Amber Patterson Named College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumna at VSU

Valdosta State University recently honored Amber Patterson with the 2022 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumna Award. She is pictured with Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of VSU.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University recently honored Amber Patterson with the 2022 James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumna Award.

“Going back for Homecoming weekend really inspired me to spread the word about what a great place VSU is to go to college,” she said. “More people should consider Valdosta as an option. It is a safe environment and the courses and professors are incredible. There are so many kids out there who would love VSU. You don’t have to go to an Ivy League school to have a successful career.”

Patterson earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education, with a focus on history, government, and economics, in 1998. She then continued her education at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, graduating with honors in 2004.

Patterson was appointed judge of the Cobb County Juvenile Court in 2016. She also serves as chairwoman of the Federal CAPTA Children’s Justice Act Taskforce for Georgia, chairwoman for the Georgia Supreme Court’s Justice for Children Court Improvement Initiative Program, and presiding judge of the Cobb County Juvenile Drug Court.  

Prior to her role with the Cobb County Juvenile Court, Patterson served as a Juvenile Court and Superior Court guardian ad litem attorney in Cobb County and was the designated guardian ad litem attorney for the Cobb County Family Dependency Treatment Court. She previously served in Fulton County as a child advocate attorney, as a legal extern with the CASA Program, as a staff attorney for the chief judge of Fulton County Juvenile Court, and as an associate special assistant attorneys general.

Patterson is a frequent speaker on juvenile law and child advocacy. She has served as presiding judge of the Cobb County Juvenile Court, on the Georgia Supreme Court’s Committee on Improving Community Access to Legal Resources and the Standing Committee on Interpreters, and as the elected district representative for the Council of Juvenile Court Judges.

Patterson lives in Marietta Georgia, with her husband and two children. She gives back to her community as a member of the Cobb County Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, as a Girl Scouts of the USA troop leader, and as a Boy Scouts of America Law Merit Badge Day host. She and her family are foodies who love to travel when they have the time.

Q: What are some highlights from your Valdosta State experience?

A: I took some great classes there — standards for education majors, like Juvenile Psychology, and some uncommon ones, like Gubernatorial Elections in the South. I loved my time in the “dorm” and, of course, my sorority, Chi Omega. But the biggest highlight was the people there. The staff was incredible and the friends I made there are lifelong.

Q: What advice do you have for current Valdosta State students? What do you wish someone had told you when you were in college?

A: Soak it all in! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live with your friends and have fun. All you have to do is get good grades and stay out of trouble. What a bargain.