Campus Connection Inspires Mother and Son to Find Purpose and Passion

admin — Fri, 09 May 2025 14:00:41 +0000

Campus Connection Inspires Mother and Son to Find Purpose and Passion admin Fri, 05/09/2025 - 10:00

When Andrew Rush started at Georgia Tech last fall, he already had a sense of direction as soon as he set foot on campus. His mother, Holly Rush, is a longtime Georgia Tech staff employee, and this exposure influenced Andrew to study at the Institute.

We caught up with Holly and Andrew to learn more about what makes Georgia Tech so appealing to students and employees alike, and the unique perspective their mother-son relationship brings to campus.

How long have you worked at Georgia Tech? What do you do as a financial operations assistant director?

[Holly] I have been at Georgia Tech since 2000 and joined the College of Computing in early 2005. Ironically and very memorably, I found out I was expecting Andrew right after I started in Computing. I still recall being very nervous about telling my new boss that I was expecting, but she was happy for me and very accommodating. I went to the bookstore right after our meeting and bought Andrew his first Georgia Tech t-shirt, which I plan to pass down to him one day.

Being part of the College for this long, I have watched it grow from having divisions to schools. I began as a financial administrator and steadily grew into my current role as assistant director of financial operations for the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE). In my current role, I oversee financial operations for the School of CSE, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with Institute and sponsor guidelines. I work closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to support our financial programs and other initiatives. It is a rewarding role that allows me to contribute to the success of the college while watching it grow, just like my own journey here.

How much influence did your mom’s work at Georgia Tech have on your interest in coming here for college?

[Andrew] It definitely played a role. I grew up a fan of all things Georgia Tech, so this was always my dream school. When I got in, all the stars aligned. Tech was my dream school, my mom worked there, and I was close to home. It was perfect.

What is it about Georgia Tech that has kept you here for more than two decades?

[Holly] From the beginning, I have always felt that my work contributes to something bigger – supporting faculty who offer world-class education and innovation. I have had the opportunity to grow professionally and work alongside very talented colleagues.

How has your first year gone? What do you like best about attending Georgia Tech?

[Andrew] Overwhelming. I wasn’t sure what to expect from attending college. The college lifestyle was a big change for me, and I had to learn how to navigate it. I knew Georgia Tech would be challenging, and I thought I was ready for it, but it was still harder than I expected. However, I managed to get through my first year with great resilience and finish stronger than I started.

What do you each like best about being on campus together?

[Holly] I enjoy being nearby and getting to share this chapter of his life. There are many times that Andrew is focused on his studies or his fraternity commitments, so he doesn’t get to come home as often as I would like. But with me being on campus, we can grab a quick lunch or have a short visit. I also like knowing he is a short walk from my office if I want to drop off a homemade meal. Even when we are both too busy for a visit, sometimes I find myself looking out the window across campus. Just seeing the top of a building where he is attending class gives me comfort knowing he is there.

[Andrew] Bouncing off of what my mom said, it has been great. It is comforting that I can go to her office just to say “hey,” and not drive all the way home. It’s nice that when I’m having a rough patch with school, she drops by to offer some reassurance.

What has been the key to reaching the milestones of a fulfilling career and witnessing your children achieve their goals?

[Holly] The key to reaching these milestones has really been maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Georgia Tech has given me the space and support to grow professionally while also being present as a parent. That balance has been everything. It allowed me to build a fulfilling career that I’m proud of, while also being there to watch my children grow and pursue their dreams, including Andrew becoming a Georgia Tech student himself. Being able to do both, without having to choose one over the other, has truly been the foundation of my success and happiness.

What do you look forward to in the next few years studying computer engineering at Georgia Tech? And after graduating?

[Andrew] I am most excited for my threads and starting my career. I have learned so much that I am already applying my studies. I recently used Raspberry Pi to build a circuit that enabled a motion detector to work and set off an LED indicating motion. This was a part of my discovery class for my major, and it was the most fun I have had at Georgia Tech so far. It was very new and exciting to learn about, and it motivates me to put my skills to work.

After graduating, I want to work in cybersecurity, possibly as a hardware security engineer for the government or even my own startup. The project I mentioned opened my eyes to my threads and really motivated me to continue in this field.

Rush is one of more than 150 College of Computing staff members who support the College and its five schools. Staff members are the backbone of the College. From managing operations to providing essential services, their dedication ensures the seamless delivery of education, research, and community support, making them integral to the College's success.

Summary sentence

Holly Rush has worked at Georgia Tech since 2000. Her employment influenced her son, Andrew, to attend the Institute and study computer engineering.

Summary

We caught up with Holly and Andrew to learn more about what makes Georgia Tech so appealing to students and employees alike, and the unique perspective their mother-son relationship brings to campus.

Dateline

Thu, 05/08/2025 - 12:00

Contact

Bryant Wine, Communications Officer
bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu

Keywords

College of Computing

college of engineering

School of Computational Science and Engineering

College of Engineering; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Daily Digest

The Whistle

whistle

Georgia Tech News Center

Mother's Day

News room topics

Campus and Community

Faculty Women’s Club Opens Membership to All Employees

admin — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:41:31 +0000

Faculty Women’s Club Opens Membership to All Employees admin Mon, 08/28/2023 - 15:41

The Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club (GTFWC) was originally formed as a social group for wives of male faculty members. When faculty began to include women, membership became open to female faculty members. Now, the group is opening itself to all Georgia Tech employees.

Last spring, a special committee of the GTFWC, led by Lynne Wepfer, was formed to reevaluate the existing definition of membership, and to make recommendations for possible changes. As part of this process, the committee researched best practices at similar universities around the country. Their final recommendation was to amend the by-laws of the GTFWC to more closely align with Georgia Tech’s culture of inclusivity, and with the current practices of other major universities and institutes of higher learning. In short, the committee recommended that anyone who supports the mission and vision of Georgia Tech, and who embraces the GTFWC’s core mission of friendship, service, and scholarship, can become a member.

The board of directors of the GTFWC unanimously approved the proposed changes. Following this, the general membership of the GTFWC voted, and also resoundingly approved.

What this means for the Tech community is simply this: Anyone with an interest in joining the GTFWC is now able to. Members can participate in annual events, such as the Fall Open House, Holiday Party, and Spring Luncheon, as well as participate in a host of Special Interest Groups, which include day and night book clubs, French and Spanish conversation groups, lunch groups, and a host of others.

The club has been active since its first iteration in the 1920s and offers activities that draw community members together for friendship and shared passions and interests. The club exists to promote the values of friendship, service, and scholarship. Community service activities are ongoing, and every year, scholarships are awarded to Georgia Tech students with a parent who is employed at Georgia Tech.

Annual membership is $50. To join, download an application form at www.gtfwc.org. Any questions can be directed to gtfwc1921@gmail.com.

The opening event for the 2018-19 year will be an Open House at Barcelona Wine Bar – Westside Ironworks on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RSVP to gtfwc1921@gmail.com by Sept. 20 to attend.

Summary sentence

The Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club (GTFWC) was originally formed as a social group for wives of male faculty members.

Summary

The Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club (GTFWC) was originally formed as a social group for wives of male faculty members.

Dateline

Tue, 09/04/2018 - 12:00

Contact

Sandra Song

Georgia Tech Faculty Women's Club

Keywords

Faculty Women's Club

GTFWC

whistle

News room topics

Campus and Community

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Campus Connection Inspires Mother and Son to Find Purpose and Passion

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Faculty Women’s Club Opens Membership to All Employees

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