Meet the 2026 Homecoming Court Candidates 

The 2026 Homecoming Week is set to kickoff Feb. 15 to 22, with this year’s theme is True Life: The Real Jaguar Experience, drawing inspiration from the hit MTV show “True Life.” The Homecoming candidates are excited to showcase their school spirit, embracing their school pride during this time-honored tradition.   

The court elections opened at midnight Sunday, Feb. 15 and close on at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. 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 Duchess candidates 

Augusta native Ada Scott Arnett is a second-year business administration major, with a concentration in marketing. She enjoys campus life and takes part in Zeta Tau Alpha, bible study and volunteering. Her journey has been heavily impacted by Stacy Roberts, DBA, lecturer in the James M. Hull College of Business, whose positive outlook and passion for her career helped Arnett complete her first semester.  

Jayda Browne is a first-year art major from Evans, Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing, running, drawing and design. She is excited to continue her educational journey at Augusta University, where she has found the campus culture to be welcoming, supportive and active. Professor Jacob Lehmann, a lecturer in the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been a great mentor, encouraging her creativity and self-expression.

Mallorie McCafferty is a second-year criminal justice major from Waynesboro, Georgia. Joining Alpha Chi Omega has been the most exciting part of her Jaguar journey where she has made lifelong friends and future bridesmaids among her sorority sisters. With a strong work ethic, she has developed strong leadership and communication skills through her experience as a vacation Bible school leader, and outside of work, she is a devoted dog mom who enjoys reading and solving puzzles.

Caitlyn Peebles is a first-year speech pathology major from Evans, Georgia. While she is interested in the arts, she puts her passions to work by volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club and theatre camps like Camp Wonderland. She has made long-lasting campus connections with friends and mentors alike, specifically her Jaguar Jumpstart Program mentor who encouraged her to get involved in campus life. She feels blessed for the connections she has made so far and looks forward to making even more.

Leila Robbins is a second-year biology major with a focus in pre-dental from Rockmart, Georgia. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Impact, SheBlossoms, The CREW, the Multicultural Mentorship Program and the Jags4Jags Mentorship Program. In her spare time, she attends church and volunteers at local homeless shelters. She has a meaningful community within Mentorship and Student Engagement, finding support and mentorship that have helped her through tough moments.  

Caroline Swift is a second-year kinesiology major from Evans, Georgia. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, serving as vice president of risk and event management and previously as vice president of member development. She also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta, works as a certified medical assistant and serves as a 2026 Orientation Leader. Outside of her leadership roles, Caroline enjoys doing her makeup and perfecting a flawless blowout. 

Rachael Wright is a second-year psychology major from Columbia, South Carolina. She deeply values Augusta University’s tight-knit community, finding friends and mentors within the Jaguar Jumpstart Program, Multicultural Mentorship Program, and as an on-campus resident assistant. In her free time, she volunteers with a local church and alongside AU’s Open Paws Pantry. Elizabeth Huggins, EdD, director of the Office of First and Second Year Experiences, plays a large role in Wright’s AU experience as a hands-on mentor.

Homecoming Duke candidates 

Foster Duquette is a first-year pre-nursing major from Clayton, Georgia excited to experience and take part in campus life. As a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, he serves as the recruitment chair. His favorite part of the day is being greeted by the JagExpress Shuttle System drivers who start the day off with a smile. Beyond academics, he volunteers in the local community, with over 15 hours of community service and enjoys camping or hiking. 

Jacob Floyd is a second-year biology major from Savannah, Georgia who has found his place by connecting with others and growing both academically and personally. As a member of Campus Outreach, Chemistry Club and Phi Delta Theta, the most exciting part of his journey so far has been connecting learning alongside people from different backgrounds. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time with friends studying or exploring local areas.

Brock Hasten is a second-year finance major from Augusta. He credits joining Pi Kappa Phi to building his confidence, career networking and brand marketing skills, and connecting him to life-long brothers. Heavily involved with his fraternity, he has served as the historian, standards chairman and as Interfraternity Council director of recruitment. Hasten has also volunteered numerous hours with Golden Harvest Food Bank and through his church. He enjoys staying active as a swimmer and lifeguard, spending time outdoors and working on his vintage Corvette. 

Sauzaas Sapkota is a first-year neuroscience major from Lawrenceville, Georgia, who serves as the social chair for Pi Kappa Phi. He has found the most joy in campus involvement and building a supportive community where students grow together. His undergraduate academic advisor, Sheena Hairston, has been instrumental in guiding his course planning and keeping him on track throughout his college career, consistently offering support and a steady hand when he needed it most.

Bryson Walker is a second-year cybersecurity major and honors student from Marietta, Georgia. With a deep passion for people and community, he serves in The Brotherhood, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Black Student Union, Crossings Young Adults Ministry and AU Young Entrepreneurs Club. Shontrea Hogans, assistant director of Mentorship and Student Engagement, has played a significant role in his journey, consistently supporting him and advocating on his behalf.

