Justin Barlow
Director
Hometown:  Kennesaw, GA
High School:  Harrison High
Education:  Bachelor, Education -- University of West Georgia
Bachelor, Economics -- University of West Georgia
Masters, Higher Education Administration -- Boston College

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 4 years as a student,  8 years as a UWG employee (3 years in admissions)

Favorite thing about UWG? Wolfie, of course!  Seriously though, this is a safe and fun place to grow academically and personally.

Favorite place on campus? The wooded path between the UCC and Z-6

Favorite place in Carrollton? Adamson Square

Favorite restaurant near campus? Corner Cafe

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton? Take advantage of the numerous festival and parades offered in town.  There is more to Carrollton than just "Going West".

Contact Justin at jbarlow@westga.edu or 678-839-5651

Ketty Ballard
Associate Director (Recruiting)
Hometown:  Tucker, GA
High School:  Tucker High
Education:  Bachelor, German with minor in History - - University of West Georgia
Primary Counties:  Coweta and Carroll

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 
10 years

Favorite thing about UWG? My favorite thing about UWG is the history the University holds. Since we are one of the oldest institutions in the state, we hold a set of traditions and legacy that cannot be matched by our competitors.

Favorite place on campus? Front Campus Drive

Favorite place in Carrollton? Corner Cafe

Favorite restaurant near campus? The Border

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  I recommend to everyone  to take advantage of Tanner State Park.  It is a beautiful, serene place that is right here in Carroll County.

Contact Ketty at kballard@westga.edu or 678-839-4168.

Becky Nelson
Assistant Director (Outreach Programs)
Hometown:  Carrollton, GA
High School:  Central High
Education:  Bachelor in Psychology, University of West Georgia
Primary Duty:  Supervises and coordinates admissions outreach programs including our daily tour program, out-bound call center, Preview Days, and scholarship programs. 

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 4 years as a student,  6 years as a UWG employee (3 1/2 years in admissions)

Favorite thing about UWG?  UWG is home.  I met and married my husband while I was an undergraduate here at UWG.  I discovered my passion for helping people here at UWG.  I have so many wonderful memories, and I look forward to making new memories for many years to come.

Favorite place on campus?  I love everything about UWG, but if I have to choose one place I guess it would be the Quad (the grassy area between the Humanities Building, Pafford Building, and Boyd Building).  It is a great place to sit on a nice day.

Favorite place in Carrollton? One of my many favorite places here in Carrollton is Sunnyside Café.  It is a great place to get fresh, locally grown and prepared food but they also have lots of great musical entertainment  by mostly local artists.

Favorite restaurant near campus? The Maple Street Diner is within walking distance of campus.  They have the best biscuits in town.  Just keep in mind, they only serve breakfast and lunch.

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  Carrollton has several different festivals throughout the year.  My favorite is Mecca Fest.  It takes place in October at the Cultural Arts Building downtown Carrolton.  Mecca Fest is a showcase of local artists.  You can purchase very unique pieces of art, listen to some good music and have a good time with friends.

Contact Becky at bnelson@westga.edu or 678-839-5616.

Crystal Edenfield
Assistant Director (Transfer Recruitment)
Hometown:  Rome, GA
High School:  Pepperell High School
Education:  Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, University of West Georgia; Master of Arts in Public Administration, University of West Georgia
Primary Duty:  Works directly with transfer students to assist them in discovering how UWG can meet their needs, from application to enrollment.

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 6 years as a student

Favorite thing about UWG?  Working at the University of West Georgia feels like coming home.  As a student, West Georgia contributed to my growth and development as an individual.  It helped me discover my passion for serving others.  I love everything about West Georgia from the history to the community; it's a great place to be!

Favorite place on campus?  Kennedy Chapel is my favorite spot on campus.

Favorite place in Carrollton? Corner Cafe - try the Jellyfish Sandwich!

Favorite restaurant near campus? The Border

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  I really enjoyed going to the Castle Playground when I was here as a student.  But I also love Adamson Square.

