DR. JEAN SO

Dr. Jean So was born in Buffalo, New York to South Korean immigrants, moving six times before arriving to the small, rural city of Rome, Georgia. After graduating from Georgia State University in Atlanta with a B.S. in psychology, she continued her studies and completed her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration at the University of Georgia. Her passion is working with college students and her career spans over 20 years, specifically in university recruitment, admissions, new student orientation, and retention.

 

Holistic student development and guiding students into professional roles where they can contribute whole-heartedly to their specific fields remained a charge in all facets of Jean’s profession. Along with conceptualizing and facilitating multiple university programs from the ground up, Jean has taught leadership and transition courses as an Adjunct Professor at Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University both in-person and online, along with participating in various research initiatives on student transition experiences. A love for event planning also led her to earn a certificate in Hospitality Administration from Georgia State’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality.

 

Dr. So received her Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia. Her dissertation titled You’re Not Korean. You’re White Just Like Us: A Phenomenological Exploration of Korean American Women’s Experiences in Historically White Greek-Letter Organizations, focused on identity and belonging, with additional exploration on gender and cultural dynamics.

 

Dr. So now contributes her time and energy to her family’s poultry services business. With her role pivoting from higher education to accounting and administrative services, she continues to use her extensive background and experiences to serve multiple community organizations and school boards. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and two children.