Mackenzie white
Mackenzie White, Student Transitions and Hairy Dawg
Mackenzie White
Senior Coordinator for Student Transitions
2022-2023 New Professional of the Year Award Winner
Here is a brief excerpt of what Mackenzie’s nominator wrote about her: “You would be hard-pressed to find a staff member more deserving of the new professional award than Mackenzie White. In her time here as a professional staff member, Mackenzie has created processes and experiences that have had monumental impacts on those around her. Mackenzie has been positively contributing to the division long before her role as a senior coordinator whether when she was a graduate assistant in Housing, a practicum student in ELS, or a summer intern in the Office of the Dean of Students and has continued to build upon the great work she had already started.”
Let’s learn more about Mackenzie:
Are you from Georgia? If not, where are you from?
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- I was adopted from China and grew up in Macon, Georgia. I consider both Macon and Athens home as my family relocated to the area during the pandemic.
How long have you worked at UGA?
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- I have been full-time at UGA since May 2022. However, I have been at UGA since 2018. I transferred and finished my undergraduate degree in 2020 and my master’s degree in 2022. I worked part-time at Legion Pool in undergrad and served as a graduate resident in University Housing while in graduate school. I also served as a graduate intern for the Office of the Dean of Students/Tate Student Center.
What’s your favorite UGA tradition?
- It is hard to pick just one! I love ringing the Chapel Bell and lighting up Sanford at the beginning of 4th quarter!
What does a “day in the life” look like for you at work?
- One of the best parts of my job is that every day can look different. There are some days where I am at my desk for the majority of day planning and developing different events, initiatives, and resources to support students in navigating UGA while there are other days where I am out and about facilitating the events.
What are three things you love most about your job?
- I get to develop and support students. I entered the field of student affairs because someone (namely, Dr. Jan Barham) showed genuine interest and care for me when I came in as a student at UGA, something I wasn’t sure I was going to experience coming into such a large student body. Now, I get to pay it forward.
- I get to collaborate with units both inside and outside of Student Affairs to holistically support students. I love promoting the work that they are doing to support students and seeing the smile on students’ faces as they realize the network of support that is available to them at UGA!
- My job gives me lots of opportunities to unleash my creative side. From designing eye-catching graphics on Canva to creating programs and resources that support students, I get to innovate daily.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- This is a hard question. I would probably have to say teaching myself how to operate Qualtrics (I know, very nerdy of me). I love finding more efficient ways to improve workflows and by learning the unique features of Qualtrics, I have been able to help make campus processes more efficient. Making peoples’ lives easier is always a win for me!
Who do you look up to/admire?
- I look up to God first and foremost as I know I would not be where I am today without Him. I want my life to reflect Jesus and the unconditional love He has for us!
- Dr. Jan Barham will also always be a mentor and role model to me. She loves and cares for others so well and inspires me to do the same! It has truly been a full circle moment now that her office is across the hall from mine.
What are your hobbies or favorite things to do for fun?
- Some of my hobbies include:
- Volunteering in the community
- Taking pictures (Check out my photography Instagram @mac_creates_ and/or reach out if you want me to take pictures of or for you – I don’t charge because I’m not a professional photographer and this is purely a hobby for me)
- Going on long walks
- Baking desserts
- Petting the nearest dog
- Some of my hobbies include:
Do you have a favorite quote? What is it?
- “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7
What is your favorite spot on campus or in Athens?
- I basically lived in Tate Student Center as a student, so it is definitely one of my favorite spots on campus. I also love visiting the turtle pond on South Campus!
Nominate someone to be recognized for their hard work!
Staff Spotlights: Sharing the stories of staff in UGA Student Affairs
Staff Spotlights
Mildred Anderson
Gary Glasser
Tate Student Crew
Charles Clark
Tanesha Hitchcock
Rosendo Alvarezarmenta
Sarah Kesler
Brian Williams
The Tate Facilities Team
Maggie Fitzsimmons
Tim Smith
Missy Jackson
Worth VanLinden
Carolyn Arnold
Al Jeffers
Liana Natochy
Ben Cecil
Lance Haynie
Lori Crawford
Ricky Boggs
Lisa Williamson
Nicole McConnell
Michael Wharton
Laronda Faust
Taylor Cain
Tori Whitaker
Mary Eberhard