Meet Our Team

Meet the TRIO Student Support Services Team

At Georgia Southern University, our TRIO Student Support Services team on the Armstrong and Liberty campuses is dedicated to helping first-generation and income-eligible college students thrive academically and personally. Our professional staff provides academic advising, retention support, success coaching, and mentorship to guide students throughout their college journey. Each team member plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive, supportive environment that empowers students to achieve their goals.

Photo	Name	Title	Bio	Staff Type
	Corine Ackerson-Jones	Director	Mrs. Corine Ackerson-Jones serves as Director of the Armstrong/Liberty Campuses TRIO Student Support Services program. In that capacity she oversees operations, provides leadership and supervises professional staff. Mrs. Ackerson-Jones also makes final admission decisions and is an academic advisor for TRIO participants. She joined Armstrong State University in 2006 as an academic advisor. Prior to taking the position with TRIO in 2016, she served as Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention for the College of Health Professions at Armstrong State University. She received her B.S. and Master of Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.	Professional Staff
	Andrea Willingham	Retention Specialist	Ms. Andrea Willingham serves as the Retention Specialist for TRIO Student Support Services. As the Retention Specialist, Ms. Willingham assist TRIO Scholars with career, financial and educational planning. Additionally, she supervises the academic success coach and directs peer mentoring and tutoring for the program. With an extensive background in higher education, Ms. Willingham has had the opportunity to serve students in the areas of academic advising, teaching, and retention. She is a graduate of Auburn University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English and later completed her Master of Science from Troy University in the area of post-secondary education. Recently, she completed a second master’s degree in library and information science from Valdosta State University.	Professional Staff
	Lane Cravey	Administrative Assistant II	Lane Cravey serves as the Administrative Assistant for TRIO Student Support Services. As the admin for TRIO, she oversees the operation of the office and provides support to the staff, supervises student assistants, collects and reviews data, prepares reports and assists in keeping TRIO moving toward its goals. She is also a student at Georgia Southern University, working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining the staff at TRIO Student Support Services, Lane held a managerial position in the private sector and a contract administrative role in the non-profit sector.	Professional Staff
	Dr. Julia Flanigan	Academic Success Coach	Dr. Julia Flanigan serves as the Academic Success Coach for TRIO Student Support Services. In this role, she supports students on their academic journey and helps them work towards their goals. Dr. Flanigan received her B.A. in English Language & Literature from the University of Michigan, along with a secondary teaching certificate. After teaching for a year, she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned her M.A. in Educational Psychology and her Ph.D. in Educational Studies with a specialization in Special Education. Prior to working for TRIO SSS, Dr. Flanigan was a part-time instructor for Georgia Southern University’s College of Education.	Professional Staff
	Rashuna Middleton	Graduate Assistant	Rashuna Middleton serves as the Graduate Assistant and Peer Mentor for TRIO Student Support Services. She is a recent graduate of Georgia Southern University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Fall of 2022. She is an Alumna of TRIO Student Support Services and the McNair Scholar’s Program. Rashuna is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Experimental Psychology. In her role as Graduate Assistant and Peer Mentor, Rashuna works closely with students and staff to fulfill the mission of TRIO Student Support Services.	Graduate Assistants & Peer Mentors