Meet Our Staff
Leadership Team
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Harold Mock
Director of Leadership Programs and Assistant Professor of History
(478) 445-1227
Research
- Western European security
- Civil-military relations
- Transatlantic relations
- European integration
- German foreign policy
Profile
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.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mock, please contact Lori Westbrook, executive assistant, at (478) 445-1227 or lori.westbrook@gcsu.edu.
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Jane Kidd
Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and Leader in Residence
(478) 445-1227
Profile
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.
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Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Ms. Purser, development officer, please call (478) 445-8553 or contact haleigh.purser@gcsu.edu.
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Profile
Lori Westbrook serves as executive assistant in the Office of Leadership Programs. She joined the Georgia College Academic Affairs division in 1987. In that time, she has worked in the Office of the Provost and with the Honors Program.
Mrs. Westbrook works closely with the students of the Leadership Certificate and GEM Programs, as well as with the Leadership Facilitators. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Georgia College.
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Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Ms. Scoggins, please call (478) 445-5384 or contact chelsey.scoggins@gcsu.edu.
Vacant
Assistant Director
(478) 445-1227
Research & Public Service Team
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Profile
Sara Beth Ratcliffe serves as public service coordinator and is responsible for implementing and supporting our Research & Public Service Priorities. Ms. Ratcliffe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Georgia College and is a Master of Public Administration candidate.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sara Beth Ratcliffe, please click here to choose a time.
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Steve Elliott-Gower
Faculty Research Fellow and Associate Professor of Political Science
(478) 445-1467
Education
Ph.D.
Political Science
University of Georgia
M.A.
University of Georgia
B.A. (Hons.)
University of Lancaster (UK)
Research
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Role-playing Simulations
- Student Development and Global Citizenship
- Global Governance
- Global Civic Literacy
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Profile
Madison Green serves as clinical coordinator. She holds a bachelors degree in outdoor education from Georgia College, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management. Ms. 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. Additionally, she was a member of the GC Cross County team.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Madison Green, please click here to choose a time.
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Profile
Katherine Smith is the W. J. Usery, Jr. Fellow. Mrs. Smith is a bachelor of business administration candidate, studying management information systems in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology. She is an alumna of the Leadership Certificate Program and of Leadership Georgia College.
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Axel Hawkins
Newman Civic Fellow
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Vivian Cassaniti
Research Assistant
Profile
Vivian Cassaniti serves as research assistant. She was the 2022-23 Newman Civic Fellow. Ms. Cassaniti is a member of the class of 2024, studying political science and philosophy with a concentration in pre-law. She is a member of the John E. Sallstrom Honors College and is an alumna of the Leadership Certificate Program and the Georgia Education Mentorship Program.
Samantha Paton
Research Assistant
Vacant
Public Service Assistant
(478) 445-1227
Leadership Academy Team
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Profile
Jacob Carter serves as program coordinator for the Leadership Academy and provides leadership for Georgia College's first-year student leadership-development program. Mr. Carter holds a Bachelor or Science degree in mathematics from Georgia College and is a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate in the John H. Lounsbury College of Education.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Jacob Carter, please click here to choose a time.
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Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Kathryn Cooper, please click here to choose a time.
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Rachel Horn
Senior Admissions Counselor
478-445-1284, office / (478) 234-6727, mobile
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Rachel Horn, please click here to choose a time.
Strategic Communications Team
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Sebastian Nuñez
Leadership Development Consultant
Profile
Sebastian Nuñez serves as leadership development consultant and provides personalized leadership-development consulting for Georgia College students and clients. Mr. Nuñez holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia College and is a Master of Management Information Systems candidate in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sebastian Nuñez, please click here to choose a time.
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Jenesis Harris
Communications Specialist
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Sicilia Reed
Communications Specialist
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Abigail Watkins
Communications Specialist
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Abigail Watkins, please click here to choose a time.

Harold Mock
Research
- Western European security
- Civil-military relations
- Transatlantic relations
- European integration
- German foreign policy
Profile
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.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mock, please contact Lori Westbrook, executive assistant, at (478) 445-1227 or lori.westbrook@gcsu.edu.

