Francisco Castelan, Assistant Director of Pre-Health, Pre-Graduate and Pre-Professional Advising, Office of Undergraduate Education

Francisco is known for his excellence as a pre-health advisor. The qualities that make Francisco an excellent advisor also make him an excellent colleague. Trained in counseling, Francisco is an active listener, taking in all the information people share with him and considering it carefully before offering a thoughtful response. In group discussions, Francisco is often the synthesizer, able to bring strands of thought and different interests together in a shared enterprise. Francisco is equally comfortable supporting the superstars who are admitted to multiple top-tier schools and the students who may have struggled academically or with the MCAT. His approach is to reassure all students that their path to medicine is unique. There are too many examples of students who have persevered and gone on to medical school under Francisco’s guidance to name just one or two. His entire career has been built on empowering students to pursue their dreams. Francisco, you truly embody the Spirit of Georgia Tech!

LGBTQIA Resource Center Team: Tegra Myanna and William Britto

The LGBTQIA Resource Center Team serves as collaborators, connectors, advocates, educators, and community builders. Recently, the Center led the initiative to update Georgia Tech’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy to align with the Supreme Court ruling to include gender expression. The staff continuously put themselves on the line to speak up about exclusive practices and sometimes are the only ones advocating for community members who live at the margins of multiple marginalized identities. This work is challenging and exhausting, yet the team does it with energy and creativity. As one person put it, “On numerous occasions, I walk by the office and hear laughter and conversation from students and team members. This is the kind of psychologically safe space that students need to feel welcome and valued: A “home away from home” for some students and a cultural safehouse for others.” The Center is truly bursting at the seams with engaged students, faculty, and staff and Georgia Tech is a better place because of the tireless work done to increase a sense of belonging, safety, and allyship to LGBTQIA yellow jackets. Thank you so much Tegra and William!

Andrew Blakely, Public Services Associate II, Library

When the Library became a 24-hour operation, Andy moved to the third shift. Andy has been the consistent face that provides service for students and keeps a watchful and caring eye on our community when there are few employees on campus. The students that arrive at the Library in the early morning hours have unique needs. Some are intensely cramming for exams and very stressed. Some of them are experiencing homelessness or mental health issues. He consistently engages with these students with compassion and brings his best self to these interactions, treating everyone with kindness. Because of the hours he works, whenever he encounters a problem, Andy has few other people to turn to for advice or information. Therefore, Andy is an independent problem solver and always puts the needs of students first and works to resolve problems in their interest. Many opportunities are unavailable to overnight workers because they require daytime meetings and commitments. Despite this, Andy continues to find new ways to contribute, to learn, to grow, and to participate in the important and ongoing work of the Institute. He raises his hand. He speaks out. He lets his abilities and commitment to excellence, rather than the original scope of his job responsibilities, define his contribution. We are so lucky to have you, Andy!