Brenau University

As a school psychologist, Brian Bowman has dedicated his career to supporting students. And now, with his Ed.D. from Brenau, he’s ready to make an even larger impact on education across Georgia.

“Having this doctorate will not only allow me to provide better services to students, but also open doors to help prepare future educators at the college level,” Brian said.

During his years at Brenau, Brian said the help and encouragement of his education professors were paramount to his success.

“I appreciate the tailored support that I received from my dissertation committee,” he said. “I’m very thankful for the faculty of Brenau, and I’m excited to go into the world with this new knowledge and support the students of our state of Georgia.”

Having recently earned her bachelor’s in biology at Brenau, Emelia Askew has set her sights on her next endeavor — medical school.

“I know the cliche thing to say is that I like to help people, but I do like to help people,” Emelia said. “However, I specifically want to help people like me who may not feel comfortable going into the doctor’s office. There’s not a lot of African American representation in the medical field, and I want to be that person who makes an impact.”

When starting at Brenau four years ago, Emelia explored different majors before settling on biology, which she calls her true passion. Emelia said one of her most memorable experiences at Brenau includes the time she shared her research at the university’s annual Innovation,
Inquiry & Creativity Symposium. Her research focused on a skin condition, which her younger sister has.

As she takes the next step in her career journey, Emelia said the two things she will miss the most are her friends and serving on Brenau’s basketball and track and field teams.

“I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and it’s not going to stop there,” she said. “I won’t be on a team, so I’m going to miss that a lot.”

#brenauuniversity #biostudent

Campus views lately🌈🌷

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Alum Q&A with Aubrey Pettit✍️🎨
Degree: BFA in Studio Art ‘26
Hometown: Sugar Hill, GA
Favorite Emojis: 🍒🏎️🫡
Current internship: Brenau Marketing Office graphic design intern

Why studio art?
I have painted and drawn for years and years, and that was sort of the main thing I was focused on. But, I try to do everything. I oil paint and do graphic online stuff mostly. I like to say that I can do mostly anything other than watercolor. I like doing portraits a lot for paintings, and for graphic design, it’s all over the place.

What is it like interning at Brenau’s Marketing Office?
I like it a lot, and I like being in a one-on-one environment. I work in the office around 10 hours per week, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot from Brandon, the office’s graphic designer. I’m more familiar with Adobe now, and it’s a lot easier for me to articulate ideas in my head into Photoshop.

What advice would you give to art students who want to develop career-ready skills?
Practice a lot, all the time. Don’t limit yourself to one specific medium. I used to only do drawing, and now I like to say that I can mostly do the whole nine yards. Do everything you can.

Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next?
I have enjoyed working with Brenau marketing a lot, but I would like to do graphic design for a tech-based company.

What is one thing you want everyone to know about Brenau?
Everyone here is really friendly. I think it’s a good place, especially because I’m more of a nervous person. I feel like it has been easy to open up here and chit-chat, and not have to be constantly nervous. I’d say all the people here are good.

Nursing Pinning Ceremony🩺⭐️ Last week, we celebrated our BSN, ABSN, and ELMSN students who graduated from Brenau’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing! We’re incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we can’t wait to see the practicing nursing professionals they become!

#nursinggrad #nursingschool #classof2026