52 “I think it’s awesome at Homecoming to have the opportunity for our current students to visit with our alumni. They learn about the history of the institution and the experiences that the alumni had when they were going here. ֱapp is like a second family to me. There are a lot of great people who work here, a lot of great students. It’s just an awesome place to work and be a part of.” MELINDA CUTCHENS Special assistant to the president at ֱapp “This is home. Alma mater means second home, so I can actually come back here and fellowship with people. This is where I belong. I can always say that, regardless of the ups and downs. Throughout the six years I’ve been here, it’s definitely been a life-changing, eye- opening experience. I don’t see myself having gone this far in my life without coming to Valdosta State.” KYLE POE ֱapp alumnus from Athens, Georgia, who earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in African American studies in 2015 and a Master of Education in higher education leadership in 2017