Beginning January 3, 2012, Dr. Larry Berman started his new role as founding dean of Georgia State University’s Honors College. Recognized internationally as an expert on American politics, foreign policy, the American presidency and the Vietnam War, Dr. Berman brings a wealth of experience to the new College. He was the Founding Director of the Washington Center for the University of California system and served as the Chair of the Political Science department at UC-Davis for 8 years. He has published numerous articles and books and is currently working on a biography of Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., a naval commander who initiated sweeping reforms that modernized the fleet and challenged institutional racism in the 1970’s.
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Dr. Sarah L. Cook, Associate Dean and Director of Psychology
Dr. Cook began her appointment in the Honors College June 1, 2012 and has been a faculty member of the Department of Psychology since 1997. She is a nationally recognized expert on violence against women. Her research explores how science conceptualizes and measures the problem, ethical issues in researching it, how to prevent it, and how it intersects with other problems such as HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Justice, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National institutes of Health. She teaches an Honors College undergraduate interdisciplinary seminar on HIV/AIDS, violence, and Apartheid in South Africa as well as a graduate course on psychology and public policy. She is an alumna of Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN. and earned her doctorate at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Nancy Mansfield, Faculty Associate for Honors & Professor of Legal Studies and Health AdministrationDr. Mansfield serves as the Faculty Associate for Honors and holds a joint appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Risk Management and Insurance and in the Institute of Health Administration. She currently teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses including an Honors seminar, the Legal and Ethical Environment of Business, the “Law and Society” Freshman Learning Community and the graduate Health Law course. She received the Holmes-Cardozo Award (2001) for excellence in research and the Ralph Bunche Award (2009) for Best International Paper from the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. Professor Mansfield also received the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching, the RCB Faculty Award for Service and the Charles M. Hewitt Award for Teaching Excellence from the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
Ms. Lawhorn is the academic advisor for the Honors College. She interviews incoming students and welcomes students to schedule advisement sessions with her regarding their academic future here at GSU and beyond. April also coordinates the scheduling of all honors courses each semester and can assist students in solving academic, procedural, and policy problems. April comes to this position with a counseling, academic advising, and student personnel development background.
Mr. Greg Chisholm, Administrative Coordinator for Honors Scholarship ProgramsMr. Chisholm came to Georgia State in 2003. He received his B.A. from Furman University with a major in Spanish in 1991. Before he began working with Undergraduate Studies, he was involved with after-school education for Atlanta inner-city public school students. His responsibilities at Georgia State range from coordinating programs for Honors scholarship recipients to enhancing the quality of residential life experience for Honors students.
Ms. Annahita Jimmerson, Educational Program Specialist Ms. Jimmerson is the Sr. Educational Program Specialist for the Honors College. Annahita received her B.A. in Organizational Communication from the University of Central Florida and M.Ed in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. Before her time at Georgia State Annahita spent four years as a Residence Coordinator and Student Conduct Hearing Officer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Annahita currently serves as the Advisor of the Honors Students Organization and oversees the Cultural Passport and University Assistantship programs for the GSU Honors College.
Mr. Jim Burke, Director of Development for University ProgramsMr. Burke is the Director of Development for University Programs and concentrates on the Honors College. He received his B.S. from North Georgia College and State University with a major in Political Science. Before he began working in development, he was associated with Boy Scouts of America, Marist School, and MAP International. His responsibilities range from reconnecting alumni to increasing the scholarship dollars available for Honors students to attend Georgia State University.
Ms. Steiner is the librarian for the Honors College. She is available to provide library skills training and research support for honors students working on class projects or theses. Her areas of expertise are information science (M.A.), English literature (M.A), gender studies, and social work, but she is trained in information seeking skills and tools in a wide variety of other subject areas. Sarah also serves as the liaison to the School of Social Work and as the coordinator of the library’s online chat and social media services. Her office is in Library North, behind the Research Support Desk on the 2nd floor.
Ms. Simmons joined the Honors College staff in 2010 after a lengthy career as a small business consultant and tax specialist. She manages the Honors College finances, assists with Honors data aggregation, communications and events, helps students with registration and undergraduate thesis submission, coordinates with Honors faculty for Honors 1000 courses, and can answer students' questions at any time.
Ms. Somerville is the Administrative Assistant for the Honors College. She received her B.A. from Clark Atlanta University with a major in Mass Media Arts (Radio/Television/Film) in 2004. While providing Administrative support to the entire staff of the Honors College, Ms. Somerville also assists Founding Dean, Dr. Larry Berman in appointment scheduling.