Ava Edwards receives Excellence in Alumni Relations award

Ava Edwards, director of Alumni Relations at Georgia Southern University, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Georgia Education Advancement Council’s (GEAC) Excellence in Alumni Relations Award.

“This year’s honorees exemplify the very best of higher education advancement in our state,” said GEAC President Frances Beussee of Kennesaw State University. “We are proud to recognize their outstanding commitment, innovative leadership and lasting contributions to our profession.”

Under her leadership at Georgia Southern, Edwards has helped expand alumni engagement across a growing community of more than 162,000 alumni. The Alumni Office has seen a 15% annual increase in event attendance in fiscal 2026, while programs such as 40 Under 40, True Blue Tailgates and the International Alumni Travel Program continue to create meaningful opportunities for alumni to connect with the University. 

“Ava exemplifies the very best of the alumni relations profession through her unwavering commitment to alumni engagement, innovative programming, strategic leadership and dedication to advancing the mission of higher education through meaningful relationships,” said Beusse, who nominated her for the award.

The Excellence in Alumni Relations Award honors higher education advancement professionals who have served at least five years in higher education and have distinguished themselves in the field of alumni relations.