Staff Member Prioritizes Respect and Understanding in Her Work With Students

Tiffany Ntuli earned her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics to become a math teacher. After realizing teaching wasn’t the right path for her, she still wanted a way to support students, leading her to a career in higher education.

Ntuli, who’s been with the School of Computer Science (SCS) for 11 years, was recently promoted from academic program coordinator to academic program manager.

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For Ntuli, no two days are the same. She helps SCS students with admissions, tuition waivers, course permits, funding letters, visas, and more.

When Ntuli started at Georgia Tech, she went from working with five student assistants in her previous role at Emory University to helping over 150 students at SCS. Although initially nervous, Nutli said the main thing she learned during this time was the value of patience.

“Learning patience with myself and with the students was important. Most students are international, so I think ‘If I were going to a totally different country that I’ve never been to, how would I want to be treated?’ So, I try to give them the same respect and understanding that I would want,” she said.

Nutli added that working with students daily is still her favorite part of her job after over a decade.

“I get to work with new students every year,” she said. “I enjoy seeing them come in and eventually seeing them graduate knowing that I admitted them.”

One of the most memorable students Ntuli worked with was Alan Nussbaum, who notably earned his Ph.D. at the age of 72.

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“He always appreciated everything I did during his time as a student. We connected over our families, and he would give me advice about my kids. He still keeps in touch and reaches out at least twice a semester,” said Ntuli.

SCS School Administrative Officer Kelly Rockwell called Ntuli’s determination and commitment to student success “inspiring.” 

“She approaches every challenge with patience, empathy, and a deep understanding of what students need to thrive. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team,” Rockwell said.

Ntuli is also a member of the College of Computing’s new Team CREU (Cultivating Relationships, Encouraging Unity). The group holds monthly events for College employees to promote wellness and community.

“It’s been a great opportunity to get out of my office and meet more people in the College. I’ve really enjoyed participating and helping plan the events,” she said.

Outside of work, Ntuli spends her time focused on family. She has three daughters, aged 16, 10, and 4, who are all involved in extracurricular activities that Ntuli prioritizes making time for.

Ntuli said she and her family also value travel. She and her husband have made it a tradition to plan an international trip as a Christmas present for their children. So far, they’ve visited Costa Rica, Paris, and the Dominican Republic. They plan to visit South Africa this year.

“Christmas is so commercialized now, so instead of buying gifts, we want to give them something they’ll always remember. We want to show them other places to teach them about different people and cultures,” she said.

Ntuli 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.