Schoolwide Archives - ��è��Ƶ

Piecing Together ��è��Ƶ’s History: The Story Behind the Cover of the 25th Anniversary Magazine

Caroline Paczkowski — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:15:45 +0000

This collage was created by Claire Scafidi, a third-year ��è��Ƶ student from Kennesaw, Georgia, who is majoring in International Affairs, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Spanish, while also pursuing a minor in Studio Art. Working at the intersection of policy and creative practice, Claire brought both perspectives to the development of this piece.

The idea behind the artwork was to create a collage of places that represent ��è��Ƶ—built not from reproduced images, but from ��è��Ƶ’s own history. Claire worked with real materials pulled from the school’s past, including brochures, magazines, maps, invitations, photographs, newspaper articles, and other archival pieces. Each element was carefully cut out, layered, and glued together by hand.

As the collage took shape, familiar ��è��Ƶ spaces and symbols emerged, constructed entirely from the materials that once documented the school’s people, programs, and ideas. Every fragment carries its own story, coming together to form a shared visual history that is both personal and collective. The original artwork will be displayed in a ��è��Ƶ building, returning these pieces of ��è��Ƶ’s past to the space they represent and allowing history, creativity, and student work to live together in one place.

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The “Calibration Dilemma”: Why AI Forces Dictators Into Risky Tradeoffs

Caroline Paczkowski — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:32:15 +0000

New research challenges the idea that artificial intelligence makes dictators all‑powerful

Artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a powerful new tool for authoritarian governments—one that enables constant surveillance, predictive repression, and near‑total social control. But new research from ��è��Ƶ argues that this popular narrative overstates what AI can actually do.

In The Limits of Authoritarian AI, L. Jason Anastasopoulos, Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy, and Jie (Jason) Lian, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and 2025 PhD in Political Science and International Affairs, ��show that AI systems do not eliminate uncertainty for authoritarian leaders. Instead, they force regimes into difficult tradeoffs that can generate instability, backlash, and new vulnerabilities.

“People tend to imagine AI giving authoritarian governments this all‑seeing, all‑powerful ability to control society,” Anastasopoulos said. “But in reality, AI systems always make errors, and those errors create real political problems for the regimes that rely on them.”

Why AI creates dilemmas, not dominance

At the center of the paper is what Anastasopoulos and Lian call a “calibration dilemma”. Any AI system designed to identify threats—whether dissenters, protesters, or political opponents—must be programmed to decide how suspicious is suspicious enough to trigger action.

If the system is calibrated too loosely, it flags large numbers of innocent people as threats. That leads to widespread repression, public anger, protests, and political backlash. If it is calibrated too narrowly, genuine opponents slip through the cracks, organize, and potentially challenge the regime.

“There’s no perfect setting,” Anastasopoulos explained. “Authoritarian leaders have to choose between two kinds of failure. Either way, they expose themselves to risk.”

The authors refer to the resulting cycles of tightening and loosening surveillance as “threshold whiplash.” Governments crack down aggressively, face backlash, retreat, then tighten controls again when new threats emerge.

China’s experience during its zero‑COVID policies illustrates this dynamic. Broad, AI‑enabled monitoring systems flagged enormous portions of the population as potential risks, generating widespread unrest and political instability rather than seamless control.

The myth of the all‑seeing state

The research also challenges what the authors describe as the “panopticon bluff.” Authoritarian governments benefit when citizens believe AI surveillance is omnipresent and infallible—even when it is not.

“The real power of AI for authoritarian leaders often lies in the perception that the system sees everything,” he said. “But that perception is a bluff.”

AI systems can be evaded through simple behavioral changes, coded language, or shifts in communication. Once people recognize the limits of surveillance, fear diminishes, and with it, some of the regime’s control.

Implications for democracy advocates

Rather than painting a dystopian future in which technology guarantees authoritarian dominance, the paper offers a more nuanced—and more hopeful—assessment.

