The University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs will have a strong presence at the 2026 Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Annual Conference, with faculty, graduate students, and
Author Archive
Apr 2026
Piecing Together SPIA’s History: The Story Behind the Cover of the 25th Anniversary Magazine
This collage was created by Claire Scafidi, a third-year SPIA student from Kennesaw, Georgia, who is majoring in International Affairs, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Spanish, while also pursuing
Apr 2026
Leadership Rooted in Service: The Kemps’ Enduring Impact on Georgia
Public service is more than a profession. It is a calling. It demands courage in moments of uncertainty, clarity in times of crisis, and a belief that leadership is about
Apr 2026
Reta Jo Lewis: A Life of Purpose, A Legacy of Service
When Reta Jo Lewis (AB ’75) stepped onto the University of Georgia campus in the 1970s, she was one of only 500 Black students. Her journey to UGA and SPIA
Apr 2026
Alumni Impact Award: Ted Pestorius
When Ted Pestorius (MPA ’15) found himself weighing a major career opportunity, he turned to someone who knew how to navigate uncharted waters—his father, Mike, a retired U.S. Navy submarine
Apr 2026
Alumni Impact Award: Larissa Martinez
Larissa Martinez (AB ’04) has spent her life on the move—across states, across sectors, and across the many rooms where decisions are made. She grew up hopscotching the country, attending
Apr 2026
Alumni Impact Award: Matthew Fuhrmann
Matthew Fuhrmann (AB ’02, PhD ’08) still remembers the moment he realized that grit could be stronger than defeat. It was January 31, 1993. He was a kid from Buffalo,
Apr 2026
SPIA Ranked Among Top Public Affairs Schools
The School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia continues to rank among the leading institutions for public service education, earning top marks in both national and
Apr 2026
SPIA Faculty and Students Honored at ASPA 2026
Faculty and students from the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) earned national recognition at the 2026 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference, with multiple
Apr 2026
The “Calibration Dilemma”: Why AI Forces Dictators Into Risky Tradeoffs
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,
