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Spring 2022

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A Lasting Partnership

Department of Public Administration and Policy Helps Former CVIOG Korean Visitor Program Find a New Home, Continuing a 25-year Partnership with the Government of South Korea

Read the Full Story »

Building Value

UGA’s status as a land-grant university allows for special relationships between academic departments and Public Service and Outreach (PSO) units, through which the academic lessons of public administration are applied to real-life state and local challenges. One such unit is J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, founded in 1982 to strengthen Georgia communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development, training, and education. Over the years, this partnership has built value for students, faculty, and the community.

Read the Full Story »

Featured Articles

 

Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring

Gallagher is a senior lecturer in the School of Public and International Affairs’ department of international affairs and the director of the Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program in the Center for International Trade and Security. With deep-rooted research interests in American foreign policy, decision-making and gender in international relations, her background might surprise you.

 

SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs

The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Georgia ranks among the top tier Public Affairs Graduate Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023 rankings released on March 29th, SPIA is No. 3 in the nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs, the highest the school has ranked since 2004.

 

International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant

SPIA’s Department of International Affairs has won a three-year grant from the Israel Institute, worth more than $230,000, to support courses and programming on modern Israel. The grant will fund the hire of a scholar on modern Israel, Dr. Eli Sperling, currently a postdoctoral associate in the Duke University Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Sperling will be responsible for teaching four undergraduate-level courses and organizing at least four academic/community events per year.

Alumni News

Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path
Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path
Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path

Emily Ann Munnell

A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle
A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle
A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle

Caroline Paczkowski

40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez
40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez
40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez

Melody Herrington

A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia
A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia
A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia

Lauren Ledbetter

As Miss Georgia and a current PhD student in the Department of Political Science, Karson Pennington knows a thing or two about wearing many hats — or in her case, crowns.

Karson was crowned Miss Georgia in June 2021 and soon after, she began the second year of her doctoral program at SPIA where she is studying American politics with a focus in judicial politics. She is interested in studying the intersectionality of gender and law at the federal state court levels. In her role as Miss Georgia, Karson spends her time advancing the goals of the Miss America Organization while also promoting literacy in Athens-Clarke County.

During Homecoming week, Karson took over the SPIA Instagram account to show us what a day in the life of a full-time student and Miss Georgia is like.

Karson starts her day with a cup of coffee in a UGA Homecoming mug while hosting virtual office hours for students in her POLS1101E class.

8:00 – 9:30 am | Office Hours for POLS 1101E

As a PhD student, Karson works as a teaching assistant for an introductory political science course. She holds virtual office hours for students to pop in to ask questions about class or upcoming assignments.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm |  Attend Class

Karson gets ready for the day before attending her class, Modern Political Thought, where the discussion focused on Montesquieu, liberty and the perfect form of government.

12:00 – 1:00 pm | SPIA Graduate Networking Lunch

After class, she attends “The Hidden Curriculum of Academia” event hosted by the SPIA Graduate Student Association where panelists discussed comprehensive exams and the importance of leaning on your cohort while in graduate school. 

After class, Karson attends a panel discussion on the “Hidden Curriculum of Academia” with other doctoral students in her cohort.

1:30 – 3:00 pm |  Work from home on Miss Georgia duties

Much of the work of Miss Georgia is behind the scenes and includes sending emails to legislators and educators, scheduling meetings and appearances, training to become a Real Talk Ambassador and preparing programs to educate Georgians on topics like substance abuse and literacy. 

3:00 – 4:30 pm  | Get ready for Homecoming parade

5:00 – 5:30 pm | Judge Homecoming Parade floats

6:00 – 7:00 pm | Ride in UGA Homecoming Parade

COVID prevented Karson from riding in the Homecoming Parade as Miss UGA, so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to ride in the parade as Miss Georgia.

8:00 pm | Dinner with Family

Karson ends her busy day at dinner with friends and family at George’s Low Country Table, one of her favorite restaurants in Athens. 

Read More >

David Dove: The Problem Solver
David Dove: The Problem Solver
David Dove: The Problem Solver

Alex Shimalla

40 under 40: Harin Contractor
40 under 40: Harin Contractor
40 under 40: Harin Contractor

Melody Herrington

Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts
Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts
Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts

Ireland Hayes

Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers
Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers
Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers

Hayley Major

40 under 40: Cody Hall
40 under 40: Cody Hall
40 under 40: Cody Hall

Melody Herrington

UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making
UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making
UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making

Megan Gerken

Previous Next
Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path
Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path
Finding a mentor shaped student’s career path

Emily Ann Munnell

A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle
A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle
A Fateful Reunion: Bulldog 100 Brings Two Stories Full Circle

Caroline Paczkowski

40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez
40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez
40 under 40: Victoria Sanchez

Melody Herrington

A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia
A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia
A Day in the Life of Miss Georgia

Lauren Ledbetter

As Miss Georgia and a current PhD student in the Department of Political Science, Karson Pennington knows a thing or two about wearing many hats — or in her case, crowns.

