Outstanding upper-level Religion majors and minors may apply to our student ambassador program. Applications are reviewed and selected by the Undergraduate Coordinator and the current student ambassadors. Religion Ambassadors promote the Department and the academic study of religion through highlighting Department events on social media, planning and managing social events for Religion students, and representing the Department in the college and local communities. Looking to connect with fellow Religion majors, help shape fun events, collaborate with faculty, and represent the department—all while adding a great line to your resume? Consider applying to be a Religion Ambassador! For information, contact Dr. Kendall Marchman. OUR 2025-2026 STUDENT AMBASSADORS HANNAH FEARS Hannah is a third-year undergraduate Honors student from Peachtree Corners, Georgia majoring in Psychology and Religion with a minor in Chemistry. Hannah is involved in various student organizations, such as MathCounts and UGA FoMSF, in addition to working as a Learning Assistant for the Chemistry Department and volunteering at her local church. Following graduation, Hannah hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. SAMMY GARY Sammy is a fourth-year Philosophy and Religion double major with minors in Hebrew and Jewish studies. She is a prospective Master’s student in UGA’s Religion Department and is currently doing research in ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean creation mythologies and theologies under B. Halpern. Besides being a Religion Ambassador, Sammy focuses on independent language study, including her participation in UGA’s Jewish Studies CURO project transcribing and translating mid-century Yiddish postcards from Poland. Sammy has a heart for academic study of religion, and is a member of UGA’s chapter of the Theta Alpha Kappa honor society for religious studies and theology, and was also one of the recipients of UGA’s William L. Power Scholarship in Religion for 2025. Following her passion for religion into the classroom, she looks forward to serving as a TA for the Department of Religion in the fall. COLE JONES Cole is a first-year undergraduate Honors student majoring in Religion, International Affairs, and Political Science from Atlanta, Georgia. He is involved with multiple student organizations across campus, including French Table, Arch Policy Institute, The Table Athens, University Chorus, and A.A.C.E. He is also involved with the United Methodist Church at the local, state-wide, and international levels, serving on boards and delegations for the organization. He is interested in all things related to the religious and political history of the Southern United States, and hopes to further dive into that passion at UGA. MEAGAN McCOLLOCH Meagan is a fourth-year religion, political science, and women’s and gender studies major from Holly Springs, GA. Outside of serving as an ambassador for the Department of Religion, Meagan is also an ambassador for the Institute for Women’s and Gender Studies, the Director of the Editorial for the Loch Johnson Society, Outreach Director for the Women’s Studies Student Organization, and co-host for Filibuddies at WUOG 90.5 FM. In the past, Meagan has also served as a mentor and TA for the Honors College and an undergraduate researcher for the Department of Religion. Currently, Meagan is interning at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Georgia State Capitol for the current legislative session. After graduating in May, Meagan will attend the University of St Andrews in Scotland to obtain an MLitt in Terrorism and Political Violence with a focus on religious conflict. IAN ROBERTS Ian is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Americus, Georgia, majoring in political science, history, and religion. In addition to being a UGA Religion Ambassador, Ian is the First Assistant of the Phi Kappa Literary Society, a devoted member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, and a member of the Episcopal Campus Ministry at UGA. In the past, Ian also served as a Senior Staffer in the Frye Fellowship, a student docent in the Anne Frank Volunteer Program, and as a SPIA Ambassador. Ian is a member of the Theta Alpha Kappa honor society for religious studies and theology with a passion for the study of Christianity, Anglicanism, African American religion, and Judaism. He looks forward to fostering a community for religion majors and minors this semester with his fellow Religion Ambassadors. MARY MARGARET WOODS Mary Margaret is a third-year undergraduate student from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, majoring in Spanish and Religion with a minor in Philosophy. In addition to being a religion ambassador, she is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, she served as a Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor this summer, she is very involved in the Catholic Student Association on campus, and she is part of UGA’s Club Swim Team. In the Spring she was inducted into the Theta Alpha Kappa religious studies and theology society with her fellow ambassadors. In summer ’25, Mary Margaret studied abroad in Cádiz, Spain practicing her Spanish conversational skills and immersing herself in the Catholic religion through going to Mass and seeing over 15 different Cathedrals. She looks forward to planning and fostering a community for the Religion majors and minors this year! SOPHIA ZHAO Sophia is a second-year undergraduate student from Suwanee, Georgia pursuing majors in Finance and Management Information Systems and a minor in Religion. In addition to her involvement in the Terry College of Business, Sophia plays club tennis and attempts to be good acoustic guitar. She is interested in religion's impact in both political systems and social equity.
