Inaugural Women Lead student cohort concludes 

Engagement, Leadership, and Service (ELS), a department within the Division of Student Affairs, recently concluded the inaugural cohort experience of Women Lead—a group of third- and fourth-year students with demonstrated leadership on campus with an interest in engaging in continued leadership development within a community of women. The participants spent the academic year engaged in monthly workshops with guest speakers and panelists, paired with a mentor, and provided one-on-one leadership coaching.
  • Mary “Butler” Adams, finance major from Athens – Alpha Delta Pi, UGA Miracle, Shop with a Bulldog 
  • Dalma Arteaga Rosales, supply chain management & international affairs major from Madrid, Spain – Terry Student Philanthropy Council, International Student Life World Leader, PSO Scholar, Portuguese Flagship Program
  • Carolyn Bloom, human development and family sciences major from Alexandria, VA – Chi Omega, UGA Miracle, Cru Campus Ministry 
  • Gabriela Castillo, biology major from Gainesville – Student Veterans of America, Alpha Epsilon Delta, undergraduate research assistant for The FUERTE Lab 
  • Bryce Colgate, public relations major from Midlothian, VA – Phi Mu, UGA Miracle, Talking Dog Agency, Order of Omega 
  • Claire Hackleman, mathematics education major from Watkinsville -Kappa Alpha Theta, Mathematics Education Student Association 
  • Autumn Hampton, biomedical physiology and sociology major from Moultrie – University Union Student Programming Board, Kesem at UGA, CURO Honors Scholar, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
  • Laura Kate Holden, biochemistry and molecular biology major from Columbus – Be the Match, Kesem at UGA, CURO Honors Scholar 
  • Anushka Jariwala, advertising major from Suwanee – UGA Mentor Program, Ad Club 
  • Esther Kim, public relations major from Sugar Hill – The Backpack Project of Athens, TEDxUGA, New Media Institute, Institute for Leadership Advancement (ILA) Fellow 
  • Janna “JB” Marsh, marketing major from Statesboro – Panhellenic Council, Zeta Tau Alpha, UGA Miracle 
  • Sophia Milazzo, religion and psychology major from Rochester, NY – University Judiciary 
  • Sarah Park, public relations major from Sugar Hill – 2023 Miss University of Georgia, New Student Orientation Leader 
  • Harini Tirumala, political science and women’s studies major from Acworth – Fair Fashion, CURO, Tate Honor Society, Women’s Studies Student Organization 
  • Sarah Watson, biomedical physiology and exercise and sports science major from Charlotte, NC – Kappa Alpha Theta, CURO 

Esther Kim, fourth-year public relations major and Women Lead participant, is most grateful for the mentorship opportunities the program provided.

Kim shared, “Women Lead taught me many lessons and insight about leadership, but the greatest thing I’ve received from this experience was the connections it provided.” She added, “Women Lead has taught me that mentorship is and will always be important no matter where I am in my professional career.” 

This year’s Women Lead participants were honored at the second-annual Women in Leadership Networking Dinner hosted by ELS on March 27, 2024. The dinner brought together nearly 80 students, administrators, faculty, staff, and alumnae to celebrate the contribution, achievement, and leadership of UGA women and encourage community building among the attendees. 

Lori Crawford, associate director of ELS, who facilitates the women’s leadership initiatives within the department looked forward to her time with the students.

Crawford said, “This remarkable group of leaders brought diverse perspectives and rich experiences to our discussions on their ongoing leadership journeys.” She added, “Gathering this cohort each month was truly uplifting, and it was fitting we honored our inaugural group at this year’s Women in Leadership Networking Dinner.” 

ELS plans to continue offering the Women Lead cohort experience, as well as hosting the annual Women in Leadership Networking Dinner each spring.

Taylor Cain, director of ELS, shared, “I couldn’t be prouder of the Women Lead participants who took a chance on a new program and leaned into the opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.” Cain added, “Both the Women Lead initiative and the annual dinner include so many faculty, staff, and alumnae supporters and contributors, and we are so grateful for their commitment to our amazing students.” 

Applications for the second cohort of Women Lead will open in early Fall 2024. 

Engagement, Leadership, and Service strives to deliver programs, services, events, and significant learning experiences which strengthen students’ connection to the university, cultivate a sense of community, and empower students to be engaged and contributing leaders. For more information about ELS, email ugaels@uga.edu or learn more at https://els.uga.edu/.