OFTC’s Shonda Reaves Receives State Student Affairs Impact Award
settings
Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) is proud to announce that Shonda Reaves, OFTC Retention Specialist, was honored with the Student Affairs Impact Award at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Student Affairs Summit in Atlanta on Wednesday, October 7.
Reaves was recognized for her relentless dedication, genuine compassion, and unmatched commitment to putting students first. In her role as Retention Specialist, she goes above and beyond to ensure students remain on track, enrolled, and fully supported throughout their educational journey.
“Retention is not just a job title for Shonda; it is a personal mission,” said Dr. Saketha Q. Adams, OFTC’s Vice President for Student Affairs. “Whether it takes persistent encouragement to get a student to complete an assignment, personal outreach to improve attendance, or stepping in to remove complex life barriers, Shonda handles every situation with remarkable grace.”
“She builds meaningful, trusting relationships across all departments, connecting staff, faculty, and administrative support to ensure no student slips through the cracks,” she added.
In an age of automated forms and impersonal reminders, Reaves brings an extraordinary high-touch approach to student engagement, Adams shared, explaining how she personally makes videos and audio text messages for students who need extra support, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
During critical retention reviews and enrollment deadlines, Reaves consistently reaches, re-engages, and retains students across OFTC’s service delivery area.
Beyond her formal responsibilities, Reaves embodies the vibrant spirit of OFTC in everything she does—even stepping into the college’s beloved mascot costume when called upon to elevate campus culture and community engagement.
“Shonda Reaves is the heartbeat of our retention efforts and a champion for student success,” added Adams. “Her unmatched drive, creative outreach, and deep care for our student body make her exceptionally deserving of this honor.”
###