The authors argue that pro‑democracy actors can take advantage of the limits of AI‑driven repression by better understanding how algorithmic systems actually work and where they fall short. By demystifying these technologies, supporting individuals who are falsely targeted by overbroad surveillance, and challenging exaggerated claims about AI’s omnipotence, democratic actors can reduce the power these systems are meant to project.

“If you understand how these systems operate, you can identify their vulnerabilities,” Anastasopoulos said. “AI doesn’t make authoritarian regimes unstoppable—it gives them new problems to manage.”

From research to policy conversation

The article has attracted attention beyond academia. Anastasopoulos will present the paper’s arguments to staff and leadership at the National Endowment for Democracy, an organization that supports democratic movements worldwide.

The invitation reflects a broader shift among policymakers and practitioners toward recognizing that emerging technologies not only reshape authoritarian power but also create meaningful openings for democratic resistance and accountability.

“There’s a tendency to think that AI automatically means more control and less hope,” Anastasopoulos said. “Our goal is to show that the reality is more complicated, and that understanding those complications matters for people working to defend democracy.”

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Coaching with Purpose, Leading with Perspective

Caroline Paczkowski — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:13:45 +0000

by Caroline Paris Paczkowski

When Dave Bliss��arrived at the ��è��Ƶ, he��felt the pull of something bigger than basketball.��He was drawn to UGA by the energy of campus life, the variety of academic offerings, and the opportunities��that came with being a student-athlete at a major university. A standout recruit from central Wisconsin, Bliss��was��quickly immersed��in��the basketball program��– but it was��the��choice to major in political science��that broadened his perspective beyond the court.��His time��in��the School of Public and International Affairs (��è��Ƶ)��opened doors he��hadn’t��anticipated,��shaping his worldview, expanding his leadership skills, and ultimately��laying��the foundation for his career as an NBA coach.��

After considering a variety of majors, Bliss explains��he��ultimately chose��è��Ƶ as his academic home��for its versatility.��“I figured��I’d��end up in athletics somehow, but I��didn’t��know how.

��è��Ƶ gave me a flexible platform to explore different paths,”��Bliss recalls.��

Through ��è��Ƶ, Bliss gained a broader lens for understanding systems, people, and policy—insights that would later prove invaluable in his coaching career.

“��è��Ƶ helped me see the complexity of how the world works,” he says. “It taught me to look beyond my own experience and understand different perspectives.”

That global awareness now informs his coaching style. As��an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bliss leads the team’s defensive strategy.��Yet��his role goes far beyond��Xs��and��Os.��

“Our job is to create an environment where people can succeed and thrive,” he explains. “That’s no different than what ��è��Ƶ teaches—how to build consensus, how to get buy-in from people with different interests, and how to move together toward a common goal.”��

He often describes coaching as a blend of art and science. While analytics and film study are critical to game preparation, equally important are the moments of connection: knowing when to challenge a player, when to offer support, and when to inject humor to ease tension.��

Balancing the demands of Division I basketball with the rigor of��classes��in��è��Ƶ and��the Honors��College was no small feat. Bliss credits the support of faculty and staff, including then-Honors Program Director Jere Morehead, for helping him navigate the challenges. The university’s willingness to accommodate his academic ambitions alongside his athletic commitments made��a lasting��impression.��

One of the most defining moments of Bliss’s college career came during the 2008 SEC Tournament, his senior season. After a tornado struck the Georgia Dome, the team was forced to play three games in��36 hours��at Georgia Tech. Against all odds, they won the tournament. The experience was chaotic, but it revealed the power of resilience and collective determination.��

That experience, he says, mirrors the best parts of sports—and life. “When��you’re��in a community setting,��that’s��what becomes meaningful.��It’s��not about perfection.��It’s��about shared pursuit.”��

Now recognized as a��2025��UGA 40��under 40 honoree, Bliss��reflects on��the Bulldog community with pride. Though his career has taken him across the country, he��frequently��encounters��Georgia alumni in unexpected places—at games, in airports, and even on the street.��Two simple words that express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation— “Go Dawgs”—often ring out unexpectedly, reminding Bliss of the powerful network��he’s��part of.��

