Agnes Scott Graduate Studies

Our graduate students are taking their talents nationally! Faculty and students in our Medical Sciences and Post-Bacc programs attended the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama.

Ximena Guillen ’18, MS’26 presented her poster on “Antisense Oligonucleotides for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Insights from a Graduate-Level Systematic Review.”

“Presenting my research at the ASB conference was a phenomenal milestone,” she says. “Thanks to my instructor and primary investigator, Dr. (Thalita) Abrahao’s exceptional preparation, I felt confident sharing our findings with the fellow student scientists I met. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the wide range of oral and poster presentations, which covered fields from ecology to molecular biology.”

Congratulations to the Post-Bacc Class of 2026! Saturday, we celebrated this cohort's accomplishments at the fourth annual Post-Bacc Achievement Ceremony. We can't wait to see what you do next!

SpARC is Agnes Scott College's Spring Annual Research Conference! Graduate Students presented on important topics, such as "Clinical Exposure and Competency Development" and "Communication, Empathy, and Compassion in Healthcare".

We are proud of the dedication of our students to become culturally competent and ethical healthcare professionals!

Be a part of the tradition. Master's students can purchase their Agnes Scott rings through Herff Jones' — a partnership that dates back to 1926!

100 years later, the tradition still stands. Grad Scotties - as you plan for graduation, consider participating in the Scottie tradition by ordering your black onyx ring!

Looking for ways to give back? The Mary Lou Cornwall Hawkes '65 and James B. Hawkes Physician Assistant Program* is hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, April 17!

Visit agnesscott.edu/gradevents for more event details and to reserve a spot.

*See website for accreditation statement.

It's time to celebrate! Our Admitted Student Mixer connects our new cohorts with faculty and current students. Congratulations to all of our post-bacc and graduate students starting classes in 2026!

Post-Bacc and Medical Sciences master's students aren't navigating their journeys alone. Our dedicated team of health professions advisors provide holistic, tailored guidance from the moment a student starts the program.

Dr. Kimberly Butler is the Associate Director of Health Professions Advising and a recent Ed.D Graduate from the University of Georgia's Doctor of Education in Higher Education Management Program. Her "why" in her career is to support students from marginalized backgrounds to better their applications, navigate system barriers, and pursue medicine with confidence.

"My dissertation focused on the experiences of Black alumni from post‑bacc programs, and honestly, that topic comes from a very personal place," says Dr. Butler. "I’ve spent years watching talented, committed students—many who remind me of myself—work so hard to pursue medicine, only to run into barriers that have nothing to do with their potential. I wanted to understand those barriers more deeply and help change them."

Now, Dr. Butler is applying the experience she learned from her doctoral program to continually model persistence and encouragement for students, walking alongside them to push them toward their own version of success.

For many students with little to no healthcare experience, like Christie Savas, PB '17, a post-bacc program means med-school year zero.

Savas returned to campus to speak to alumni, current and prospective students about her journey to medicine in a 30th Anniversary Networking Celebration. The career changer left a business consulting role in corporate America to pursue her dreams of studying science and taking care of patients. She is now a primary care physician at Mercy Care in Atlanta, working in internal medicine for the homeless, uninsured and underserved patients.

Christie says, "When I learned about Agnes Scott’s program, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, this could actually make it possible.' I hadn’t realized that going back to medical school after a business degree and three years in consulting was even possible."

Agnes Scott College welcomes Diane Monahan, Ph.D. as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Studies. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, the communications expert brings servant leadership and a deep passion for graduate student success to the department.

The servant leader is now playing a critical role in the next chapter of Agnes Scott College’s Graduate & Post-Bacc Studies and its growing programs.

“A lot of the focus will remain on healthcare programs and seeing what’s next. What are other in-demand areas where we can improve access. Not only helping students grow into those careers through academic programming, but also through the delivery of these health programs; how can we improve access for all to various healthcare fields, including mental health.”

Welcome Dean Monahan!

Happy 30th Anniversary to our Post-Bacc Programs! We're celebrating the achievements of alumni and current students through their journey to becoming doctors, veterinarians, physician assistants, and more.

Here are views from our networking brunch to celebrate this milestone!