Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives (SODI)
Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives (SODI) manages a variety of signature
programs - Achieve Atlanta Scholars, Coca-Cola Scholars, REACH Georgia and Thrive-that
are in place at KSU to provide resources and services to assist students in their
transition into college throughout the way to degree completion.
As part of SODI’s mission of fostering an inclusive and holistic learning environment,
the targeted student populations served by these programs are first-generation students,
under-served groups and students from rural/urban locations.
The unit's goals for program participants are to improve retention, enhance the opportunities
for academic success and promote student engagement by providing academic support
services, co-curricular programs, and enrichment workshops throughout their college
experience and beyond.
One of the ways this is accomplished is through strategic on-boarding experiences
for new students in SODI programs, to support them in their transition to college.
For example, each summer students participate in the UP! Conference (university preparation).
New first-year students spend the day engaging with each other, faculty, staff, and
returning student leaders to become more familiar with college-level requirements,
campus resources, and success strategies. Additional programs, workshops, and learning
communities address these students’ needs during the transition to college, and prepare
them for the many opportunities they have inside and outside the classroom in the
years ahead. The connections and preparation lay a foundation for their success on
and off campus
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Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives (SODI) Staff
Daffany Anglin
Graduation Coach Coordinator
Daffany Anglin is a native of Dothan, Alabama and received her dual Bachelor of Science
degrees in Health and Human Services and Broadcast Journalism from Troy University
in Troy Alabama. Ms. Anglin received her Master of Science degree in Conflict Management
from Kennesaw State University. She serves as the Graduation Coach Coordinator for
Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives. She is a seasoned higher education professional
with over 10 years of experience in higher education with the Technical College System
of Georgia and the University System of Georgia.
Ms. Anglin aspires to continue her work with outreach programs that serve first-generation
and underrepresented college students at Kennesaw State University. These outreach
programs foster a space for growth, equity, and opportunity for students from all
multi-cultural backgrounds. She is committed to supporting students through academic
success, coaching and co-curricular activities, as she believes they all contribute
to the most transformative college campus experiences.
470-578-5108
danglin2@kennesaw.edu
Building 430, Office 219
Christopher Holloway
Graduation Coach
Christopher Holloway joined Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives in January
2021 as a Graduation Coach. Prior to becoming a KSU Owl, Mr. Holloway worked for
nearly 10 years in higher education in the public and private sectors. He previously
served as a Grant Advisor Coordinator of the Strengthening Institutions Program grant
at Columbus State University (CSU). In this role, Mr. Holloway’s experience included
department budgeting, conducting advisor and student employee training, and program
implementation.
Mr. Holloway also served as a member of CSU’s Retention, Progression, and Graduation
(RPG) committee. During his tenure, CSU adopted the following key institutional policy
changes to better address the unique needs of probation students: applying registration
holds for probation students, automating an intake assessment that included smart
logic for resource referrals, and pairing probation students with peer mentors.
Mr. Holloway holds a Master of Science in Adult Education with a concentration in
Curriculum and Instruction from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary
English Education from Georgia State University. In his free time, he enjoys attending
concerts, writing songs, traveling, and spending time with family.
470-578-2695
chollo13@kennesaw.edu
Building 430, Office 222B
Andreea Johnson
Graduation Coach
Andreea Johnson joined Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives in January 2021
as a Graduation Coach. Throughout her career in higher education, Ms. Johnson has
served in a myriad of capacities in both public and private universities. She has
worked with students through academic advising, new student orientation, recruitment/promotional
events and educational workshop coordination and facilitation.
Ms. Johnson has also trained new staff and supplemental instruction leaders. In addition,
Ms. Johnson has served on various committees to obtain accreditation renewal and distinction
of academic excellence in various programs.
Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Integrative Public Relations and a
Master of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Central Michigan University.
She is passionate about working with students to help them develop academically and
professionally. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with friends at Starbucks
over an iced latte, crocheting, and attending concerts.
