Hi, everyone! I’m Bailey Hardison- a fourth-year political science major from the Eastern Shore of Maryland with a minor in English and law, jurisprudence, and the state. Fall semester of my junior year, I was grappling with the decision of whether to apply to law school. I had always planned on law school, and the School of Law here at UGA even contributed to my decision to commit to the University (as an out-of-stater from a small town, I loved the idea of not having to move twice). Thinking through my options, I decided that while my classes I had taken from law school faculty as part of my minor had been dynamic, intriguing, and all things good, they
ultimately weren’t where my passions lay.
Slightly panicking about what comes next, I discovered the Double Dawgs pathway in Educational, Administration, and Policy. This program is in its inaugural year and is for political science majors interested in careers in educational law, policy, consulting, or even as a school administrator themselves. While not the path I originally set out on, the content of my EDAP classes has been the most exciting and relevant courses of my time at UGA as I work towards a career in higher education.
Because the students of SPIA are so remarkable, it’s easy to look around at my peers about to tackle their first year of law school or coming off of an insane Congressional internship and think, “Are my goals as important as theirs?” