Meet the 2025 Homecoming Court Candidates  

Get ready to embrace your Jaguar spirit for the much-awaited 2025 Homecoming Week from Feb. 16-22. This year’s theme is “Forever Blue: No Stranger to Homecoming,” drawing inspiration from the hit TV show “Stranger Things.” The Homecoming candidates are excited to showcase their school spirit, embracing their school pride during this time-honored tradition.   

The 2025 Augusta University court elections open Monday, Feb. 17, and close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20. The election link will be sent to students through their Augusta University email. All students are encouraged to vote.  

The election process is based on the popular vote from the student body. 

Homecoming Duke candidates 

Carlton Collins is a second-year undergraduate biology major with a psychology minor from Marietta, Georgia. He is passionate about improving students’ social life and quality of life. Collins boasts over 40-plus hours of volunteer work and enjoys cooking, networking and community outreach. 

  

Gustavo Gonzalez is a second-year undergraduate kinesiology major with a minor in business administration from Caguas, Puerto Rico. As a Jaguar, he enjoys networking with others and creating a community where others feel welcome. Gonzalez enjoys an active lifestyle, including rock climbing, biking and running. He is a part of the AU Badminton and Pickleball Club, the AU Tennis Club, Doctors Without Borders and the Kinesiology Club.

Gable Maddox is a first-year undergraduate kinesiology major from Augusta. As vice president of the Delta Chi Fraternity, he has developed a close relationship with Roberto Aragon, assistant director of student programs for fraternity and sorority life, who has served in a mentorship role. Outside of class time, Maddox pursues philanthropic endeavors such as coaching youth baseball camps and raising money for charitable foundations.  

Tylin Manley, an Augusta native, is a second-year undergraduate criminal justice major who has also earned certificates in theatre performance, EMT and leadership. He is heavily involved in campus life as a member of the African-American Male Initiative, the Black Student Union, Caribbean Student Association, Minorities for Mental Health, Hispanic Organization of Youth and Psychology Club.  

James Njuguna is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in chemistry from Woodstock, Georgia. He is an Orientation leader and part of the Honors Program, Pi Kappa Phi, African-American Male Initiative and the Pre-Dental Club. He also participates in Operation Clean City. For Njuguna, the most exciting part of being a Jaguar is embracing school spirit, and he particularly enjoys cheering on teams at basketball and volleyball games.

Homecoming Duchess candidates

Ashley Cook is a first-year undergraduate business major with a digital marketing minor from Hoschton, Georgia. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and the AU Cheer Team. She values community and believes that being a part of Homecoming will allow her more opportunities to get involved. Cook said she is always up for a challenge as she strives to achieve goals that will propel her in the future.

Carter Cullipher is a first-year undergraduate pre-nursing major from Grovetown, Georgia. Her fondest college memories thus far are joining Zeta Tau Alpha, where she serves as the social director, and finding community among her sorority sisters. Within sorority life, Aragon has provided Cullipher with a guiding hand throughout recruitment and Homecoming. She enjoys traveling and volunteers at Wellstar MCG Health, the Wellstar Georgia Children’s Hospital and the dermatology center.  

Liv Maloney is a second-year undergraduate nursing major from Cumming, Georgia. She serves as the vice president of public relations and marketing for Alpha Chi Omega, and is a member of the Pre-Nursing Society, Delight Ministries and WoMed. Maloney also volunteers with SafeHomes and provides support for Family Promise and senior living facilities. She enjoys traveling, jewelry making, weightlifting and yoga.  

Rebeccaarmani Thomas is a second-year undergraduate business administration major with a double minor in French and psychology from Brooklyn, New York. She serves as vice president of the Museum Club, the vice president of the Hull Business Society and is a member of the Black Student Union, Caribbean Student Association and the Multicultural Mentorship Program. As a member of the mentorship program, Thomas was awarded the MMP Mentee of Excellence due to her dedication and guidance.

Mai Mai Whalon is a first-year undergraduate cell and molecular biology major from Suwanee, Georgia. She is a part of the Honors Program and a member of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. During Whalon’s first semester, William Bryant, PhD, senior lecturer, made a lasting impression upon her by encouraging her to step outside her comfort zone and meet new people. In her free time, Whalon crochets hats for hospitalized infants.

The Homecoming Duke and Duchess will be crowned during the Homecoming Dance, which begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the Roscoe Williams Ballroom in the Jaguar Student Activities Center. Currently holding the coveted titles are Duke John Blalock, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in history, and Duchess Addisen Coker, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in health services. 

Homecoming King candidates 

Emiliano Huerta is a fourth-year undergraduate cell and molecular biology major with a Spanish minor from Dallas, Georgia. He enjoys Augusta University’s diverse campus as he enjoys learning, hearing and experiencing other cultures. Huerta volunteers alongside his church, First Presbyterian Church, on Earth Day and during the CSRA Walk for Water.  

Tyler Love is a third-year undergraduate social work major from Augusta. He values the friendships and connections he has made throughout his academic journey, especially as a lead mentor for the Multicultural Mentorship Program, vice president of the Beta Beta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and member of the Multicultural Engagement Student Advisory Board and the Black Student Union. Love’s favorite campus events are Stuff the Stadium and Voter Registration.