As ��è��Ƶ prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Dave Bliss’s journey offers a meaningful example of how a public affairs education can influence careers in unexpected ways.��His advice to current students is rooted in��that��experience: focus on learning, not just achievement.��“Don’t��just check the boxes. Learn how to learn. Build relationships. Apply broad concepts creatively.��That’s��what will carry you forward.”��

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Accessibility by Design

Caroline Paczkowski — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:07:44 +0000

When Ava Gilbert first began learning American Sign Language, it wasn’t for a class or a credit—it was for connection. Her journey started in high school, inspired by a friend who lost her hearing and another who was Deaf. Determined to communicate authentically without an interpreter, Gilbert began learning ASL on her own, one sentence at a time.

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The Politics of Perception: How Women’s Inclusion Shapes Trust in Government

Kristen Atkins — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:30:46 +0000

In 1992, Senator Dianne Feinstein famously quipped, “Two percent may be good enough for milk, but it is not good enough for the United States Senate.” Her words captured a simple truth: women’s inclusion in politics matters. But decades later, scholars still debate whether—and how—the presence of women in office influences public confidence in government.

In her new book, The Politics of Perception, ��è��Ƶ political scientist Katelyn E. Stauffer tackles this question head-on. Drawing on nearly a decade of research, Stauffer argues that Americans don’t just care about who holds office—they care about what they think government looks like. And those perceptions have far-reaching implications for trust and legitimacy.

From Dissertation to Definitive Study

“This book started as my dissertation,” Stauffer explains. “I realized early on that in American politics, we tend to focus on individual candidates—specific women—and how they shape attitudes. But comparative politics scholars think about representation differently, looking at memberships as a whole. That approach made more sense to me.”

The idea crystallized during graduate school when Stauffer read an article assuming people knew what their state legislature looked like. “I had a visceral reaction,” she recalls. “I wrote in the margins, ‘There’s no way that’s true.’ That moment sparked a decade-long project.”

Her research zeroed in on a critical gap: most Americans have little idea how many women actually serve in Congress. Stauffer’s research addresses contradictions in previous studies by introducing a new framework. She distinguishes between descriptive representation—what government looks like—and symbolic representation—how people feel about government’s responsiveness and legitimacy. “The debate has always been whether these two are linked,” she says. “My argument is that they are—but what matters most is perception, not reality.”

What the Data Reveals

To test this idea, Stauffer analyzed survey data from 2015 to 2022, asking respondents to estimate the percentage of women in Congress and then measuring attitudes like trust, approval, and perceptions of legislative effectiveness. She supplemented these surveys with experiments that corrected people’s assumptions.

The results were striking: when people believe women are well-represented, they view government more positively. They trust Congress more, see the legislative process as cleaner, and rate institutions as more capable of producing effective policy.

One surprising finding? “This isn’t just a story about women,” Stauffer notes. “Men also trust government more when they think women are included.”

Implications for Politics

Stauffer’s findings carry important lessons for policymakers and political parties. “Including women is one way to help repair the fractured relationship between Americans and their institutions,” she says. “But it’s not enough to elect women—you have to make their presence visible. If Congress became 50/50 tomorrow, it wouldn’t matter if nobody knew.”

Her research also suggests opportunities to reduce polarization. Stauffer explains that when people perceive greater gender diversity within political groups, they tend to express more trust across party lines.

A Call to Rethink Representation

For Stauffer, the book’s core message is clear: perceptions matter. “In politics, it’s not just about objective indicators—it’s about what people believe,” she says. “Inclusion is a legitimizing force. I hope this book helps settle a long-standing debate and gives students and scholars a new way to think about representation.”

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��è��Ƶ selected for national Service to Service initiative

Caroline Paczkowski — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:19:35 +0000

The ��è��Ƶ’s School of Public and International Affairs has been selected to join the Service to Service initiative. This program, sponsored by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families, helps veterans and military families build careers in state and local government through graduate study in public service.

