Belonging & Student Support
Reporting administratively to the Associate Vice President for Arts, Belonging & Community, this new department allows Student Engagement & Well-Being to continue enhance and expand Georgia Tech’s ability to: promote belonging, facilitate constructive dialogue, foster students’ holistic development and support their academic success.
We will continue to serve the students and student communities as we now do, while also making room and building capacity to serve more students who benefit from co-curricular support to facilitate their pathway to degree. This includes, but is not limited to Pell grant recipients, transfer students, and international students. We also recognize that each student holds multiple identities at the same time.
We strongly reaffirm Georgia Tech’s commitment to ensuring students are our top priority, demonstrating that we thrive on diversity, safeguarding freedom of inquiry and expression, and cultivating wellbeing for all students – no matter their background, identity or viewpoint. As always, all Yellow Jacket students are welcome at our activities, events, programs, and services - each designed to meet students’ various learning styles, unique needs, and differing life experiences.
Directory of Staff
Jorge Breton
Areas of expertise: Hispanic Initiatives, student support and development
Interests: Outdoors, music, travel
William Britto
Areas of Expertise: Sociology of gender, sexuality and race, assessment
Interests: Film, media, and literature enthusiast
Jie Cao
Areas of Expertise: Cross-cultural communication, digital marketing, graphic design
Interests: International travel, dogs
Meligha Garfield
Areas of Expertise: Student leadership and development, student access and experiential learning, political science, African and colonial Latin American studies
Interests: Marvel comics collector, hip-hop aficionado, graphic design, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated member
Melissa Gerrior
Areas of Expertise: Women's and gender studies, leadership development, healthy relationships, student development, restorative justice, self-care and wellness, GT Alumna, Certified Professional Coach
Interests: baking, reading, cozy video games, arts & crafts
C. Bernard McCrary
Areas of Expertise: Intercultural education, belonging, race and gender studies
Interests: Sociology of higher education, sports and entertainment enthusiast, foodie
Julian Oliver
Areas of Expertise: Student organizations, student leadership and development, program planning
Interests: MBA student
Stephanie Selvick
Areas of Expertise: Intercultural learning and global perspectives, community empowerment, harm reduction, women's and gender studies
Interests: Taking road trips, scuba diving, reading fiction
Shamika Simmons
Areas of Expertise: Belonging, student support, Career development
Interests: Traveling, sports, spending time with family
Smithgall Student Services (Flag Building) Suite 131
Smithgall Student Services (Flag Building) Suite 140
Smithgall Student Services (Flag Building) Suite 102
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Events
Connect with us!
Welcome to your hub for staying connected and informed! Our various range of newsletters are designed to keep you updated on the topics and themes that matter most to you, there's a newsletter for everyone.
Explore Newsletters:
- “Arts at GT”
Visit this list to register to receive the “Arts at GT” newsletter which features all things related to creativity and performances for the campus community. - “iBuzz”
Visit this link to register to receive iBuzz, a bi-weekly newsletter for Georgia Tech's International Population from the Office of International Education (OIE). It is the main way OIE communicates with students regarding changes in immigration law and policies, important reminders, and upcoming programs. - “The Women’s Wreck-ord”
A bi-weekly communication regarding student resources, activities and events that celebrate and support women at Tech from the office of Belonging & Student Support. Check back soon for the sign-up link! - “Spectrum Report”
Visit this link to receive our bi-weekly newsletter from the Office of Belonging & Student Support! Stay updated on student resources, activities, and events that celebrate and support the LGBTQIA community. Sign-up link coming soon! - “Well Burdell”
Visit this link to register to receive this monthly communication highlighting the eight dimensions of wellness and share content and resources related to how students can engage in learning about the topic from the Wellness Empowerment Center.
Other ways to stay connected:
There are many more newsletters, print publications, and even podcasts at Georgia Tech. Visit this link to see all of the communications options GT has to offer!
Students automatically receive the following email communications to keep you well-informed about all of the belonging and engagement opportunities at Georgia Tech.
- “Engage Weekly Digest”
This weekly communication from the Center for Student Engagement, features a listing of registered student organization events and activities. - “Tech Life News”
This weekly communication features student events, information and discounts from Student Engagement & Well-Being departments, programs and services. - “VP@SEWB Monthly News”
This monthly communication from the Vice President for Student Engagement & Well-Being features news and information around student engagement opportunities and well-being topics.
Signature Programs & Initiatives
The ability to communicate effectively across differences is a key aspect of promoting belonging within a community. In research by the AAC&U, intercultural knowledge and competence has also been identified by employers as a highly desirable skill in employees they hire. Starting in August 2024, Georgia Tech launched a pilot initiative to offer the online course Perspectives, powered by the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), to all students. This course is being offered as part of Institute initiatives in support of Georgia Tech’s strategic value, “We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.”
This course provides all Georgia Tech students with a shared language for engaging in conversations that reflect care and compassion. Developing these skills helps to reduce the possibility of future interpersonal, organizational, and campus conflicts. Strengthening our community, through dialogue and disagreement, is an essential responsibility in what it means to be a Yellow Jacket!
This online course is designed to equip students with valuable skills to engage in meaningful conversations across differences in background, cultural beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Whether it’s navigating tough discussions with friends or understanding divergent perspectives in class, the skills gained through Perspectives will help create a more connected campus community – one in which every student can feel like they are heard and validated.
Students receive an invitation to get started with Perspectives via email. If you cannot find your original email invitation from vp_sewb@gatech.edu, please visit this page and submit your info. Directions for accessing Perspectives will then be sent to you. For more information about Freedom of Expression @ Georgia Tech, please bookmark and visit this page (students.gatech.edu/freedom_of_expression).