Project Safe Intern; Criminal Justice Society; Latinos Invested in The Students of Tomorrow (LISTo); Catholic Center; Paratransit; Campus Transit; Students for Latinx Empowerment (SLE)
UGA Bucket List: Go to as many sporting events as possible! Whether it be gymnastics, soccer, basketball, football, equestrian, volleyball, baseball, softball, or another sport, you’re sure to have a great time!
Shannon Lorusso | Firework Five
Major: Journalism
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
Involvement: Dawg Camp; Transition Leader; Greek Life; Community Service Assistant
UGA Bucket List: Go to the Niche Dining Commons! So many people overlook the 5 dining halls, but I promise taking Health Science campus bus to The Niche is worth it! They have customizable calzones, do I need to say more?
Cole Broomberg | Saucy Six
Major: Psychology & Religion
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Lake Park, GA
Involvement: Wesley Foundation; Freshley Connect Leader; CURE @ UGA; Guide Dog Foundation; Greek Life; Athens Church Small Group Leader
UGA Bucket List: Participate in all of the campus traditions that you are able to. My favorite UGA tradition is the Krypton lights in Sanford Stadium during the 4th Quarter of football games. The energy during that is unmatched and I still get goosebumps whenever I get to experience it.
Sofía Luna-Liranzo | Stellar Seven
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Sugar Hill, GA
Involvement: Student Government Association First Year Forum; University Housing Community Service Assistant; Dawg Camp; Greek Life; Junior Panhellenic
UGA Bucket List: Ring the Chapel Bell any time that you have something to celebrate – whether it’s an A on your test or the Dawgs winning the Natty, we love to celebrate here at UGA!
Zac Aaron | Epic Eight
Major: Social Work
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: McDonough, GA
Involvement: Arch Society; Dawg Camp; Engagement, Leadership, and Service (ELS) Peer Leader; SGA First Year Forum; SGA First Year Connect
UGA Bucket List: Eat at all the dining halls in one day and then decide which one is your go-to. It is possible, I promise.
Jasmine Garner | Fine Nine
Major: Biological Sciences
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Ringgold, GA
Involvement: Black Affairs Council; Louis Stokes Alliance for Minorities Program; Minorities in Science Student Association; University Housing C.L.A.S.S. Advocate
UGA Bucket List: Attend one of University Union’s signature events like Carnival, a Weekend Movie screening, or one of the Engagement Fairs.
Stephen Amolegbe Jr. | Perfect Ten
Major: Economics
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Powder Springs, GA
Involvement: Student Government Association (SGA); First-Year Programs Connect Peer Leader; Greek Life; UGA Mentorship Program
UGA Bucket List: Every new student should have ringing the Chapel Bell before the first day of class on their bucket list at UGA. Attending UGA is a huge accomplishment, and is worth celebrating!
Mary-Cain Rue | Elite Eleven
Major: Health Promotion
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Watkinsville, GA
Involvement: Cru Campus Ministry; Greek Life; Extra Special People at UGA; Mercy Health Center Volunteer; Doctors Without Borders; Athens Church
UGA Bucket List: If you are able to, go to a concert at Georgia Theater. Even if it’s an artist that you aren’t familiar with, it’s still a great show!
Laura Conway | Dynamite Dozen
Major: Middle Grades Education
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Hollywood, MD
Involvement: Greek Life; Catholic Center Small Group Leader; Project Safe Volunteer
UGA Bucket List: Every person on campus has to Snellibrate at least once during their UGA career. In my opinion, that is non-negotiable.
Kinya Williams | Thriving Thirteen
Major: Biology
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
Involvement: UGA Women’s Rugby; UGA First Year Senator; Moreno Research Laboratory; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; National Council of Negro Women; Cognition and Dexterity Research Laboratory; Bridgeway Hospice Volunteer; Greek Life
UGA Bucket List: Be sure to get a brownie and a hug from the Tate Moms on Tate Plaza!
Corbin Gay | Fearless Fourteen
Major: Management Information Systems
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Dublin, GA
Involvement: Wesley Foundation; Freshley Small Group Leader; Greek Life; ARCH Retreat Volunteer
UGA Bucket List: Go to a gymnastics meet. The meets are extremely entertaining and the Gym
Dawgs are uber talented.
Kylie Wood | Feisty Fifteen
Major: Social Work
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Nashville, GA
Involvement: University Housing; Greek Life; Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society; Shop With a Bulldawg; InspireUGA; Bachelor of Social Work Club; Relay for Life; Order of Omega; UGA Student Pantry
UGA Bucket List: Check out the Botanical Gardens – whether its studying, picnicking with friends, or taking a stroll through nature, the Botanical Gardens are the place to be.
Alexis Adkins | Super Sixteen
Major: Computer Science
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
Involvement: Leadership UGA Peer Leader; Residence Hall Association (RHA) Community Council; Student Transition Leader; Innovation Factory Data Analyst; Georgia Daze; National Society of Black Engineers; Black Affairs Council; Division of Student Affairs Student Advisory Board; Student Affairs Fellow
UGA Bucket List: Make a trip to The Niche Dining Commons on the Health Sciences Campus. It’s worth the bus ride, and by far one of my favorite dining halls on campus!
Jim Salisbury | Striking Seventeen
Major: Public Relations
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Newnan, GA
Involvement: Student Government Association First Year Forum; Dawg Camp; UGA Union’s Rocky Horror Picture Show
UGA Bucket List: Attend the annual production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show put on by the University Union!
Nicholas Chancy | Electric Eighteen
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Buford, GA
Involvement: Black Male Leadership Society; Georgia African American Male Experience Scholars Program; Professional Engineering Fraternity; GA Motorsports; National Society of Black Engineers.
UGA Bucket List: If you are able to, try to take at least one trip during your first year. One of the most exciting parts about college is being on your own and being able to choose what new experiences you want. Athens and UGA are great, but why limit yourself to only one experience? The more of the world you get to see the more you’ll simultaneously appreciate your time at UGA.
Katie Beth Threlkeld | Nonstop Nineteen
Major: Social Studies Education
Year: Rising 4th year
Hometown: Macon, GA
Involvement: Dawg Camp; Rescue Paws
UGA Bucket List: Make sure you check out the breakfast at Bolton Dining Commons because it is delicious and honestly changed my life. I truly miss eating it every morning during my first year.
Rock Rogers III | Timeless Twenty
Major: History and Religion
Year: Rising 3rd year
Hometown: Dublin, GA
Involvement: CRU Campus Ministry; Greek Life; UGA PB&J’s; IFC Clerk
UGA Bucket List: I recommend seeing the Iron Horse at sunrise at some point during your time at UGA. It is just a surreal view and memory for every student to experience.