91Ӱ��

91Ӱ�� Accounting Alumni and Student Mixer

Heather Neal — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:07:26 +0000

September 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The Hammack School of Business presents the annual Accounting Mixer in conjunction with the Alumni Association and Office of Career Development. This event is for accounting students to help connect with major firms.

Join us in the Cousins Center Atrium. Refreshments and light bites will be provided.

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Why the best paths are rarely straight

Dr. Mariel Meier — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:29:04 +0000

Dr. Mariel Meier

Students often arrive at college believing they need a detailed plan for the rest of their lives.

They think successful people always knew exactly what they wanted to become. Scientists always loved science. Professors always dreamed of teaching. Careers unfold in a straight line.

My experience was nothing like that.

As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. Then I wanted to be a writer. For a while, I was convinced I would become a marine biologist. In middle school, I spent as much time writing science fiction stories as I did studying science. Looking back, I realize I was always curious. I just didn’t know where that curiosity would lead.

That belief continues to shape how I think about education today.

Curiosity creates opportunity

Some of my earliest experiences with technology came from my grandfather, an engineer. Later, I taught myself basic computer programming on a simple educational device, spending hours experimenting, solving problems and creating my own projects. At the time, I had no idea programming could become a career. I simply enjoyed learning how things worked.

Looking back, I realize many students face a similar challenge. They may know what interests them, but they don’t yet understand how those interests connect to future opportunities.

One of the strengths of a liberal arts education is the freedom to explore those connections. Students are encouraged to ask questions, experiment with ideas and discover intersections between disciplines that may eventually shape their careers.

Discovering physics

I did not fall in love with physics as a child.

In fact, I didn’t discover it until late in high school. When I finally took physics, I found a subject that combined many things I already loved: problem solving, creativity, mathematics and a desire to better understand the world around me.

What I remember most is not a specific lesson or assignment. I remember realizing there was an entire field of study I had barely known existed.

That experience still influences how I teach. I want students to encounter new ideas, challenge assumptions and discover possibilities they may never have considered before.

Learning through challenge

The path from high school physics student to college professor was not always easy.

As I progressed through college and graduate school, I often faced self-doubt. I enjoyed programming and computational research, but because I lacked formal training in computer science, I frequently questioned whether I belonged. Like many students, I experienced imposter syndrome and had to learn how to persevere through uncertainty.

Those experiences made me a better educator.

Many students arrive at college having rarely encountered significant academic challenges. When they eventually do, they sometimes interpret struggle as failure. I see it differently.

Struggle is often where growth happens.

Learning how to tackle difficult problems, adapt to setbacks and continue moving forward is valuable preparation not only for graduate school and professional careers but for life itself.

Preparing students for what’s next

At 91Ӱ��, I’ve worked to create some of the opportunities I wish I had known about as a student.

One example is our Computational Physics track, which combines physics, programming and computational methods. The program helps students connect classroom learning to real-world applications while developing skills that are increasingly valuable across industries.

More broadly, my goal is to help students build the habits that matter in a rapidly changing world: curiosity, analytical thinking, adaptability and a willingness to tackle complex challenges.

Those qualities serve graduates whether they pursue careers in science, technology, healthcare, business, education, public service or fields that may not even exist yet.

Finding your own path

What I appreciate most about 91Ӱ�� is that students are encouraged to explore before they specialize.

Many arrive with interests that span disciplines. They might be drawn to science and creative writing. Technology and the arts. Research and community engagement.

My own career emerged from those kinds of intersections.

The truth is that most meaningful careers are not built in a straight line. They are shaped by curiosity, exploration and a willingness to pursue new opportunities when they appear.

That was true for me, and it remains one of the most important lessons I hope students carry with them long after they leave 91Ӱ��.

91Ӱ�� Dr. Mariel Meier

Dr. Mariel Meier is a professor of physics at 91Ӱ�� whose teaching and research interests include computational physics, physics education and helping students develop the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world. She created 91Ӱ��’s Computational Physics track, which allows students to combine physics, programming and computational methods while preparing for graduate study and careers across science, technology and related fields.

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Where Atlanta comes together

Grant Utter — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:10:40 +0000

Every year, thousands of young athletes pass through Northside Youth Organization (NYO) programs. On fields across Atlanta, they learn lifelong lessons about teamwork, resilience and belonging.

Across town, millions of people visit Chastain Park each year. They walk trails, attend events, volunteer, and find space to connect with nature and one another in the middle of a bustling city.

For Josh Burr ’06 and Kira-Marie Burr ’10, helping create those experiences is more than a profession. It is a shared purpose.

Josh Burr ’07

Josh serves as executive director of Northside Youth Organization, one of Atlanta’s longest-serving youth sports nonprofits. Kira is director of development and marketing for the Chastain Park Conservancy, where she helps steward one of the city’s most beloved public spaces.