Karson was crowned Miss Georgia in June 2021 and soon after, she began the second year of her doctoral program at SPIA where she is studying American politics with a focus in judicial politics. She is interested in studying the intersectionality of gender and law at the federal state court levels. In her role as Miss Georgia, Karson spends her time advancing the goals of the Miss America Organization while also promoting literacy in Athens-Clarke County.

During Homecoming week, Karson took over the SPIA Instagram account to show us what a day in the life of a full-time student and Miss Georgia is like.

Karson starts her day with a cup of coffee in a UGA Homecoming mug while hosting virtual office hours for students in her POLS1101E class.

8:00 – 9:30 am | Office Hours for POLS 1101E

As a PhD student, Karson works as a teaching assistant for an introductory political science course. She holds virtual office hours for students to pop in to ask questions about class or upcoming assignments.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm |  Attend Class

Karson gets ready for the day before attending her class, Modern Political Thought, where the discussion focused on Montesquieu, liberty and the perfect form of government.

12:00 – 1:00 pm | SPIA Graduate Networking Lunch

After class, she attends “The Hidden Curriculum of Academia” event hosted by the SPIA Graduate Student Association where panelists discussed comprehensive exams and the importance of leaning on your cohort while in graduate school. 

After class, Karson attends a panel discussion on the “Hidden Curriculum of Academia” with other doctoral students in her cohort.

1:30 – 3:00 pm |  Work from home on Miss Georgia duties

Much of the work of Miss Georgia is behind the scenes and includes sending emails to legislators and educators, scheduling meetings and appearances, training to become a Real Talk Ambassador and preparing programs to educate Georgians on topics like substance abuse and literacy. 

3:00 – 4:30 pm  | Get ready for Homecoming parade

5:00 – 5:30 pm | Judge Homecoming Parade floats

6:00 – 7:00 pm | Ride in UGA Homecoming Parade

COVID prevented Karson from riding in the Homecoming Parade as Miss UGA, so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to ride in the parade as Miss Georgia.

8:00 pm | Dinner with Family

Karson ends her busy day at dinner with friends and family at George’s Low Country Table, one of her favorite restaurants in Athens. 

Read More >

David Dove: The Problem Solver
David Dove: The Problem Solver
David Dove: The Problem Solver

Alex Shimalla

40 under 40: Harin Contractor
40 under 40: Harin Contractor
40 under 40: Harin Contractor

Melody Herrington

Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts
Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts
Jill Rulli: The Thought That Counts

Ireland Hayes

Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers
Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers
Rara Reines: Homegrown Groundbreakers

Hayley Major

40 under 40: Cody Hall
40 under 40: Cody Hall
40 under 40: Cody Hall

Melody Herrington

UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making
UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making
UGA’s MPA Program: Fifty-five years in the making

Megan Gerken

Previous Next

School & Faculty News

Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC
Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC
Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC

Melody Herrington

Turning Concern into Change
Turning Concern into Change
Turning Concern into Change

Caroline Paczkowski

A Lasting Partnership
A Lasting Partnership
A Lasting Partnership

Melody Herrington

Department of Public Administration and Policy Helps Former CVIOG Korean Visitor Program Find a New Home, Continuing a 25-year Partnership with the Government of South Korea

Read More >

Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action
Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action
Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action

Leigh Beeson

New research from the University of Georgia suggests Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the U.S. has existing defense treaties with those nations. The U.S. doesn’t have such an arrangement with Ukraine, so it would probably be difficult to drum up support for military action to defend the nation.

Read More >

Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring
Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring
Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring

Caroline Paczkowski

Gallagher is a senior lecturer in the School of Public and International Affairs’ department of international affairs and the director of the Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program in the Center for International Trade and Security. With deep-rooted research interests in American foreign policy, decision-making and gender in international relations, her background might surprise you.

