The idea behind the artwork was to create a collage of places that represent 快猫短视频鈥攂uilt not from reproduced images, but from 快猫短视频鈥檚 own history. Claire worked with real materials pulled from the school鈥檚 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 快猫短视频 spaces and symbols emerged, constructed entirely from the materials that once documented the school鈥檚 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 快猫短视频 building, returning these pieces of 快猫短视频鈥檚 past to the space they represent and allowing history, creativity, and student work to live together in one place.

The post Piecing Together 快猫短视频’s History: The Story Behind the Cover of the 25th Anniversary Magazine appeared first on 快猫短视频.

For more than two decades, the Kemps have devoted themselves to the people of Georgia. From guiding the state through a global pandemic and natural disasters to championing causes that protect the most vulnerable, their legacy is written in the lives they have touched and the communities they have strengthened.

Both are proud 快猫短视频 graduates who have never lost sight of their roots. Their connection to 快猫短视频 runs deep: Governor Kemp and the First Lady have shared their experiences with students in Applied Politics classes, and they both have been featured at 快猫短视频鈥檚 Georgia Legislative Outlook, offering insights into the issues shaping Georgia鈥檚 future.

Leadership in Action

Governor Kemp鈥檚 tenure has been marked by a focus on economic development, job creation, and workforce readiness. His administration has worked to streamline regulations for small businesses and foster an environment where Georgia鈥檚 economy can thrive. But what truly sets his leadership apart is his approach: listening first, acting second.

As David Dove (AB 鈥�09, JD 鈥�14)鈥攚ho served as Executive Counsel to Governor Kemp from 2019鈥�2024, chaired the 快猫短视频 Alumni Board, and now serves as a sustaining member鈥攔ecalls, this principle was never more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. While experts were consulted, Kemp insisted that the loudest voice in the room be that of everyday Georgians.

鈥淗e was in constant communication with real working people鈥攂usiness owners, employees鈥攈earing exactly how they were coping,鈥� Dove says. 鈥淭hat feedback shaped every decision.鈥�

Kemp鈥檚 guiding question to his team was simple yet profound: 鈥淲ho did you talk to?鈥� It was a reminder that policy must reflect lived experience. That connectivity raised the bar for accountability and helped Georgia navigate one of the most challenging periods in modern history. Dove calls this style a hallmark of leadership rooted in service.

鈥淭hey aren鈥檛 in public service to climb to the next office,鈥� he adds. 鈥淭hey do what they do because they love Georgia.鈥�

A First Lady鈥檚 Mission

First Lady Marty Kemp鈥檚 leadership has been equally transformative. Early in the transition, a stark visual鈥攁 parking lot filled with school buses representing the number of people trafficked each year鈥攍eft an indelible mark. From that moment, she made the fight against human trafficking her mission. Through the creation of the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission, Marty Kemp has mobilized coalitions, advanced legislation, and positioned Georgia as a national leader in anti-trafficking efforts. Her advocacy extends beyond this cause, championing mental health, pet adoption, and reforms in foster care and adoption鈥攊nitiatives that speak to her deep compassion for Georgia鈥檚 most vulnerable.

The Words That Define Them

For Lauren Curry (MPA 鈥�99), who made history as Georgia鈥檚 first female Chief of Staff to a governor, the Kemps鈥� legacy can be summed up in one word: Commitment.

鈥淕overnor and First Lady Kemp will be remembered for so many initiatives鈥攖ax cuts, tort reform, human trafficking, and leading the state during Hurricane Helene and the Covid pandemic,鈥� Curry reflects. 鈥淏ut what sets them apart is that they have worked for the benefit of the state every single day they have been in office. Not a day has gone by that they haven鈥檛 been helping a constituent, attending an event, or thinking of ways to improve our state.鈥�

Her voice carries both admiration and gratitude:

鈥淎s a 快猫短视频 graduate myself, it has been so gratifying to serve with two individuals who are so completely dedicated to public service. It has been an honor of a lifetime to support them.鈥�

Dove offers another word: Resiliency. He recalls a mantra posted on the Governor鈥檚 desk鈥� 鈥淭ough times don鈥檛 last, but tough people do鈥�鈥攁nd sees it reflected in how the Kemps have led through crises and political headwinds.

