Effective July 1, the new director will assume the role.
Katie Conrad was selected for the executive director role.
After a national search conducted by WittKieffer, Enrollment Management at Georgia Tech has selected Katie Conrad as the new executive director of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA). She will assume this role beginning July 1, 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Katie as the new leader for the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid,” said Paul Kohn, vice provost for Enrollment Management. “With her expertise and vision, we eagerly anticipate the strides she will help us make in advancing our financial aid initiatives. Together, we will continue to expand access for all students.”
Since August 2016, Conrad has served as the senior associate director of financial aid at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Her previous positions include director of financial aid at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, and associate director of student financial aid at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Conrad holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Transylvania University and a Master of Science in social and philosophical studies in education from the University of Kentucky. She has earned the Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) designation.
Conrad currently serves as the vice president for training at Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA). With 22 years of experience in the financial aid profession, she has held numerous leadership roles within her state and regional financial aid associations. She has a passion for education, lifelong learning, and promotes educational access and success.
For Cameron Barnett, the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Program was likely the only way she could attend Georgia Tech. Now freshly graduated with a debt-free degree, she reflects on her time at Tech and mentor relationship with professor and Tech Promise donor Bill Todd.
Cameron Barnett poses for a photo with Buzz.
When Bill Todd, Professor of the Practice in the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech, first met Cameron Barnett, she was another student in Todd’s open office hours — discussing class, life, and everything in between.
At some point, the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Program — which provides a debt-free degree experience at Tech — came up in conversation. Todd, a proud advocate and donor to the program, was discussing his involvement and hopes for the scholarship. Little did he know, Barnett herself was a Tech Promise recipient.
Upon hearing Todd’s words about the scholarship and his personal support, Barnett began to cry.
“Tech Promise changed my life,” Barnett said. “It’s probably the only reason I was able to come to Tech.”
A 6-year-old Barnett was sold on attending Tech following a conversation with her mom discussing the rigor and prestige of the Institute compared to other universities in the state. From then on, Barnett describes her drive to attend Tech as a passion.
However, as the eldest of seven and unable to take out loans, Barnett knew that paying for college was a non-starter without meaningful financial help from the Institute.
Professor Bill Todd
As she researched scholarships to decide whether she could make her Tech dream a reality, she discovered the Tech Promise program. When she was admitted to Tech, she was not initially given the scholarship, but she contacted the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to explain her situation. Afterward, the office allotted her a space in the program.
Todd and Barnett have maintained a close mentorship since their initial meeting. When asked to describe Barnett, Todd is quick to describe her wit in class, her perseverance, and her sense of gratitude. Gratitude, in particular, is something Todd finds most compelling about Tech Promise and the value it brings out on campus.
“The culture that created Tech Promise didn’t come out of thin air,” said Todd. “We have a culture of appreciation, a culture of gratitude that makes it possible for us to support students in this way.”
Barnett graduated in December 2023 with a degree in business administration. Among her favorite classes were Todd’s as well as one where she served as a business consultant for the Campus Recreation Center, developing a plan for improvement to boost student engagement and functionality of the center. In Todd’s classes, she enjoyed writing case studies evaluating certain business aspects of healthcare systems.
Now, Barnett is taking a gap year from school to prepare for the LSAT and apply for law school while also working as a project manager at Koch Industries. Reflecting on her time at Tech, she describes it as transformative.
“I love to learn, so being able to do that at the level of Georgia Tech was exciting for me,” said Barnett. “Tech challenged me, and I really enjoyed that. I was never bored, and there was always something meaningful to contribute to.”
Barnett joins over 1,000 Tech Promise scholars who have graduated from the Institute without taking on any debt. Not only does it provide a debt-free education, but in Todd’s experience, it also reshapes the entire system of a Tech Promise recipient’s community.
“Every Tech Promise student that we fund is another step forward,” said Todd. “And it’s not just that student who is affected by the scholarship – it’s their entire ecosystem. Their family, their friends, their church, their community. Suddenly, it makes a college education a possibility where it historically has not been, for more than just the student receiving the Promise.”
Supporting Students
Philanthropic support for scholarships and fellowships makes it possible for Georgia Tech to recruit the brightest, most talented students from around our state and around the world. Support students today.
The 2023-24 academic year marked the first time the Georgia Tech Val-Sal Scholarship, a scholarship for eligible Georgia high school valedictorians and salutatorians, was awarded at Tech. Offered to 25 students for the inaugural year, the scholarship covers up to $5,000 a semester for those who may not be able to attend the Institute otherwise. Two Scholars reflect on their time at Tech so far and what brought them here.