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UGA ��è��Ƶ at APSA 2025

Caroline Paczkowski — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:49:07 +0000

This week, faculty and students from the ��è��Ƶ’s School of Public and International Affairs (��è��Ƶ) are making a powerful impact at the 2025 American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting. With participation in��40 individual panels and presentations, ��è��Ƶ scholars are presenting innovative research, leading critical discussions, and chairing panels across a wide range of topics—from global governance and authoritarianism to judicial politics, diversity, and public opinion.

��è��Ƶ’s strong presence at APSA 2025 reflects the school’s commitment to advancing political science through rigorous scholarship and public engagement. We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our faculty and students as they help shape the future of the discipline.

Faculty & Research

Thursday, Sept. 11

“Aid, Accountability, and Voters”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

Chair- Ryan M. Powers, ��è��Ƶ

“Mechanisms of Authoritarian Control in a Globalized World”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

Discussant – Rongbin Han, ��è��Ƶ

“Diversity and Its Effect on the Judiciary”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

Presenters- (Paper) Diversity and the Judiciary: An Organizational Perspective – Susan Haire, ��è��Ƶ

“New Research Frontiers in Asian American Politics”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Language and Voting Behavior among Asian Americans – Jangai Jap, ��è��Ƶ

Poster Session: “Human Rights & Issues in African Politics”

Chair and Discussant- Bree Laura Bang-Jensen, ��è��Ƶ

“Glass Making and Breaking: Opportunities for Women’s Representation”

2:00 to 3:30pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Record Breakers: Narratives about Women’s Emergence and Symbolic Representation – Katelyn E. Stauffer, ��è��Ƶ

“Cars, Faith, and Parties: The Politics of State-Building and State-Capture”

2:00 to 3:30pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

Presenter: (Paper) Who Captures the State? Break and Continuity in Post-Colonial Party Manifestos – Joowon Yi and Bonkyu Lim, ��è��Ƶ

“Affective Polarization around the Globe”

2:00 – 3:30 pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

Chair- Alexa Bankert, ��è��Ƶ

“Geopolitics and International Organizations”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Reputational Sources of the Accommodation Dilemma – Ryan M. Powers, ��è��Ƶ

“Public Opinion and Social Dynamics in Contemporary China”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Putnam’s Puzzle: How Civic Engagement Erodes Immigration Approval in China – Rongbin Han, ��è��Ƶ

“Controversies in Bureaucratic Politics”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

Presenter: (Paper – Virtual) Courts and the Clock: Agency Responses in the Separation of Powers – Yao Yao, ��è��Ƶ

“Ethnicity, Legitimation, and Authoritarian Legacies in Southeast Asia”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

Chair- Jangai Jap, ��è��Ƶ

Presentation- (Paper) When Ethnic Identity Undermines National Identity – Jangai Jap, ��è��Ƶ

Friday, Sept. 12

“Global Governance Contestation and Pushback”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

Presenter- Ryan M. Powers, ��è��Ƶ

“Gatekeepers and Leaky Pipelines: Challenges to Women’s Representation”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

Chair- Katelyn E. Stauffer, ��è��Ƶ

“International Cooperation and Compliance”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

(Paper) The Diffusion of Report Non-Compliance in the UN Human Rights Treaty System –�� Carrie (Ha Eun) Park, ��è��Ƶ

“Judicial Decision Making”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

Chair- Gbemende Johnson, ��è��Ƶ

“Threat Perception, Security Institutions, and Strategic Responses”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

Chair and presenter- (Paper) COVID-19 and Public Threat Perception of Biological Weapons – Justin Conrad, ��è��Ƶ

“Democratic Principles”

2:00 to 3:30pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

Discussant: Alexander Kaufman, ��è��Ƶ

“The Executive and Judicial Politics”

2:00 to 3:30pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Judges, the Executive Branch, and Dispute Salience – Gbemende Johnson, ��è��Ƶ, Yao Yao, ��è��Ƶ

