Getting involved is different here: Art major making her mark at GCSU

By Gil Pound

S ophomore Charlotte Williams is blending skills from multiple disciplines to prepare for her future, embodying Georgia College & State University's designation as the state's public liberal arts university.

The Johns Creek, Georgia native is an art major concentrated on graphic design with a minor in management information systems. She hopes to one day leverage her multidisciplinary education into a unique career, like user experience design or creating 3D renderings for major movie productions or video games.

With that unique goal in mind, Williams already has a singular experience under her belt in just her second year at Georgia College. She made her mark on nearby downtown Milledgeville - a popular dining and shopping destination for Bobcats - by painting a vibrant mural for The Hideaway, a new business in the downtown district.

Williams got the opportunity after meeting The Hideaway's owner through a fellow GCSU student.

"I just put myself out there and told the owner I could make a mural for their business," she said. "I don't know if I'd be able to make the connections to do something like that at a bigger place."

"A bigger place" was, at one time, on Williams' mind. She thought about transferring during her first year until a truth became clear - the more involved she became at Georgia College, the less she thought about moving schools.

"Joining my sorority really helped," Williams said. "I had multiple sisters come to me with different opportunities like becoming a first-year guide and getting involved in Leadership Programs. Through those activities I decided I really liked it here. I didn't think I could find that sense of community anywhere else."

As a first-year guide, Williams is part of a team of returning Bobcats who support first-year students in their academic transition to college. The events that make up the Georgia College First-Year Experience take place over a 12-month period beginning in a prospective student's high school senior year through the completion of their first term at GCSU.

Williams also recently joined the Council of Student Ambassadors, a group that serves as the face of the university. Ambassadors promote and represent Georgia College among the student body, prospective students and their families, staff, alumni and friends.

Through her various roles, Williams paints a picture of what it's like to be a GCSU student and how future Bobcats can make a difference as soon as they arrive to campus.

"I've heard stories from my friends at UGA about how hard it is for them to get involved or even join a club," she added. "Here at Georgia College, I've built relationships with the faculty and found cool organizations to join. I would tell students thinking about transferring to maintain a positive outlook and be open to the experience you could have here."