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 four grandchildren.
Christy Vena
Senior Admissions Coordinator
Christy has a passion for faith formation in children. As a mom to four girls, Christy has spent the last 17 years focused on shepherding the hearts of her own. When the opportunity was presented to join the residential team part-time, she accepted and quickly grew to love the SHA students and staff. SHA fostered a deeper commitment to intentionality in her own family and a burden for the families of those we serve. When asked to consider working full-time in Admissions in May 2017, the Lord began to affirm a call to be a voice of help and hope.
With a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Toccoa Falls College and experience as a teacher, at-risk program director, and Direct Care staff here at SHA, Christy recognizes the complexity of choosing a residential program for your child. She is committed to helping families evaluate the details of educational, therapeutic, and residential values.
Christy and Chris reside in Toccoa, Georgia with their girls: Cadie, Jordyn, Maggie, and Emi. They enjoy exploring the trails and rivers of NE Georgia, involvement in local soccer, and the community of Toccoa Falls College.
Hilary Brown
Admissions Coordinator
Hilary received two degrees from North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville, GA. In 2007, she obtained her first degree in Commercial Photography. In 2011, she obtained an associate degree in Environmental Horticulture. She graduated with honors both times, was in the National Technical Honor Society, and was a Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) recipient in 2010.
Hilary enjoys serving our country’s youth and believes that teens are in need of positive, older role models that can show them the love of Christ. Serving in her church, Hilary has worked with youth since 2015 in the preschool and middle school ministries. She also served in the media department for three years; one of those years she was the department leader. In 2017, she began training the youth who are interested in learning the media department. She also gets the opportunity to work with youth through various outreaches and community events that are hosted by her church.
She is a native of North Georgia and was raised by her parents. She is a middle child and has a younger sister and older brother. Her family grew up with a myriad of animal companions. She has a huge interest in taking in stray animals that always seem to find a place in her heart and in her family.
In her spare time, Hilary enjoys reading, writing, drawing, gardening, and taking photos. She also likes hiking, taking road trips, and crocheting.
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.