Together, their work touches thousands of lives across Atlanta.

“Sports are the vehicle, but community building is really the mission,” says Josh.

NYO provides opportunities for young athletes to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and form lasting relationships. For Josh, some of the most meaningful moments come years later.

“Many of those individuals are now community leaders, business owners, coaches, and parents themselves,” he said. “Seeing that full-circle impact is a powerful reminder that what happens on a youth sports field often extends far beyond sports.”

Kira Marie-Burr ’03 (bottom right) with a group of 91Ӱ�� volunteers at Chastain Park on MLK Day of Service

Kira sees a similar impact through her work at Chastain Park. She helps lead fundraising, partnerships, and community programs while supporting a capital campaign that will open more than 30 acres of previously inaccessible parkland to the public.

“Every sponsorship secured, every volunteer recruited, and every dollar raised helps preserve and improve Chastain Park for the more than three million people who enjoy it each year,” she said.

For Kira, the work is personal. Her three children spend countless hours in the park, participating in sports and volunteering alongside her.

“It’s about creating lasting opportunities for people to connect with nature, with one another, and with their community,” she said.

The foundation for that commitment to service was shaped at 91Ӱ��, where Josh and Kira met as student-athletes. Kira played soccer. Josh competed in both basketball and baseball before eventually returning to campus as a coach.

Both alumni credit 91Ӱ��’s close-knit community as an experience that taught them the importance of relationships, teamwork and investing in others.

“Success wasn’t about one person,” Kira said. “It was about trusting your teammates, communicating well, and working toward a shared goal.”

Josh carries a similar lesson into his leadership today.

“91Ӱ�� taught me the importance of relationships and engagement,” he said. “Meaningful leadership starts with listening, building trust, and understanding the needs of the people you serve.”

The university remains deeply intertwined with their lives. They married on 91Ӱ��’s campus in 2011, and both continue to see the university’s influence throughout Atlanta.

"When I look around Atlanta, I see 91Ӱ��'s impact everywhere. I see alumni leading organizations, serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring young people, coaching teams, supporting their communities, and making meaningful contributions in countless ways."

- Josh Burr '07

For the Burrs, impact is measured not only by what they do today, but by what comes next: the children who grow through youth sports, the families who find connection in a public park, and the communities strengthened by places that bring people together.

As Atlanta continues to grow, so will the need for people willing to invest in its future. Through their work and through the organizations they serve, Josh and Kira Burr are helping ensure that future remains connected, accessible, and rooted in community.

91Ӱ�� is powering Atlanta

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Making healthcare more human

Grant Utter — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:18:35 +0000

Edmund Smith ’15

When a patient arrived at an Atlanta urgent care clinic with severe swelling in his legs, Edmund Smith ’15, quickly recognized that the medical issue was only part of the problem.

The man was new to Atlanta, out of work and unsure where to turn for help. He had never been taught how to manage his condition, had no established primary care provider and lacked a clear path forward.

By the end of the visit, he had referrals for follow-up care, an appointment with a primary care physician and a better understanding of how to care for himself at home.

“He cried saying that he never had anyone care to put effort into explaining or teaching him how to care for himself,” Smith said.

For Smith, moments like that represent 91Ӱ��’s slogan — to make a difference.

Today, Smith serves as a physician associate with Piedmont Urgent Care, caring for patients across Atlanta and the metro region. His work puts him on the front lines of healthcare, helping connect primary care and emergency medicine while treating everything from injuries and infections to chronic health concerns.

Yet Smith sees his role as extending beyond diagnosis and treatment.

"Making a difference in my line of work is bridging the gap of health inequities so that everyone, regardless of zip code, personal education and finances, has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health," he said.

-Edmund Smith '15

That commitment to service traces back to both his family and his time at 91Ӱ��.

Growing up, Smith watched relatives work in medicine while his parents emphasized the importance of giving back to the community. As a biopsychology major at 91Ӱ��, those values found an environment where they could grow. As a Civic Engagement Scholar and student leader, he participated in service projects and learned to think critically about how individuals and institutions can create meaningful change.

“I believe that 91Ӱ�� teaches a wonderful principle: regardless of who you are and what your discipline is, your actions and how you choose to use your craft always have a direct impact on those you are meant to serve,” he said.

To this day, Smith still draws on lessons he learned through community service and leadership experiences on campus. Reflection, continuous improvement and collaboration remain central to how he approaches patient care.

One thing 91Ӱ�� consistently does well, he said, is develop leaders who understand the value of problem-solving and community engagement.

“Through the leadership of students and supportive faculty and staff, 91Ӱ�� continues to be one of the top institutions to adequately deliver results to the Atlanta area,” Smith said.

Every day, those results can be found in exam rooms across the city, where Smith helps patients navigate illness, injury and the often complicated systems surrounding their care.

