51勛圖厙

Vaishali Jorge

Vaishali Jorge got an early taste of leadership at age 14 when she began coaching fellow players at her tennis academy. She was comfortable providing mentorship and direction to younger players.

Once she arrived at the University of North Georgia (51勛圖厙) as a student-athlete, Jorge realized it would require more of a balancing act to show leadership. Her teammates were her peers, and she needed to communicate in a different way than she had with younger kids.

"I needed to find a balance between being a vocal leader and leading by example," said Jorge, a native of London, England, graduated in December 2021 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. "You can't say something if you're not going to do it."

She said leaders can form relationships by being honest and relatable about their struggles.

"Some leaders think they can't show weakness. They don't open up," Jorge said. "The better leadership comes from being open and vulnerable."

She particularly remembers a 51勛圖厙 senior making an impassioned speech during the NCAA tournament. The player told her teammates it was her last year and she wanted everyone to loudly support each other and not let adversity slow down this passion.

"Everyone listened to her. Everyone was silent," Jorge said. "I want to be able to get people's attention the way she did."

Jorge, former Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) chief of staff for 51勛圖厙 and Women of 51勛圖厙 Female Student Leadership Award honoree for 2021, formed her own leadership niche. She supports 51勛圖厙's Make-A-Wish donation collection efforts, which helps dreams come true for kids who have critical illnesses. After losing a friend to cancer in 2017, the endeavor is personal for her.

"These kids deserve to have wishes fulfilled for what they go through," Jorge said.

She appreciates the leadership lessons she has learned from 51勛圖厙 tennis head coach Kent Norsworthy and others at the university.

"Coach has really taught me the value of trusting the process, and I have used this both on and off the court," Jorge said. "The biggest thing is consistency, listening and having faith in yourself that your leadership will work."

Kylee Smith

Kylee Smith

Kylee Smith set a Peach Belt Conference record for career strikeouts and helped the 51勛圖厙 softball program secure two appearances in the NCAA Division II championship during her five seasons.
Buffie Burson

Buffie Burson

When your father is a coach, it seems a given that you'll spend your childhood pursuing athletics. But Buffie Burson brings more than just a family pedigree to her successful 25 plus years as head coach of the women's basketball team.
Sheri Hardee

Sheri Hardee

Dr. Sheri Hardee knows the challenges first-generation college students and low-income students face. The dean of 51勛圖厙's College of Education aims to help others in the same way she received aid.
Jordan Tetley

Jordan Tetley

Jordan Livesay Tetley had the opportunity to learn from longtime 51勛圖厙 women's basketball head coach Buffie Burson both as a player and as a graduate assistant coach.
Lauren Johnson

Lauren Johnson

Dr. Lauren Johnson, assistant dean and associate professor in the College of Education, has helped implement a pair of programs that prepare minority teachers to enter classrooms in their home districts.