About Us
The Office of New Student and Family Transitions is committed to the successful transition of all students, and their systems of support. We value the following:
Our Values
- Success & Leadership - Learning that prepares students for a lifetime of success and leadership
- Excellence without Compromise - Striving for the highest standards with integrity and commitment.
- Climate of Success - Achievement supported by a climate that celebrates each person's success
- Shared Community - The shared mutuality between all students, their supporters, and our shared Augusta Community
- A Culture of Respect - A culture of respect for all members of our shared community and a shared commitment to uplifting all members of our community
Contact Us
The Office of New Student & Family Transitions
Summerville Campus
706-737-1610
SAC 102
The Professional Staff Team
DIRECTOR: MARK MYERSABOUT MEI serve as Director of New Student and Family Transitions at »Æ¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ, where I oversee orientation, transition, and family programming for more than 1,900 incoming students and their families each year. As a first-generation college student from rural Pennsylvania, I know what it feels like to show up somewhere and not have a roadmap. That experience is the foundation of everything I do in my role. I think about all students and their supporters (parents, families, guardians, chosen support systems) and what they need to feel prepared and confident during the transition to university life. Not every student arrives with the same resources or the same familiarity with higher education, and our work should reflect that. My path into this work started the way it does for a lot of us: as a student leader who realized this mattered. That realization turned into a career spanning institutions in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia, each one shaping how I approach my work. I hold our unit's programming to national benchmarks and best practices, with a particular alignment to CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education) as the framework for how we design, assess, and improve what we do and how we do it. I hold dual Bachelor's degrees in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Communication Arts from Allegheny College, a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Columbia College, and I am currently completing my Doctorate in Educational Innovation at Augusta University. I am an active member of NODA (Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education) and AHEPPP (Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals), where I currently serve on the national board as a CAS Representative. In 2024, our team received the NODA Innovative Program Award for LEAP Week, Augusta University's extended orientation experience and the 2024 Destination Augusta Tourism Partner of the Year award. Outside of work, my husband John and I have a lab mix named Bella and a cat named Lucy. We spend most of our free time exploring Augusta's river region or planning our next home renovation project. MEMBER OF NSFT SINCE: March 2022 |
New Student & Family Transitions |
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ORIENTATION & TRANSITION PROGRAMS:ABOUT THE ROLEThe Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition Programs is a key leader within the Office of New Student & Family Transitions, playing a central role in Augusta University's student retention initiatives and Strategic Enrollment Management plan. This position provides strategic vision and oversight for all new student orientation and transition programs, collaborating with campus and community partners as well as developing student leaders who guide new students through the transition to university life. The Assistant Director develops and implements comprehensive, data-driven orientation experiences and communication strategies that prepare students for academic and personal success, foster belonging from day one, and strengthen long-term retention. |
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, FAMILY PROGRAMS: NEW POSITION, APPLY NOW!ABOUT THE ROLEThe Assistant Director of Family Programs is a key leader within the Office of New Student & Family Transitions, playing a central role in »Æ¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ’s student retention initiatives and Strategic Enrollment Management plan. This position provides strategic vision and oversight for all family engagement initiatives, collaborating with campus and community partners as well as developing student leaders who contribute to family engagement. The Assistant Director develops and implements comprehensive, data-driven programs and communication strategies that transform families into active partners, enhance student success, and strengthen long-term retention. |
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OFFICE MANAGER: POSITION POSTING SOON!ABOUT THE ROLEThis position manages the daily administrative support operations of the Office of New Student & Family Transitions, including (a) planning, organizing, and managing the administrative staffing resources including the orientation reservation system, (b) serves as receptionist for the office operations including direct customer service to prospective students and their family members, (c) assists with budget planning and oversight, including purchasing and payroll for orientation leaders; and (d) supports program/event management for orientation, family weekend, and other programs managed by the office. This position supervises 2 student assistant employees (e.g., recruits, hires, trains, manages, oversees time and absence), serves as the Director’s administrative assistant (e.g., coordinates Director’s schedule and other staff schedules), works on various projects and tasks, and is responsible for many aspects of the budget, including planning, oversight, and purchasing. The position also manages our employee records. |
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The Orientation & Student Development Student Leadership Team
About the New Student & Family Transitions Student Leadership Team: This team keeps our programs running smoothly. From project management and strategic planning to day-to-day operations, they handle the details that ensure every initiative stays on track, serves students and families effectively, and reflects our shared values in action.
»Æ¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ Assistant
Madden Jones
John Blalock
Janiyah Smith
The Student, Family, and Orientation Team
About the The Student, Family, and Orientation Team: This team anchors the Office of New Student & Family Transitions with a dual focus: developing student leaders who guide their peers and fostering families' lasting connection to »Æ¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ. Working collaboratively across leadership courses, orientation programs, and family engagement efforts, team members ensure every touchpoint supports a successful transition experience.
Nigel Corbitt
Emily Mae Edmunds
Intern, Orientation & Student Leader Development
Anaya Patel
Intern, Communications & Marketing
Sean Strickland
Brian Hallman
The Administrative Student Support Team
About the Administrative Support Team: This team serves as the operational backbone of the Office of New Student & Family Transitions—and often the first point of contact for those we serve. Through responsive communication, organized coordination, and comprehensive office support, they ensure every interaction reflects the welcoming, helpful experience students and families deserve.