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MPA Student Resources

MPA New Student Orientation

The MPA New Student Orientation is an important activity for all incoming MPA students. All new MPA students are required to attend the orientation. The orientation provides an opportunity to meet and interact with MPA program faculty and staff, as well as other incoming students. The orientation also provides information regarding program requirements and professional development opportunities.

2023-2024 Orientation Dates

Fall 2023 Semester – Monday, August 14 from 3:00-5:00pm in Carroll, Rm. 1047. Additional details will be sent to students via email closer to the start of the semester.

Spring 2024 Semester – TBA. Additional details will be sent to students via email closer to the start of the semester.

MPA Student Association (MPASA)

Established in August 2010, the MPASA is a student-led organization dedicated to creating activities and events for MPA students that celebrate and promote public service. The organization seeks to enhance knowledge, expand the competitive strength of the MPA program, broaden networking opportunities and improve academic, professional and social programming experiences in the challenging and evolving field of public administration. All current MPA students are members of the MPASA. MPA students are highly encouraged to participate in all MPASA functions, as well as take an active role in the governance of the association by serving as an officer. Program alumni are welcome to participate in any MPASA functions.

Officers for the 2023-2024 Academic Year:

  • TBD (President)
  • Olivia Davis-Ryan (Vice President)
  • TBD (Event Coordinator)
  • Garrett Ruslin (Treasurer)

Please contact Dr. Kristina Patterson with any questions about the MPASA.

Newsletters

If you are unable to use the section below, please refer to the PDF versions of the Newsletters linked below.

Spring 2023

Fall/Winter 2022

Spring 2022

Student Awards

The MPA student awards are given annually during the spring semester. For awards requiring nomination, a nomination period will be announced in advance and the nomination form will be made available on this webpage.

MPA Student of the Year

The MPA Student of the Year award recognizes a graduating MPA student who embodies the department’s core values: “Serve, Respect, Achieve”.

Eligibility

1. Graduating MPA student in the spring semester of the current academic year or the following fall semester.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at time of nomination.

Criteria for Evaluation

The MPA faculty will evaluate eligible students based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to: quality of academic work, in-class performance, professional growth and development, demonstrated leadership, and demonstrated personal character.

First Year MPA Student

The First Year MPA Student award recognizes an MPA student in their first year who embodies the department’s core values: “Serve, Respect, Achieve”.

Eligibility

  1. MPA student in their first year (or a student who has completed no more than 18-credit hours).
  2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at time of nomination.

Criteria for Evaluation

The MPA faculty will evaluate eligible students based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to: quality of academic work, in-class performance, professional growth and development, demonstrated leadership, and demonstrated personal character.

Community Involvement and Volunteering

The Community Involvement and Volunteering award recognizes MPA students who have made outstanding contributions in the community through their volunteering efforts. Students who have completed 25 hours, 50 hours, and 100 or more hours of volunteering will be recognized for their contributions.

Eligibility

  1. Open to all MPA students.
  2. Completion of the self-nomination form demonstrating hours of community service performed, leadership roles in service, and the diversity of organizations.

Criteria for Evaluation

The MPA faculty will evaluate nominees for this award against the backdrop of the impact that their volunteering has made on their lives and the value to the community.

Professional Development

The Professional Development award recognizes an MPA student(s) who has surpassed in a significant and meaningful way the standard program requirements for professional growth and development.

Eligibility

  1. Open to all MPA students.
  2. Completion of the self-nomination form detailing the type and breadth of professional development.

Criteria for Evaluation

The MPA faculty will evaluate nominees for this award by considering a wide range of professional development activities including, but not limited to: attending and presenting at professional conferences, attending professional workshops, participating in program and department hosted or sponsored events, taking on leadership roles within the program or department and/or in outside professional organizations.

Peer Leadership

The Peer Leadership award recognizes a first year (less than 18-credit hours completed) and graduating (30-credit hours or more completed) MPA student who exhibits strong leadership qualities inside and outside of the classroom.

Eligibility

  1. Open to all MPA students.
  2. Student(s) are nominated for this award by their peers. A student must receive one or more completed nominations in order to be eligible for this award.

Criteria for Evaluation

The MPA faculty will evaluate nominees for this award by considering the merits detailed in the nomination form(s). Evidence of peer leadership may include, but is not limited to: demonstrated classroom leadership, setting a high standard for individual and group work, willingness to help or mentor classmates, and creating meaningful engagement with peers outside of the classroom.


INSTRUCTIONS

Use the form below for the Community Involvement and Volunteering award (self-nomination), Professional Development award (self-nomination), and Peer Leadership award. The form will remain open only during the nomination period.

The nomination period for 2023-24 nomination period will be open from March 1-31, 2024. Award winners will be recognized at the MPA Awards Celebration and Graduation Banquet in April 2024.

AY2022-23 Award Winners

MPA Student of the Year – Harley Smith

First Year MPA Student – Olivia Davis-Ryan

Peer Leadership – Lindsay Gribble

Professional Development – Brett Kohler

AY2021-22 Award Winners

MPA Student of the Year – Jennifer Morgan

First Year MPA Student – Edith Santana

Peer Leadership – Zakiya Daniel

Honorary Societies and Inductees

The Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our students and encourage membership in Pi Alpha Alpha and Nu Lamba Mu.

Pi Alpha Alpha

Pi Alpha Alpha membership is prestigious for our students as well as for our public administration program, and the university. We encourage all eligible public administration graduate students, alumni, and faculty to apply for induction. The mission of Pi Alpha Alpha is to acknowledge and encourage outstanding scholarship and accomplishments, promote the education and practice of the art and science that is public administration, and advance the highest caliber of public service through integrity, professionalism and creativity. Pi Alpha Alpha membership represents the highest level of academic achievement and the embodiment of the organization’s dedication to quality public service.For information pertaining to Pi Alpha Alpha membership criteria, please visit their website at https://pialphaalpha.org/ or contact the department at 912-478-1400.

