Jessica Armstrong has always kept what鈥檚 important to her at the forefront of her mind: her people.

Whether it involved supporting colleagues in her role as a student worker on 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Liberty Campus in Hinesville, coaching her daughters in track or dance or supporting her peers in the military, Armstrong is passionate about helping those around her. 

So it鈥檚 no surprise that Armstrong is positioning herself for a career as an attorney focusing on military law.

Born in Chicago, Armstrong鈥檚 connection to the military began with her father, an Army veteran who spent his military career handling ammunition. Her mother, an ordained minister, homeschooled her and her siblings as they traveled around the country. 

After working in retail and telemarketing and attending community college in Illinois, she joined and served for several years in the Army, following in her father鈥檚 footsteps by handling ammunition. 

Recently, she served as a legal runner and contract worker for the United States Army. In this role, she worked closely with army personnel and their records, where she oftentimes witnessed scenarios, often disciplinary, in which she wanted to help a soldier but couldn鈥檛. 

鈥淚t was frustrating because I wanted to be able to help a lot of the soldiers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to help my friends, and I wanted them to know what their options were.鈥�

She noted that a lot of people join the military at a young age, which can be a hard transition. 

鈥淎t 18 or 19, you鈥檙e going to make mistakes,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hings are going to happen, and people need forgiveness.鈥�

While there are ways in which soldiers can overcome mistakes, everything has a record that follows them for their career, she said. 

鈥淭hese are people who sign their life away for the country, and I just feel like they deserve every opportunity to redeem themselves,鈥� Armstrong said. 鈥淭hat’s where I was like, I want to help, I want to be the person that they can come to to say, what can I do?鈥�

As a Fall 2024 graduate from the with a political science degree, minor in psychology and a new paralegal certification, Armstrong is looking forward to applying to law school to inch her closer to her career goals. 

鈥淚 want to be the person they can come to and say, 鈥榃hat can I do?鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淭hen I can ask, 鈥榃hat can we put together to help your case? What state of mind are you in now, have you learned from your mistakes? Do we have things in place to help them once they’re done with things like deployment?鈥�

In addition to her studies, Armstrong had an opportunity to grow her skills and work-study student at the Liberty Campus in Hinesville where she worked with Military and Veteran Services and students, faculty and staff. 

鈥淓veryone here is very welcoming and they make you feel good,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was able to get administrative experience here on this campus and get to know a lot of the staff here. And I’ve gotten close with everyone. I’m actually really sad I have to leave.鈥�

Though she may be sad to leave Eagle Nation, Armstrong looks forward to spending time with her daughters and returning to Chicago to be near family as she prepares to take the LSAT sometime in the spring. 

鈥淚 was a week away from graduating boot camp when they’re like, 鈥楬ey, there’s this thing called COVID and you can’t have a graduation,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥溾�楴one of your families can come and it’s affecting your grandparents.鈥� So that was really nerve-wracking.鈥�

She returned home briefly before moving to Biloxi, Mississippi, where from April to October she and her fellow soldiers didn鈥檛 leave the base once due to COVID. She was embedded with her them 24 hours a day, seven days a week for six months in school and training. When it was time to return to Georgia Southern in spring 2021, Gomez says the adjustment was difficult.

鈥淚 was doing school in Mississippi, but it was a different kind of school,鈥� she said. I was only doing school for about an hour or two a day, and then the rest of it was learning how to be a service member鈥�. When I got back to Georgia Southern and was thrown in all these classes, away from the same people that I just spent six months of my life with. It was really challenging.鈥�

Soon after she acclimated to school, Gomez experienced yet another life-changing event. Over the summer, she married her boyfriend, Erick, a marine stationed in California. She joined him there and continued taking her engineering classes online.

Because she couldn鈥檛 complete her technical, hands-on engineering degree online, and because she didn鈥檛 want to leave Georgia Southern, Gomez decided to change her major. She decided to pursue criminal justice and criminology with a minor in psychology, a career path she鈥檇 never considered but always desired.

鈥淚 grew up watching CSI whenever I was in school,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 never thought that could be a job for me growing up.