Dayleigh Mims – first-year civil engineering major from Barnesville, Georgia
Dayleigh Mims (right) is a first-year Val-Sal Scholar studying civil engineering.
Despite her love of engineering, Dayleigh Mims did not originally see Georgia Tech as an option for her college career. Believing it to be too competitive, she wasn’t sure if she would get accepted. Not only did she get accepted, but she received multiple scholarship offers – one being the Georgia Tech Val-Sal Scholarship – which made her dream of Tech all the more accessible.
“I didn’t initially have my sights set on it,” she said. “But I spoke to a friend, and he told me not to limit myself and go for it. Obviously, I’m glad that I listened.”
Mims has always loved math. After moving to Lamar County High School from Stockbridge, Georgia, she found herself outpacing the math courses available. This ultimately led to her involvement in her high school’s gifted internship pathway, where she worked for the math department and then the school counselor.
The counselor assigned her career readiness work, where Mims found engineering as a suitable outlet for her enjoyment of math. After realizing this, her counselor assigned Mims a project — analyzing the bridges in Lamar County. The project confirmed that engineering was the right path for Mims.
Now, as Mims moves in to her second semester at Tech, she’s finding her path and adjusting to college life. Mims looks forward to getting involved in more classes directly linked to her major.
Azaniah Blackmon – first-year mechanical engineering major from Ludowici, Georgia
Azaniah Blackmon is a first-year Val-Sal Scholar studying mechanical engineering.
In high school, Azaniah Blackmon wasn’t sure where his next steps would take him. As he started his college planning, his parents were the first to suggest Georgia Tech to fit his engineering aspirations. Blackmon was quick to get on board given that he could study his passion at an elite institution while sticking close to home.
He applied, and received the Val-Sal Scholarship, confirming that Tech was the right choice. Since coming to campus in the fall, he’s enjoyed the opportunity to learn at an elite level while being close enough for his family to make the occasional visit.
When it came time to make a decision about which branch of engineering to pursue, Blackmon was stuck between mechanical and civil engineering. After some thought and time on campus last fall semester, mechanical engineering ultimately won out.
“I saw myself going further in that field,” he said. “I went to the career fair just to see what was out there in both fields and felt like there were a lot of directions to go within mechanical engineering.”
Blackmon spent last semester adjusting to the new types of coursework and exploring his interests. Chemistry was his favorite class of his fall semester, though he looks forward to getting involved with more major-specific courses as he builds his expertise.
Supporting Students
Philanthropic support for scholarships like the Val-Sal Scholarship makes it possible for Georgia Tech to recruit the brightest, most talented students from around our state and around the world. Support students today.
In early December, Georgia Tech accepted over 2,600 students from 111 different counties. The first student admitted, however, was from an unexpected locale – Twiggs County – where in many years no student applied, and no other applicant had been admitted since 2000.
Cameron Pearson (left) poses with his acceptance letter to Georgia Tech next to Mack Bullard (right), the superintendent of schools in Twiggs County. Cameron was the first student to receive his acceptance letter to Tech this school year.
In late November, a group of 60 Twiggs County High School students visited Georgia Tech’s campus. Among them was senior Cameron Pearson, who had recently applied to Tech as an electrical engineering major. Just a few days away from releasing Early Action 1 admission decisions, Tech surprised Cameron by presenting him with his acceptance letter in person.
“While Georgia Tech has an international reputation, our top priority is attracting talent from communities around our state and providing them with a world-class educational experience,” said Rick Clark, executive director for strategic student access in the division of Enrollment Management at Tech.
From its founding in the late 1800s, Tech has focused on equipping Georgians with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the state’s economy and competitive standing. Nearly 150 years later, through research, training, and statewide partnerships, this commitment and mission is stronger than ever: guaranteeing admission to Georgia’s high school valedictorians and salutatorians, providing millions of dollars in scholarships to talented Georgians through the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, and partnering with Georgia communities to help them improve and innovate.
One way Tech is reaching across Georgia is through its Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC). CEISMC provides K-12 support through professional development, STEM enrichment, and other outreach programs and partnerships that have become essential to Georgia’s thriving technology industry.
