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.
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
First Year MPA Student
Community Involvement and Volunteering
Professional Development
Peer Leadership
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
2023 Alumni
2022 Alumni
2021 Alumni
2020 Alumni
2019 Alumni
2018 Alumni
2017 Alumni
2016 Alumni
2015 Alumni
2014 Alumni
2013 Alumni
2012 Alumni
Last updated: 5/15/2023