After her husband returned from deployment, Gomez returned to California, where she could finish her online courses and wrap up her honors thesis. However, just a year later she began the most consequential change in her life 鈥� motherhood. Born in October 2023, Gomez鈥檚 newborn son, Alex Santiago, has been an exciting 鈥� and exhausting 鈥� addition to her life and education.

鈥淚 definitely underestimated how much he would want mom and not dad,鈥� she said with a laugh. 鈥淔inding time has been hard. At the end of the day when he’s sleeping, I’m exhausted. I’m physically done with the day.鈥�

So, how does this wife, new mother and Guardsman handle it all? Gomez says the Honors College at Georgia Southern has been a large part of her success. Professors such as Laurie Gould, Ph.D., in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology were extremely helpful to her 鈥� especially on her honors thesis, which took her almost two-and-a-half years to complete. 

鈥淲e would meet on Zoom every week to do this,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd it just made me feel like what I was doing mattered. I wasn鈥檛 just checking off boxes.鈥�

On top of this help was Gomez鈥檚 dogged determination to meet the deadlines, no matter what.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 tell all my professors that I was having [a baby] and my mindset was, 鈥榃ell, it doesn’t matter,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 have to graduate, and I’m very deadline motivated. And I knew if I got empathy from professors that would give me extensions upon extensions, it wouldn’t get done. I need to have the deadline.鈥�

Gomez stayed in California instead of walking on the commencement stage, but the journey has been just as meaningful. Her parents are coming for the holidays to visit their 10-week-old grandson. Gomez plans to remain in California for another year and then return to Georgia as her husband鈥檚 service duties end. She says she鈥檚 convinced him to join the Air National Guard with her for the rest of his service.

Back in Georgia, she plans to explore law enforcement, possibly commissioning into the Georgia Air National Guard as an officer. No matter the path she chooses, one thing is for sure 鈥� whatever comes her way, she knows she can do it.

鈥淥ne of the affirmations that I’ve been saying to myself, especially this last half of the semester, is 鈥業 can do hard things,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淪o I really want people to get that, too. You can do hard things. You can do it.鈥�

This week, approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students from 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses received associate, baccalaureate, master鈥檚, specialist and doctoral degrees in two Fall 2023 Commencement ceremonies.

Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero welcomed the graduates and their guests to the ceremonies, held at the Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro on Dec. 14. and the Enmarket Arena in Savannah on Dec. 16. 

“Graduates, congratulations on your special day, where we recognize the importance of this occasion in your life,” Marrero said. “You, our graduates, deserve great recognition.”

He then asked graduates to take a moment of appreciation to recognize those who have helped them along the way, and wave to family and friends in the audience who were there to celebrate their accomplishments, to which the groups responded enthusiastically. He also commended faculty, a hallmark of the University. 

“This graduation is a momentous occasion for 糖心Vlog, as well as for all of you. Today, you are part of history at Georgia Southern,” he offered.

During the Statesboro ceremony, alumnus and former Georgia Southern chemistry professor and Executive Director of Leadership, Emeritus, Todd Deal, Ph.D., (鈥�86) followed Marrero with an address.

“Grads, today you step into an elite company,” he said. “Less than 10% of the world’s population holds a college degree. And in just a few short minutes you’ll move your tassel and join that elite group. May I implore you today: Don’t dwell on the elite name in part of that transition. Instead, step up, step out and own your role. Because as a college graduate, you are a leader and people are looking to you, expecting great things. So how will you step up, step out and meet those expectations?” 

Reflecting on his own experience as a young man from South Georgia who was the first in his family to graduate college, he remembered wondering how he might become a leader upon graduation. How could he be so bold? 

“Serve,” he said. “How does one serve well? First, let your focus be on others and meeting their legitimate needs. As you focus on others, help them grow. Help them develop and realize their strengths. Work to build their confidence and to reach their potential, focusing on their legitimate needs. You help them become the best versions of themselves. And in so doing, you serve well.”

Deal also encouraged them to build, foster, engage and emphasize community, and to take others with them on their journeys.

“The community where you live and work should be a better place because you are there,” he shared. “And in bringing that aspiration to life, you serve well.”

