emerging leader award

Here is what Courtney’s nominator said about her:

“Since joining UGA Student Affairs in 2018, Courtney Brown has made outstanding contributions across multiple departments and roles. Currently serving as the Assistant Director for Student Engagement & Data Management within Recreational Sports, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in student staff training, engagement, and data management. In this newly established role, Courtney has played a pivotal part in shaping student and professional staff development while also contributing to well-being initiatives and alumni engagement.

Courtney’s impact in her role has been profound. Tasked with creating and implementing new training programs, she developed an ELC training course for over 500 part-time Rec Sports staff. This course ensures that student employees are well-versed in departmental cultural values, risk management policies, and position-specific expectations. Remarkably, she completed and launched this initiative within three months, setting a strong foundation for staff success. Additionally, she developed a professional staff onboarding program that has significantly enhanced the acclimation and effectiveness of new employees.

Recognizing the need for structured, high-impact beginning-of-year training for Rec Sports employees, Courtney took the initiative to design a comprehensive program. She collaborated with campus partners to create an engaging and informative experience, equipping student staff with the tools necessary to navigate their responsibilities during one of the busiest times of the academic year. Her efforts in well-being initiatives further underscore her dedication, as she managed food selection and vendor coordination for BeWellUGA Fest, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for students. She also created expo maps for the event, improving accessibility to resources and optimizing student engagement.

Courtney has played a key role in advancing data-driven decision-making within Rec Sports and the broader Division of Student Affairs. Her work in securing actionable data has directly supported fee presentations, customer service enhancements, and the identification of departmental needs. Furthermore, she has provided critical data summaries for the Well-being Data Review Team, offering valuable visual representations that facilitate informed decision-making around student well-being initiatives.

Beyond her formal responsibilities, Courtney continuously seeks ways to enhance student development and success. She created a resume toolkit to help student employees translate their Rec Sports experience into marketable skills for future employment. Her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment is evident through her leadership in staff recognition, accountability, and engagement initiatives. She established the Staff Training and Development Committee to ensure continuous evaluation and improvement of training processes, enhancing the overall student employment experience within Rec Sports.

Courtney’s influence extends beyond student staff, as she leads alumni engagement efforts for Rec Sports. She launched a LinkedIn page to connect past and present staff, highlight achievements, and celebrate nearly 30 years of Rec Sports at UGA. This platform has grown to over 300 followers in just six months, serving as a vital tool for maintaining alumni connections. Additionally, she initiated a quarterly alumni newsletter, further strengthening ties between former staff and the department. These strategic engagement efforts lay the groundwork for future development initiatives aimed at supporting student staff development through fundraising.

A dedicated professional and lifelong learner, Courtney actively contributes to the field through conference presentations, committee service, and affinity group coordination. Her recent acceptance to present at the NIRSA Annual Conference (April 2025) and her receipt of a NIRSA scholarship underscore her commitment to professional growth and knowledge-sharing. Over the past year, she has also presented at the Georgia Recreational Sports Association (GRSA) State Workshop—where she earned a scholarship to attend—the UGA Student Leadership Conference, and the NIRSA Region II Conference. Additionally, she serves on the University Staff Council, the Staff Council Belonging & Community Committee, the NIRSA Mentor Program, the NIRSA Annual Service Award Committee, the GRSA Marketing Committee, and the Student Affairs Well-being Data Review Team.

Courtney’s contributions to Recreational Sports have been instrumental in the department’s growth during the 2024-2025 academic year. Through her dedication, innovation, and commitment to student and staff success, she has significantly enhanced training, engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Her impact is far-reaching, ensuring long-term benefits for both students and the department as a whole. Courtney Brown exemplifies excellence in student affairs, making her a highly deserving candidate for the Emerging Leader Award. “