Student Stories
Student Stories
Learn more about our students
Hometown
Braselton, GA
Degree Programs
UGA School of Public and International Affairs, Master of Public Administration, Graduation
date of August 2025
B.A. Criminal Justice and Sociology, University of Georgia, graduated May 2024
Position at the UGA Institute of Government
Graduate Research Assistant, Governmental Training, Education, and Development division
Career Goals
After I graduate with my MPA, I hope to pursue a career in federal law enforcement.
I have always been interested in law enforcement, and I believe that working at the
federal level would be a great fit for me.
Why did you want to serve at the UGA Institute of Government? What makes you excited
about your work?
I was initially encouraged to apply to the student worker position at the UGA Institute
of Government by a former student worker who spoke highly of the experience. Once
I began my role as a student worker, I quickly felt the supportive environment at
the UGA Institute of Government as everyone is eager to help one another. Now, as
a Graduate Research Assistant, I find great enthusiasm in my work, as I am treated
as an equal among faculty and staff. I am actively included in various projects, allowing
me to witness the impact I’m making in Georgia's cities and counties.
What have you learned through your work at the UGA Institute of Government?
Over the last few years, I have vastly expanded my knowledge of the various levels
of government in Georgia. It has been rewarding to witness the growth of cities and
counties throughout the state, particularly as a result of the assistance provided
by the UGA Institute of Government. My experiences have given me a profound appreciation
for the dedication and effort required to build a successful and thriving community.
What advice would you give to a student who is considering working with the UGA Institute
of Government?
I cannot recommend working at the UGA Institute of Government enough. The people are
kind. In fact, I loved it so much that I came back as a GRA after being a student
worker! Working at the UGA Institute of Government will challenge you to expand your
understanding of the various levels of government in Georgia, but it is so rewarding.
The connections I have made here are invaluable and will last a lifetime.
The UGA Institute of Government is proud of our undergraduate and graduate students. These students spent the summer working in internships, research and other projects.
Emily Strange, CyberArch Intern, served as a third party risk consulting intern with Crowe in Atlanta.
Dakota Corry, Governmental Training, Education and Development, worked as a sales intern with Motion Industries.
Micah Shannon, Workforce and Economic Development, worked part time for the Institute of Government as a student assistant within the Applied Demography unit, helping prepare Population Projections for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.
Margaret Hart, PROPEL Rural Scholar, served as a legislative intern in the Office of Senator Warnock working with the Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Banking legislative teams.
Carter Reed, Government Services and Research, worked part time for the Institute of Government assisting with ongoing projects.
Biljana (Biba) Birac, Survey Research and Evaluation Support, will present at the Science of Team Science 2024 Virtual Conference in late July alongside Dr. Karen DeMeester and Erik Thompson. Their presentation is titled Utilization-Focused Evaluation Approaches in Team Science: An Evaluation of the NSF-funded Center for Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP).
Two Institute of Government student employees were named as UGA Student Employees of the Year. Garrison Taylor, a graduate research assistant with the Infrastructure and Community Resilience division, was awarded Graduate Student Employee of the Year, and Hannah Brown received runner-up for the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award. An additional four students from the Institute of Government were recognized as Top 100 UGA Student Employees of the Year honorees: Disha Adama, Hayat Abdulla Asad Cue, Kailani Restrepo and Micah Shannon.
Hometown
Jefferson, GA
Degree Program
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology with neuroscience emphasis, Spanish minor, May 2024
Position at the UGA Institute of Government
Student Employee, Survey Research and Evaluation Support division
Career Goals
I want to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and explore culturally informed treatment plans for marginalized communities. Through research, I aspire to continue making direct impacts in individuals' lives and amplify the voices of those unheard.
Why did you want to serve at the UGA Institute of Government? What makes you excited about your work?
Curious to see how research was applied in the workforce, I sought out employment working at the Institute of Government. During my time in SRES, I quickly learned the efforts it took to create an instrument that yields meaningful data. I was able to apply what I was learning in class to the workforce, and that overlap ignited my curiosity for research.
What has been your most memorable experience during your time at the UGA Institute of Government?
In January, I served as a Data Hub instructor and presented on the importance of knowing your audience. I crafted a presentation from scratch and delivered the information in a setting I was not used to. This experience was the most memorable for me because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to try something new. Opportunities like this fuel my excitement to grow as a young professional.
What advice do you have for students considering working at the UGA Institute of Government?
Your experience is what you make of it, put yourself out there and seek opportunities! Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Hometown
Fitzgerald, GA
Degree Program
Terry College of Business, Major in Accounting, Certificates in Entrepreneurship and
Personal and Organizational Leadership, Pre-Dental, Graduation date of December 2025
Position at the UGA Institute of Government
PROPEL Rural Scholar
Career Goals
Upon my graduation from dental school, I plan to open a series of general practice
dental offices in rural locations across South Georgia. I hope to create hundreds
of jobs, boost the economies of small, rural towns, and practice unparalleled dentistry
through innovations in culture and leadership.
Why did you want to serve at the UGA Institute of Government? What makes you excited
about your work?
I applied to the PROPEL Rural Scholars Program to gain an understanding of rural towns
that surpassed the knowledge received from growing up in a small, homogeneous area.
While growing up in a small town greatly influenced who I am today, I wanted to experience
what it was like to take my knowledge and skills acquired through college classes
and apply them to the areas that mean the most to me. The PROPEL program has made
that possible by allowing me to use my expertise to give a small town the love and
attention it needs through targeted projects. I enjoy my work with the PROPEL program,
as it provides me with an opportunity to gain a glimpse of how I can strategically
impact rural areas whenever I open my dental practices. My teammates, leaders, and
supporting staff make our work more than purposeful and impactful, driving enthusiasm
and motivation.
What has been your most memorable experience during your time at the UGA Institute
of Government?
My most memorable experience while serving as a PROPEL Rural Scholar has been taking
a trip to Baxley, Georgia to get a feel of what “life is like” in a rural area. Coming
to college, surrounded by students from Atlanta, made me feel as if I missed out on
incredible opportunities that weren’t available to me in my small town. However, changing
perspectives and taking on a consultant role in a town so similar to my own has made
me abundantly grateful for the area in which I grew up. I enjoyed traveling to Baxley,
speaking to the city’s incredibly talented workforce, and exploring the hidden gems
that make Baxley what it is today. Experiences like these are what excite me about
the work that lies ahead of me this semester and push me to give the heart of Georgia
my all!
Halle presented to the House Rural Development Council about her experience in the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government PROPEL Rural Scholars program.