The Georgia Education Advancement Council has announced the award recipients for 2026. The winners will be honored during GEAC's Annual Conference Awards Dinner on Tuesday, November 10 on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

"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."

The 2026 award winners are:

• Overall University Institutional Excellence in Advancement: Georgia Institute of Technology
• Overall College Institutional Excellence in Advancement: Gordon State College
• Excellence in Advancement Services: Brantley Hobbs, Director of Applications and Integrations at the University of Georgia
• Excellence in Alumni Relations: Ava Edwards, Director of Alumni Relations at Georgia Southern University
• Excellence in Fundraising & Development: Hunter Peak, Development Officer at Georgia Southwestern State University
• Excellence in Marketing & Communications: Joshua Cornwall, Executive Director at Georgia Piedmont Technical College
• Outstanding Newcomer: Madison Snyder, Parent and Family Engagement Manager at Kennesaw State University

For conference attendees, the awards dinner is covered by registration. Additional guests may purchase tickets for the awards dinner at geac.org/annual-conference.