Awards

Instructor of the Year (2 Awards)

This award goes to a GT 1000 or GT 2000 instructor who works withing the course curriculum and demonstrates creative teaching methods, engages with his or her students and Team Leaders, encourages intellectual risk, and ensures high-quality class presentations related to the first-year experience.

Team Leader of the Year (2 Awards)

Each year, GT transition seminar students and instructors nominate outstanding GT 1000 or GT 2000 Team Leaders for this award. Winners are chosen based on their relationship as a role model or mentor, ability to provide significant and sound advice, and their facilitation of the learning process in the classroom.

Friend of the First-Year Seminar (1 Award)

Established in 2004, the "Friend of the First-Year Seminar" honors the contributions of an outstanding individual, department, or organization that has support the GT 1000 program.

Sandi Bramblett GT 1000/GT 2000 Instructor of Excellence (1 Award)

Established in 2020, the Instructor of Excellence Award honors one GT 1000/GT 2000 instructor each year who has demonstrated long-term commitment and service to the program, along with excellence in teaching and mentoring students and Team Leaders. Recipients receive $1500 award. The award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient, Sandi Bramblett.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

2024 Annual Award Winners

Congratulations to our GT 1000 and GT 2000 community! We want to thank you for your roles and support in making sure incoming students have a successful transition into Tech!

Image of 2024 GT 1000 and GT 2000 Annual Award Winners

From left to right: Chloe Jackson, Corina Pavelek, Rhea Joshi, Ellen Riley, College of Engineering (Cedric Trice and Kaitlyn Luppino Gray), and Brigit McGuinness

Corina Pavelek - GT 1000 Team Leader of the Year 

Rhea Joshi - GT 2000 Team Leader of the Year

Brigit McGuinness - GT 1000 Instructor of the Year

Chloe Jackson - GT 1000 Instructor of the Year

College of Engineering - Friend of the First-Year Seminar

Ellen Riley - Sandi Bramblett Instructor of Excellence

Celebrations

GT 1000 Team Leader of the Year Past Award Winners

Each year, GT 1000 students and instructors nominate outstanding Team Leaders for this award. Winners are chosen based on their relationship as a role model or mentor, ability to provide significant and sound advice, and their facilitation of the learning process in the classroom.

  • 2024: Corina Pavelek
  • 2023: Joao Kdouk
  • 2022: Lily Utt & Mason Hinckley
  • 2021: Briston Green
  • 2020: Darshan Senthil
  • 2019: Veronica Thompson
  • 2018: Hans Webster
  • 2017: Olivia Cote
  • 2016: Amir Bouhafs
  • 2015: Andrew Arencibia
  • 2014: Kara Strasser
  • 2013: Conner Herndon
  • 2012: Katie Kutner and Mark Allen
  • 2011: Ronnie Foreman, Anural Lazar, Jason Kraft, and Ankit Kaushik
  • 2010: Stephanie Savitz
  • 2009: Jacob Dudkowski and Jordan “Jo” Romano
  • 2008: Todd Heffner and Mary Ann Carley
  • 2007: Stephanie Gunter, Margaret Gough, Natalie Turbiville, and Elaine Murphy
  • 2006: Jeff Pool

GT 1000 Instructor of the Year Past Award Winners

This award goes to a GT 1000 instructor who works within the course curriculum and demonstrates creative teaching methods, engages with his or her students and Team Leaders, encourages intellectual risk, and ensures high-quality class presentations related to the first-year experience.

  • 2024: Brigit McGuinness (Biological Sciences) and Chloe Jackson (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
  • 2023: Dr. Samantha Wilson (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) and Kevin Lewis (College of Design)
  • 2022: Jessica Sherrington (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2021: Michael Dutcher (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2020: De’Angelo Neely (Office of the Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs)
  • 2019: Sandi Bramblett (Institutional Research and Planning)
  • 2018: Benjamin Holton (Stamps Health Services)
  • 2017: Karen Yiu (Student Diversity Programs)
  • 2016: Michael Evans (Chemistry)
  • 2015: Craig Womack (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2014: Stan Broome (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2013: Dana Hartley and Violet Toma (Earth & Atmospheric Sciences)

GT 2000 Team Leader of the Year Past Award Winners

Each year, GT 2000 students and instructors nominate outstanding Team Leaders for this award. Winners are chosen based on their relationship as a role model or mentor, ability to provide significant and sound advice, and their facilitation of the learning process in the classroom.

  • 2024: Rhea Joshi
  • 2023: Emma Kissling
  • 2022: N/A
  • 2021: Taylor Gray
  • 2020: Trevor Todd
  • 2019: Anastasia Pavlyuk
  • 2018: Emily Bunce

GT 2000 Instructor of the Year Past Award Winners

This award goes to a GT 2000 instructor who works within the course curriculum and demonstrates creative teaching methods, engages with his or her students and Team Leaders, encourages intellectual risk, and ensures high-quality class presentations related to the transfer student experience.

  • 2024: N/A
  • 2023: N/A
  • 2022: Dr. Michael Smith (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2021: Brett Hulst (Residence Life)
  • 2020: Nina Climes (CEISMC)
  • 2019: Nicolas Perez (GTRC)

Friend of the First-Year Seminar Past Award Winners

Established in 2004, the “Friend of the First-Year Seminar” honors the contributions of an outstanding individual, department, or organization that has supported the GT 1000 program. 

  • 2024: College of Engineering
  • 2023: Georgia Tech Center for Teaching and Learning
  • 2022: Dr. Lacy Hodges (Undergraduate Analytics and Planning), Dr. Beth Spencer (Undergraduate Advising and Transition), Savitra Dow (Scheller College of Business)
  • 2021: Dr. De Morris Walker & Christina Wan (Summer Sessions Initiatives)
  • 2020: Dr. Mary Lynn Realff, Caroline Dotts, and Kerry Wallaert (Effective Team Dynamics Initiative)
  • 2019: Georgia Tech Counseling Center
  • 2018: Sally Hammock (Office of Undergraduate Education)
  • 2017: The Office of Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
  • 2016: The Office of International Education
  • 2015: Michael Laughter (GT Career Center)
  • 2014: Georgia Tech Police Department
  • 2013: Beth Spencer (Success Programs)
  • 2012: Steven Girardot (Office of Undergraduate Education)
  • 2011: Division of Student Affairs
  • 2010: The Freshman Experience Program, Mike Fulford, and Brett Hulst
  • 2009: Sandi Bramblett, Cassandra Spiller, and Institutional Research and Planning
  • 2008: The Library and Information Center
  • 2007: Julia Whitfield
  • 2006: Bill Osher and John Stein
  • 2005: The Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
  • 2004: The Office of the Registrar

Sandi Bramblett GT 1000/GT 2000 Instructor of Excellence Past Award Winners

Established in 2020, the GT 1000/2000 Instructor of Excellence Award honors one GT 1000/2000 instructor each year who has demonstrated long-term commitment and service to the program, along with excellence in teaching and mentoring students and Team Leaders in GT 1000/2000. The award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient, Sandi Bramblett. 

  • 2024: Ellen Riley, Academic Advising Manager, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • 2023: Dr. Aldo Ferri, Director of Assessment and Student Success and Professor for School of Mechanical Engineering
  • 2022: Brett Hulst, Associate Director of Residence Life
  • 2021: John Stein, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement & Well-Being and Brandt-Fritz Dean of Students Chair
  • 2020: Sandi Bramblett, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Research & Enterprise Data Management