“Engaging with communities in all regions of Georgia allows us to have an open dialogue about the resources Tech can provide to assist in preparing students for life beyond school,” said Sirocus Barnes, senior program director for CEISMC. “We can also help prepare students who decide they want to earn a degree from Tech.”
One of CEISMC’s efforts, the Computer Science for Rural Georgia High Schools Pilot Program, began in 2022. This program, in partnership with Georgia Tech Research Institute’s (GTRI) K-12 outreach program STEM@GTRI, connects participating districts and their students to Georgia Tech faculty and staff, as well as quality instruction and high-level resources.
Twiggs County was quick to become a partner in the program, joining in the fall of 2023 to bolster their computer science program.
“In 2021, the technology sector in Georgia prospered with over 100,000 jobs, spanning areas such as programming, coding, cybersecurity, software engineering, technical repair, and artificial intelligence,” said Mack Bullard, superintendent of schools in Twiggs County. “Specifically, there are more than 25,000 IT and technical repair occupations and over 24,000 cybersecurity and system engineer positions in the state. Through our partnership with Georgia Tech, our students and faculty gain valuable exposure to highly respected faculty, cutting-edge research, and professional development programs. This exposure is integral to preparing our students for technology-related career fields.”
Enrollment Management at Georgia Tech introduces a new role to continue the past decade’s work in expanding access to Tech for Georgia students. This first-of-its-kind position will break down financial barriers to obtaining a Tech education.
Rick Clark (center) filled the new role, where he will focus on continuing Georgia Tech’s long-standing commitment to expanding access.
At the start of the new year, Georgia Tech’s division of Enrollment Management introduced the groundbreaking role of executive director of strategic student access. This role continues Tech’s commitment to increasing opportunities for talented students to study at the Institute.
Effective Jan. 1, Rick Clark, associate vice provost of Enrollment Management and executive director of Undergraduate Admission, assumed the new executive director role. Mary Tipton Woolley, senior associate director of Undergraduate Admission, stepped in to serve as the interim executive director of Undergraduate Admission.
The executive director of strategic student access position will create and implement a strategic plan to increase opportunities for financially vulnerable undergraduates to earn a Georgia Tech bachelor’s degree. The creation of this position underscores Tech’s commitment to the state of Georgia and life-changing access to a Tech education.
This position will collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, staff, K-12 superintendents and principals, community leaders, government agencies, corporate sponsors, philanthropies, alumni, students, and donors.
“At Georgia Tech, our commitment to expanding access is a cornerstone of our mission because we believe talent has no limits and that financial limitations should not stand in the way of any talented student,” said Steve McLaughlin, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Rick Clark’s time at Tech, experience, and passion for our mission prepare him well to serve in the inaugural role as we work to dismantle financial barriers.”
Notable initiatives to increase access to a Tech education over the past decade include the Atlanta Public School Scholars Program, which began in 2014 to grant scholarships to eligible valedictorians and salutatorians in Atlanta Public Schools. This was followed by the creation of the Georgia Tech Scholars Program in 2017, a program guaranteeing admission to eligible high school valedictorians and salutatorians statewide.
In 2016, Georgia Tech also joined other universities across the country in the American Talent Initiative, a collaborative effort between multiple colleges to share strategies to help more financially vulnerable students obtain a degree.
Then 2023 brought the expansion of the G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship to offer a debt-free experience to students from families with an estimated income of $55,500 or less. The scholarship, which is the first of its kind offered by a public university in the state of Georgia, has served over 1,000 eligible students since its establishment in 2007.
Also in 2023, Georgia Tech created the Val-Sal Scholarship for valedictorians and salutatorians from the state of Georgia with financial need. This scholarship was offered to 25 incoming first-year students for the 2023-24 school year.
Together, these efforts have provided the opportunity for more qualified Georgians than ever to study at Tech.
“Empowering dreams, breaking barriers. In Enrollment Management, we take pride in our commitment to student access,” said Paul Kohn, vice provost of Enrollment Management. “From the inception of the APS Scholars admission and scholarship program in 2014 to the recent addition of the Val-Sal scholarship recognizing Georgia’s highest achieving high school students, and now the introduction of the executive director for strategic student access role, we’ve been dedicated to creating pathways that elevate and expand opportunities for every student. Together, we’re shaping a future where access knows no bounds.”
On Jan. 1, Clark turned his full attention to his new role, where he will focus on building relationships with education and community leaders as well as connecting with the Office of Development to implement strategies to exceed fundraising goals for need-based scholarships. Additionally, Clark will work with campus partners to ensure accessibility of resources for all students, regardless of income.