鈥淭hey remained true to themselves, anchored in the law and in service to Georgians,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of leadership 快猫短视频 hopes to inspire.鈥�

By Caroline Paris Paczkowski

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鈥淢y parents believed that everybody mattered,鈥� Lewis recalls. 鈥淚t was not just about our family. It was about the whole community.鈥�

That belief鈥攖hat people matter鈥攈as guided Lewis throughout her extraordinary career. From her earliest work on Patricia Robert Harris鈥檚 campaign for Mayor of Washington, D.C., to her service as a Special Assistant to the President in the White House, Lewis has always understood that public service is not simply a profession; it is a calling.

This year, the School of Public and International Affairs honors Lewis with the inaugural 快猫短视频 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her decades of leadership, diplomacy, and commitment to empowering others.

A Foundation Built on Service

Lewis credits her time at UGA and 快猫短视频 with laying the foundation for her life in public service. 鈥溈烀ǘ淌悠� was preparing me for a life of service before I even realized it,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t taught me how to lead with purpose, build coalitions, and think critically about the systems that shape our lives.鈥�

Her academic journey continued with a master鈥檚 degree in Criminal Justice Administration from American University followed by a J.D. from Emory University. Each step was intentional, each degree an additional tool to better serve her community and country. She also earned a coveted spot in the Presidential Management Fellows Program, which launched her federal career. 鈥淓ducation is empowerment,鈥� Lewis says. 鈥淚 wanted to make sure I had all the tools to sit at every table.鈥�

Leadership on the Global Stage

Lewis鈥檚 career spans three presidential administrations and includes pivotal roles in the White House, the State Department, U.S. Chambers of Commerce and most recently, as Chair, President and CEO of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). In each position, she broke new ground, often in spaces where few women of color had gone before.

Her early work on political campaigns paved the way for one of her early roles: serving as Special Assistant to the President in the Office of Political Affairs. 鈥淚t gave me a front-row seat to how decisions at the highest-level shape people鈥檚 lives,鈥� she says. For her, the experience reinforced a core belief: representation matters. 鈥淪trengthening democracy means making sure diverse voices are at the table,鈥� she explains.

After years in law and policy roles, Lewis returned to public service as the first-ever Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs in the U.S. Department of State. In that position, she pioneered a new approach to diplomacy by elevating subnational engagement鈥攂ringing governors, mayors, and other local leaders into global conversations. 鈥淭rade, climate, economic development鈥攖hese issues start at the local level,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e expanded the definition of diplomacy to include everyday leadership.鈥�

Her work connected U.S. local leaders with international counterparts to tackle shared challenges, from infrastructure to economic opportunity. 鈥淚t was not about party politics,鈥� Lewis says. 鈥淚t was about finding solutions that transcend borders.鈥�

Lewis later was nominated as the 27th Chair, President, and CEO of EXIM, becoming the first African American person and only the second woman to lead the agency. Her leadership helped U.S. companies compete globally while advancing national priorities like supply chain resilience and energy transition. 鈥淓XIM was about economic empowerment,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was about helping American businesses succeed and creating opportunities that ripple through communities.鈥�

Even in the high-stakes world of international finance and policy, Lewis never wavered in her commitment to nurturing the next generation. At EXIM, she expanded the intern program from 10 participants to more than 80 students during her term, creating paid opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and giving them a real foothold in global public service. 鈥淵ou can be making big decisions every day,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut what are you doing for the young professionals who are just starting out?鈥�

Her leadership is defined by mentorship and a belief in the potential of others. 鈥淲e have to take the time,鈥� she insists. 鈥淲e have to make the commitment to show others how valuable public service is.鈥� Through her guidance, she has shaped the careers of countless young leaders鈥攎any of whom continue to reach out, expressing gratitude for her listening, believing in them, and opening doors that might otherwise have remained closed.

A Mandela Moment

Among the many highlights of her career, one stands out: leading Nelson Mandela on his first U.S. tour after his release from prison. 鈥淲here else would you get that kind of experience?鈥� Lewis reflects. Traveling with him from city to city, witnessing his clarity of thought and unwavering perseverance, was life-changing. The experience deepened her belief in the power of connection and purpose-driven leadership. 鈥淚t was all about bridging transformational change,鈥� she says, a lesson that has guided her throughout her remarkable career.

A Legacy of Hope and Possibility

Receiving the inaugural 快猫短视频 Lifetime Achievement Award is a full-circle moment for Lewis. 鈥淚t is humbling,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t reminds me that the foundation you build at 18 can carry you through your entire career.鈥�

Her advice to today鈥檚 students: learn a language, travel, embrace a global perspective, and never stop learning. 鈥淧ublic service is the highest form of leadership,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t does not come easy. But it is worth it.鈥�

From Statesboro, Georgia to the global stage, Reta Jo Lewis has lived a life defined by purpose, powered by education, and anchored in service. Her legacy is not just in the positions she has held but in the lives she has touched and the doors she鈥檚 opened for those who will follow.