As Atlanta continues to grow, so do the challenges facing the communities that call it home. Smith hopes to continue helping patients overcome those challenges with one act of compassion at a time.

91Ӱ�� is powering Atlanta

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Making her mark in Atlanta

Michelle Geiger — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:17:18 +0000

When Melody Confer ’20 arrived at 91Ӱ��, she was stepping into the unknown—geographically, academically and personally. As a first-generation college student from Augusta, Georgia, that decision required both ambition and trust in herself. It also marked the beginning of a path that would shape her voice and her impact on the city she now calls home.

Why Atlanta Matters

Melody Confer ’20

Today, Confer is a member engagement specialist at Professional Photographers of America (PPA), a nonprofit association headquartered in Atlanta that serves more than 35,000 members nationwide. In her role, she focuses on membership retention and engagement, supporting photographers while building meaningful connections across the industry.

“I usually describe my role as two-pronged,” she explains. “I focus on membership retention, as well as a lot of community engagement initiatives.”

Through partnerships, educational resources and in-person programming, her work supports a network of creatives—many of whom she connects with in Atlanta. In doing so, she contributes directly to the city’s creative and nonprofit landscape.

For Confer, Atlanta is central to both her work and her growth.

“You can’t get this connection from just any city. We’re able to really capture that connection here in Atlanta,” she says. “I see a lot of opportunity, both in how welcoming Atlanta is for artists, how inspiring it is, and all of the creativity that we constantly have going on.”

Her impact extends beyond her role. Confer is active with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta (YNPN Atlanta) and was recently named a “30 Under 30” honoree—an acknowledgment of both her professional achievements and her growing impact in the city.

“It was such a big accomplishment. You see it come to full fruition and you’re able to just take in that moment,” she says. “But it also gives me the momentum to keep going.”

You can't get this connection from just any city. We're able to really capture that connection here in Atlanta.”

- Melody Confer '20

Finding Her Voice at 91Ӱ��

At 91Ӱ��, Confer found a close-knit academic environment, strong faculty relationships and opportunities to lead. An English literature major with a focus in creative writing, she credits the university’s small, discussion-driven classes with helping her grow in confidence.

“I really got more of that comfort in speaking out and using my voice and contributing through our small classes,” she says.

Confer immersed herself in campus life—serving as president of College Democrats, participating in Greek life, working in Career Development and completing multiple internships. Those experiences helped prepare her to contribute meaningfully in Atlanta after graduation.

“I felt really supported in a lot of different ways,” she says. “91Ӱ�� gives so many opportunities to grow, not to have that be just one way that you’re growing.”

Today, that mindset continues to guide her work in Atlanta. She remains focused not only on her own growth, but on creating pathways for others—mentoring peers, building partnerships and exploring ways to connect current 91Ӱ�� students to opportunities within the photography and nonprofit sectors.

“I’m able to actively be a part of growth for so many different milestones,” she says.

For Confer, Atlanta is more than where she works—it’s a city she is helping to shape.

91Ӱ�� is powering Atlanta

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Creating connection through art in Atlanta

Michelle Geiger — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:13:40 +0000

For Nicole Kang ’13, Atlanta has been more than a place to build a career—it has been a home for creating connection.

As a studio artist-in-residence with Midtown Alliance’s Heart of the Arts program, an illustrator for the Alliance Theatre, and a collaborator on community-focused projects across the city, Kang has built a career at the intersection of art, advocacy and belonging. Her work can be found in classrooms, theaters, galleries and public spaces, reaching Atlantans of all ages.

Kang credits 91Ӱ�� with giving her the confidence to pursue opportunities boldly. As a student, she immersed herself in campus life, serving as a resident assistant, participating in student government, working in the museum, and building close relationships with faculty and staff who encouraged her ideas and believed in her potential.

Nicole Kang ’13

“Because of these experiences and relationships, my confidence soared. To this day, I apply the skills and learnings from in and outside the classroom in my career as an artist, organizer and advocate,” Kang says. “I take risks, face rejection and try again until I get somewhere where I am valued. 91Ӱ�� instilled in me a sense of deep security, belonging and possibility.”

Atlanta has provided the ideal environment for her work. While it is a major metropolitan area, Kang says it remains accessible enough that opportunities often grow from unexpected connections. What began with exhibitions in local galleries has expanded into projects with organizations and venues across the city, including the Atlanta Beltline, Downtown Atlanta, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

“My artwork has brought hope to communities when it was needed. I’ve been able to merge art and advocacy and broadly reach audiences in Atlanta,” says Kang, “While there is still a long road ahead, I hope to be a small part in building belonging for AAPIs, BIPOC, immigrants, and for the disabled communities in Atlanta.”

To this day, I apply the skills and learnings from in and outside the classroom in my career as an artist, organizer and advocate."