The Homecoming Duke and Duchess will be crowned during the Homecoming Dance, which begins at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in the Dr. Roscoe Williams Ballroom in the Jaguar Student Activities Center. Currently holding the coveted titles are Duke Carlton Collins, a third-year undergraduate biology major, and Duchess Rebeccaarmani Thomas, a third-year undergraduate business administration major. 

Homecoming Queen candidates

Dani Anderson is a third-year neuroscience major from Bowie, Maryland, who is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and the College Panhellenic Council. Her favorite event is the Welcome Back Bash, and she credits Roberto Aragon, assistant director of student programs for Fraternity and Sorority Life, for his knowledgeable guidance and support in helping her to navigate the sorority experience. In her spare time, she loves to play tennis and ice skate.

Maddie Edwards, a fourth-year psychology major with a pre-med concentration and a minor in communications, from Queens, New York enjoys taking part in campus organizations. She is a member of The CREW, the Multicultural Mentorship Program, Impact, SheBlossoms, Caribsa, Black Student Union, African Student Association, Augusta Influencers Program and the Undergraduate Student Government Association. She likes going to the gym, reading, hula-hooping, self-care and journaling.

Lena Eschenbach is a fourth-year neuroscience major, on the pre-med track, from Lawrenceville, Georgia. She is involved with Global Med Scholars as a co-founder and vice president and works as a teaching assistant for the Chemistry Department. Eschenbach also volunteers at Wellstar, gaining experience in patient care. She enjoys figure skating, roller skating, painting and drawing. She is grateful to be a part of such a welcoming and heart-warming communication that inspires students to be their best.

Raelyn Hill, a fourth-year secondary education major, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and student-teaches, volunteers, and creates arts and crafts. She enjoys attending AU events and seeing familiar faces around campus. She credits Lee Anna Maynard, PhD, associate professor in the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, as a major influence, admiring her enthusiasm and teaching style and valuing her guidance as an advisor. 

Rianna McGahee is a fourth-year communications major from Augusta, Georgia, who deeply values the AU communities and the memories, connections and traditions she has created while on campus. She is a member of SheBlossums, the Black Student Union, Multicultural Mentorship Program and Pom and Dance. She credits AU President Russell T. Keen with having the greatest impact on her journey, consistently encouraging and supporting her since her first year.

Augusta-native Audrey Nunn is a fourth-year psychology major and business administration minor, who has served as Jaguar Miracle public relations chair for two years. As a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, she has held leadership roles as vice president of harm reduction in 2024 and connector in 2025. She also volunteers at the Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia and could not imagine attending any other university. Fun fact, she has visited 20 U.S. states and is a devoted Taylor Swift fan.

Homecoming King candidates 

Christopher Castillo is a third-year cybersecurity major from Dallas, Georgia, who is a part of the Delta Chi Fraternity and has held positions as the recruitment chair and in risk management. He holds an internship at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center and devotes much of his free time to charity and on-campus involvement. He has raised awareness for patients with cancer through Clippers for Cancer, donated clothing to children and serves on an advisory council to support student engagement. 

Gustavo Gonzalez is a fourth-year kinesiology major, with a focus in exercise and sports science, from Caguas, Puerto Rico. He values building community, mentoring and creating a sense of belonging on campus. In fact, he is a part of several programs and clubs, such as serving as the treasurer for the Tennis club, missions coordinator for Global Medical Missions Alliance, the Multicultural Mentorship Program, Sales Club and Orientation Leader.    

Jeremiah Edwards, a third-year cybersecurity major with a business administration minor from Macon, Georgia, who carries a passion for campus involvement and community service. He is a member of The Brotherhood, The CREW, Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., Impact and the College Prevention Partnership. Outside of the classroom, Edwards works as a Jaguar Student Activities Center manager and enjoys working out, watching television and playing basketball.  

Joel Jones is a third-year business major from Augusta, Georgia, who is a member of the Black Student Union, the Augusta Influencers, The CREW and Alpha Phi Alpha. He also serves as a Jaguar Student Activities Center manager and resident assistant. He makes music, sings and is known on campus for his cooking. Through his fraternity, student leadership roles, and involvement with student organizations, Jones has embraced new experiences and grown as a campus influencer. 

James Njuguna is a third-year nuclear medicine technology major from Woodstock, Georgia who is a member of Pi Kappa Phi and the Interfraternity Council. When he’s not studying, Njuguna enjoys DJing on his FLX-400 for his fraternity brothers, attending concerts like Breakaway and County Line and meeting new people. He loves showing up for his friends and supporting campus life, especially at volleyball and basketball games. 

Homecoming King and Queen candidates must be classified as a third-year undergraduate student or above. Currently holding the titles are King Suhayb Nijim, a fourth-year cell and molecular biology major, and Leilani Watson, a fourth-year business administration major. 

This year’s king and queen will be crowned at the Homecoming basketball games, which will also serve as senior night, on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The crowning will take place at halftime during the men’s game, which is scheduled to tipoff at 3:30 p.m. 

Augusta University alumni are invited to the Homecoming Alumni Watch Party from 3 to 6 p.m., located in the alumni suite of the Christenberry Fieldhouse. Tickets are $10, which includes food, drinks and more.  

Visit the Homecoming 2026 webpage for the full list of the university’s most spirited week of the year.