N adirah Ross Mayweather, ’08, ’10, loves making connections with fellow Bobcats. It’s something she thrives at. 

In her new role as director of Alumni Relations for Georgia College & State University—she’ll mix her prior knowledge and new experiences to continue connecting alumni with campus and each other.

“I love Georgia College,” she said. “I've worked in different areas on campus and learned how this institution is fashioned over the years. One of the things I love about this place is it has this special way of drawing people here.”

Mayweather was director of the Cultural Center for nearly four years. During that time, she built relationships with students, faculty, staff and alumni. She started “Tupperware Tuesday,” which gave students a place to gather and have a meal among friends. Oftentimes, they had a speaker or did onboarding activities, so the event grew.

“We had to make sure our underrepresented students were doing well, and they felt heard and seen,” Mayweather said. “That became a huge part of my role—to make sure our students knew Georgia College supported them and understood what was happening in the world.”

Mayweather was also on the Office of Inclusive Excellence Planning Committee for the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, held every January. In addition, she assisted with the Life Mentorship Program that matches incoming students with upperclassmen and a faculty or staff member. Last fall, she added alumni to the mix as professional mentors, which strengthened the program. 

Mentoring students was Mayweather’s most meaningful accomplishment. She had mentors as a Georgia College student, and she appreciated their guidance.

“We have some phenomenal students here,” she said. “I was blessed to serve in that capacity. To help connect them to resources and watch them grow as they went through Georgia College was rewarding. These experiences came full circle.”

As an undergraduate, Mayweather majored in mass communication with a public relations focus and earned her Master of Arts in teaching with a concentration in English for sixth through 12 grades. 

Although Mayweather loved serving in her most recent role, she’s excited to transition into her new position.

“If you join the Bobcat family, you are a special part of what makes this place great,” she said. “I see my new position as an opportunity to keep people connected to the institution. I've been able to do that with students, faculty, staff and community members. Now, I’d like an opportunity to do that in a greater capacity with alumni.”  

Mayweather wants alumni to have the resources they need to stay connected. She’d also like to tap into their resources, as well. She sees this as a win for both alumni and Georgia College.

“We don't just woo students from recruitment and end it at graduation,” she said. “They need to feel like they’re Bobcats for life.”

For starters, Mayweather plans to listen and learn from University Advancement staff and alumni. She wants to keep alumni coming back to the university.

“I want to figure out how we can do that in a larger capacity, so alumni always feel, when they return to this institution—even if it is changed, they’ll have a genuine connection to it,” Mayweather said. “I want to find out what’s worked well and what their wishes are so we can help fulfill those needs.” 

Mayweather also plans to explore new events to grow engagement. Building connections is key to keeping alumni excited about returning and engaging with Georgia College. She’s also excited to learn more about alumni experiences from their campus days until now, so her team can highlight their accomplishments.

“It's important to make sure that the Bobcat family feels important, seen and heard,” she said. “We must nurture one of our biggest assets—our Bobcat family—to make sure they’re connected and engaged.”

Mayweather plans to keep focus on the people who helped make Georgia College what it is today. That includes faculty, staff, students and alumni—all who understand what it is to be a Bobcat—and help them build connections with fresh waves of students.

“Part of creating a Bobcat nation is to have all the generations connected,” she said. “I think there's room for growth and an opportunity for us to do that.”

For fun, Mayweather enjoys spending time with her three boys: Jacob—eight months old, Josiah—age 3 and Jeremiah—age 6 and her husband, Jeremy. She also loves to garden, read, do arts and crafts and create planners.