470-578-6308
ajohn733@kennesaw.edu
Building 430, Office 222C
Linda Lyons
Director
Dr. Lyons oversees the Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives (SODI). The unit’s
four signature outreach programs serve first-generation and underrepresented students
who are entering Kennesaw State University (KSU) with an academic scholarship and/or
are PELL eligible. Linda has worked in higher education performing various administrative
roles for over 20 years. She received her doctorate from the University of Georgia
in Adult Education with a focus on Organization Behaviors, and has a M.S. in Human
Resource Development, and a B.A. in Business Management. Linda also has a faculty
role as an Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary Studies Department within
the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences at KSU. She has built an academic
trajectory with a focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning that is germane
to multicultural education. Specifically, her research concentration is building intercultural
competence in higher education through a collaborative approach with faculty, campus
leaders and other campus stakeholders when developing and executing cultural awareness
curriculum and co-curricular initiatives. She teaches courses that are connected to
leadership development, strategic planning, implicit bias, cultural interactions and
sensitivity, global learning, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has
managed and directed education abroad programs to Africa, South America, and Italy
as well as traveled with colleagues conducting professional development programs to
the Republics of Ghana and Nigeria, Africa, Barcelona, Spain and Otzenhausen, Germany.
470-578-7783
llyons5@kennesaw.edu
UC 213B
Christina Puckett
Data Analyst
Christina Puckett joined the Division of Diverse and Inclusive Excellence in July
2020 as the Data Analyst for Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives. Prior to
joining this unit, she worked as the Data Analyst for University College. Previously,
Christina served as the assistant director of the Science and Mathematics Academic
Resources and Tutoring (SMART) Center where she grew her passion for student success.
Christina earned her Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Kennesaw State University (KSU)
in 2016 and her Master’s in Applied Statistics also from KSU in 2018.
470-578-2173
cjone280@kennesaw.edu
UC 213E
Shae Smith
Manager, Strategic Outreach Programs
Shae Smith is a native of Central Florida. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree
in Communication from Florida Southern College and her Master of Science degree in
Counselor Education from the University of South Florida. Ms. Smith serves as the
manager for strategic outreach programs in the Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives
unit. She has held previous higher education roles leading teams and departments
in student activities, orientation, residence life and student success, and also served
on the faculty at KSU for over 10 years. Her professional experience also includes
non-profit leadership for various organizations in Cobb County.
Ms. Smith has a passion for seeing students transition successfully into their college
experience, and ultimately thriving as they identify and pursue their own passions
and goals.
She is a mother of four (including Frankie the rescue pup) and is married to an Atlanta
native.
470-578-2926
shae.smith@kennesaw.edu
Building 430, Office 216A
Ashton Tomlin
Thrive Program Coordinator
Ashton Tomlin joined the Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives in January 2021
as the Program Coordinator and Thrive Liaison. Working to recruit and support both
Thrive and Achieve Atlanta scholars, Ms. Tomlin desires to see all students succeed.
She brings experience in supporting students in the transition from high school to
college, coordinating first year university programs, and creating spaces for students
to feel at home on campus.
Ms. Tomlin has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Geography degree
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently working toward
completing her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration degree at Georgia
Southern University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, swimming,
baking, volunteering, and playing in a recreational kickball league.
470-578-2298
atomli13@kennesaw.edu
Building 430, Office 216B
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Achieve Atlanta Campus Liaison
Duties in this role include assisting incoming students participating in the Achieve
Atlanta program with their transition to college, working with campus partners to
assure resources and programming are available to the program's scholars, as well
as assisting in future initiatives, community outreach programming, and training/workshops
for students and Achieve Atlanta stakeholders.
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Project Manager
Duties in this role include serving as the point person for project development in
the department of Strategic Outreach and Diversity Initiatives. This individual is
involved in operations management, analyzing and developing strategies for new projects,
and providing recommendations and direction to achieve project goals, ensuring that
the unit’s plans relate to special projects and outreach operations.
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Student Leaders
2021-22 Peer Leaders:
- Shariah Aldridge, Junior/Psychology, LC33
- Maria Anastasi, Senior/ Exercise Science, LC36
- Ivy Anderson, Senior/Biology Pre-Med, LC18 & LC23
- Johan Dominguez, Junior/Psychology, LC33
- Immanuel Hinton, Sophomore/Undecided, LC35
- Gabrielle Jones, Sophomore/Media & Entertainment, LC33
- Jayla Lawson, Sophomore/Exercise Science, LC35
- Makayla St. Rose, Junior/Criminal Justice, LC33
- India Ward, Junior/Nursing, LC34
- Summer Williams, Sophomore/Nursing, LC34
2021-22 Achieve Atlanta Student Ambassador: Tehya Burton, Junior/Business
2021-22 Student Staff - Academic Study Lounge and SODI Office
- Tehya Burton, Junior/Finance
- Immanuel Hinton, Sophomore/Undeclared
- Zoey Knight, Sophomore/Biology