Jane Kidd
Profile
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.

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

Profile
Lori Westbrook serves as executive assistant in the Office of Leadership Programs. She joined the Georgia College Academic Affairs division in 1987. In that time, she has worked in the Office of the Provost and with the Honors Program.
Mrs. Westbrook works closely with the students of the Leadership Certificate and GEM Programs, as well as with the Leadership Facilitators. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Georgia College.

Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Ms. Scoggins, please call (478) 445-5384 or contact chelsey.scoggins@gcsu.edu.
Vacant

Profile
Sara Beth Ratcliffe serves as public service coordinator and is responsible for implementing and supporting our Research & Public Service Priorities. Ms. Ratcliffe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Georgia College and is a Master of Public Administration candidate.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sara Beth Ratcliffe, please click here to choose a time.

Steve Elliott-Gower
Education
Ph.D.
Political Science
University of Georgia
M.A.
University of Georgia
B.A. (Hons.)
University of Lancaster (UK)
Research
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Role-playing Simulations
- Student Development and Global Citizenship
- Global Governance
- Global Civic Literacy

Profile
Madison Green serves as clinical coordinator. She holds a bachelors degree in outdoor education from Georgia College, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management. Ms. 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. Additionally, she was a member of the GC Cross County team.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Madison Green, please click here to choose a time.

Profile
Katherine Smith is the W. J. Usery, Jr. Fellow. Mrs. Smith is a bachelor of business administration candidate, studying management information systems in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology. She is an alumna of the Leadership Certificate Program and of Leadership Georgia College.

Axel Hawkins

Vivian Cassaniti
Profile
Vivian Cassaniti serves as research assistant. She was the 2022-23 Newman Civic Fellow. Ms. Cassaniti is a member of the class of 2024, studying political science and philosophy with a concentration in pre-law. She is a member of the John E. Sallstrom Honors College and is an alumna of the Leadership Certificate Program and the Georgia Education Mentorship Program.
Samantha Paton
Vacant
Leadership Academy Team
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Profile
Jacob Carter serves as program coordinator for the Leadership Academy and provides leadership for Georgia College's first-year student leadership-development program. Mr. Carter holds a Bachelor or Science degree in mathematics from Georgia College and is a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate in the John H. Lounsbury College of Education.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Jacob Carter, please click here to choose a time.
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Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Kathryn Cooper, please click here to choose a time.
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Rachel Horn
Senior Admissions Counselor
478-445-1284, office / (478) 234-6727, mobile
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Rachel Horn, please click here to choose a time.
Strategic Communications Team
Image
Sebastian Nuñez
Leadership Development Consultant
Profile
Sebastian Nuñez serves as leadership development consultant and provides personalized leadership-development consulting for Georgia College students and clients. Mr. Nuñez holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia College and is a Master of Management Information Systems candidate in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sebastian Nuñez, please click here to choose a time.
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Jenesis Harris
Communications Specialist
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Sicilia Reed
Communications Specialist
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Abigail Watkins
Communications Specialist
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Abigail Watkins, please click here to choose a time.

Profile
Jacob Carter serves as program coordinator for the Leadership Academy and provides leadership for Georgia College's first-year student leadership-development program. Mr. Carter holds a Bachelor or Science degree in mathematics from Georgia College and is a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate in the John H. Lounsbury College of Education.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Jacob Carter, please click here to choose a time.

Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Kathryn Cooper, please click here to choose a time.

Rachel Horn
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Rachel Horn, please click here to choose a time.

Sebastian Nuñez
Profile
Sebastian Nuñez serves as leadership development consultant and provides personalized leadership-development consulting for Georgia College students and clients. Mr. Nuñez holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgia College and is a Master of Management Information Systems candidate in the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Sebastian Nuñez, please click here to choose a time.

Jenesis Harris

Sicilia Reed

Abigail Watkins
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment or attend office hours with Abigail Watkins, please click here to choose a time.
Contact Us
The Office of Leadership Programs is housed in the historic Carl Vinson House, located at 421 West Montgomery Street.
- (478) 445-1227, Main
- (478) 445-8553, Development
