The transition to college comes with a long list of challenges for new students: Things like navigating financial aid, buying things for a dorm room, and figuring out what comes next. For Travis Swain, that transition required him to tap into the resilience and resourcefulness he had already developed. As a first-generation college student who was previously at risk of homelessness, it was up to him to figure out these things on his own before he even stepped foot on UGA’s campus.
Since starting his college career, he has leaned on support from others, established himself in a variety of programs, and is now thriving at UGA.
As a Stamper Scholar, Swain has access to major-specific resources, networking opportunities, and intentional campus partnerships through the Office for Student Success and Achievement (OSSA). For him, being a scholar is “the representation of all the hard work that I’ve put in over the years.”
As part of his scholarship, Swain was invited to take part in Dawg Camp’s Thrive program, partnership between OSSA and University Transitions. Dawg Camp Thrive is a selective summer experience designed to provide incoming first-year students with skills and resources to help them succeed at the university. During Dawg Camp Thrive, he connected with Dr. Nicholas Colvard, assistant head of faculty at OSSA, who he would later have as a professor for UNIV 1203, an introductory seminar for scholars. Swain said that Dawg Camp Thrive was an important experience that helped him transition to life at UGA, where he learned tips about navigating campus and acclimating to the university that he still uses today.
During his first year, while balancing a tough courseload and extracurricular activities, his mother was diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumor. Swain spent many long days driving two hours to the hospital then two hours back to campus. Through it all, he persisted. “You have to just pick yourself up and keep going. Life doesn’t stop when things go wrong,” he said.
It would have been understandable for Swain to spend his summer taking a break from academics and extracurriculars following a challenging first year, but he instead continued to pursue opportunities. Colvard encouraged him to apply for the inaugural Ireland Professional Development Abroad program, hosted by OSSA in June 2026. The program allowed students to experience Irish culture, learn about business, and make connections with others. Some highlights Swain enjoyed during the program were getting to hold a sheep and playing Irish football with other students. But the long term-impact was bigger: The experience gave him insight into doing business in another country and broadened his worldview. “It was probably the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said.
Through the program, he also met Dr. Tiffani Tallon, assistant director of Initiatives at OSSA. “I know that I can walk into Dr. Colvard’s office or Dr. Tallon’s office and just talk to them about whatever’s going on, and it’s great to have a relationship like that with a professor,” he said.
Swain is not only a scholar, but also a scholarship ambassador for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. This position allows him to connect with alumni and donors as a representative of students receiving funds from the Georgia Commitment Scholars program. For Swain, it’s valuable “knowing that I now have this network that I can lean into and help me grow my connections.”
Swain has encountered challenges throughout his journey, but through it all has managed to keep his tenacity, motivation, and positive spirit. He credits the courses and experiences thus far for teaching him about managing challenges in his life that other students may not have to manage. “I would not change it for the world, because it taught me so many crucial skills that I will use for the rest of my life,” he said.
Swain encourages students to also put themselves out there and go for every opportunity, even when life tries to get in the way.
