From the time Tavner Poage stepped onto the University of North Georgia (UNG) campus, he knew he had found a place to call home.
In January 2018, he was hired as a peer advisor in the Academic Advising Center on the Gainesville Campus. As a peer advisor, he assisted incoming students with class registration at New and Transfer Student Orientations; presented advising information at dual-enrollment workshops to high school students; answered students’ questions and concerns regarding curriculum, advising appointments, and academic policies; and guided students to the necessary departments and resources within the university.
"I enjoy working with others, including the college community, the student body, and our faculty and staff members," Poage said.
Once he graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication, the Hoschton, Georgia, native became a student affairs assistant at Gwinnett Technical College.
Poage dedicates his career path to the different UNG staff members who guided and befriended him during his tenure at UNG. But that journey didn't start until his sophomore year.
"My first year, all I did was go from school to home and back to school," Poage said.
The second year, he got a job in the Office of Student Involvement, where he met Brenda Adams, assistant director of Student Life and Student Organizations. She encouraged Poage to get more involved.
He did, becoming a member of the Nighthawks Entertainment Board. The organization is responsible for arranging student activities such as movie nights, comedian and magician visits to campus and concerts. From there, Adams inspired him to do more.
"We discussed numerous leadership opportunities," said Poage, who became an officer in Nighthawks Entertainment. "I became president, and I gained countless skills such as leadership, teamwork, social, and problem solving.”
As president, Poage created new marketing materials to promote events, contacted agencies to host events on campus such as Spring Fling and Fall Festival, and supervised 15-20 events each semester as well as attracted volunteers to run the events.
Poage was also an active member in Student Government Association and ENACTUS, which he joined after having an interest in business. ENACTUS is a student organization that strives to make the world a better place by applying an entrepreneurial attitude to community service.
"I enjoy learning about the different aspects and components of business," Poage said, pointing out former business major advisor Cayse Wilson helped him form his path.
Her advice to him also piqued his interest in advising.
"She is always there for her students and is able to answer any question I had," he said. "There was not one question that I asked that she didn't know the answer to."
He encouraged students to find their passion.
"We have numerous ways to get involved outside of the classroom at UNG," he said. "Talk and get to know other students, faculty and staff. You never know what opportunities may come your way."