Finally, listen, he said. Actively seek out conversations with people who think differently, and who look and live differently. Ask them about themselves, their aspirations and their communities, and listen deeply to what they say and the feelings they convey. 

“As you do, you serve well.”

In Savannah, Quadruple Eagle and nationally recognized social worker Jackie Brown-Pinkney, Ed.D., (鈥�93,鈥�04,鈥�06,鈥�15), delivered a rousing speech to the graduates.

“Graduates, as you receive your degrees today, please reflect on the incredible transformation that has occurred within each of you during your time at 糖心Vlog,” she said. “You have grown intellectually, personally and emotionally.” 

She recalled sitting in their seat, with a case of imposter syndrome that she was able to eventually overcome. She challenged them to think broadly.

“Where there is disappointment, choose to believe,” Brown-Pickney encouraged. “Never underestimate the power of perseverance. You will face obstacles in life and success doesn’t always come instantly. Remember, that the most meaningful achievements often result from overcoming obstacles and persevering through adversity. When you encounter challenges, don’t be disheartened. Pivot and view them as an opportunity to learn, adapt and grow.”

Equally as important, “Where there is hatred, let love prevail. Cultivate empathy and compassion in a world filled with diverse perspectives and experiences. It’s critical to approach each interaction with kindness and understanding. Empathy not only bridges the divide, but also fuels personal growth. Remember, every person that you meet has a unique story. They have their own struggles and they have their own dreams. Extend and lend a listening ear, and embrace the power of empathy to create a more inclusive and compassionate world.”

Finally, where there is complacency, choose to embrace change and adaptability. 

The world is constantly evolving, she noted. Be open to new ideas and innovative solutions. What will change will be an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the betterment of society. Your capacity to adapt will be the cornerstone of your success in the future. 

“As you leave this place today, remember that you are not just graduates but ambassadors of change,” Brown-Pinkney concluded. “Catalysts for progress and seekers of knowledge. The future is uncertain. But you have the tools to shape it positively and your impact can be profound. Pursue your passion and make the world a better place just because you are in it. Congratulations, graduates. The world eagerly awaits the imprint that you leave on it. Peace and blessings to you on your remarkable journey.” 

Video and Photo Links

Fall 2023 Commencement ceremony and photos in Statesboro.

Fall 2023 Commencement ceremony and photos in Savannah.

Credit: Courtesy of 糖心Vlog.

Jackson Murray and Isabella Wallace first met in seventh grade in Summerville, South Carolina. Murray was a soccer player who had recently moved from Washington state. He didn鈥檛 have much interest in singing, but did grow up in a family that appreciated the arts.

Wallace, meanwhile, has been singing for her entire life. Her mother is a music instructor, and was even their music teacher for two years of middle school. Over the years the two became close friends, and soon they will finish their college careers worthy of a Hollywood finale.

Despite having vastly different starting points for their musical development, they will walk off campus with the type of curtain call only two friends can share. During Tuesday鈥檚 commencement ceremony in Statesboro, Georgia, the duo’s decade-long friendship will be center stage. Selected for an ultimate honor, they will have their final Georgia Southern performance of the national anthem at their graduation together.

But how did their friendship start in middle school?

The two met in seventh grade. Murray was a soccer player and had little interest in singing. Wallace grew up in a house of musicians.

鈥淚 convinced Jackson to join the chorus at a Halloween party,鈥� Wallace said. 鈥淗e came dressed up as a soccer player because he just threw on some soccer gear. My mom and I told him he should join the chorus, and we somehow convinced him and he loved it.鈥�

However, he proved to be a tough sell at first. He says he began singing in eighth grade because, like many high school students, he was required to take fine arts classes.

鈥淚 hated drawing and I did not want to learn an instrument,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ell, I guess I’ll go with the chorus, because they go on trips. I made it a hobby at that point.鈥�

But it would soon become much more than a hobby. Murray eventually hung up his cleats to dedicate more time to performance. Throughout his entire high school career, he continued to perform alongside his friend, Wallace.

