Meet Our Students

2023 Cohort

2022 Cohort

2021 Cohort

2020 Cohort

Get to know a little more about us! 

Ashleigh Wilson

I find myself most interested in the areas of Diversity & Inclusion and Organizational Transformation. My goal as an IO Masters graduate is to work towards developing a fair and diverse work environment for employees, while providing a high-functioning and dynamic workforce to help businesses achieve their desired outcomes.

Don Rufus

Graduate Assistantship: AAMI Coordinator

Hello! My name is Don. I am an aspiring I/O consultant and Human Resource Generalist. After I earn my Master’s in the I/O program, I intend to go for a Human Resource position at Target and progress to consulting in prestigious organizations. I want to specialize in training and selection and potentially research in improving law enforcement training protocols. 

Emily Brown  

Graduate Assistanship: Student Athletics & Recreation

After taking a two year break from schooling, I decided to invest in my career by working towards a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I plan to become an external consultant. One of my goals after graduation is to work in a consulting firm in a major city. Till then I will be studying, gaining I/O experience, and enjoying my time here at Valdosta. 

Ginny Samuel 

My name is Ginny Samuel and I am currently in the Master’s program at VSU for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. I am a mother and military spouse. I graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor’s of Arts in History and a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology. While in undergraduate studies, I was inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor’s Society for Psychology. My professional experience is administrative/clerical/reception positions within the industries of court reporting and litigation, engineering and construction, and government contracting for installation social work.  I am pursing this degree as an avenue to serve others in my community, provide for my family, and to make the most of the opportunity of being a military family stationed in Valdosta, GA. I believe this field allows me to make a positively impacting contribution to society by enhancing employee workplace experiences and organizational policies. It also allows me to learn new skills to continue to advance professionally while being able to remain flexible as my location changes with duty station assignments. After completing my Master’s in I/O, I hope to move into consulting and am open to government contracting. I have a desire to help people with workplace effectiveness and care for their well-being. In my free-time, I like to catch up with the friends I have had to say “see ya later” to through the years and changes of installations. I also like to be outside listening to the sounds of the world and feeling the rich texture of nature. 

Jair Portillo

Graduate Assistantship: Human Resources

Hello. I’m Jair, and I’m from Gainesville, GA. I got my undergraduate degree from Lagrange College. I majored in Psychology with minors in Servant Leadership and Business Administration. I chose VSU for graduate school because this program takes a job-centered approach to the I/O degree in that this program sets you up for success in your career. When I’m not working on finishing my degree, I love to watch 49ers football and Star Wars.

Katlyn Ford 

Graduate Assistantship: I/O Program Assistant

Hello, my name is Katlyn ford, and I came across the field of I/O while I was pregnant and was looking to go back to school. It is an attractive field because it is an area where you still have a lot of potential in helping people in day-to-day tasks. I am a new mom looking for a career that not only helps me and my household but those around me in the workforce. That is why I find so many potential careers in I/O attractive. I am keeping my eyes open to areas that focus on inclusion and diversity in areas that address selection, hiring, and policy.   

Nathan Popp 

Graduate Assistantship: I/O Program Assistant

I’m getting my Master’s degree in I/O psychology to pursue a career consulting in the field of training development or personnel selection. From my time working in training I believe excellent training is the start of improving quality of work life, and I/O has the tools to design that training.

Sara Kathryn Lewis

My name is Sara Kathryn Lewis.  I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Middle Georgia State University. When I made the decision to continue my education, I wanted to find a field within psychology that would give me the option to have different career opportunities.  Because of this, I was drawn to getting my Master’s degree in I/O Psychology.  After graduating, I hope to work with a consulting firm with a concentration in Talent Management Strategies. 

2019 Cohort

2018 Cohort

Combination of 2016 and 2017 Cohort