By Caroline Paris Paczkowski

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It was a lesson Pestorius later realized had defined his life all along.

Growing up in a Navy family meant frequent moves鈥攖o New London, Charleston, Austin, and beyond. While the locations changed, two principles shaped Pestorius鈥檚 sense of direction. His father taught the value of 鈥渨orking for a purpose,鈥� the conviction that identifying a mission鈥攁nd honoring it鈥攎atters more than any destination. His mother, a teacher, instilled a deep 鈥渃ommitment to service of others,鈥� a belief Pestorius has carried from childhood into every stage of his professional life.

After earning a history degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Pestorius joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he was tasked with addressing urgent, high-stakes public health issues. Over the years, he gained experience in management and emergency response, but he soon realized that to advance his public service career, he needed to grow further.

His search for a graduate program led him to the 快猫短视频鈥檚 Master of Public Administration MPA program鈥� housed in 快猫短视频 and taught at UGA鈥檚 Gwinnett campus, not far from where Pestorius was working in Atlanta. The convenience drew him in; the impact of the program, however, far exceeded his expectations.

From his first class, Pestorius recognized something special. He was surrounded by 鈥渓ike-minded people鈥濃�攑rofessionals who shared his public-service mission and were eager to put new knowledge to use in real time. Although Pestorius entered the program with two decades of experience, the MPA fundamentally sharpened his skill set. 鈥淸The faculty] helped me help others,鈥� he recalls. In Dr. Andrew Whitford鈥檚 class, Pestorius learned how to draft shorter and sharper memos, a valuable skill in a field where disease spreads quickly and time is of the essence. In Dr. Brian Williams鈥� class, he strengthened his strategic coordination, instruction, and training.

The program also reminded him that teaching is often reciprocal. Ahead of a class he was going to miss for a work trip, Dr. Edward Kellough sent him a slide deck. Pestorius noticed that a recent federal hiring practice update was missing and emailed back with corrections. That exchange led to a conversation, an updated lecture, and, for Pestorius, a renewed appreciation for collaborative leadership. He carried that mindset back to the CDC鈥攍istening closely, valuing staff knowledge, and encouraging teams to speak up when something needed to change.

Those leadership instincts were put to the test during one of the CDC鈥檚 most urgent public health challenges: the Zika outbreak of 2015. Movies may depict outbreak response as hazmat-suit heroics, but Pestorius knew effective response depends on the coordinated mobilization of scientists, medical staff, and specialists on the ground.

When Zika reached epidemic levels, Pestorius flew with his HR team to the CDC鈥檚 Division of Vector-borne Diseases in Fort Collins, Colorado to assess needs firsthand. He remembers the trip out west, 鈥渕ade it abundantly clear that we were in dire need of microbiologists and that HR would need to move hiring requests at a much more rapid rate than normal.鈥�

Returning to Atlanta, Pestorius pressed for direct hiring authority鈥揳n authority that would permit his team to rapidly hire qualified candidates without open competition. Although similar requests had been denied during past crises, he pushed forward.

This time, the request was approved. The approval allowed the CDC to hire talent at an unprecedented pace鈥攂eginning with a classmate Pestorius had met in the MPA program. By the time the emergency response was fully underway, he had hired eight fellow graduates, each ready to contribute on day one.

The strength of the UGA network became even clearer in a story he often retells with a smile. When a policy lead in his Center lost a staff member, Pestorius was asked if he had any more classmates available. He did鈥攁nd she thrived.

Pestorius鈥� time at UGA overlapped with the CDC鈥檚 response to the Ebola epidemic of 2014-15 (during which he turned in one final from Monrovia, Liberia) and the Zika response of 2015-16. As the Management Officer of CDC鈥檚 Infectious Disease Center, Pestorius held significant responsibilities throughout both responses. They each demanded long hours, constant engagement, decision making, and a deep professional commitment. Yet even during these intense periods, Pestorius continued to find balance, thanks in part to the structure of the MPA Gwinnett program. Its evening courses and flexible design allowed him to maintain the roles most important to him: husband, father, and CDC senior leader.