Pi Alpha Alpha Inductees

Callie McDonald
Robert Robinson
Melinda Laughlin
Christina Newman
Ashley Mitchell Broxton
Tiara Monique McClain
Michael Whitten
Jessica Renner
Kayla Whaley
Glenn Hull
Jessica Williamson
Cindy Steinmann
Anna Trapp
Amanda Herring
Danielle Debien
Ashley Thornton
Christopher Suggs
Cory Ware
Monica Boyd
Imonkhae Ugboya
Soumanou Sabi Goura
Kiana Brown
Jennifer Morgan
Pamela Goodman
Zakiya Daniel
William Golden
Brett Kohler
Fernanda Camacho Hauser
Ansel Scott
Corbin Dantes-Perry
Rylee Waldrep

Nu Lambda Mu

Nu Lambda Mu is an international honor society and is open to graduate students dedicated to the study of nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship and enterprise. For information pertaining to Nu Lambda Mu membership criteria, please visit their website at https://www.nonprofit-academic-centers-council.org/ or contact the department at 912-478-1400.

Nu Lambda Mu Inductees

Ezinne Uzoh
Amanda Herring
Stacie McDaniel
Colin Karnes
Holly Presscott
Michael Wedincamp
Macey Kilgore
Harley Smith

Student Profiles

Please browse our current and alumni MPA student profiles. Current students and alumni are invited to send updates via email to mpa@georgiasouthern.edu.

Current Students

Elizabeth Leone
Melinda Roell
Catalin Vintilescu
Lindsay Gribble
Edith Santana
Jodie Tanner
Kristopher Pierce
Ikeoluwa Akanmu
Brenda Gomes
Logan Josey
Brice Tondé
Malia Mann
Olivia Davis-Ryan
Carolina Banks
Azeezat Wahab
Elizabeth Joel
Angela Washington
Emily Jarome
Oluwakemi Ayeni
Brett Blevins
Sarryn Davis
Jacob Notermann
Haley Taylor
Nayema Akter
Natasha LaBelle
Kayla Dantes-Perry
Jan Kelly
Caitlin Lewis
Leah Nelson
Joshua Wilson

2023 Alumni

Ansel Scott
Corbin Dantes-Perry
Brett Kohler
Harley Smith
William Golden
Rylee Waldrep
Fernanda Camacho Hauser
Lindsay Gribble
Jennifer Morgan

2022 Alumni

Taylor Brown
Chad Burch
Mekhia Freeman
Pamela Goodman
Erykah Hoskins
Zakiya Daniel
Isabel Granat
Christian Shellman

2021 Alumni

Ezinne Uzoh
Imonkhae Ugboya
Cory Ware
John Swett
Soumanou Goura
Kaitlyn Kubler
Olivia Clark-Kittleson
Kiana Brown
Monica Boyd
Jacob Turner

2020 Alumni

Miranda Bunch
Austin Burgess
Danielle Debien
Amanda Herring
Nicholas Klinge
Randall Knauss
Nicholas Matthews
Stacie McDaniel
Christopher Suggs
Ashley Thornton
Jordan Wallace
Dontavious Waller
Ivy Bolden
Bryan Brooker
Dorian Lambert
Bryant Williams

2019 Alumni

Samantha Caufield
Seresa’o Ivey
Gina Pate
Emmalynn Perez
Tanner Perfect
Nancey Price
Carmishia Primus
Emily Stuchell
Nicholas Archer
Aminat Nwaonumah
Marshall Wingate
Kevin Adams
Austin Hinkley
Colin Karnes
Rebecca Sakyi

2018 Alumni

Kaede-Ray Benton
Shanelle Bogle
Cory Hall
Glenn Hull
Jamila Nura
Cindy Steinmann
Alakenisa Thorpe
Anna Trapp
Uniquequa Wilcher
Justin Poshedly
Chatise Smith
Jessica Williamson
Jonathan Bush
Ramsie Keen
Toneshia Mack
Richard Nkrumah
Austin Goolsby

2017 Alumni

Paul Floyd
Clinton Holloway
Macey Kilgore
Skye Mainer
Kortnie Maxoutopoulis
Kimberly Thomas
Shareen Clement
Murray Ricketson
Jakyn Tyson
Tyeesha James
Alicia Newton
Tiffany Oden
Holly Prescott
Brianna Quarterman
Portia Salvant
Justin Williams

2016 Alumni

Angela Beecher
Ahmed Bekhet
Yamini Mani Chandana Gollapudi
Marifrances Henley
Robshanda Reason
Kea’erra Wilson
Brandon Blair
Sharon Eveland

2015 Alumni

Joshua Barker
Bradford Carr
Annalice Daniel
Renaldo Leon
Branden McGriff
Katie Reams
Dain Reams
Cinnamon Dowd
Nathan Griffin
Khari Kelly
Caysi Warren

2014 Alumni

William Bell
Whitney Baker
Melissa Gillenwater
Kimberly Harp
Amanda Kepshire
Heath Lloyd
Rosine Mbuento Watat

2013 Alumni

Ashley Broxton
Janette Gordy
Tiara McClain
Jefferey Jackson
Tara Martin
Jeffrey Thorpe
Kayla Whaley
Jonathon Connell

2012 Alumni

Melinda Laughlin
Callie McDonald

Last updated: 5/15/2023