New Faces; New Roles
We’ve welcomed several new (and returning) staff members over the past few months, and wanted to take a minute to introduce them:
Assistant Director for Academics: Dr. Nuette Gordon has joined the UGAMI staff as the new Assistant Director for Academics. Dr. Gordon received her Ph.D. in the Dept. of Botany in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa, in 2012 and has relevant experience in teaching, supervising student research, and administration. She has been at the University of the Seychelles since 2019, where she headed the Environmental and Marine Sciences Department as well as co-managed the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute. Dr. Gordon is now living and working on Sapelo, so be sure to stop by the next time you’re at the Institute.
Program Coordinator: Jonah Rigdon is our incoming Program Coordinator. Jonah is taking over for Gracie Townsend, who is set to retire at the end of June (more on Gracie later). Jonah actually started his UGAMI career as a student in the Marine Biology Spring semester and then worked as a technician for the GCE-LTER from 2022 to 2024 before leaving to hike the Appalachian Trail. Jonah has moved back to the Island and is now the go-to person for visits to UGAMI. We’re thrilled to have him in this new role.
Building Services Lead: Jennifer Hayes, who started at UGAMI in 2023, has been promoted to lead the building services department. This new position is taking charge of custodial care and manages the cleaning department. Jenn took on her new duties on June 1 and has hit the ground running, with two new building services workers coming on-board to work with Jenn and long-time employee Stephanie Adams. Summer is a busy time and we appreciate all of their efforts.