The duo continued to perform together when they enrolled at 糖心Vlog. They loved the campus and the opportunities within the Eagle fine arts communities, and the tuition waiver for in-state rates cemented their decision to come to Georgia Southern. They received those waiver emails just before taking the stage in their high school performance of Hairspray.  Wallace said she doesn鈥檛 remember the performance, but she does remember getting the exciting news with Murray backstage.

When they took their first steps on campus as members of Eagle Nation, they both said the hard work began.

Both Murray and Wallace said it took discussions with friends and reaching breaking points to finally re-examine their commitments. Shortly thereafter, they began to dial back the workload to refocus on the quality of their work and enjoy the experiences. This was an investment worth making.

After taking a new approach to their college experiences, they began taking leadership roles within their choruses and groups. Additionally, they were able to actually experience the places their work had taken them.

During their time with Eagle Nation, their groups won two international singing competitions. The Southern Chorale took two separate trips to Germany over the past four years. The first time, the students said, was focused on competition. This last time in spring 2022, while still victorious in their respective categories, they were more dedicated to enjoy their time overseas. The students credit their instructors with giving them such worldly adventures.

鈥淚t’s incredibly rewarding to know that we have professors that care as much as they do and will go to bat for us and advocate for us as strongly as they do,鈥� Wallace said. 鈥淚 can’t think of a single professor that I have right now that would not go to bat for me and they treat us in a way that makes you feel like you matter.鈥�

Traditionally, there is only one performer to sing the national anthem and alma mater for commencement. But this year, Georgia Southern will be shaking that up. The faculty members in charge of picking the singers recognized the bond Murray and Wallace have had throughout their careers. To acknowledge this, they elected to have them both  sing side by side.

鈥淗onestly, I laughed when I saw that email because it’s like out of a movie,鈥� Wallace said. 鈥淚t’s fun because we came in together, and we get to leave together.鈥�

Life can be rather cyclical, especially in unlikely ways. 

Murray, who originally agreed to join the middle school chorus because of the trips, is now a music teacher himself. He said he found his passion for music as well as instructors who inspired him to be a leader himself.

Both Murray and Wallace named Shannon Jeffreys, DMA, director of choral activities, as their biggest influence during their time at Georgia Southern. She made trips to Summerville to visit them as high school students. These efforts not only helped bring the duo to Statesboro, but it also built a strong connection among the three.

鈥淚 would not be the leader I am today without these wonderful examples,鈥� Murray said. 鈥淭he people at the Office of Admissions and the choral department here are fantastic and professional. They do the things for professional development, not for themselves, but for their students, for their workers and for their employees.鈥�

Two kids from a small town in South Carolina. One of them is into sports and the other is the daughter of a music teacher. For one last time, they showcase their talent 糖心Vlog.

Award-winning journalist Laura Harris (鈥�08) will help to commend the academic accomplishments of students as the speaker for 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Fall 2019 commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13 and 14.

Harris, an alumna from the university鈥檚 School of Health and Kinesiology, has been a rising star in broadcast news since leaving Georgia Southern with a bachelor鈥檚 in sport management. The Atlanta native co-anchors the morning and midday newscasts at NBC5 in Dallas/Fort Worth. She previously worked with the ABC affiliates in Tampa, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina. Before her time in Charleston, she worked for WNEG-TV in Athens, Georgia, CNN Sports and TNT Sports in Atlanta.

As a journalist, Harris garnered an Emmy Award for her breaking news coverage of a massive sinkhole that opened up in the Tampa community. She has been recognized with an award for her work by the Associated Press. 

Harris covered historic news stories including Pope Francis鈥� and President Barack Obama鈥檚 historic visits to Cuba in 2015 and 2016, respectively. She also has extensive political reporting experience covering both the Republican National Convention from Cleveland, Ohio, and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016.

While at Georgia Southern, she played Division I soccer for four years. She graduated summa cum laude and as an Honors Program Scholar, with a thesis in Sport Management, in 2008.

糖心Vlog will hold two commencement ceremonies to include both graduate and undergraduate students from each of the university鈥檚 nine colleges. Graduating students will walk across the stage and receive their degrees at their preferred ceremony location. 

The commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 will be held at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah at 1 p.m. The commencement ceremony on Dec. 14 will be held at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro at 1 p.m.

