Staff spotlight

Academic advising

The spring Honors Staff Spotlight focuses on our academic advisors—five individuals dedicated to helping our students prepare for their futures by assisting them, answering their questions, and clarifying Honors requirements.

From left to right are Steven Honea, Lainie Pomerleau, Heather Smith, Lindsay Dickerson, and Michele Johnson.

The Honors Program has five staff members dedicated to guiding students through degree program and Honors graduation requirements. These academic advisors provide vital help to Honors undergraduates—guiding students to the classes they need, helping them navigate major changes, and providing a listening ear when students need to think out loud about their majors, minors, and certificate program options. Heather Smith, who has advised at UGA for more than 10 years, looks forward to seeing the smiles of students “when we discuss something and it finally clicks that they really can accomplish a goal.” She also loves experiencing “the joy of the students when one semester was really rough and then they come in for advising and they have improved 100 percent.” Michele Johnson, who has worked for the Honors Program for about nine years, enjoys chatting with students as she walks them up to her office. The conversation often turns to discussion about their pets or where the student is planning to do an internship. Honors advisors are available to help all Honors students, no matter their majors. They serve as primary advisors to students pursuing most Franklin College majors, as well as all intended Terry, intended Grady, and intended pharmacy majors. For students studying in majors other than these degree programs, Honors advisors serve as secondary advisors, helping answer Honors-related questions. Below in our Q&A section, the Honors academic advisors share a little bit about themselves.

Lindsay Dickerson

Academic Advisor Hometown: Donalsonville, GA College, degree(s): University of Georgia, AB Criminal Justice and Sociology How long have you worked for UGA? I started working as an advisor in October 2016 and transitioned into the Honors Program in August 2019. Favorite restaurant in Athens: Seabear Oyster Bar Favorite spot on campus: The Miller Learning Center (previously called the Student Learning Center, back in the day). I’m a nerd, and I spent so much time studying there—there are good memories wrapped up in the place. Favorite college course: SOCI 3150— Criminal Punishment and Society (but only with Todd Krohn; he’s the greatest professor at UGA)

What’s something interesting about

you that students don’t know? I have a paralyzed digestive tract—I don’t have a large intestine (among other organs), and I have an ileostomy bag! I’m passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and rights for those with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

What do you like best about working with

students? I love hearing their goals, what they want to do with their lives, where they came from, and their stories. Advising is more than talking about what classes you want to take—I want to know who you are!

Steven Honea

Lead Academic Advisor Hometown: Marietta, GA College, degree(s): University of Georgia, AB English, AB Political Science How long have you worked for UGA? 13 years at UGA, 12 years at Honors Favorite restaurant in Athens: Thai Spoon Favorite spot on campus: Founders Garden, a quiet and peaceful spot Favorite college course(s): Gender, Law and Politics with Susan Haire, and Criminal Law with Stephanie Lindquist What’s something you do for fun? Hiking

What do you like best about working

with students? I enjoy helping students navigate the vast resources of a major university and take advantage of them to realize their goals.

Michele Johnson

Academic Advisor Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio College, degree(s): University of Georgia, AB English and MA History

How long have you worked for UGA?

Almost nine years, the whole time for the Honors Program Favorite restaurant in Athens: Probably the Grit Favorite spot on campus: The library, because it’s a great place to study and find all sorts of information Favorite college course(s): I’ll let you know when I stop taking classes. What’s something you do for fun? I love music, singing, and dogs.

What’s your favorite memory from your time working (or being a student) at UGA?

The time when I gave a professor a book that he lost, and he ran out of the building to ask if it was a bomb.

What do you like best about working with

students? I meet someone new every day.

Lainie Pomerleau

Academic Advisor Hometown: New England College(s), degree(s): University of Georgia, PhD English Literature; University of Tennessee, MA English Literature; University of Southern Maine, BA English How long have you worked for UGA? Sixplus years for UGA, and since Nov. 1, 2019, for Honors Favorite restaurant in Athens: Mifflin’s House Favorite spot on campus: State Botanical Garden, because it’s quiet and lovely Favorite college course(s): Geoffrey Chaucer, Medieval Romance, William Shakespeare

What’s your favorite memory from your

time working at UGA? I have enjoyed teaching and advising UGA students.

What do you like best about working with

students? Meeting new people who bring different perspectives and ideas to the Honors Program

Heather Smith

Academic Advisor Hometown: Donalsonville, Georgia College, degree: University of Georgia, AB Political Science How long have you worked for UGA? Over 10 years total and at least six years for Honors Favorite restaurant in Athens: Hi Lo Favorite spot on campus: I always enjoy the Georgia Museum of Art. The collection of works is amazing, and the museum mix nights are always a fun date night—and the museum mix is free. Favorite college course: I enjoyed Southern Politics with Charles Bullock.

What do you like best about working with

students? The best thing about working with students is they keep you young.

Why you came to UGA/Why you enjoy it

here: I was a transfer student to UGA. I stayed after college because of the city of Athens. It has a little bit of everything yet still has a small-town feel.