IN THIS ISSUE  Staff Engagement Day • Moments of Gratitude • Thank You Veterans
Holiday Traditions • Service Anniversaries

Staff Engagement Day 2024

We hope you found the “Speak Up” session engaging and thought-provoking and enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues and friends across the College.

Congratulations to our 2024 Culture Champions!

Jody Hayles, Facilities Manager II, AE
Tracie Arnold-Dixon, Director of Business Operations, BME
Lynette McLeod, Administrative Manager I, CEE
Janice Whatley, Academic Program Manager II, ChBE
David Amwake, Grants Administrator Lead, ECE
Candice McLemore, Director of Professional and Academic Programs, ISyE
Joi Outlaw, Administrative Professional Senior, ME
Cassandra Trawick, Event Coordinator I, MSE 

And thank you to departing COESCAC members Chordae Lauderdale, BME; LaShone Simmons, CEE; and Darryl Williams, ME.

CEE Prioritizes One of Its Own with Ramp Construction

After staff member LaShone Simmons’ husband suffered a stroke, the School rallied to make their home wheelchair-ready.

Moments of Gratitude

What are you thankful for this year? Our colleagues across the College shared their thoughts in this season of Thanksgiving.

“Our family recently had 14 straight nights with youth sports. It was exhausting. But we know these moments and years are fleeting. Before we know it, the kids will be grown and gone, and Lisa and I will yearn for these opportunities to go somewhere and watch our young children have fun. We are so thankful for our busy schedule and the memories it’s creating.”
— Jason Maderer, Dean’s Office

“I’m thankful for the amazing team/people that God is surrounding me with. They say they are blessed, but I must say, I am blessed because of them!”

— Dracy Blackwell, MSE

“In BME, we’re thankful for Donnell Allen, our dedicated Building Coordinator II. He established the BME Café in the Whitaker Building. It’s more than just a break room — he's created a sanctuary where faculty and staff can find respite during busy days. This thoughtfully designed space offers an array of refreshments and serves as a hub for informal collaboration and community building. And, recognizing the BME community is dispersed across campus, he has ensured that faculty and staff working in other campus locations enjoy the same amenities. Donnell personally oversees the delivery and stocking of refreshment stations in each of our buildings, maintaining a consistent standard of care for all BME personnel. These convenience stations are never empty, always immaculately maintained, and stocked with carefully selected snacks and beverages. His efforts go far beyond his typical responsibilities and reflect a genuine commitment to nurturing our community's well-being and fostering an environment where everyone feels supported and valued.”

— Alexis Brown, BME

“I’m simply thankful for life itself, for another year, for my family, for my job, and for each of you! Life is so precious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. As we work on getting to know one another a little better, it’s important to know what one has experienced in their individual life and have gone through. I’ve had multiple strokes and suffered a brain aneurysm. I usually don’t share this information, because I’m a very private person and don’t want others feeling sorry for me or handicapping me in any way. God is good, and I’ve come along way by His Grace! This is one of the reasons why I feel so strongly about letting others know that they are appreciated on a regular basis — for tomorrow is not promised to any of us.”

— Michelle Graham, ME

“So thankful for God’s Grace and the family/friends we have in our life.”

— Cary Ogletree, ME

Thank You, CoE Veterans!

Veterans Resource Center

Georgia Tech’s Veterans Resource Center promotes student learning and development and supports degree completion for students who are veterans, military, reservist, guard members, and dependents. The Center offers comprehensive support services that enhance and complement the academic experience — information sharing, referral services, outreach, opportunities for involvement, and more.

Location: BioQuad, between Ford ES&T and MoSE buildings (311 Ferst Dr. NW)

Georgia AIM + Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource

Opened in April, the AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Studio at the VECTR serves as home to the AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing training program, which prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing facilities and work with smart machinery. The program springboards students into careers in the emerging area of industrial systems and advanced manufacturing with regional and statewide demand among manufacturers.

The 15-week certificate program is now working with its third cohort of students. Veterans in the program also can pursue internships at Georgia Tech in the Georgia AI in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) initiative.

A Tradition-al Holiday

What do you most look forward to as the holiday season nears? Some of our colleagues invited us into their homes with a peek at the holiday traditions they can’t wait for each year.

