Guest Speakers

Spring semester was filled with alumni and industry guest speakers in many of our courses. Connecting students with industry professionals brings the learning into focus as students learn careers that may be of interest to them after graduation. Thank you to all of our speakers who took time out of their schedules to come and meet with our students and to all our incredible faculty for providing students with the opportunity to see possible career paths.

ENVM 4380-Environmental Management and Sustainable Business Practices

Students enrolled in Dr. Yukiko Hashida's Environmental Management and Sustainable Business Practices course were able to hear from a wide range of guest speakers (many of whom are alumni of the Department).

Stephanie Green, Ecological Resources Coordinator

At the beginning of the semester, students heard from Stephanie Green, the Ecological Resources Coordinator for the Athens-Clarke County Government. She spoke of her experiences dealing with invasive species. She outlined a project for the students in which they had to research an invasive species, as selected by the ACC Government, and work to offer alternatives and solutions. This project was open-ended and students were able to approach it many ways before submitting a final proposal to Green. Students focused on outreach to the community and campus, as well as looked into the aforementioned alternatives, such as native species that have similar traits.

Jacob Yarbrough, Sustainability Manager

Next, students heard from Jacob Yarbrough, the Sustainability Manager at Creature Comforts. They heard of his journey to creating this program after proposing more sustainable practices to his bosses. He discussed the research he has conducted on the process of making alcoholic beverages less carbon and resource-intensive, such as installing solar panels on facilities and encouraging the reuse of materials. He also provided the class with Creature Comforts' impact report for 2024.

Brandon Solie, CAES Career Consultant

To wrap up January, students heard from Brandon Solie, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Career Consultant in the Career Center. In his presentation, he discussed networking, the UGA Mentor Program, LinkedIn, Handshake, and how to utilize all of these tools to become a confident job market candidate. He also took questions and guided students to many resources available at the Career Center.

Frances Bowles, EEM Alumna

To begin February, students heard from Frances Bowles, an alumna of the Environmental Economics and Management program who now works for PureSky Energy. They heard her perspective on community solar farms, a program in which solar farms are owned by a singular entity but the power produced is sold to multiple consumers at a discounted price over standard electricy. She informed the students on the viability of solar power, and how customers who participate in community solar can receive rebates on their power bill.

Kirsten Flinn, EEM Alumna

The next week, students heard from Kirsten Flinn, another alumna of the Environmental Economics and Management program who is a current student at Harvard Law School. Students heard of her life growing up in rural Georgia, the time that she spent at the University, and of her vast multitude of internships including her time with a local law office in Athens and as an ORISE Research Intern with the Environmental Protection Agency. She was a fantastic resource to learn how to maximize the education these students are receiving to apply it to the job market.

Brian Megali, Director of Green Energy Policy

Before Spring Break, Brian Megali, Director of Green Energy Policy at Constellation, Zoomed in from his office in Maryland to discuss energy markets and how different sources of energy compare to each other. Students saw ELCC (Effective Load Carrying Capacity) Ratings, including nuclear energy's reliability and solar energy's potential problems with providing consistent power. They also learned of potential solutions to address resource inadequacy, such as a surplus interconnection service or a diversification of power source offerings.

David Eady, Director of Industry Engagement

Upon returning from break, David Eady, a Director of Industry Engagement at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at the Georgia Institute of Technology, joined the class. During his presentation, he explained that sustainability is about a future where people and nature thrive together. He closed by discussing the necessity for partnerships in the sustainability field to solve global issues.

Gabriella de la Vera, Sustainability Consultant in Wellness and EEM Alumna

In mid-March Gabriella de la Vera visited class via Zoom. She discussed her role as a Sustainability Consultant in Wellness at the Sustainable Investment Group. In her role, she helps to certify buildings for corporations and works largely with implementing green buildings. Some certifications that she has worked with are LEED and Fitwel. She helped to explain how these work and how a corporation can work to develop a construction plan which prioritizes the same concerns, such as energy auditing, as these certifications. She also emphasized the necessity of soft-skills, such as communication.

Casey Cox Kerr, President of Longleaf Ridge Farms

To finish off the guest speakers for Environmental Management and Sustainable Business Practices, students heard from Casey Cox Kerr, who is the President of Longleaf Ridge Farms. Students heard of sustainable farm management practices and balancing production efficiency with environmental protection. Students also heard about the necessity for adaptability as the climate continues to change, leading to more frequent and powerful storms.

AAEC 4200/6200-Advanced Agricultural Selling

Dr. Ben Campbell

AAEC 4200/6200 is a new course that builds upon AAEC 3200 diving deeper into the business of selling.

AAEC 3100-Food and Fiber Marketing

Professor Shonkwiler

Cassady Ellis, Project Manager and EEM Alumna

Students in AAEC 3100 had the opportunity of hearing from Cassady Ellis, who is the dynamic NPD Project Manager at IRCA Group, where she drives innovation at the forefront of the food and beverage industry. With a sharp eye for market trends and a proven track record of overseeing large-scale, transformative projects, Cassady excels in guiding cross-functional teams from initial concept to successful product launch. Cassady blends her expertise in sustainability with her passion for developing products that resonate with today’s evolving consumer demands. Her unique approach to product development and sustainable practices makes her a standout leader in the industry.

HFIM 3210-Hospitality Financial Management

Dr. Angie Im

Missy Wilson, Sales Department Manager

Missy Wilson from the Georgia Center visited our class and shared her experience and insights into the boutique hotel segment. Her talk helped inspire students as they worked on a community project focused on boutique hotels in small towns in Georgia.

Morgan Arthur, Marriott Student Ambassador

Morgan Arthur joined the class to talk about the company and the various career opportunities it offers.

Ed Solar, Business Development Manager

Ed Solar from Valor Hospitality spoke with our students and shared his expertise in hotel finance, providing valuable industry knowledge.

HFIM 3150-Hospitality HR Management

Dr. Angie Im

Katie Hudspeth, Human Resources Consultant

Katia Hudspeth visited our HR class and led engaging activities while sharing her experiences in the luxury hotel segment. She discussed current HR trends and emphasized the essential skills and mindsets future leaders in the industry should develop. Her session inspired the students.