For those who wonder how he managed everything鈥攁 demanding CDC role, graduate study, and parenthood鈥攖he answer returns to Captain Pestorius鈥� advice. His father reminded Pestorius that he already knew how to work hard and assured him that he wouldn鈥檛 work harder or more, but that with more responsibilities he would learn to work more efficiently and effectively. Pestorius soon realized that his father was right. He encourages current 快猫短视频 students to do the same. If you believe you can accomplish something, or take on more responsibility, raise your hand and say, 鈥業 can. I will. I want to.鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 let others define your success for you. When a challenge seems out of reach, ask, 鈥榃hy not?鈥� and keep pushing.鈥�

The UGA School of Public and International Affairs proudly recognizes Ted Pestorius as the Alumni Impact Award recipient for Public Administration and Policy. His career reflects the very mission the School champions鈥攑ublic service driven by purpose, strengthened by education, and guided by a willingness to serve more, lead more, and give more to communities near and far.

By Ryan Leonard

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Ask anyone who knows her and they鈥檒l tell you the same thing: Larissa Martinez is built for service and thrives on connection.

Service is the through line of her life, stitched in early by her mother, a public educator who volunteered in every community the family called home鈥攁nd who, Martinez notes with a laugh, still spends her retirement volunteering in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Her father, a small business owner, passed along his entrepreneurial spirit to Martinez which would later shape her approach to politics and nonprofit work. Her grandfathers鈥� military service鈥攐ne a Navy veteran of World War II, the other a pilot who survived being shot down, held in a concentration camp, and later became the first Hispanic deputy Wing Commander at Nellis Air Force Base鈥攄eepened her commitment to serve and take on tough challenges.

When Martinez landed in Georgia as a high school junior, she found herself drawn to SPIA. The Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security (BBCITS), in particular, spoke to her interests in national security and foreign affairs. Once at UGA, she made the most of every experience available to her. Through BBCITS, she helped plan a conference in Denmark on the misuse of technologies in the post-Soviet world. She studied abroad in Italy with Dr. Charles Bullock, who served as a mentor to her and helped her navigate the political landscape of the southeastern United States.

After graduation, Martinez took her ambitions to Washington, D.C. She began as a volunteer in then-Congressman Johnny Isakson鈥檚 office, working under fellow 快猫短视频 alumna Tempe Stephen. 鈥淭empe let me show up three days a week unpaid,鈥� Martinez recalls. 鈥淓ventually they were impressed enough to let me come five days a week. And by impressed, I mean I answered the phone faster.鈥� She laughs, but the truth is clear: she showed up鈥攁nd she kept showing up.

From that unpaid internship, Martinez built a career that touched nearly every corner of Capitol Hill. She earned a staff position with the newly elected Senator Isakson, then moved to the House of Representatives to join Nathan Deal鈥檚 office. She returned to the Senate for positions with Nebraska鈥檚 two senators鈥攁 state with family connections鈥攁nd leaned on the UGA alumni community in Washington for grounding and support.

When Deb Fisher decided to run for U.S. Senate, Martinez鈥檚 career in campaigns began. 鈥淲e put 46,000 miles on the Senator鈥檚 car during the underdog campaign and won!鈥� she recalls. Next, she joined Carly Fiorina鈥檚 2016 presidential campaign. Later, she worked in lobbying and assisted with transition efforts for the first Trump administration, by supporting communications for Cabinet nominees. The variety of her work, she says, reflects her father鈥檚 entrepreneurial philosophy: identify a need and fill the gap. At each stop, Martinez learned more about people, policy, and processes that led her to where she is today.

But one thing troubled her throughout her career: there were not enough women at the proverbial table where policies are being created. Martinez saw a gap and decided to fill it. In 2019, she founded WPLN to equip center-right women with the tools, training, and community they need to step into public leadership. 鈥淲hen women aren鈥檛 in the room,鈥� she says, 鈥渉alf the population isn鈥檛 represented.鈥�

In just six years, WPLN has grown into a national force with more than 20,000 women served and between 500 and 600 candidates trained. Yet when praised for the impact, Martinez waves it off. 鈥淚 just want to help people and see better leaders in office,鈥� she says simply. It鈥檚 safe to say she is helping, and her service extends far beyond her work with the WPLN. To amplify the work, she has also created a political ecosystem to support women seeking office and those looking to work on campaigns. Martinez mentors young leaders through the 快猫短视频 Alumni Board, shares her experience as an Applied Politics visiting practitioner, and nurtures community through the Women of 快猫短视频 group. She even brought her family into the mission, co-authoring a children鈥檚 book with her sister titled 鈥淢y Mommy Is a Candidate.鈥�

This year, as 快猫短视频 honors Larissa Martinez with the Alumni Impact Award for Political Science, the recognition feels fitting. She is the embodiment of the school鈥檚 mission鈥攊nspiring and preparing tomorrow鈥檚 leaders by living the example herself.