“Parties and Group Identities: Gender and Ethnicity”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

Chair- Minjin Choi, ��è��Ƶ

(Paper) In the Shadow of Dissatisfaction: The “Korean Men in Their 20s” in Elections – Solbi Kim, ��è��Ƶ, Minjin Choi, ��è��Ƶ

“Election Workers”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

(Paper) How State Laws Shape Public Attitudes about Poll Watchers- Geoffrey Sheagley, ��è��Ƶ

Authors Meet Critics: “Strategic Responsiveness: How Congress Confronts Presidential Power”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

Chair- Scott H. Ainsworth, ��è��Ƶ

Presenter(s)- Gbemende Johnson, ��è��Ƶ

Saturday, Sept. 13

“Experiments on Violence and Political Behavior”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Can Violence Narratives Shape Political Participation? Evidence from Nigeria – Megan Turnbull, ��è��Ƶ

“Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and the ‘Nuclear Taboo'”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

Presenter- Naomi Egel, ��è��Ƶ

“Water Politics across Boundaries”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Evolving Dynamics of Water Planning and Collaborative Outputs over Time – Emily V. Bell, ��è��Ƶ

“Digital China”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

Chair: Rongbin Han, ��è��Ƶ��

“International Security Cooperation”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Impact of Intergovernmental Organization Hierarchy on Peace Building – Carrie (Ha Eun) Park, ��è��Ƶ

“Psychological and Social Mechanisms for Reducing Polarization”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

(Paper) From Conflict to Cooperation: Changing Partisan Norms to Reduce Polarization – Alexa Bankert, ��è��Ƶ

“Statemaking and State Failure”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Non-State Authority and Legitimate Violence: A Survey Experiment in Nigeria – Megan Turnbull, ��è��Ƶ

“What Drives Polarization in Contemporary Societies?”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

(Paper – Virtual) Citizen Voices Reshaping Politics – Solbi Kim, ��è��Ƶ

“Public Opinion, Alliance Politics, and the Future of Nuclear Strategy”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Public Opinion in NATO on Nuclear Deterrence – Naomi Egel, ��è��Ƶ

“Migration, Inequality, and Discrimination in Korea and East Asia”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT

(Paper) In-Group Hate: Intolerance in Asia towards Returning Co-Nationals during COVID-19 – Jangai Jap, ��è��Ƶ

“Elections and Conflict”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

Discussant- Megan Turnbull, ��è��Ƶ

“Automating Insights: Harnessing LLMs for Conflict and Human Rights Research”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

Presenters: (Paper) Measuring Intensity of Repression Using an LLM and a Latent Variable Approach – K. Chad Clay, ��è��Ƶ, Rebecca Elizaeth Cordell, University of Pittsburgh, Christopher J. Fariss, University of Michigan, Reed M. Wood, Arizona State University, Thorin Martin Wright, Arizona State University

“Identity Issues in Immigration: Gender, Religion, and Indigeneity”

12:00 to 1:30pm PDT (3:00 to 4:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Shortcomings of Migrant Socialization: A Survey of the EU Turkish Diaspora – Gulcan Saglam, ��è��Ƶ

“Lightning Round: Law and Courts”

2:00 to 3:30pm PDT (5:00 to 6:30pm EDT)

Chair- Susan Haire, ��è��Ƶ

“The Politics of International Regime Complexity”

4:00 to 5:30pm PDT (7:00 to 8:30pm EDT)

Discussant – Bree Laura Bang-Jensen, ��è��Ƶ

Sunday, September 14

“International Health Cooperation”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

(Paper) Breaking the Habit: Treaty Exit, Trust and Drug Legalization – Bree Laura Bang-Jensen, ��è��Ƶ

“Staffing the Executive Branch”

8:00 to 9:30am PDT (11:00am to 12:30pm EDT)

(Paper) The Loyalty Premium: Examining Unified Control of the Appointment Process – George A. Krause, ��è��Ƶ