- Nicole Kang '13

Today, her illustrations for children’s books created with the Alliance Theatre have found audiences throughout Atlanta, while community-centered projects—from public art installations to remembrance artwork and neighborhood collaborations—have allowed her to use creativity as a tool for both expression and service.

“‘The Curious Cardinal,’ ‘Bina’s Harvest,’ and ‘The Great Ant Sleepover’ are children’s books I illustrated for the Alliance Theatre, and they have been distributed to classrooms all over Atlanta,” says Kang. “These books have been turned into musicals for young audiences, and I’m incredibly proud of the many entry points that families have to art because of it.”

As the daughter of immigrants, Kang is particularly proud of her ability to tell stories that bring people together. Whether through a painting, a public art installation or a bedtime story shared between a parent and child, she hopes her work helps people feel seen and connected.

“I’m most proud of the way my art has warmed hearts and brought people together,” she says—a goal that continues to shape both her work and her impact across Atlanta.

91Ӱ�� is powering Atlanta

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Helping Atlanta share its stories

Grant Utter — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:14:33 +0000

Every day at the High Museum of Art, visitors encounter artwork that help them see the world differently. Behind many of those experiences is Sophia Sobrino ’24, who helps connect people with the ideas that shape Atlanta’s cultural life.

Sophia Sobrino ’24

As Coordinator of Gallery Learning at the High Museum of Art, Sobrino works with the museum’s docent program and public educational initiatives, helping create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. Her work focuses not only on the objects displayed in galleries, but also on the conversations, questions and connections they inspire.

Long before she began her career at one of the nation’s leading art museums, Sobrino was already contributing to Atlanta’s cultural community. As a high school student and emerging artist, her work appeared in exhibitions at the Latin American Association, the Mexican Consulate and UPS headquarters. Drawing upon her experiences as a Mexican-American, she created artwork that explored identity, culture and belonging.

At 91Ӱ��, Sobrino found new ways to transform that passion for the arts into public service. As a studio art major working closely with the 91Ӱ�� Museum of Art, she gained firsthand experience curating exhibitions, handling artworks, interpreting collections and creating educational experiences for visitors.

“Being able to work so closely with the museum’s permanent collection in such a hands-on manner really did help prepare me for where I’m at today at the High Museum,” she reflects.

Sobrino credits 91Ӱ��’s museum staff and faculty with giving her both practical experience and the confidence to pursue a career in the field.

"I really did feel that my voice was heard, that my input was valued. They were guiding me through every step of the process."

Sophia Sobrino '24

Today, that guidance continues to ripple outward through her work in Atlanta. Whether helping visitors engage with artwork, supporting docent-led learning experiences, or creating opportunities for people to connect with culture and history, Sobrino is helping ensure the city’s stories remain accessible to the communities they belong to.

The work reflects a contribution that often happens quietly but carries lasting impact. Cities are shaped not only by the roads, parks and buildings people create, but also by the stories they choose to preserve and share.

Through her work in Atlanta’s cultural institutions, Sobrino is helping make sure those stories continue to reach new audiences for generations to come.

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Alumni Engagement 101 with 91Ӱ��

Heather Neal — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:05:55 +0000

August 12, 7 – 8 p.m.

There are countless ways to stay connected, engaged, and involved with your 91Ӱ�� Alumni Association. Join the Office of Alumni Engagement for a virtual webinar on Wednesday, August 12, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. to learn how you can make the most of your lifelong connection to 91Ӱ��.

Whether you’re looking to give back, expand your professional network, reconnect with classmates, or simply stay informed about university happenings, this webinar will help you find the opportunities that fit your interests and schedule.

The session will be recorded and made available for viewing afterward.

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Alumni Summer Social at Ormsby’s

Heather Neal — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:57:49 +0000

Wednesday, August 20, 7 – 9 p.m.

Ormsby’s

Hang out with fellow petrels at 91Ӱ��’s Alumni Summer Social at Ormsby’s, one of Atlanta’s favorite spots for food, drinks and games (pool, darts, bocce ball and board games). Your first drink and appetizers are on 91Ӱ��!

Address: 1170 Howell Ml Rd Ste P20, Atlanta, GA 30318
Date: Thursday August 20 from 7 – 9 p.m.

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Vision & Voices: Alumni Breakfast with President McClymond

Heather Neal — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:38:38 +0000

Wednesday, August 12, 8:30 -10:30 a.m.

Lupton Auditorium

Join fellow alumni for a summer breakfast with President McClymond to learn more about 91Ӱ��’s strategic planning process. Hear updates on the university’s key areas of focus, the planning timeline, and insights gathered through conversations with campus stakeholders to date.

This interactive session will also provide an opportunity to ask questions, share your perspective, and help shape 91Ӱ��’s future. We hope you’ll join us as we look ahead to 91Ӱ�� 2035!

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