40 UNDER 40
Our sponsors serve as a vital source of support for this program. With levels ranging from $500 to $2,500, sponsorship gives you exposure to more than 150,000 alumni worldwide.
Eligible nominees must:
- Be under the age of 40 as of Dec. 31, 2023
- Have earned an undergraduate, graduate or associate degree from Georgia State University (Perimeter College included)
- Exhibit and embrace the core values and mission of Georgia State University
- Demonstrate a lifelong commitment to Georgia State University
- Have made a significant impact in their industry and community
- Submit a headshot, if selected, that can be published by units within Georgia State University
To nominate an alum online, you will need: (1) his/her contact information, (2) graduation year/degree and (3) a brief statement of endorsement. The nomination process should not take more than 5 minutes.
No, self-nominations will not be considered.
No, you do not need to contact the individuals you nominate, unless you prefer to do so. Once an alum is nominated, the online system will automatically generate a response to the nominee with detailed instructions and an invitation to apply for the award. All nominees must complete the full application for consideration.
No, due to the sheer number of nominations and to maintain an ethical selection process, nominations will only be considered if they are submitted through the online portal.
The deadline to nominate an alum for the Class of 2024 is Friday, Sept. 22 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Only those nominated will receive an emailed invitation with application instructions. If the nominee would like to accept the nomination, the deadline for a nominee to submit his/her application is Friday, Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Yes, you may nominate as many alumni as you wish.
Yes, eligible nominees have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from Georgia State University (Perimeter College included).
Alumni nominated for the award must be under the age of 40 as of Dec. 31, 2023.
No, the individual must have graduated from Georgia State (or any of the Perimeter College campuses when nominated).
Congratulations! Now that you have been nominated, you must submit a complete application prior to the submission deadline. You can find a link to the online application in your nomination notification email. The deadline for a nominee to complete his/her application is Monday, Nov. 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The application process can take up to 45 minutes with a 2-hour time limit. You may save your information and come back later with your login information, however once you hit “submit,” you may not make future edits to your application.
Membership is no longer a requirement to receive this award. While we always appreciate those who have maintained their loyalty to the Alumni Association through Membership, this is not a requirement.
No, nominees only need to submit ONE application for 40 Under 40 despite multiple nominations. Multiple nominations do not necessarily increase your likelihood of receiving the award.
The application process can take up to 45 minutes with a 2-hour time limit. You may save your information and come back later with your login information, however once you hit “submit,” you may not make future edits to your application.
The application requires you to submit your contact information including graduation and employment details, along with the following:
- A hi-resolution photograph (at least 1000 pixels on shortest dimension). Do not crop the photo; extreme close ups cause issues on our end.
- Your CV/Resume
- An up-to-date bio
- Responses to four short-answer questions. It is strongly encouraged to prepare your short-answer responses offline in case of unforeseen technical difficulties. You may save your information and come back later with your login information, however once you “submit,” you may not make future edits to your application.
Technical questions about navigating Reviewr? [email protected] can help.
All 40 Under 40 nominees who apply will be notified of their award status no later than Dec. 15. The public announcement will release in Jan. 2024.
2023 CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS
PAST HONOREES
DAVONNE REAVES
B.S. ‘10 / CLASS OF 2022
Davonne Reaves is an award-winning hotel consultant, hospitality trailblazer and the owner of three hotels. She is on a mission to empower underrepresented communities to access investment opportunities in the hospitality industry. As the Founder and CEO of the Atlanta-based hospitality firm, The Vonne Group, Reaves teaches the Black community how to become successful hotel investors and owners. Full story.
CARRA PATTERSON
B.A. ‘06 / CLASS OF 2020
Carra Patterson is a bona fide actor on the stage and screen. She can do drama: She portrayed Eazy-E’s wife in “Straight Outta Compton.” She’s on Broadway: She originated the character Rena in the premiere of the 2017 Tony Award-winning production of “Jitney.” And she’s funny: In the new Disney+ series “Turner and Hooch,” she plays a wise-cracking buddy cop. Oh, and she played that role while pregnant and in the middle of the pandemic. Full story.
WIL LUTZ
B.A. '17 / CLASS OF 2020
When Wil Lutz arrived at Georgia State in the spring of 2012, he was a skinny walk-on football player with braces on his teeth. Since then, he’s gone on to become one of the best placekickers in the National Football League. In 2019, the New Orleans Saints star made it to his first Pro-Bowl. He finished his college career as Georgia State’s leader in games played, field goals and extra points made, and overall points scored. Full story.
ALAINA PERCIVAL
B.I.S. '02, MBA '08 / CLASS OF 2019
Alaina Percival is on a mission. As CEO of Women Who Code, she’s helping women break the glass ceiling in the tech industry. Among the organization’s 167,000 members worldwide, 80 percent report that it has helped them advance in their careers. When Percival talks about Women Who Code’s ultimate goal, her answer is surprising, but makes perfect sense. “We want to put ourselves out of business,” she says. Full story.
IGNACIO MONTOYA
B.B.A. '14 / CLASS OF 2020
After a horrific motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the chest down, Ignacio Montoya began developing one of the most advanced paralysis recovery therapies ever attempted. Montoya is his own patient, and he plans to walk again. After that, he intends to fly — and he’s shooting for the stars. He’s on NASA’s highly qualified applicant list to become an astronaut and he hopes to go to space as soon as this year. Full story.
LILLIE MADALI
M.P.A. '13 / CLASS OF 2020
Cities aren’t born smart. Smart people like Lillie Madali make them that way. Madali is the director of Atlanta’s Smart City Program where she leads efforts to leverage technology for more efficient operations, faster and better services, and governmental transparency. When she’s not working to improve how Atlanta works, she’s a DJ (she once performed for President Barack Obama) and podcast host. Full story.