Contact Crystal at cedenfie@westga.edu or 678-839-5235.

Ginny Griffin
Admissions Representative
Hometown:  Villa Rica, GA
High School:  Villa Rica High
Education:  Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, University of West Georgia
Primary Counties:  Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Douglas, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, Whitfield, and Out-of-State

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 2 1/2 years as a student,  1 year as an admissions employee

Favorite thing about UWG?  Everyone on the campus is very friendly and willing to help out if you need it. From students to all faculty and staff, everyone will lend a helping hand.

Favorite place on campus? Any of the outdoor spaces on campus are great places to relax and chat with friends, listen to music while finishing a paper or have a quiet study time right before an exam. It’s nice to be out in the fresh air but still in the heart of campus.

Favorite place in Carrollton?  Blandenburg Road. It is a short, beautiful, tree lined road near campus that splits Richards Lake. It is especially beautiful in the Fall when the tree leaves have changed colors.

Favorite restaurant near campus? Corner Café! They have delicious food with quirky names and a very relaxed environment. It’s a fun place to go hang out with friends while eating a Jellyfish sandwich!

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  Explore. Carrollton has so much to offer everyone. Check out the Square for food and shopping, Lake Carroll where you can go feed the ducks, the recreation centers that have public pools and skate parks and other nearby attractions like the zip line at Banning Mills.

Contact Ginny at gkirklan@westga.edu or 678-839-5246.

Tia Stroud
Admissions Representative - Senior
Hometown: Athens, Georgia
High School: Clarke Central
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Management, University of West Georgia
Primary Counties: Clayton, Dekalb, Fulton and Rockdale

How many years have you been a West Georgia? 4 years as a student,  1 year as an admissions employee

Favorite thing about UWG? My favorite thing about UWG is our new Athletic Complex.  I am happy that we have our very own stadium to cheer for the WOLVES!

Favorite place on campus? UCC because I love to eat! 

Favorite place in Carrollton?  Tokyo Express because the food is great and cheap

Favorite restaurant near campus? Plates

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  Go to the movies, visit the Downtown Square and eat at all of the delicious restaurants!

Contact Tia at tstroud@westga.edu or 678-839-5613.

April Wood
Admissions Representative - Senior
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
High School: Central High School
Education: Bachelor of Business Management, Lee University; Bachelor of Computer Informational Systems, Lee University
Primary Counties: Barrow, Cherokee, Clarke, Cobb, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Walton

How many years have you been a West Georgia?  1/2 year as an admissions employee

Favorite thing about UWG?  All faculty and staff have one common goal at this University… student success!!!  I see the many opportunities that students have to grow both professionally and personally in their academic careers.    

Favorite place on campus? Love Valley

Favorite place in Carrollton?  Adamson Square - because there is something for everyone there.

Favorite restaurant near campus? Mellow Mushroom

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  Go to the Downtown Square and experience the atmosphere that Carrollton has to offer. 

Contact April at awood@westga.edu or 678-839-5617.

Ken Beasley
Admissions Representative
Hometown: Decatur, GA
High School: Columbia High School
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration Marketing and Real Estate, University of West Georgia
Primary Counties: Bibb, Henry, Muscogee, Fayette, Richmond, Houston, Spalding, Butts, Monroe, Troup, Upson, Jasper, Putnam, Greene, Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie, and Columbia

How many years have you been a West Georgia?  4 1/2 year as a student and a few months as an employee

Favorite thing about UWG?  The Coliseum!  I love that I can go watch the wolves play in the new arena!

Favorite place on campus? The Campus Center

Favorite place in Carrollton?  John Tanner State Park

Favorite restaurant near campus? The Border!  I recommend getting the "Loco Mexican" with chicken.  You will fall in love with it on your first bite!

What I recommend to do while in Carrollton?  Simply Explore!  Carrollton has a lot to offer and is growing more and more every day.

Contact Ken at kbeasley@westga.edu or 678-839-5614.