Academic Advising Staff

The Academic Advising Center (AAC) supports students as they begin and progress through their academic journey at Georgia College. Our advisors provide guidance, encouragement, and resources to help students make informed decisions and achieve their academic and career goals.

Advisors assist with a wide range of needs, including exploring majors and minors, selecting and planning courses, understanding degree requirements, staying on track for graduation, and connecting students with campus resources. We are committed to supporting student success from the first semester through graduation.

The AAC also coordinates POUNCE and INTRO, Georgia College’s registration programs for new students. In addition, academic advisors teach first-year seminars that help incoming students build strong academic foundations and successfully transition to college life.

Advisors serve as ongoing partners throughout the GC experience, helping students navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and plan intentionally for the future.

If you have questions, please contact our office at 478-445-2361 or email advising@gcsu.edu.

Find your advisor

Current students can find their assigned academic advisor in their Student Profile in PAWS or by using the “Academic Advising” link in MyGCSU. Your advisor is a key resource for academic planning, major exploration, degree progress, and long-term goal setting.

Returning, prospective, and incoming students, as well as those exploring majors or minors, can use our Advising Contact List to find the advisor for your major or academic interests.

Meet Our Team

Academic Advising

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Advisor Headshot Photo

Nikki Simpson, Ed.D.

Director of Academic Advising
478-445-1635
Education

Ed.D., Higher Education Leadership & Practice
University of North Georgia

M.Ed., Higher Education Administration
Georgia Southern University

B.S., Psychology
Georgia College & State University

Scheduling

Please email nikki.simpson@gcsu.edu to schedule an appointment with Dr. Simpson.

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Advisor Headshot Photo

Michael Lerzo

Assistant Director
478-445-6298
Education

M.A.T., Secondary Education
Georgia College & State University

B.A., Spanish
Georgia College & State University

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Colandra Boyer

Coordinator of Office Services
478-445-2361
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Sheila Clemmons

Academic Advisor I
478-445-4826
Education

MBA, Business Administration, Human Resource Specialization
Ashford University

B.S., Business Administration 
Ashford University

A.S., Behavioral Science
Georgia Military College

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Collin Cortinas

Academic Advisor I
478-445-2096
Education

B.A., Religion & History
Birmingham-Southern College

M.A., American History (U.S.) 
The University of Alabama

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Ashley Devero

Academic Advisor I
478-445-4022
Education

M.Ed., Instructional Technology 
Georgia College & State University

B.S., Middle Grades Education 
Georgia State University

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Makhalath Fahiym

Academic Advisor II
478-445-2309
Education

M.A., English
Georgia College & State University

B.A., English
Georgia College & State University

A.S., Middle Grades Education
Georgia Military College

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Kathy Hill

Academic Advisor III
Lead Advisor - Business
478-445-2310
Education

M.Ed., Instructional Technology
Georgia College & State University

B.B.A., Office Systems Communications
Georgia College & State University

A.A.S., Marketing
State University of New York at Alfred

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

C’Lee Long

Academic Advisor I
478-445-2634
Education

B.A., English
Young Harris College

Scheduling Link
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Courtney McMurray

Academic Advisor I
478-445-8658
Education

B.S., Education, Deaf Education
Valdosta State University

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Jared Moore

Academic Advisor I
478-445-6428
Education

M.S., Counseling
Palm Beach Atlantic University

B.A., Psychology
Paine College

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Tawana Payne

Academic Advisor I
478-445-6294
Education

M.Ed., Counseling Psychology
Troy University

B.S., Sociology
Georgia College & State University

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Janice Pillay

Academic Advisor III
Lead Advisor - Humanities/Education
478-445-2767
Education

M.Ed., Student Personnel Services, School Counseling
University of Memphis

B.S.Ed., Elementary Education
Athens State University

A.S., Respiratory Therapy
Calhoun Community College

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Sierra Ponder

Academic Advisor I
478-445-2763
Education

M.Ed, Sport and Exercise Psychology 
Springfield College

B.A., Psychology 
Centenary College of Louisiana

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Kurt Reinhard

Academic Advisor III
Lead Advisor - Health Sciences
478-445-1628
Education

M.Ed., Kinesiology 
Georgia College & State University

B.S., Physical Education
Old Dominion University 

Scheduling Link
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Bronwyn Ries

Academic Advisor I
478-445-6296
Education

M.A., Military History 
The Citadel

B.F.A., Art History 
Savannah College of Art and Design

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Shay Smith

Academic Advisor I
478-445-1222
Education

M.P.A., Public Administration
Georgia College & State University

B.S., Health Education: Community Health & Human Services
Georgia College & State University

Scheduling Link
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Advisor Headshot Photo

Amanda Williams

Academic Advisor III
Lead Advisor - STEM
478-445-8254
Education

M.Ed., Higher Education Administration
Georgia Southern University

B.B.A., Management
Georgia Southwestern State University

Scheduling Link