Jya Ewing, president of the Student Government Association at Georgia Southern University, shared her experience in choosing a college that offered a sense of community and belonging. Ewing, who is double majoring in political science and international studies, initially considered another institution as her top choice but ultimately decided on Georgia Southern after visiting both campuses.
“I was excited to visit what I thought my top school was at the time,” Ewing said. “But I really value my community and my family, and I just didn’t feel that when I visited.”
Ewing explained that being close to home influenced her decision. “My family lives down the road in Richmond Hill,” she said. “I’ve been around the Georgia Southern area for a long time. I realized the University was more of the close-knit, community environment that I’d been dreaming of.”
Georgia Southern University has recently been included among 75 ‘dream school’ colleges in Jeffrey Selingo’s book, “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You.” In an interview with NPR, Selingo discussed how his three decades working in higher education led him to see that many students focus on prestige over purpose when selecting a college.
His book encourages students and families to prioritize aspects such as career prospects after graduation, practical learning experiences, and finding a sense of belonging—qualities Ewing found at Georgia Southern.
“My programs tend to have smaller class sizes, which makes it really easy to connect and engage with professors,” Ewing said. “And then there are incredible resources, like the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) at Georgia Southern. They helped me write my personal statement for my law school application.”
The OCPD provides various services including career assessments, networking guidance, and job search strategies aimed at preparing students for their careers. According to data from OCPD, over 72% of graduates from the class of 2024 have obtained jobs related to their field of study.
As SGA president, Ewing has worked to help other students find their own sense of community on campus. She stated: “Students come to the Student Government for help with things like financial issues or classroom access. To be able to advocate for people who need help like that, that’s something I’ve always wanted, and it’s something I’ve gotten to do at Georgia Southern.”
