Staff & Fellows

Dr. Harold Mock directs the Office of Leadership Programs and teaches courses on principles of leadership. A specialist in international affairs and transatlantic relations, he is currently writing a book entitled Dangerous Power: An International History of German Unification, 1969-1993. Dr. Mock's research and teaching interests include civil-military relations, particularly related to nuclear strategy and defense planning in western Europe. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia, where he previously served as Bradley Research Fellow. Additionally, Dr. Mock holds a master's degree in history from Virginia and bachelor's degrees in political science and history from Georgia College. He is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

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• Western European security 
• Civil-military relations 
• Transatlantic relations 
• European integration 
• German foreign policy

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mock, please contact Tammie Burke, office coordinator, at (478) 445-1227 or tammie.burke@gcsu.edu. 

Chelsey Brantley serves as assistant director of leadership programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Georgia and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia College. 

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To schedule an appointment with Mrs. Brantley, please call (478) 445-8723 or contact chelsey.brantley@gcsu.edu. 

Jane Kidd is the Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and serves as Leader in Residence at Georgia College. Kidd’s career spans more than thirty years in public service and higher education. Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2004, she represented the 115th district in the General Assembly. She served as chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia from 2007 until 2011. Additionally, she served three terms on the City Council of Lavonia, Georgia and as campaign manager and district director for U.S. Congressman Don Johnson.

To schedule an appointment with Mrs. Kidd, please contact Tammie Burke, office coordinator, at (478) 445-1227 or tammie.burke@gcsu.edu. 

Haleigh Purser serves as development officer, working with our donors and friends to support our mission to prepare leaders for the public good. Mrs. Purser joined the Georgia College staff in 2023 and previously served as constituent services representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. She holds a bachelor's degree in business and marketing from Middle Georgia State University. She is a member of the Junior League and of Rotary International. 

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To schedule an appointment with Haleigh Purser, development officer, please call (478) 445-8553 or contact haleigh.purser@gcsu.edu. 

Emily Johnston serves as public service coordinator and is responsible for implementing and supporting our Research & Public Service Priorities and providing support to the students in the Georgia Education Mentorship Program. Ms. Johnston holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Georgia College and is currently a Master of Accountancy candidate. 

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To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Emily Johnston, please click here to choose a time.

Ph.D.
Political Science
University of Georgia

M.A.
University of Georgia

B.A. (Hons.)
University of Lancaster (UK)

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Role-playing Simulations
• Student Development and Global Citizenship
• Global Governance 
• Global Civic Literacy 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Steve Elliott-Gower, please call (478) 445-1467 or contact steve.elliott-gower@gcsu.edu. 

Samantha Paton serves as research assistant in the Office of Leadership Programs. In that role, she provides professional research support related to the ongoing research projects in the Office of Leadership Programs and our Research & Public Service Priorities. Ms. Paton is a Bachelor of Arts candidate in political science and criminal justice and is an alumna of the Leadership Program and Georgia Education Mentorship Program. She spoke at TEDxGeorgiaCollege 2025, delivering a talk entitled "Democracy is More than a Trend." 

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Sydney Charles serves as program coordinator for the Leadership Academy. In her role, she oversees the operation of the Leadership Academy and provides individual and small-group leadership-development consulting to GCSU students. Ms. Charles holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from Georgia College and is currently a Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management candidate. She is an alumna of the Georgia Education Mentorship Program and the GCSU Women's Soccer Team. 

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To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sydney Charles, please click here to choose a time.

Madison Green serves as leadership development consultant. She holds a bachelor's degree in outdoor education from Georgia College, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management. Mrs. Green currently is a Master of Public Administration candidate at Georgia College. She previously served as program coordinator for Georgia College's Leadership Academy and worked for the Outdoor Center at Georgia College, where she found a passion for program planning and group development. 

To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Madison Green, please click here to choose a time.

Anna Cruickshank serves as program assistant for the GCSU Leadership Academy. In her role, she provides leadership to the team of Leadership Consultants and represents the Leadership Academy within the community and across the state. Ms. Cruickshank is a Bachelor of Business Administration candidate in marketing. 

Paige Blakemore is communications specialist and previously W. J. Usery, Jr. Fellow. Ms. Blakemore is a Bachelor of Arts candidate, studying mass communication, and is a member of the John E. Sallstrom Honors College. She is the 2024 Omicron Delta Kappa Emerging Leader of the Year and is an alumna of the Leadership Program and Georgia Education Mentorship Program.

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