Unlocking Opportunities Through Graduate Assistantships
In the second episode of Season One of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner Anderson welcomes Maddie Hommey B.S. ’21, M.S. ’22, a proud Double Lancer and Health & Physical Education alum whose Longwood journey embodies resilience, leadership, and the power of embracing opportunity.
Maddie reflects on her path from undergraduate student-athlete to graduate assistant, sharing how an ACL injury redirected her plans and ultimately opened the door to pursue her master’s degree in Health & Physical Education. Through a graduate assistantship in marketing, she gained valuable professional experience outside her discipline, diversifying her skills and forging mentorships that continue to shape her career.
Beyond the classroom, Maddie stayed deeply engaged with the Longwood community. As a member of the women’s soccer team and representative on the NCAA National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she learned to balance competing priorities and thrive in what she calls “organized chaos.” These experiences cultivated a strong sense of leadership and advocacy that now informs both her teaching and her service.
Today, Maddie is in her first year as a health and physical education teacher, while continuing to wear many hats as a soccer referee, marketer, mentor, and citizen leader. She reflects on how her additional year at Longwood, made possible by her graduate assistantship, broadened her horizons and shaped her career trajectory. Her story highlights the transformative power of graduate assistantships and the lasting influence of the Longwood community.
This episode is filled with themes of perseverance, mentorship, and giving back, offering inspiration to students and alumni alike.
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Creators and Guests
Host
Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson
Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson serves as Assistant Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, as well as Associate Professor and Program Director of Educational Leadership. A former principal, assistant principal, middle- and high-school English teacher, department and grade-level chair, high-school coach, and club sponsor, Dr. Tanner-Anderson has spent nearly two decades serving and supporting public education in the Commonwealth. A proud Longwood Lancer, Dr. Tanner-Anderson obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English ('02) and Master of Arts in English, Education, and Writing ('07) from Longwood University. She earned her Post Master's Administrative Certification ('11) and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Policy Studies ('14) from The George Washington University. Her research interests include women's educational leadership, social justice in education, and literacy leadership.
Producer
Jamie Eacho
Jamie Eacho holds the title of Director of Marketing and Recruitment in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) at Longwood University. Starting out five years ago as the Marketing Specialist for CGPS, Jamie has grown her love for Longwood and her desire to help prospective students find the graduate program of their dreams. While her marketing journey started as the Marketing Manager for Campus Recreation at Roanoke College, and took her to Washington D.C. marketing for the Washington Nationals, and then out to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, marketing for a hospital, she has always held a special place in her heart for working with and for students. As an alumna of Roanoke College, having obtained her Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in 2017, her passion for small Virginia schools and the value that they can add to students’ lives runs deep.
Guest
Madison Hommey
Health and Physical Education Teacher, Jefferson Forest High School (BS’21, MS’22) Health & Physical Education M.S: Maddie Hommey, an adept educator and enthusiastic athlete, currently serves as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County, VA. Her journey as an educator and her active engagement in various roles reflect her commitment to education and community involvement. Maddie is a proud Longwood University alumna, holding a Master of Science in Health and Physical Education (May 2022) and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Education (May 2021). As a student-athlete she received many awards and recognitions, for academics, athletics, leadership, and service. Now, she proudly serves on the Longwood Graduate Alumni Collaborative. With a robust work background, Maddie has excelled in roles such as Marketing Assistant at Longwood College of Graduate and Professional Services (formally Marketing Graduate Assistant), Social Media Manager for FC Frederick, Remote Teacher at Elevate K12, Camp Counselor at Camp Augusta, Longwood Athletics Compliance Assistant and Marketing and Communications Student Worker, Substitute Teacher, NCAA Soccer Referee, and beyond. Maddie's leadership roles, including serving as the Big South National SAAC Representative and Student Athlete Advisory Committee President at Longwood University, showcase her commitment to student welfare and advocacy. She actively engages in service activities, volunteering for Autism on the Seas, formerly Special Olympics, Alternative Breaks, and other community events, embodying her dedication to making a positive impact beyond the classroom or field.