By Ryan Leonard

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It was January 31, 1993. He was a kid from Buffalo, New York, watching his beloved Bills lose their third consecutive Super Bowl. The game was all but over. The score was lopsided. But then, in a play that would etch itself into his memory, Buffalo鈥檚 quarterback fumbled and a Dallas defender picked up the ball, running more than 60 yards to an apparent touchdown. At the last possible moment, after sprinting nearly the entire length of the field, Buffalo鈥檚 wide receiver Don Beebe chased down the defender, knocking the ball loose just before a touchdown. It didn鈥檛 change the outcome, but it changed something in Fuhrmann.

鈥淭he lesson I learned from that is, you just don鈥檛 quit no matter what. You just got to have that grit and determination to keep going, even when things look tough,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat lesson has stuck with me because in any career path you鈥檙e going to face challenges along the way, and I think success requires being able to pull yourself up when you get knocked down.鈥�

It鈥檚 a fitting metaphor for a career that has been defined by an intentional mission and a relentless pursuit of truth. Today, Fuhrmann is the Cullen McFadden Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University and a leading scholar in nuclear security. His work has been mentioned in The New York Times, CNN, and NPR. He鈥檚 shared his ideas with the U.S. military, the intelligence community, and Congressional staffers. And this year, he鈥檚 being honored with the Alumni Impact Award for International Affairs.

A little hesitant of the 快猫短视频 at first, Fuhrmann quickly found his footing in 快猫短视频 and the Honors Program, where small, intensive classes opened his mind to new ways of thinking. One of those classes on the U.S. Presidency, taught by Dr. Loch Johnson, coincided with the attacks of September 11, 2001.

鈥淚t was a horrible time,鈥� Fuhrmann recalls. 鈥淏ut being in that class gave me perspective. It helped me understand the national security implications. That experience lit a fire in me. I didn鈥檛 know what form it would take, but I knew I wanted to do something that made the world safer.鈥�

After a brief stint at Georgia Tech for his master鈥檚 degree (which we鈥檝e all agreed to forgive), Fuhrmann returned to UGA for his PhD after a conversation with Gary Bertsch, the founder of the now-named Benson- Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security. 鈥淕ary built something from nothing,鈥� Fuhrmann says. 鈥淗e showed me how to take an idea and make it real. Working with him taught me how to do work that connects scholarship with real-world policy.鈥�

Fuhrmann鈥檚 research has gone on to tackle some of the most pressing questions in global security. How can the United States prevent the international spread of nuclear weapons? Can nuclear threats actually coerce adversaries? How do we prevent escalation in conflicts like the war in Ukraine?

In his first book, Atomic Assistance, the foundation of which stemmed from his research at UGA, Fuhrmann explores why the U.S. helps other countries develop nuclear energy programs despite the risk of proliferation. His second book, Nuclear Weapons and Coercive Diplomacy, co-authored with Todd Sechser, challenges conventional wisdom about the power of nuclear threats. Together, they examine whether possessing nuclear weapons actually gives countries leverage in international disputes. Their findings suggest that nuclear blackmail is far less effective than many assume, reshaping how scholars and policymakers think about deterrence and diplomacy.

His latest work, Influence Without Arms, is perhaps his most ambitious. The book, which took eight years to complete, explores a new logic of nuclear deterrence in the 21st century. It considers how influence can be wielded without ever pulling the trigger. 鈥淭here were times I thought about giving up,鈥� Fuhrmann admits. 鈥淏ut I kept going. Because I believe scholars should do their best to get to the truth on important national security challenges.鈥�

That perseverance has paid off. Fuhrmann鈥檚 research is assigned in classrooms across the country, and he鈥檚 been invited to speak at many leading universities and policy-focused institutions. He鈥檚 also deeply committed to teaching, especially his undergraduate course on nuclear security.

鈥淥ne student told me that taking my class changed the course of their career trajectory,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of impact I want to have.鈥�

For Fuhrmann, impact isn鈥檛 just about accolades or citations. It鈥檚 about all aspects of academia.

