This month’s staff profile features Jill Rhoden, Assistant Director for Operations and Events with UGA Gwinnett Campus. Jill has been with Gwinnett for the last 16 years, and stays busy running the day-to-day operation of campus life. Jill manages academic course scheduling, special events, facilities projects, and works with the property management team to manage Gwinnett’s facility. Read more about Jill, her career path at UGA, and the upcoming events at Gwinnett that she’s looking forward to below.
Q – Can you tell us about your current role and responsibilities as the Assistant Director for Operations and Events with Gwinnett?
A – My current role as Assistant Director for Operations and Events is fun and exciting. There is never a day that is the same, which makes it enjoyable. I run the day-to-day operation of campus life, which entails managing academic course scheduling, special events, facilities projects, and working with our property management team to manage our current facility. I coordinate all emergency preparedness trainings for the Gwinnett Campus through UGA’s Office of Emergency Preparedness to ensure safety on campus. I conduct campus tours and welcome all guests, providing the history of the UGA Gwinnett Campus and highlighting the many programs and UGA departments located on the campus. I am also a part of the marketing team that attends conferences and public events to market the Gwinnett Campus and our academic programs, and I assist the director of the campus by attending educational events that show our community how UGA Gwinnett Campus supports the local counties and state of Georgia.
Q – What was your career path like at UGA, and what led you to operations and events?
A – I began my career with UGA in 2001 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in the sales department. During my time at the Georgia Center, I gained knowledge of weddings, conferences, and special events, and I found my passion for event planning and management. After several years, I had the opportunity to move to the Office of Public Affairs when it was located in Old College. I then moved from Athens to Gwinnett County, and that began the start of my journey on the UGA Gwinnett Campus where I have been for the last 16 years.
Q – What are some new programs or events you are excited about that are coming up soon?
A – In spring and summer 2024, we will be hosting several conferences that provide additional support to our academic programs and the Public Service and Outreach services that are located on the Gwinnett Campus.
- In April 2024, in collaboration with UGA’s School of Social Work, The Mental Health Literacy Forum for the Korean American Community will be hosted on the Gwinnett Campus. This is an annual conference that has been hosted on the Gwinnett Campus for the last two years.
- In May 2024, the 2nd annual Asian American Pacific Islander Summit will be hosted on campus in collaboration with the UGA Small Business Development Center.
- For the first time ever in June 2024, we will be hosting a National Conference with the UGA College of Education, the Adult Education Research Conference. This will bring educators from all over the country to share their experiences and results of their studies with students, fellow researchers, and practitioners from around the world.
Q – Can you tell us about your family, and do you have any pets?
A – My parents live in Athens where they support the community on so many levels and try to help build a better future for our world. I have one son who inspires me every single day. His name is Jarrod, and he is deaf/hard of hearing and has risen to every challenge that has ever been given to him. Thriving on so many levels when the odds were against him, he has chosen a path of success. He is funny, compassionate, and a very strong work ethic and a passion for culinary arts. My two sisters, who are my best friends in the world, live in Charlotte, NC and Kansas City, MO with their husbands. Nick, Anelise, and Beckett are the best nephews and niece an aunt could ask for.
We have cat named Bella, and she thinks the house is her castle. She is so fun to watch, and she has learned to mimic some of our facial expressions. She was a rescue from a farmhouse in Madison County.
Q – What do you like to do outside of the office? Are you involved in any organizations, or do you have any favorite hobbies?
A – I have a passion for deaf culture, and I am fluent in American Sign Language. Teaching ASL classes at my church has given me a chance to provide some history of the language as well as the inside knowledge of raising a deaf son by a hearing parent. I also love cornhole and play often with my UGA boards. And, of course, GO DAWGS! During football season it’s all about supporting our amazing football team and watching our DAWGS win.
This past fall, I had the chance to facilitate for the UGA’s Innovation District. The Delta Innovation Hub was an amazing experience. This program supports students along with locals who have (or are beginning) a small business. I facilitated the portion on Facilities Management and Event Planning, which allowed me to give insight into the day in the life of an event planner or manager of facilities.