“In my 20 years working in Tech’s Undergraduate Admission office, I’ve seen that talent is truly everywhere; opportunity, unfortunately, is not,” said Clark. “My goal in this position is to ensure that students — regardless of their socioeconomic background — can not only afford to attend Georgia Tech, but also engage in all the transformative opportunities we provide.”
To learn more about ways to support current and future Tech students, visit the Transforming Tomorrow campaign website.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission had a banner year for travel this fall, visiting with more than 4,000 students in the state of Georgia. As they wrap up their travel efforts, the admission team turns its focus to Early Action 1 application review to prepare for the upcoming decision release on Friday, Dec. 8.
A Georgia Tech admission counselor speaks with a student at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia.
Each fall semester, the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech hits the road to share information about Tech with high schoolers throughout the state of Georgia. This year, they visited 282 schools in 98 counties, connecting with 4,486 students in the state.
As part of advancing its efforts related to expanding access to a Tech education in Georgia, this undertaking was the largest on-the-ground effort since the coronavirus pandemic.
“As we’ve intensified our focus on recruiting students from across our state, I’m proud of the work our team did to visit 60 more counties than our last ‘normal’ travel season,” said Mary Tipton Woolley, senior associate director of Undergraduate Admission. “Expanding access starts in our home state, and I am excited about the groundwork being laid this fall to engage more Georgians.”
The season began with the Peach State Tour, an annual joint recruitment effort by Georgia Tech, Augusta University, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia, to share information about their institutions with students, counselors, and parents. The tour began in late August and continued through mid-September.
This year, the tour reached nearly 400 counselors and over 2,500 students during 22 virtual and in-person events. This year was the first since the pandemic that admission counselors expanded their travel commitments to encompass every region of the state, from the northern mountains to the southern plains.
Sean Kilgore, senior admission counselor and a Northwest Georgia native, spent much of the early fall in that region, connecting with hundreds of students. One of his most impactful experiences was in Lafayette, Georgia, where he spoke to over 50 high schoolers about Tech and applying to college in general.
“Going back to areas that I grew up in, I’ve been able to utilize this knowledge to understand what students are able to bring to the Georgia Tech community,” he said. “I was so excited to visit schools in the area where I grew up and even more thrilled to see such a large turnout at LaFayette High School, where Georgia Tech has not visited in many years.”
Moving forward, the office continues to explore new ways to help students across the state see Georgia Tech as an option for college, including this fall hosting specialized drive-in visits for students and staff from Greene County, Coffee County, Forest Park, and Arabia Mountain High Schools.
“Boots on the ground has always been one of the most important parts of recruitment,” said Woolley. “Building relationships with counselors and school officials, meeting students in their home environment, staying and eating in a community — all these things help us understand the challenges and opportunities faced throughout our state.”
Now the office turns to completing a holistic review of the record number of applications received for Early Action 1. This year, more than 7,000 applications were received for this decision round, which focuses only on Georgia applicants. This represents an increase of more than nine percent from last year. Decisions will be released for Early Action 1 on Friday, Dec. 8, but first-year applications will continue to be received through the Regular Decision deadline of Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
Because of an opportunity to earn a debt-free degree through the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, Heather Johnston has been able to pursue her passions and give back to her community.
Heather Johnston (right) with her father on her graduation day in 2017. Heather Johnston was able to attend Georgia Tech on a full scholarship through the Tech Promise Program.
Georgia Tech alumna Heather Johnston, who graduated in 2017, attended Tech as a recipient of the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, a scholarship that makes it possible for qualifying low-income, in-state students to earn a degree at Tech debt-free. Now, she’s building a nonprofit based in North Georgia to continue a cycle of kindness.
“People have helped me every step of the way, and now I want to help people,” said Johnston, reflecting on her path from Tech to building her nonprofit, Blueprint Bridge, Inc., an organization dedicated to assisting individuals reintegrate into society after incarceration. “And the cycle just keeps going. That’s how the world gets better.”
Journey to Tech
For this native of Blue Ridge, Georgia, college wasn’t always on the horizon. Despite performing well in high school and enjoying academics, Johnston didn’t feel that she had the resources, or need, to go to college.
“I just didn’t know much about college at the time,” she said. “I didn’t know many people who went, and I didn’t know what you could really do with a college degree.”