“The State, Land, and Information”

10:00 to 11:30am PDT (1:00 to 2:30pm EDT)

Discussant and presenter- (Paper) The Social Consequence of Bureaucratic Oversight – Ning He, ��è��Ƶ

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UGA center named for prominent alumnus, faculty member

Caroline Paczkowski — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:55:24 +0000

The ��è��Ƶ’s Center for International Trade and Security,��a global leader in strategic trade and international security education, has been named the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security. The naming of the center, which is housed in the��School of Public and International Affairs, honors the legacy of two leaders whose contributions have shaped the university, the Athens community and the broader world.

The naming was made possible through a generous gift from the Ed and Robin Benson Foundation in memory of Robin’s late husband, Howard Edsel “Ed” Benson, and in tribute to Gary Bertsch, the founding director of the center. This investment reflects Ed and Robin Benson’s lifelong commitment to service, education and global engagement.

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��è��Ƶ Maintains Top-Ten Ranking for Over Two Decades

Kristen Atkins — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:36:56 +0000

The ��è��Ƶ’s School of Public and International Affairs (��è��Ƶ) has once again earned recognition among the nation’s best, tying for seventh in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings for public affairs graduate programs. This accolade reinforces ��è��Ƶ’s status as a leader in the field,

Among specialty rankings, ��è��Ƶ is second in Public Management and Leadership, third in Public Finance and Budgeting, and fifth in Local Government Management, according to the 2023-2024 USNWR rankings.��

“The rankings continue to affirm the quality of our programs and the people who make those programs strong: our outstanding faculty, professional staff, and students,” states Matthew Auer, Dean and Arch Professor of Public and International Affairs.��

Innovative Research: Leading the Charge in Public Service

At the heart of ��è��Ƶ’s success are the faculty members who focus on topics that at once are timely and important.��

Professors like Katherine Willoughby and Heewon Lee are researching policy that has direct implications for both state and local governments. Dr. Willoughby’s explores how financial transparency in the public sector enhances governance and accountability, providing essential insights for improving government fiscal management. Dr. Lee’s, finding that collaborations led by nonprofits and regional government councils significantly improve air quality.

Matthew Auer’s work on and Emily Lawler’s are prime examples of how ��è��Ƶ’s faculty are leading national conversations on current events, offering research results that inform policy debates and decisions.

David Bradford and Felipe Lozano-Rojas’s research into opioid addiction and is reshaping how we understand the intersection of social issues and public health. Additionally, Ishtiaque Fazlul and colleagues’ research on the reveals the significant financial costs associated with the condition – highlighting the long-term implications for healthcare systems and the workforce.��

Amanda J. Abraham and Andrew Whitford have made significant contributions to policy research, with Whitford examining the as tools in government, and Abraham analyzing and their discretion to restrict substance use disorder treatment.

Rebecca Nesbit and her team have conducted on the impact of economic inequality on volunteering, revealing how disadvantaged communities are less likely to volunteer and providing crucial insights into the role of social networks in civic engagement.

��è��Ƶ faculty’s research contributes to broader discussions on issues such as public health, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Their work provides into societal challenges and community well-being.��

A Commitment to Public Service and Impact

At ��è��Ƶ, learning often involves community collaboration. Dr. Eric Zeemering, a recognized expert in local government administration and director of the MPA program, has recently been honored with a for his Local Government Practicum course. This maymester class connects students with real-world local government projects. In recent years, students in the practicum have undertaken housing assessment surveys that aid towns in Georgia with community development.��

Dr. Michelle Lofton’s work in active learning emphasizes the importance of student-centered teaching, where learners are encouraged to participate in problem-solving, collaborative projects, and real-world case studies that mirror the challenges they’ll face in their careers. This approach allows students to develop critical thinking skills and prepare for leadership roles with confidence.��

For Joseph Morris, an MPA student, his internship with the Stephens County government, in rural Georgia, was transformative. He worked on crafting and executing a much-needed salary survey for current and future employees in local government. The experience gave him deeper insights on the inner workings of public agencies at the local level. Joseph took full ownership of a project that had an immediate impact.