鈥淚 do three things: research, teaching, and service,鈥� he says. 鈥淎ll of them matter. All of them can make a difference.鈥�

He credits his parents with instilling his work ethic, and his UGA professors with shaping his intellectual path. 鈥淚 was lucky to learn from icons,鈥� he says. 鈥淟och Johnson, Chuck Bullock, Stefanie Lindquist, Gary Bertsch. They showed me what it means to lead, to serve, and to build something that lasts.鈥�

And while he speaks highly of his mentors, the admiration is mutual.

鈥淧rofessor Matt Fuhrmann may be the most distinguished IA scholar I have seen come out of UGA in my 55 years associated with the university,鈥� said Professor Gary Bertsch. 鈥淧erhaps most important, Matt is one of the best all-around individuals I know. Brilliant, humble, honest, caring, and kind. He is a credit to the human race.鈥�

Praise like Bertsch鈥檚 speaks volumes鈥攏ot only about Fuhrmann鈥檚 academic achievements, but also about the character behind the credentials. And while his work spans the globe, Fuhrmann still finds joy in the simple things. He plays goalkeeper on a local soccer team and remains devoted to the Buffalo Bills. 鈥淚鈥檓 still a huge fan,鈥� he laughs. 鈥淪ome things never change.鈥�

The post Alumni Impact Award: Matthew Fuhrmann appeared first on 快猫短视频.

In the 2026听听graduate rankings, 快猫短视频 placed No. 5 (tied) overall in Public Affairs, reaffirming its position among the country鈥檚听top听public affairs听graduate programs. 快猫短视频 also earned strong specialty rankings across core areas, including No. 3 (tied) in Public听Budgeting and听Finance,听as well as听Public Management and Leadership,听and听No. 4 in Local Government Management. Additionally, 快猫短视频 moved听up听six听positions to听No. 12 (tied) in Nonprofit Management.听

快猫短视频鈥檚 national reputation is complemented by its growing global standing. In the 2025听ShanghaiRanking听Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 快猫短视频鈥檚 public administration program ranked among the top ten worldwide and was recognized as the highest-ranked public institution in the United States in the field鈥攈ighlighting the school鈥檚 international influence in research and teaching.听

Together, these rankings reflect a milestone for SPIA. As the school marks its 25th anniversary and the Master of Public Administration program celebrates 60 years of educating public听service leaders, 快猫短视频鈥檚 continued national and global recognition underscores the strength of its foundation and the relevance of its mission.听听

Awards and Honors听

快猫短视频鈥檚 excellence is further reflected in the awards and honors earned by its faculty and students. That distinction was on full display at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), where J. Edward Kellough, department head and Thomas P. and M. Jean Lauth Professor of Public Affairs,听received听the 2026 Paul P. Van Riper Award for Excellence and Service鈥攐ne of ASPA鈥檚 most prestigious honors. The award recognizes a sustained record of professional achievement, leadership, and commitment to public service.听

That recognition was reinforced by a second honor for Kellough: his most recent book,听The Fragility of Merit: Presidential Power and the Civil Service under Trump, was selected for the annual book award from the ASPA Section on Personnel and Labor Relations.听听

Further,听Eric听Zeemering, professor of public administration and director of the Master of Public Administration program, was named the recipient of ASPA鈥檚 Donald C. Stone Scholar Award from the Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management, recognizing sustained and influential contributions to the study of intergovernmental relations.听

Student and Alumni Success听

快猫短视频鈥檚 commitment to public service excellence is听perhaps most听clearly reflected in the accomplishments of its students and alumni, who are translating classroom learning into leadership, innovation, and community impact across sectors.听

That preparation is听evident听in the success of current MPA student and听Ralston Scholar Brooke Curran, who was recently selected as a finalist for the highly competitive ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship. Curran spent her Ralston-funded internship听in rural Georgia听working in the capital projects division of Lumpkin County, where she gained hands-on experience with how local government decisions directly shape communities.听听

快猫短视频 students also bring global perspectives and applied experience into their public service work.听Rakib Avi,听current MPA student,听draws on more than a decade of leadership at BRAC鈥攐ne of the world鈥檚 largest NGOs鈥攚here he worked across social innovation, policy, and technology. Avi鈥檚 trajectory reflects 快猫短视频鈥檚 emphasis on connecting global experience with practical policy impact.听听听