“On Jan. 1, my family celebrates Haitian Independence Day. As part of this celebration, we eat “Soup Joumou” or “Pumpkin soup” (It’s really a calabaza squash.)
 
“This soup was a delicacy for French slave owners. The enslaved people of Haiti were not allowed to eat it. Now we eat this soup to celebrate our freedom and strength, and because it’s absolutely delicious.

“My mother will prepare two big, restaurant-sized stew pots of this buttery soup made with pumpkin, beef, cabbage, carrot, turnips, potato and spaghetti (though the ingredients will vary by region). Throughout the day, family members will pop in to have some soup, crusty French bread, Haitian paté, and lots of laughs.
 
“Here are my kids, Sam and Vox, enjoying soup and paté. Here’s a recipe — it’s not my mom’s, but it’s pretty good!”
– Danielle Lesperance Ramirez, CEE

“My family and I started a tradition of opening one gift at midnight on Christmas Eve.”
– Wendy Nurse, MSE 

“My family believes in the empty seat at the table. We have recognized it since both the matriarch and patriarch of our family have passed on. We look at gathering a bit different nowadays, and we will forever honor the life and legacy of all who have gone before us. We’ve done karaoke and displayed the talents of both the younger and the older generations.

“My great aunt and grandmother were professional chefs, and we always had a very festive Thanksgiving holiday as well as Christmas. It wasn’t so much about the food, although very tasteful, but it was more so about the fun and the fellowship. We shared very great family recipes that we cherish and also take pride in our family traditions.”
– Michelle Graham, ME

“Our annual MSE Halloween trick or treat. For the last two weeks of October, we ask faculty and staff to decorate their doors, offices, or suites and have candy on hand. Then we invite students to drop by and trick or treat! It’s a great relationship-building opportunity to interact with students on a less formal basis.”
– Dracy Blackwell, MSE

“Some of my favorite childhood holiday traditions include getting a new pair of pajamas every Christmas Eve (because you’ve got to be camera-ready for the morning) and having breakfast for Christmas Eve dinner (I can make a mean French toast casserole). The gifts my brother and I received were rarely from Santa, but instead, from popular figures of the time. I’ll never forget how excited my brother was when he got a transforming car directly from Optimus Prime.”
– Dawn Franklin, Dean’s Office

“Our tradition starts the weekend prior to Christmas. I cook about 40 lbs. of barbecue pork and 20 lbs. of chicken and also make Brunswick stew. I then provide the food to several friends and family to enjoy through the holidays. This is something my dad used to do for several years for families. Christmas Eve, we are with our close friends, and then Christmas morning we are gone by 8 a.m. to make the trip to in-laws’. We have our immediate family Christmas shortly after lunch and then finish the night back at a close friend’s house for Christmas dinner. Busy few days, but I would not trade the memories for anything.”
– Cary Ogletree, ME

“In my household, the family gets together to make Chinese dumplings. We talk, laugh, and catch up with each other while making the dumplings together.”
– Xin (Coco) Ke, MSE

“I'm thankful for my family! (God really showed out!) The traditions that we have are gathering the entire family to eat together and fellowship. Depending on the holiday, we will wear matching pajamas.”
– Anastasia Slaughter, MSE

“Kevin and I have 17 grandchildren (one in college, eight in the Atlanta area, and eight in Grand Prairie, TX). With all of them very active in extracurricular activities, it’s difficult to plan one-on-one time. A few years ago, we started a new tradition where we take the Atlanta grands on a downtown adventure on the day after Christmas that includes an overnight hotel stay and shopping. It gives their parents a much-needed break, for which they are very thankful. We spend time with the grands and the cousins get to know each other better. It’s a win-win all around, and so much fun (and exhausting)! When the Texas grands are in town, they are included. When they are not in town, we make our way to Texas after the holidays for a special time with them.”
– LaJauna Ellis, Dean’s Office

Holiday Happenings Around Atlanta

Holiday Events at the Fox Theatre

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – Nov. 24, 3 p.m.
• ‘Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil – Nov. 29-Dec.15
• A John Legend Christmas – Dec. 17, 8 p.m.
• NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet – Dec. 19-20
• The Hip Hop Nutcracker – Dec. 26, 7 p.m.