For more information on Georgia Southern鈥檚 Fall 2019 commencement ceremonies visit: .

糖心Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit .

糖心Vlog today held its 24th annual Fall Commencement at Hanner Fieldhouse. Interim University President Jean E. Bartels, Ph.D., RN conferred nearly 1,600 graduate and undergraduate degrees during three separate ceremonies to accommodate the graduating class. 鈥淵our University salutes you on your success and sends you off soaring on the wings of eagles,鈥� said Bartels, also taking a moment to recognize the faculty of Georgia Southern and families of graduates. Approximately 25 doctoral degrees were conferred, along with 340 Master鈥檚 degrees, 35 specialist degrees and 1,200 Bachelor鈥檚 degrees from the University鈥檚 eight colleges. Today was the first time that Georgia Southern recognized 鈥淒ouble Eagle鈥� graduates during a commencement ceremony. The Double Eagle distinction refers to students who have earned two or more degrees, one undergraduate and one graduate degree or two graduate degrees, from Georgia Southern. Before each ceremony, Interim Provost Diana Cone, Ph.D., asked all new Double Eagle graduates to stand and be recognized and applauded for their new distinction. Commencement speakers for this year鈥檚 ceremonies included Kathy Bradley, an author, speaker and prosecuting attorney living and working in Bulloch County; Lonice Barrett, special assistant in the Office of Gov. Nathan Deal, executive director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Foundation and a 50-year alumnus of Georgia Southern; and alumnus Maj. Gen. Leslie C. Smith, deputy to the Inspector General for the Office of the Secretary of the Army. Barrett, who addressed graduates in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, College of Science and Mathematics, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology and College of Health and Human Sciences, explained how teamwork would be crucial in life, and that certain intangible things were important to being a team player. “You graduates will likely start in some positions 鈥� where you鈥檙e going to be third, or fourth or second chair. You鈥檙e going to be working with a group of folks counting on you to contribute as a team. My bottom line on it is don鈥檛 forget the intangibles: make yourself valuable, look for opportunities to show your personality, your skills and your ability to work hard and get the job done.” Bradley spoke to graduates of the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and offered up the 鈥渢op five鈥� things the world needs from the new graduates, referring to the them as the BuzzFeed generation. Bradley said of her first tip to keep reading, 鈥淜eep pouring into your brain ideas that challenge your assumption, keep expanding the boundaries of your cerebral geography and keep stretching your intellectual muscles and feeding your imagination with thoughts and ideas, with words and stories that make you exclaim out loud.鈥� She also said practicing saying 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know鈥� is important because 鈥溾�業 don鈥檛 know鈥� is where curiosity is born, and curiosity will feed you when nothing else will.鈥� Taking chances, remembering where you came from and paying attention to everything were other pieces of advice she offered. 鈥淧aying attention is a skill that will make you a good employee, a trustworthy companion, nurturing parent and a human being who will one day be able to say, like 鈥� Diane Ackerman, that you have lived not just the length of your life, but the width of it as well,鈥� she said. Similar to Bradley, Smith encouraged graduates in the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, College of Education, College of Business Administration and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health to remember several tips when beginning their professional lives. 鈥淭he first thing to do to be a professional is to trust,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that mutual trust that you obtain right here at Georgia Southern, it鈥檚 those relationships you鈥檝e made. And trust, ladies and gentlemen, is the most important thing. If you say you鈥檙e going to do it, you have to do it.鈥� Along with trust, Smith said, is expertise. 鈥淵ou are a perfect example of that by graduating from college and getting advanced degrees. I鈥檝e been in the Army for 30 years but I am still learning. Every day take time to learn something new. Every day take time to meet someone new, and you鈥檒l find out how special your graduation and how special your time at Georgia Southern was and will continue to be.鈥� Honorable service, keeping a positive spirit, being a good steward and knowing one鈥檚 talents are several other keys to success, he said. 鈥淵ou can achieve whatever you want to achieve. Use whatever your perceived obstacle is to achieve the goal that you want to achieve … You can do it, Eagle Nation.鈥� 糖心Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit