JENNIFER WHITLOW (CM 09)
Director of Computing Enrollment and Alumni Engagement
What were the circumstances of your coming to work at the College of Computing?
Throughout my time in the College of Computing as a student, I was really involved with several student organizations and as a student assistant for the Office of Outreach, Enrollment, and Community (and its predecessor). Between my on-campus experiences and my co-op at Georgia Pacific, I realized that I preferred working with students over a traditional corporate job, but still wanted to be able to use my degree. As I got ready to graduate, the College was in the process of creating a new position focused the recruitment and enrollment of new computing students. It felt a bit like fate.
Prior to this, had you ever thought about coming back to work at GT Computing?
I had always thought about a career in education, but not at GT. Growing up, I always thought that at some point in my professional career I would be a K-12 teacher.
What’s one of your favorite memories from your time as a student?
It is definitely the friendships made during late nights studying at the picnic tables in the commons or at events like CoCaesar’s Palace.
How has the College changed since you were a student?
A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. The biggest change has been in the size of the College – I think there are as many students in this year’s first-year class as there were in the College’s entire undergrad population when I was a student. The other major change has been having to say goodbye to faculty and staff that had a significant impact on my experience as a student.
How is GT Computing different than similar institutions?
I think it’s the people and the idea that we’re all in this together. I never felt like I was alone. If I was struggling with a class, there was always someone there to help me – a faculty member, TA, or my peers. I think that is something that is really unique and not common at a lot of elite universities.
What do you carry with you from your time as a student that still informs/influences your personal/professional life?
The thing that I carry with me the most is that it is all about the people you meet and interact with. You never know the impact you will have on someone’s life if you just take the time to get to listen to them and get to know them as an individual.
How would you like to see the college grow in the next decade?
I had such a positive experience as a student, and an alumna, that I would love to see more students discover who they are by being a part of the GT Computing community – to have the opportunities and support available to them to find their potential and achieve their goals and dreams.