Suhayb Nijim is a third-year undergraduate cell and molecular biology major with a minor in business from Suwanee, Georgia. He is a member of Delta Chi Fraternity, Doctors Without Borders, Muslim Student Association and Premed Club and participates in the Marrs Project for community service. To him, being a Jaguar allows for self-discovery due to AU’s numerous opportunities and diverse clubs that allow for personal growth.

Miles Terrell is a fourth-year undergraduate art major from Lithonia, Georgia. He has a talent for tattooing and cutting hair. Throughout Terrell’s undergraduate journey, Cynthia Epps, lecturer, has provided a guiding hand, given him words of encouragement and opened doors of opportunities. Terrell enjoys exploring his major and meeting new people, especially through the African-American Mentorship Initiative.  

Andrew Todd is a fourth-year undergraduate kinesiology major from Lilburn, Georgia. He is a member of the AU men’s cross country team and men’s track and field. He is also a part of the Jags4Jag Mentoring Program, Kinesiology Club, Pre-Physician Assistant Club and the Student Advisory Committee for the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs. Additionally, Todd serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  

Jeffreion Wilcher is a fourth-year undergraduate business administration major from Sandersville, Georgia. He finds that the most exciting aspect of being a Jaguar is the vibrant campus life and opportunities to grow both academically and socially. Wilcher donates to the Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Ronald McDonald House and attends the InFocus Church in Evans, Georgia, every Sunday.  

Homecoming Queen Candidates 

Brandy Anderson is a third-year undergraduate kinesiology major from Augusta. She is a mentor in the Science and Math Living Learning Community and a part of the Multicultural Mentorship Program, WoMed, National Society of Leadership, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, SheBlossums, Black Student Union and Pre-Dental Club.

  

Madelynn Griffin is a third-year undergraduate political science major with a minor in communications from Augusta. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and the Student Government Association. She has also served as senator for the College of Nursing and participated in the Pre-Nursing Society. Griffin joined her sorority as a sophomore and found that it completely changed her college experience, providing sisterhood and new experiences.  

Raegan Johnson is a third-year undergraduate psychology major with a business minor from Atlanta, Georgia. She is an honors student and 1828 Ambassador while also participating in the Multicultural Mentorship Program and Augusta Influencers. Johnson is passionate about empowering other students, and her role as an 1828 Ambassador gives her the opportunity to connect with students and faculty who inspire her every day.  

Mikayla Klerk is a fourth-year undergraduate kinesiology major from Lilburn, Georgia. She serves as a social media coordinator for Delight Ministries and president of Zeta Tau Alpha. As a Jaguar, she values making new connections and enjoys waving to her friends while walking on campus. Klerk is especially appreciative of her mentor, Roberto Aragon, who gives great advice and pushes her to become the truest version of herself.

Rianna McGahee is a third-year undergraduate communications major from Augusta. She is a part of the Black Student Union, Minorities for Mental Health, SheBlossoms, The Jaguar Production Crew, PathFinders and the Multicultural Mentorship Program. McGahee serves the community by volunteering, and she also enjoys baking, writing, exercising and spending time with friends and family. She values AU’s traditions and the school spirit that is expressed throughout the university.

Taylor Sanchez is a third-year undergraduate middle grades education major from Augusta. She is a member of Teachers for Tomorrow, Delight Ministries, Campus Outreach, the College Panhellenic Council, Zeta Tau Alpha, Order of Omega and serves as an ambassador for the College of Education and Human Development. Sanchez is proud to be a proactive and influential leader through the opportunities and engagement provided at the university level.

Julie Perez Sosa is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in respiratory therapy from Atlanta, Georgia. For her, the most exciting part of being a Jaguar is getting to know all the amazing people at AU and becoming a member of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. She volunteers as an after-school program volunteer and alongside student organizations for the Costa-Layman Health Fair and Feed the Boro.

Favour Spencer is a fourth-year undergraduate biology major from Atlanta, Georgia. As a transfer student from an online college, she finds AU’s classrooms to be engaging and exciting. Outside the classroom, she is a member of SheBlossoms, African Student Association and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students. Spencer loves attending campus events, singing, sightseeing and listening to music.  

Delaney Vanover is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in elementary education from Evans, Georgia. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and Delight Ministries. In her spare time, she volunteers at church and works as a docent for Augusta Tour of Homes and Augusta Tour of Gardens. She enjoys traveling and aspires to visit every continent before the age of 30. Vanover is excited for Homecoming, attending the week’s various events and meeting new people.

Leilani Watson is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in business administration from Greensboro, North Carolina. Augusta University has provided her with new experiences, which she is taking advantage of as a member of Sheblossoms, NapturallyCrowned, Young Entrepreneur Organization, the Mesmerizing Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Multicultural Mentorship Program and the Jags4Jags Mentoring Program.  

Homecoming King and Queen candidates must be classified as a third-year undergraduate student or above. Currently holding the titles are King Jaden Scott, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in psychology, and Je’Bria Fullwood, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in health, society and policy. 

The king and queen will be crowned at the Homecoming basketball games, which will also serve as senior night, on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The women’s basketball game tips off at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s basketball game will begin at 3:30 p.m. The crowning will take place at halftime during the men’s game. 

Augusta University alumni are invited to the Homecoming Alumni Watch Party from 3 to 5:30 p.m. located in the alumni suite of the Christenberry Fieldhouse. Tickets are $10, which includes food, drinks and more.  

Visit the Homecoming 2025 webpage for the full list of the university’s most spirited week of the year.