Holidays at the Georgia Aquarium

Nov. 15 – Jan. 2

Immerse yourself in the festive transformation of the Georgia Aquarium this holiday season filled with winter inspired projections, Christmas music, and a 40-foot live tree. Enjoy photos with Santa, holiday-themed dolphin presentations, and more.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Nov. 16 – Jan. 12

Glow BIG this season and explore the wonderland of color at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Fernbank After Dark x WildWoods: AGLOW

Friday, Dec. 13, 7-11 p.m.

Bring your holiday cheer for a night of festive fun featuring after-hour access to Fernbank’s exhibits, the captivating lights of WildWoods: AGLOW, holiday-themed activities, music and more! Exclusively for ages 21 and over.

Stone Mountain Christmas

Nov. 9 – Jan. 5

Enjoy park attractions, then become immersed in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters.

IllumniNights at the Zoo

Nov. 14 – Jan. 19

Enjoy vistas of brilliantly illuminated wildlife and captivating sights that celebrate the wonders of nature. This year, Zoo Atlanta is introducing new lanterns and experiences, transforming the Zoo into a nighttime wonderland. 

Must-Watch Movies for the Holidays

Cooler weather and longer nights make this a perfect season for a movie. And many of us have a must-watch list of holiday films that we revisit year after year. Make space for one (or two!) more with these festive options, courtesy of your CoE Cares Committee.

My must-watch for the holidays is The Family Stone. It’s a funny, sad, and relatable story about ups and downs of love and life. Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, and Luke Wilson together!
– LaJauna Ellis, Dean’s Office

Christmas Vacation is, of course, a holiday staple in our house (I have an internal “how many days until we can watch Christmas Vacation” countdown going on). However, I also have a soft spot for another Chevy Chase holiday classic, Funny Farm, where he plays a sportswriter who moves to a small town to work on a novel. It’s a reminder that what we think we want isn’t always what we need, and that family and a sense of belonging can often be found in the most unexpected places. 
– Dawn Franklin, Dean’s Office

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Whether you prefer the animated classic or Jim Carrey's live-action version, this heartwarming tale teaches us the true meaning of Christmas.
 
Frozen: While not strictly a Christmas movie, this Disney masterpiece captures winter magic at its finest.
 
A Christmas Story: This beloved comedy follows young Ralphie's quest for the ultimate Christmas gift – an official Red Ryder BB gun. Set in the 1940s, the film perfectly captures childhood holiday anticipation with iconic scenes like the tongue stuck to the frozen pole, the leg lamp, and the pink bunny suit. Its nostalgic charm and relatable family moments have made it a holiday tradition for generations, reminding us all of the magic and mishaps of childhood Christmases.
– Alexis Brown, BME

Christmas Belles: Two thirty-something, successful BFFs battle for the affection of the new pastor in town, causing the festive season to descend into chaos. This movie was laugh out loud funny; I could watch it over and over. 
– Cassandra Trawick, MSE

Favorite Holiday Season Recipes

Warm drinks and the flavors of fall abound in these recipe inspirations to add to your fall and winter rotation:

• Cheesy-Beefy Noodle Casserole
• Four Cozy Sips for Fall
• Grandma Ruthie's Candied Yams
• Iced Pumpkin Cookies
• Velvet Corn Soup

Hyundai Discounts for Employees

All Georgia Tech staff and faculty are eligible for discounts on new Hyundai and Genesis vehicles through the Hyundai Circle A-Plan Program. Each employee can take advantage of up to four affiliate purchases per calendar year. Learn more on the HR Perks and Programs page under Transportation and Travel.

Check Out Our New Staff Development Website

There’s a new home for College-wide staff resources and development initiatives. From COESCAC and our staff awards to new programs like SOAR and PROPEL, everything now lives at staff.coe.gatech.edu.

Happy Anniversary

Congratulations to our colleagues celebrating service anniversaries in October and November.

We have an amazing 64 employees who’ve served with us from one to 35 years! Thanks for all each of you brings to our community.  💛

Pumpkin Carving Contest Winner

Congratulations to Dracy Blackwell in MSE, who’s the winner of this year’s carving contest!

COE CARES COMMITTEE

Alexis Brown, BME

Sudie Davis, ISyE

LaJauna Ellis, Dean’s Office

Melody Foster, ME

Dawn Franklin, Dean’s Office

Michael Gooden, CEE

Nisha Kukreja, ChBE

Cassandra Trawick, MSE

Marva White, AE

Shalonda Williams, ECE

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