But she still ended up applying to Tech on her high school’s Apply to College Day, and weeks later, she had an acceptance letter and the offer of a Tech Promise scholarship. Dealing with an abusive relationship at the time, the opportunity to get out of her hometown to attend college without accumulating debt was a game changer.
When she arrived at Tech, she found herself in the office of Jerry McTier, a financial aid advisor, for a mandatory meeting about her scholarship and managing her finances for the years ahead. As an 18-year-old who grew up in rural Georgia with limited means, financial management — and navigating the college landscape as a first-generation student — proved daunting. But with McTier’s help, Johnston was able to more comfortably navigate her years at Tech.
“The information gap is pretty big,” said Johnston. “If you haven’t had someone close to you go to college before, you don’t even know what you don’t know until someone tells you.”
Johnston with Jerry McTier, the financial aid officer who helped her in her years at Georgia Tech, at Johnston’s graduation.Johnston (right) with a friend at an off-site Georgia Tech farming operation.Johnston on her graduation day in 2017.
Continuing the Cycle of Giving Back
After graduating with her degree in public policy, Johnston worked for Georgia’s State Road and Tollway Authority but found herself wanting to do more to give back. After reflecting on her skills and passions, Johnston decided to apply to law school at Georgia State University.
Law school gave Johnston the know-how and inspiration that led her to turn her focus to the creation of Blueprint Bridge. As Johnston builds the nonprofit, she hopes the organization will be a resource hub for individuals who have been affected by the criminal justice system as they reintegrate into society.
“There’s a lot of little things we can do to be helpful,” said Johnston. “Tips on how to eat, how to call your probation officer, or where to get dental care. For a lot of people, these are the kinds of things that can be difficult to navigate.”
Johnston’s goal is for the organization to be something anyone can contribute resources to, and she hopes it will expand over time. Ultimately, she’s happy to have the opportunity to return some of the kindness she received to her home region.
“Growing up in a small town and then coming to college on scholarship really ingrained the community mindset,” said Johnston. “So, I always imagined I would put effort back into my community. I am thankful for what I’ve been given, and it makes such a big difference.”
Learn more about other Tech Promise scholars here and get information on how to give to the Tech Promise scholarship fund here.
Because of an opportunity to earn a debt-free degree through the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, Andrés Robles Sotomayor is able to pursue his longtime passion and learn how he can channel that passion to give back to his country.
Andrés Robles Sotomayor with Buzz.
When Andrés Robles Sotomayor left his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to come to Hinesville, Georgia, he brought with him the determination to become an engineer. As he evaluated his college options and arrived at aerospace engineering for his career choice, Georgia Tech quickly became a top contender.
“It was one of the few universities that had an aerospace engineering program, and it was very prestigious and close to my interests,” said Robles Sotomayor. “Though, that wasn’t the only reason it was my top choice — it was also in-state, so I could stay closer to my mother.”
Receiving a Promise
Robles Sotomayor applied for admission and was accepted. However, as the son of a single mother working hard to make ends meet, he wasn’t sure what covering the cost of college would look like.
“I got in, and then my mom asked how we were going to pay for it,” he said. “And I told her ‘Well, that’s a good question. I don’t know, but I guess I’ll figure it out.’”
The solution Robles Sotomayor considered was joining the military to serve his country and support his career aspirations. The opportunity to receive pilot training drew him to consider joining the Air Force, but he knew it would mean dedicating a decade away from his mother, which Robles Sotomayor acknowledged would have been difficult.
But then he received the notification that he’d been selected for the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, a scholarship that makes it possible for qualifying low-income, in-state students to earn a degree at Tech debt–free. The offer came as a huge relief, especially to Robles Sotomayor’s mother, who was hesitant to see her son join the military.
“My mom went berserk,” recalled Robles Sotomayor on telling his mother about the scholarship offer.
Robles Sotomayor still plans to serve his country, but he’s happy for the opportunity to pursue his education first. Ultimately, he hopes to work in the defense industry in aerodynamics or as a flight test pilot.
An example of some of the photography work Robles Sotomayor has done for SHPE.Robles Sotomayor with friends.More of Robles Sotomayor’s photography work.
Time at Tech
Since coming to Tech, Robles Sotomayor has affirmed his interest in all things aerospace engineering: He is involved with Design Build Fly, a competitive aircraft design team, as well as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). He’s also expanded his interests to include hobbies like photography, a pursuit he fell into accidentally when SHPE needed a photographer last year. Now he’s the lead photographer for the group.
