Admissions Team
The Shepherd’s Hill Academy admissions team provides a personal experience while guiding prospective parents through the admissions process. All of our admissions team members have worked in the residential part of the program and can give parents great insight into what their teen might experience while enrolled in our program. Our admissions team is ready to answer any questions you have. Contact them today by calling 706-779-5766 or Inquire online.
Beth Embry
Founder/Director of Admissions
Trace and Beth Embry have a heart and a passion for the parents and youth of today’s culture. Trace and Beth began their married life in the Chicago area in 1980. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college and extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens.
Shepherd’s Hill Academy was founded in 1994. The Embrys live on campus and minister and counsel each resident, along with a large professional staff. Trace and Beth have five children of their own and six grandchildren.
Desiree Colon
Senior Admissions Coordinator
Desiree attended Lee University in Cleveland, TN to study Pre-Med for two and a half years.
While she was in elementary school, Desiree’s father was a youth pastor. This experience enhanced her ability to work with and be involved with youth.
Desiree understands how difficult and confusing it can be in today’s culture to be a teenager. She realizes there are so many changes that occur during the teenage years and how they need a mentor to help them navigate through dark times. This is why she is dedicated to serving both parents and teens to help point them to God.
She is the youngest of five kids and she has 13 nieces and nephews. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves Disney, going to movies, traveling, and going on spontaneous trips.
Fun Fact: Desiree would love to travel to all the continents!
Alica Chapman
Admissions Coordinator
Alica attended Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC to study Business Management and Accounting for two years.
Alica knows that helping teens become successful will in return help to assure that we will increase our chances of living in a successful world. One of her favorite quotes to aspire to: “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you will help them become what they are capable of becoming.” – Unknown
Alica has been married to her husband Brent for 12 years. They have two wonderful grandchildren. She also has three siblings, and 12 nieces and nephews.
For enjoyment, Alica likes to take cruises on cruise liners. She also enjoys crafting, singing, and hiking to waterfalls.
Fun Fact: Alica loves dogs!
Breanna Kowalski
Profile Manager
Breanna has a bachelor’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA. She has worked with youth since 2009. Breanna works as the Insurance Contact for Shepherd’s Hill Academy. She works directly with S&J Health Insurance Advocates to provide billing and services for the therapeutic component of our program. Breanna also ensures that all of our student profiles are up to date and meet state requirements.
She knows the teenage years are the most formative and confusing years for adolescents and realizes godly guidance is most priceless during this time. Her desire to invest time helping young people stems from the love that was poured into her from others which shaped her into a woman of God.
Breanna is married to her husband, Mike, and they have been married since the beginning of 2013. They have one daughter. Breanna enjoys soccer, photography, playing sports, the outdoors, and traveling.
