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As the new year begins, three A&F colleagues share what’s guiding their work in 2026—from expanding partnerships and strengthening compliance to advancing accessibility and collaboration across campus. Their reflections highlight a renewed focus on big-picture thinking, thoughtful communication, and innovative support for the Georgia Tech community. Together, these perspectives offer a snapshot of the priorities and momentum shaping A&F in the year ahead.

Tenisha Carter, customer service representative for the Administrative Services Center, is January’s Everyday Excellence honoree for consistently going beyond answering questions and helping ensure people leave each interaction feeling supported and confident about next steps. Learn more about Tenisha. 

The Everyday Excellence Recognition Program highlights A&F staff who go above and beyond in their daily work. It celebrates the meaningful contributions that reflect Georgia Tech’s values – whether through excellent service, collaboration, innovation, or actions that make a lasting, positive impact on our community. 

Erin Mitchell has been selected as the new executive director for the Office of Procurement and Business Services. She will transition to her new role on Feb.1, reporting directly to Kim Toatley, vice president for Finance and Planning and chief financial officer.

The U.S. government is approaching its Friday, Jan. 30, deadline to reach an agreement on remaining federal spending for the fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1. If an agreement is not reached by this deadline, it will result in a partial federal government shutdown, which, because of the agencies involved, could affect many programs, including the federal contracting work performed by Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech is committed to fostering an accessible environment where all members of our community can learn, engage, and thrive. Creating accessible digital experiences is a critical component of this commitment and reflects our institutional values of excellence and community well-being. Visit the Digital Access website.

Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4, all faculty, staff, and students who are active employees as of Jan. 12 will be required to complete the 2026 Spring Biannual Compliance Training by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 27.

As Georgia Tech prepares to welcome the Class of 2029, you can help create a meaningful first connection for our future Yellow Jackets by volunteering as a card writer for the “There’s Been Buzz About You” admitted-student campaign. Volunteers are asked to commit to writing 5–30 handwritten cards, a small gesture that has a big impact on a student’s decision to enroll.

What to expect:

Let’s show our future students why it’s great to be here.

Questions may be submitted to cardwriting@gatech.edu.

Thinking about new goals for 2026? Start the new year strong and set yourself up for success. Kick off your fitness goals with an InBody appointment or a consultation where you'll work one-on-one with a certified personal trainer to create clear, realistic SMART goals tailored to you.

Check out personal training options and take the first step toward a healthier, stronger you this year!

Performance Management @Tech supports the Institute’s goal of supporting staff development and performance. It also supports our ability to leverage performance during the reward phase of the performance management process. 

2025 Self-Assessments (Dec. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026)
Through the end of January, staff have an opportunity to pat themselves on the back for work well done this year. The self-assessment allows staff to review their own performance and outline their accomplishments, which helps supervisors facilitate the annual evaluation.

2026 Goal Setting (Dec. 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026)
Setting goals that support broader department and Institute goals and strategic priorities can make our work more meaningful. 

2025 Annual Evaluations (Feb. 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026)
While feedback and coaching should be an ongoing conversation throughout the year, the formal evaluations provide an opportunity to record progress and discuss the full year’s performance and how your team delivered on goals.

Growth is a journey, and the new Career Boosters initiative is your roadmap. Whether you're looking to sharpen your soft skills, expand your network, or gain clarity on your next move this year, Career Boosters can help. 

This dynamic suite of resources – with its four elements: mentoring, job shadowing, coaching, and professional branding – is designed to help faculty and staff take meaningful steps forward in their careers and provide participants the autonomy to chart their own paths.

Are you ready to take the next step in your professional journey? Be sure to visit Georgia Tech’s Careers Page to explore exciting job opportunities within the Institute. Whether you're looking to advance in your current field or explore new paths, our diverse range of positions offer something for everyone. Join us in shaping the future of innovation and excellence at Georgia Tech. Discover your potential and make a difference with us!

Tech Square 3, officially named George Tower | Scheller Tower, reached a major milestone on Monday, Jan. 12, offering the campus community access to the first three floors of the new facility. The two towers — the 14‑story Scheller Tower housing graduate and executive business programs, and the 18‑story George Tower, home to the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering — are expected to be fully operational by fall semester 2026.

Administration and Finance (A&F) kicked off the new year by sharing how A&F is playing an integral role in advancing the Institute’s Big Bets and Foundational Priorities. Topics included creating innovative and engaging campus spaces, promoting the well-being of our campus and community, improving administrative processes, and championing a culture of excellence.