°®Å¾Íø

We continue to enhance our relationship with the , co-sponsor of our MPA Program and an important partner with us in building excellence in public service in Georgia, across the country, and now around the world.

GEORGIA STUDENTS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (GSPA)

The Georgia Students for Public Administration (GSPA) strive to help all students of public administration and policy at the °®Å¾Íø build social and academic networks during and after their tenure at the University. By fostering friendship and by integrating socially and academically our diverse student body, we hope to encourage students not just to learn their chosen profession but also to form lasting bonds with their peers, faculty, staff, and community

GSPA Officers (2026-2027)
Chase Walker, President
Zai Zaini, Vice President
Rebecca Harmon, Treasurer
Emma Shelby, Secretary/Historian
Teresa Lee, DEI Officer

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michelle Lofton

Stay up to date with what’s going on with GSPA and more ways to get involved on their & page. For questions contact: [email protected]

UGA INTERNATIONAL CITY/COUNTY MANAGMENT ASSOCIATION (ICMA)

The °®Å¾Íø is proud to host a local student chapter of ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. ICMA is the leading organization of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world. UGA’s ICMA Student Chapter charges no annual dues and is open to any student who would like to pursue their interest in local government.

The purpose of this organization is to:

1. Introduce and integrate students to the local government management profession.
2. Familiarize students with ICMA, the premier local government management association, its members, resources, and policies.
3. Establish connections between local government management theories, practices, and applications through tangible and actual examples.
4. Cultivate a learning community where members actively share experiences and learn from one another.
5. Provide resources and opportunities for students to increase their professional knowledge with local government practitioners.

ICMA Officers (2026-2027)
Kelsey Saville, President
Fatima Tarawally, Vice President
Tiffany Powell, Treasurer
Teresa Lee, Secretary

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Zeemering

You can follow the UGA Chapter of ICMA on , (@uga_icma) and .

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (GFOA) – °®Å¾Íø Chapter

The UGA Student Chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is devoted to providing professional development opportunities to students interested in public finance. Members will have the opportunity to meet, connect, and network with field practitioners and other students pursuing careers in public finance.

GFOA Chapter Officers (2026-2027)
Nadjuska Maurice, President
Christian Bridges, Vice President
Hannah Boler, Secretary

Faculty Advisors
Tracy Arner, Financial Management Program Manager – Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Katherine Willoughby, Golembiewski Professor of Public Administration

Learn more about GFOA at their website

For questions or event information, please contact [email protected]

YOUNG NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS NETWORK (YNPN) at UGA

The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) at UGA is dedicated to activating the next generation of emerging leaders in the social sector who are currently students at the °®Å¾Íø to fulfill our vision of stronger communities supported by a diverse and powerful social sector. Through networking, volunteering, general meetings, speaker series, and various other opportunities we connect our members to professionals in the social sector and their organizations.

YNPN Officers (2026-2027)
Amunet Berry, President
Anna King, Vice President
Teresa Lee, Treasurer
Emma Shelby, Secretary

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Nesbit

Stay up to date with what’s going on with YNPN at UGA on their page. New Members fill the . To sign-up for YNPN upcoming events, visit the .

Contact YNPN via email at: [email protected]

PI ALPHA ALPHA

Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for public administration students, administered by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

Eligibility criteria for MPA and PhD students:

• Have maintained a GPA of at least 3.7
• Have completed at least fifty percent of the required course work (a minimum of 18 semester hours)

Eligible students are notified each January in advance of a spring induction ceremony.

Pi Alpha Alpha Officers

Lauren Brenneman, 2025/2026 president
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Zeemering

For questions about Pi Alpha Alpha, please contact faculty advisor, Dr. Eric Zeemering at [email protected]

°®Å¾ÍøGRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Graduate Student Association at the School of Public & International Affairs (°®Å¾ÍøGSA) is primarily concerned with the interests and representation of graduate students across all departments at SPIA. We are a collective of students from Political Science, International Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration who are invested in collaboration across departments. Our activities include bringing in experts to share with all students and faculty at SPIA, surveying student interests and elevating graduate student voices in °®Å¾Íødecision-making processes, and organizing social events to promote inclusivity at SPIA.

Contact: [email protected]

Got questions? Send us an email and we’ll get back to you with answers as soon as possible! You can also contact us at 706-542-9660. For academic advisement questions, please call 706-542-2961.

Contact information for the Department of Public Administration and Policy is listed below. For information relating to the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) including the Dean’s office, development, alumni relations, public relations and media inquiries and IT support, please email [email protected].

MAILING ADDRESS

Department of Public Administration and Policy
School of Public and International Affairs
The °®Å¾Íø
204 Baldwin Hall,
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602

Phone: (706) 542-9660

MPA AND PHD ADMISSIONS

Department of Public Administration and Policy
Attn: Admissions Office
204 Baldwin Hall
The °®Å¾Íø
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-9660

DEPARTMENT HEAD OFFICE

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. Eric Zeemering
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
204B Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-2970
[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

Mallory Osner
204 Baldwin Hall

Telephone: (706) 542-9660
[email protected]

PROGRAM DIRECTORS & COORDINATORS

MPA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Emily V. Bell
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
202A Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-2962
[email protected]

MPA PROGRAM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Aaron Redman
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
204D Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: ( 706) 713-2055
[email protected]

MPA CAREER SERVICES COORDINATOR

Nicole Glenn
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
204C Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: ( 706) 542-9583
[email protected]

GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Kristin Lawrence 
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
207 Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-3510
[email protected]

MPA ADVISING AND RECRUITMENT ASSISTANT

Mattison Strom
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
203A Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: 706-542-2961
[email protected]

PHD PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Katherine Willoughby
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The °®Å¾Íø
201B Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615
[email protected]