Wyndham Drayton Named VSU Graduate Assistant of the Year

Wyndham Drayton of Thomasville, Georgia, has been named Valdosta State University’s 2025-2026 Graduate Assistant of the Year. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media at VSU in May 2025. He anticipates graduating with a Master of Arts in Communication in May 2027.

VALDOSTA — In recognition of his outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to the university community, Wyndham Drayton of Thomasville, Georgia, has been named Valdosta State University’s 2025-2026 Graduate Assistant of the Year.

Drayton joined the College of the Arts dean’s office as a graduate assistant in September 2025. He plays a key role in supporting the college’s social media presence and digital marketing initiatives. Through strategic content creation, digital storytelling, and audience engagement efforts, he helps showcase the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, and programs across the college, including, most recently, the 2026 Peach State Summer Theatre season.

Jenn Charnock, College of the Arts administrative coordinator, nominated Wyndham for this award and noted that he also assists with outreach efforts, events, and clerical and administrative tasks. She celebrated his willingness to learn new skills and continue growing outside his comfort zone.

“He is punctual, skilled, and intelligent, which are all benchmarks for professionalism, but his humility, humanity, and the care he takes in his interactions and work speak volumes,” she shared.

Charnock said that Wyndham leaves a good impression in the College of the Arts community, with people consistently raving “about his work, his diligence, and how he carries himself. They are genuinely happy and excited to work with him and have communicated this early and frequently.”

She went on to say that Wyndham’s work has had a significant impact on the college’s social media presence, and she praised his adaptability.

“Wyndham’s uniqueness lies in his ability to understand context and nuance within the visual and performing arts and to translate them into tasks he is extremely skilled in, as well as to take on projects outside his wheelhouse,” she added. “He demonstrates a keen eye for capturing both the visual and performing arts, which requires an aptitude for framing shots, a reverence for the art that is being captured, and excellent technical skill.”

Wyndham earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media at VSU in May 2025. He anticipates graduating with a Master of Arts in Communication in May 2027.

“My undergraduate experience at VSU was full of great experiences that helped develop my professional skills and grow as a person,” he shared. “I was able to participate in many activities that I thoroughly enjoyed.”

He assisted the Mass Media program with multiple Greater Valdosta Christmas Parade productions, working as a technical director and camera operator and gaining practical, real-world experience in his field of study. He also worked in the Mass Media equipment cage, an experience that allowed him to explore different types of tools and technology used in broadcasting, filmmaking, journalism, advertising, and digital media. He earned VSU’s Dr. Larry Etling Scholarship during his senior year.

“If it weren’t for the support of my amazing family, wonderful peers, and mentors, I would not have made it this far in my professional development or life in general,” he said.

As he prepares for the final year of his master’s program at VSU, Wyndham said that being named Graduate Assistant of the Year inspires him to continue striving for excellence. He said that he looks forward to embracing new opportunities, making meaningful contributions in his field, and carrying the lessons and experiences from his VSU journey into the future with confidence and purpose.