Every year since 2016, a crew of spirited University of Georgia students have spent their spring break as Road Dawgs, visiting high school students across Georgia and encouraging them to take the next step in their educational journey.
Road Dawgs is one of many outreach events coordinated by UGA’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This year, nine UGA students in the 2025 Road Dawgs crew traveled to eight high schools in the LaGrange, South Atlanta and Metro Atlanta areas. At each school, the Road Dawgs shared their stories, demonstrated how to “Call the Dawgs” and spent time getting to know the high school students.
The high school students are the stars of the Road Dawgs program, which is focused on helping them consider and prepare for college. The visits give them the chance to engage with peers and ask questions about everything related to college life from residence halls and classes to clubs and the experience of living in Athens.
“I look forward to brightening students’ days,” said Rashawn McKelvey-Fludd, a fourth-year advertising major and a three-time Road Dawg. “We definitely come in there with high energy, and it’s just nice to see that they can take time away from school to have fun but also learn about what they can do in the future.”
The program continues to grow and add more meaningful and personalized discussions. On this trip, high school students from Luella High School and DeKalb School of Arts, who have already been admitted to UGA, had the opportunity for a one-on-one lunch with the Road Dawgs.
From left, Zacorey Smith, Matt Huberty, Maggie Craig, Max Baffoe-Bonnie, Chantal Clark, Kennedy Baker, Ashlyn Kingsley and Felicia Lewis pose for a photo during the visit to the DeKalb School of Arts. (Photo courtesy of Matt Huberty)
“My goal in the future is to make sure that we are bringing representation to where it matters most and continuing to knock on the doors of high schools who haven’t had a Bulldog in their presence for quite a bit,” said Matt Huberty, Road Dawgs program director and assistant director of community-based organizations with UGA’s Office of Admissions. “I want to be intentional, and my goal is to make sure we hit every area.”
Undergraduate Admissions also hosts Road Dawgs: Home Edition, a series of events where current students share their UGA experiences with students from their high schools during winter break. This past winter break, UGA students visited 17 high schools and spoke with 560 students across south, middle and northwest Georgia, along with Metro Atlanta, as part of this initiative.
Inspiration flows both ways
Road Dawgs put in the work to give students motivation to pursue higher education, but the high school students inspire the Road Dawgs as well.
“The students reminded me of how ambitious I was in high school and further motivated me to be ambitious and strive for more,” said Maggie Craig, a second-year management information systems major and a first-time Road Dawg. “Having these high school students look up to me and show interest or excitement about what I do reminds me to feel grateful and acknowledge how far I’ve come and how much I’ve achieved.”
Road Dawg Madyson Hyde speaks to a group of high school students at Troup County’s LaGrange High School during a breakout session. (Photo courtesy of Matt Huberty)
The program makes an impact because it helps UGA students develop leadership and public speaking skills as they present to large student audiences. It also shapes the Road Dawgs’ personal and professional goals as they learn more about one another’s interests and career plans.
UGA’s Road Dawgs program is all about connection. It offers encouragement and support for high school students who are unsure about what they want to achieve after graduation. McKelvey-Fludd has seen the program give students an improved outlook and the motivation to implement plans that further their education.
“What keeps bringing me back is the fact that I’m doing something bigger than myself,” McKelvey-Fludd said.