“Stephens County shaped my future career aspirations. Initially, I intended to follow the MPA program with law school, but through this internship, I gained valuable insight into the direct impact local government has,” Joseph reflects. “I was fortunate enough to connect with experienced professionals who I now consider mentors.”

Following his internship, Joseph was employed by Stephens County in the Elections Department, and this led to a new opportunity to become the first City Administrator in a growing community in the Athens Metropolitan Area. “Without this internship experience, my career path and aspirations would not have been fully developed as they are now,” he says. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity that ��è��Ƶ and Stephens County gave me.”

Celebrating Our Achievements, Looking Ahead

As ��è��Ƶ continues to maintain its top-tier rankings, it also approaches a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the school and the 60th anniversary of the creation of the MPA program. These are occasions to reflect on how far ��è��Ƶ has come in shaping public service education. ��è��Ƶ looks forward to marking these important milestones and to preparing students for the next many decades of public sector leadership.

Celebrating 25 Years of ��è��Ƶ

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��è��Ƶ and Franklin College Launch Joint Applied History Certificate to Train Future Policymakers

Caroline Paczkowski — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:02:45 +0000

The ��è��Ƶ’s School of Public and International Affairs (��è��Ƶ) and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences are excited to announce the launch of a new joint Applied History Certificate Program, designed to equip students with the skills to use historical analysis in policy making, politics, and international affairs.

With over 2,100 students currently majoring in History, Political Science, and International Affairs at UGA, the Applied History Certificate is expected to attract keen interest from undergraduates in Franklin College, ��è��Ƶ, and beyond.

This certificate bridges the gap between historical study, public policy, and political decision-making in the U.S., internationally, and globally. Each course in the program is designed to flesh-out historical contexts, uncover missteps from the past, and explore pathways to successful outcomes – all in the service of better problem-solving.

“We are excited about how this new certificate expands the multidisciplinary career-oriented opportunities for our students,” said Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College. “The broad expertise of our distinguished faculty paired with the depth of the extraordinary UGA alumni network builds a powerful capacity into making history come alive across a vast array of career fields.”

Students enrolled in the Applied History Certificate will complete a structured curriculum that includes:

“Introduction to Applied History,” a pass/fail required class offering foundational understanding of theory and practice of applied history.��
Four elective courses from history, political science, or international affairs, covering topics such as American foreign policy, crisis diplomacy, and economic regulation.
A paid summer internship, where students gain real-world experience in government agencies, policy research institutions, and public service organizations. Each internship has a historical dimension.

The Applied History Certificate is designed to open doors to careers where a grasp of historical context is valued. Consider, for example, the need to understand historical and legal precedent for a current political test or policy challenge.

“Understanding history isn’t just about studying the past—it’s about applying its lessons to today’s most pressing challenges,” remarked Matthew Auer, Dean of SPIA. “This program will empower students to ‘think in time’ and bring historical insights into public service, policy analysis, and leadership roles.”

Alumni and experts in policy making have already expressed their strong support for the program. “One of the most pressing needs in government today is for individuals who understand both history and public policy,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, Former U.S. Representative and senior visiting scholar and adjunct professor of public administration and policy. “UGA’s new Applied History Certificate bridges that gap, preparing students to make better decisions by learning from the past.”

Graduates will be well-positioned for roles in legislative affairs, diplomacy, military affairs, government relations, lobbying, community affairs, and advising in both public and private sectors. UGA’s extensive alumni network—including those working in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and beyond—will play a key role in mentoring and connecting students with job opportunities.“This program will help develop a new generation of leaders who can engage with policy problems through a historical lens,” remarked Grant Thomas (AB ’15, MBA ‘20),�� former ��è��Ƶ Alumni Board Chair. “Students trained in Applied History will be uniquely equipped to contribute to policy work. Their impact will be immediate and lasting.”

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