Robles Sotomayor was able to go to the National Convention for the Society of Hispanic Engineers through his work with SHPE, and secured a summer internship with Northrop Grumman, a defense and technology company. He spent the summer on-site in West Virginia, where he served as a technical intern for their Missile and Rocket Propulsion Division.
He plans to return to the convention this year, funded by Tech Promise. Now that he has manufacturing experience from Northrop Grumman, he’s excited to find an opportunity that moves him closer to his goal of aerodynamics.
Robles Sotomayor is thankful for the advantages Tech Promise has provided for him, especially when it comes to having the chance to focus solely on his education and enjoy just being a student at Tech.
“Tech Promise is a program that has helped me, and a lot of other lower-income students, have the opportunity to be here,” said Robles Sotomayor. “Students in this program have worked incredibly hard to get here, and they’ve earned a spot at a prestigious institution like Georgia Tech — without the worry of how to pay for it.”
Learn more about other Tech Promise scholars here. Get more information on how to give to the Tech Promise scholarship fund here.
Sarah Banks Hogg, a 2013 graduate from Georgia Tech, reflects on the value of a debt-free college experience, a privilege she enjoyed because of the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program.
Sarah Banks Hogg on her graduation day in 2013.
Sarah Banks Hogg vividly remembers opening the letter alerting her that she had been accepted to the G. Wayne Clough Georgia Tech Promise Program, a scholarship that makes it possible for qualifying low-income, in-state students to earn a debt-free Tech degree. She and her mother stood in the kitchen of their Habersham County home, as Hogg read the letter indicating that the family’s expected financial contribution to Hogg’s college education was zero.
“I had to ask my mom if it was real, if I was understanding it correctly,” she recalled. “I thought maybe it was a mistake, or it was only for a year.”
It soon became apparent that it was not a mistake, and Hogg’s time at Tech would be completely funded by the scholarship. This news came as a windfall to Hogg, whose family’s financial situation had changed drastically following the loss of her father to a battle with cancer when Hogg was 11 years old.
A Future Unclear
When Hogg first set her sights on college, she knew the expense would be a challenge. Regardless, she applied to Georgia Tech and was excited about the prospect of continuing her education. But the elation that came upon acceptance to Tech was quickly followed by the dread of having to discuss the financial implications of a college education.
“I didn’t want to have that conversation with my mom yet,” she said. “I just wanted to be excited before thinking about how we were going to pay for it.”
Luckily, after Hogg and her mother completed her Free Application for Federal Student Aid — commonly known as the FAFSA — she got that fortunate letter in the mail.
“The letter said the expected family contribution was zero, so my family wouldn’t have to pay for anything,” said Hogg. “And seeing that brought a sigh of relief.”
After she realized the offer was real, and that she would be receiving a Tech education without incurring any debt, Hogg was ecstatic. Finally, her dream was becoming a reality.
Hogg on her wedding day.Hogg poses for a photo on vacation abroad.Hogg poses for a photo while enjoying rock climbing.
To Tech and Beyond
When she arrived at Tech, Hogg quickly immersed herself in the culture of Georgia Tech. She joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among numerous other clubs, and worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Hogg was a proud Tech Promise ambassador during her time working in Admission, and she enjoyed telling prospective students about her experience and what they could expect from a Tech education.
All the while, Tech Promise was fully funding her time at Tech – including her semester abroad at Oxford.
Now that it’s approaching a decade since she graduated in 2013, she advises prospective students, especially those who receive the offer of Tech Promise, to embrace the power of a Georgia Tech degree.
“It’s like a switch flipped in people when I was interviewing for different jobs,” said Hogg. “People know that a Tech degree means that you have an excellent work ethic and that the learning curve between school and a full-time job for a Tech student is small.”
Hogg now works for CapTech Consulting, a technology consulting firm. As part of her work, she gets to come to Georgia Tech for recruitment fairs. For her, interacting with Tech students and showing them what awaits them after graduation is the perfect way to support her alma mater.
As she gets older, understanding the full impact of a debt-free degree has only made her more appreciative.
“I think about what it must have meant for my mom especially,” said Hogg. “She’s a single mom trying to make ends meet, and I think about what her child having the opportunity to go to college debt free would have felt like. It must have been a weight off her chest.”
Learn more about other Tech Promise scholars here, and more about Hogg’s story when she was a student at Tech. Get more information on how to give to the Tech Promise scholarship fund here.