Alumni are similarly advancing innovation and leadership in communities nationwide.听Shayla Lee听(MPA 鈥�21)听recipient of the Early Career Leadership Award in Memory of William H. Hansell Jr., leads the Strategic and Government Affairs Department for the City of Sugar Land, where her work has strengthened accountability, organizational culture, and employee well-being.听

As Director of Parks and Recreation for Gwinnett County,听current student Chris Minor听oversees a $67 million operating budget and more than $750 million in capital projects, while expanding adaptive and outdoor recreation programs that improve quality of life for residents. He chose the UGA MPA program at Gwinnett to deepen his听expertise听as a working professional, reinforcing 快猫短视频鈥檚 role in supporting leaders at every stage of their careers.听Read more about his career here.听听

快猫短视频鈥檚 emphasis on inclusive public service is embodied by听Ava Gilbert听(AB 鈥�25)听and MPA candidate, whose work centers on accessibility and equity.听Gilbert currently serves听as UGA鈥檚 first Digital Accessibility graduate assistant, collaborating across campus to improve emergency communication tools and inclusive teaching practices.听听听

快猫短视频 students also earned听national recognition for their scholarly contributions. At the 2026听ASPA听Conference,听current PhD student,听Nayeong Kim,听was awarded the 2026 SKPA Best听Student Paper Award for her dissertation-based research,听鈥淲hose Merit Matters: Politicization and Favoritism in Personnel Selection.鈥澨�Additionally,听PhD student听Rebekah Lankford听was selected as an ASPA Founders鈥� Fellow for the Class of 2026鈥攁n honor that听supports emerging leaders committed to the future of public administration.听

Publications and Research听

快猫短视频鈥檚 research enterprise continues to shape policy and practice at the local, national, and international levels鈥攁dvancing new evidence on how governments serve communities,听allocate听resources, and support the public workforce.听

One recent example, published in听听by Michelle Lofton, associate听professor of public administration and policy,听examines the challenges governments face when implementing participatory budgeting as a mechanism to advance social equity. The study听identifies听key administrative and political barriers that can limit听equitable听outcomes and offers a practical framework for designing more sustainable and inclusive participatory systems.听

Building on that focus on participation and equity,听. A study examining patterns of secular volunteering in the American South finds that strong civic infrastructure鈥攕uch as the presence of nonprofits, congregations, and community organizations鈥攄oes not translate into volunteering in the same way it does in other regions.听Professor Rebecca Nesbitt and her coauthor drew on听county-level data听to show听that organizational density alone explains only a small portion of听the South鈥檚 persistent volunteering gap. The study offers important insights for policymakers and nonprofit leaders seeking to听strengthen civic participation, emphasizing that effective engagement strategies must account for regional civic cultures rather than relying solely on organizational expansion.听

At the same time, 快猫短视频 scholarship is examining the people who make public services possible. A recent听, professor of public administration and policy,听find听that public service employees who experience greater meaning in their work are significantly less likely to experience burnout, providing timely insights for public organizations grappling with high-stress environments and workforce retention challenges.听

快猫短视频 research is also informing high-stakes public health and policy debates nationwide听by听Felipe Lozano-Rojas, assistant professor of public administration and policy, finds that increased access is associated with meaningful reductions in opioid prescription rates鈥攚ork that complements the research many 快猫短视频 faculty are conducting on how policy choices shape public well-being.听

Together, these rankings, honors, and research contributions underscore 快猫短视频鈥檚 enduring commitment to excellence in public service education. Through rigorous scholarship, nationally recognized faculty, and research that directly engages the most pressing challenges facing governments and communities, 快猫短视频 continues to advance knowledge, inform policy, and prepare the next generation of public service leaders.听

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Artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a powerful new tool for authoritarian governments鈥攐ne that enables constant surveillance, predictive repression, and near鈥憈otal social control. But new research from 快猫短视频 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, 听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.

鈥淧eople tend to imagine AI giving authoritarian governments this all鈥憇eeing, all鈥憄owerful ability to control society,鈥� Anastasopoulos said. 鈥淏ut in reality, AI systems always make errors, and those errors create real political problems for the regimes that rely on them.鈥�

Why AI creates dilemmas, not dominance

At the center of the paper is what Anastasopoulos and Lian call a 鈥渃alibration dilemma鈥�. Any AI system designed to identify threats鈥攚hether dissenters, protesters, or political opponents鈥攎ust 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.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no perfect setting,鈥� Anastasopoulos explained. 鈥淎uthoritarian leaders have to choose between two kinds of failure. Either way, they expose themselves to risk.鈥�

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

China鈥檚 experience during its zero鈥慍OVID policies illustrates this dynamic. Broad, AI鈥慹nabled 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鈥憇eeing state

The research also challenges what the authors describe as the 鈥�panopticon bluff.鈥� Authoritarian governments benefit when citizens believe AI surveillance is omnipresent and infallible鈥攅ven when it is not.

