Kristen Allen is a graduate student in the Master of Science in Nursing Education program at the University of West Georgia’s Tanner Health System School of Nursing. She lives in Hendersonville, TN with her loving husband and two daughters. Kristen is passionate about cardiac nursing, patient care, and teaching undergraduate nursing students. She teaches as an Adjunct Clinical and Lab Instructor at Belmont University. Kristen plans to pursue her Doctorate in Nursing Education at the THSSON. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout the MSN program and is thrilled to be inducted into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of West Georgia.
My name is Carla Beaty. I have been in education for 13 years and 8 of those years in Special Education. I am a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Covenant College where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to joining Phi Kappa Phi, I am also a member of the West Georgia chapter of Kappa Delta Pi for my outstanding academic achievements. I am expected to complete my M.Ed in Special Education from the University of West Georgia in the Spring of 2022. I serve the students of the Walker County School District in Northwest Georgia.
Mauricia Puckerin is currently a graduate student at the University of West Georgia majoring in MAT Special Education General Curriculum. She is looking forward to graduating in Spring 2022. For the last three years, she has worked at Coastal Middle school as a Special Education teacher in the 7th Grade. She attributes her academic success to being disciplined and organized. She holds herself to high academic standards and takes her work seriously. The graduate program has taught her the importance of reflecting upon pedagogical and instructional practices to improve her teaching skills.
Amber Suratte is a current graduate student in the Master of Science in Applied Computer Science program at UWG. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2010 with a BFA in Graphic Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology. Amber currently works as the Front-End Development Manager for a hospitality supply distributor, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in the program.
Dani Reedy is a current graduate student in the Master of Science in Nursing Education program at the University of West Georgia’s Tanner Health System School of Nursing (THSSON). She graduated Cum Laude in 2013 from the THSSON with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a minor in psychology. Dani has worked as a Staff RN at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a Home Dialysis RN at Fresenius Kidney Care, and for the past two years as a part-time Nursing Clinical Adjunct Instructor for the undergraduate nursing students at the THSSON. Dani currently serves as the MSN student representative on the Evaluations Committee and has maintained a 4.0 GPA since beginning the MSN Nurse Educator program in Fall 2017.
Carlie Parks is a Criminology major and Anthropology minor at the University of West Georgia. She has also completed an undergraduate certificate in Forensic Science. She first attended UWG through a dual enrollment program before continuing full time after her high school graduation. She has also been invited into the Alpha Lambda Delta honors society her freshman year and then invited into the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice honors society her junior year. She will graduate in Fall 2019.
Olivia is seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a minor in Biology. A Georgia Governor's Honors Finalist in 2016, she was valedictorian of her graduating class at Temple High School. She was awarded the AP Scholar Award from the College Board and was a US Presidential Scholars Nominee in 2018. She has been a UWG Multicultural Award Program recipient and received the "Semper Fidelis" Marines award for Academic Excellence.
Emani Kiara Collins is a new inductee to Phi Kappa Phi! An English major, looking for her Master of Arts degree, she currently a graduate teaching assistant. Emani has many other honors and awards, including UWG College of Arts and Humanities Graduate Studies Fellowship for Underrepresented Minority Students Recipient, Miss Wolf Award, UWG Athletics, Sigma Tau Delta Member (who was chosen from UWG to present scholarly essay at Sigma Tau Delta International Convention), vice President of English Graduate Association of Dedicated Students, Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team ( in Women’s Track and Field/Student-Athlete), and on the National Council of Negro Women.
In Spring 2018, Phi Kappa Phi sponsored our members attendance at the Literacy and Beyond Conference on campus at the University of West Georgia. Featuring award-winning author Kate Klise, teacher, student teachers, and teacher educators examing literacy and how it looks in the classroom and every day world.
Photo courtesy of Christian Jacobs
Kimberly S. Hendrick
Master of Science in Nursing
(Concentration: Health System Leadership: Leader/Manager)
Kimberly Headrick has been a nurse for over 21 years and has a vast array of nursing experience. Kimberly started out as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1995, while attending Pickens Technical Institute she was on the President’s List. She then obtained her associate degree as a Registered Nurse from Floyd College where she was on the Dean’s list and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. A few years later, Kimberly decided to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Dalton State College where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. Kimberly is currently attending the University of West Georgia and was inducted into Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International in spring of 2016. Kimberly was selected as the 2015 recipient of American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Foundation Professional Development Scholarship for Academic Study sponsored by the United Parcel Service. In 2016 she was the recipient of the Annette Haag Leadership Scholarship.
Jimmy Vinson Jr. received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Mass Communication was a member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity of Auburn Chapter. He is currently a graduate student at the University of West Georgia majoring in Education with a major in Media (Instructional Technology). He is looking forward to receiving his Master degree in the summer of 2017. For the last 2 years he has worked with the football team at University of West Georgia as a Camera Operator. He is currently employed with Georgia Dome Productions as a Camera Operator/Utility Guy and has worked numerous events like the Atlanta Falcons Games, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and other events at the Georgia Dome. He is also on his second year working with the Gwinnett Braves Baseball Team as a Camera Operator/Editor.
Welcome to Phi Kappa Phi, Jimmy!
My name is Briana Mack. I am still fairly new to the education field by procuring three years of teaching experience, with two of those years being spent in Kindergarten. I am a new inductee to the UWG chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. I am a current graduate student in the Master of Elementary Education program at UWG. I am looking forward to completing my M.Ed in Elementary Education in the Summer of 2022. In addition to joining Phi Kappa Phi, I am also an active member of the UWG chapter of Kappa Delta Pi for maintaining academic success during my time within the program. While completing my Masters degree, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA. The graduate program has taught me how to develop my instructional skills and how to implement these skills into my current classroom.