Read More >

International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant
International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant
International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant

Melody Herrington

SPIA’s Department of International Affairs has won a three-year grant from the Israel Institute, worth more than $230,000, to support courses and programming on modern Israel. The grant will fund the hire of a scholar on modern Israel, Dr. Eli Sperling, currently a postdoctoral associate in the Duke University Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Sperling will be responsible for teaching four undergraduate-level courses and organizing at least four academic/community events per year.

Read More >

SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs
SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs
SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs

Caroline Paczkowski

The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Georgia ranks among the top tier Public Affairs Graduate Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023 rankings released on March 29th, SPIA is No. 3 in the nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs, the highest the school has ranked since 2004.

Read More >

Building Value
Building Value
Building Value

Melody Herrington

UGA’s status as a land-grant university allows for special relationships between academic departments and Public Service and Outreach (PSO) units, through which the academic lessons of public administration are applied to real-life state and local challenges. One such unit is J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, founded in 1982 to strengthen Georgia communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development, training, and education. Over the years, this partnership has built value for students, faculty, and the community.

Read More >

SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts
SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts
SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts

Jill Hamilton

University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
Previous Next
Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC
Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC
Herding Scientists: A Story of Failed Reform at the CDC

Melody Herrington

Turning Concern into Change
Turning Concern into Change
Turning Concern into Change

Caroline Paczkowski

A Lasting Partnership
A Lasting Partnership
A Lasting Partnership

Melody Herrington

Department of Public Administration and Policy Helps Former CVIOG Korean Visitor Program Find a New Home, Continuing a 25-year Partnership with the Government of South Korea

Read More >

Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action
Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action
Defense Treaties Affect Support of Military Action

Leigh Beeson

New research from the University of Georgia suggests Americans are more supportive of military action in foreign countries when the U.S. has existing defense treaties with those nations. The U.S. doesn’t have such an arrangement with Ukraine, so it would probably be difficult to drum up support for military action to defend the nation.

Read More >

Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring
Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring
Finding her passion through teaching and mentoring

Caroline Paczkowski

Gallagher is a senior lecturer in the School of Public and International Affairs’ department of international affairs and the director of the Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program in the Center for International Trade and Security. With deep-rooted research interests in American foreign policy, decision-making and gender in international relations, her background might surprise you.

Read More >

International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant
International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant
International Affairs Professor Awarded Israel Institute Grant

Melody Herrington

SPIA’s Department of International Affairs has won a three-year grant from the Israel Institute, worth more than $230,000, to support courses and programming on modern Israel. The grant will fund the hire of a scholar on modern Israel, Dr. Eli Sperling, currently a postdoctoral associate in the Duke University Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Sperling will be responsible for teaching four undergraduate-level courses and organizing at least four academic/community events per year.

Read More >

SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs
SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs
SPIA Ranks #3 in the Nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs

Caroline Paczkowski

The School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Georgia ranks among the top tier Public Affairs Graduate Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023 rankings released on March 29th, SPIA is No. 3 in the nation for Public Affairs Graduate Programs, the highest the school has ranked since 2004.

Read More >

Building Value
Building Value
Building Value

Melody Herrington

UGA’s status as a land-grant university allows for special relationships between academic departments and Public Service and Outreach (PSO) units, through which the academic lessons of public administration are applied to real-life state and local challenges. One such unit is J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, founded in 1982 to strengthen Georgia communities, organizations, and individuals through leadership development, training, and education. Over the years, this partnership has built value for students, faculty, and the community.

Read More >

SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts
SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts
SPIA Student among the first female Eagle Scouts

Jill Hamilton

University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
University of Georgia Regents’ Professor Emeritus Loch Johnson Receives 2022 President’s Medal
Previous Next

#

Public Affairs Graduate School (U.S. News and World Report)

th

most popular major on campus (International Affairs)

Study Abroad Programs

#

Public Administration Program in the world (Shanghai Rankings of Global Universities)

%

placement rate within 6 months of graduation.

#

Public Management and Leadership Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

#

Public Budgeting and Finance Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

#

Local Government Management Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

Previous Next

#

Public Affairs Graduate School (U.S. News and World Report)

th

most popular major on campus (International Affairs)

Study Abroad Programs

#

Public Administration Program in the world (Shanghai Rankings of Global Universities)

%

placement rate within 6 months of graduation.

#

Public Management and Leadership Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

#

Public Budgeting and Finance Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

#

Local Government Management Specialization (U.S. News & World Report)

Previous Next

School of Public & International Affairs | The University of Georgia
204 Candler Hall
Athens, GA 30602

706/542-4114 (Academic Advisement)
706/542-2059 (Office of the Dean)
[email protected]

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