鈥淭he real power of AI for authoritarian leaders often lies in the perception that the system sees everything,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that perception is a bluff.鈥�

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鈥檚 control.

Implications for democracy advocates

Rather than painting a dystopian future in which technology guarantees authoritarian dominance, the paper offers a more nuanced鈥攁nd more hopeful鈥攁ssessment.

The authors argue that pro鈥慸emocracy actors can take advantage of the limits of AI鈥慸riven 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鈥檚 omnipotence, democratic actors can reduce the power these systems are meant to project.

鈥淚f you understand how these systems operate, you can identify their vulnerabilities,鈥� Anastasopoulos said. 鈥淎I doesn鈥檛 make authoritarian regimes unstoppable鈥攊t gives them new problems to manage.鈥�

From research to policy conversation

The article has attracted attention beyond academia. Anastasopoulos will present the paper鈥檚 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.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a tendency to think that AI automatically means more control and less hope,鈥� Anastasopoulos said. 鈥淥ur goal is to show that the reality is more complicated, and that understanding those complications matters for people working to defend democracy.鈥�

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When Dave Bliss听arrived at the 快猫短视频, he听felt the pull of something bigger than basketball.听He was drawn to UGA by the energy of campus life, the variety of academic offerings, and the opportunities听that came with being a student-athlete at a major university. A standout recruit from central Wisconsin, Bliss听was听quickly immersed听in听the basketball program听鈥� but it was听the听choice to major in political science听that broadened his perspective beyond the court.听听His time听in听the School of Public and International Affairs (快猫短视频)听opened doors he听hadn鈥檛听anticipated,听shaping his worldview, expanding his leadership skills, and ultimately听laying听the foundation for his career as an NBA coach.听

After considering a variety of majors, Bliss explains听he听ultimately chose听快猫短视频 as his academic home听for its versatility.听鈥淚 figured听I鈥檇听end up in athletics somehow, but I听didn鈥檛听know how.

快猫短视频 gave me a flexible platform to explore different paths,鈥澨鼴liss recalls.听

Through 快猫短视频, Bliss gained a broader lens for understanding systems, people, and policy鈥攊nsights that would later prove invaluable in his coaching career.

鈥溈烀ǘ淌悠� helped me see the complexity of how the world works,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t taught me to look beyond my own experience and understand different perspectives.鈥�

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

鈥淥ur job is to create an environment where people can succeed and thrive,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 no different than what 快猫短视频 teaches鈥攈ow to build consensus, how to get buy-in from people with different interests, and how to move together toward a common goal.鈥�听

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.听听

Balancing the demands of Division I basketball with the rigor of听classes听in听快猫短视频 and听the Honors听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鈥檚 willingness to accommodate his academic ambitions alongside his athletic commitments made听a lasting听impression.听

One of the most defining moments of Bliss鈥檚 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听36 hours听at Georgia Tech. Against all odds, they won the tournament. The experience was chaotic, but it revealed the power of resilience and collective determination.听

That experience, he says, mirrors the best parts of sports鈥攁nd life. 鈥淲hen听you鈥檙e听in a community setting,听that鈥檚听what becomes meaningful.听It鈥檚听not about perfection.听It鈥檚听about shared pursuit.鈥�听

Now recognized as a听2025听UGA 40听under 40 honoree, Bliss听reflects on听the Bulldog community with pride. Though his career has taken him across the country, he听frequently听encounters听Georgia alumni in unexpected places鈥攁t games, in airports, and even on the street.听Two simple words that express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation鈥� 鈥淕o Dawgs鈥濃�攐ften ring out unexpectedly, reminding Bliss of the powerful network听he鈥檚听part of.听

As 快猫短视频 prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Dave Bliss鈥檚 journey offers a meaningful example of how a public affairs education can influence careers in unexpected ways.听His advice to current students is rooted in听that听experience: focus on learning, not just achievement.听听鈥淒on鈥檛听just check the boxes. Learn how to learn. Build relationships. Apply broad concepts creatively.听That鈥檚听what will carry you forward.鈥�听

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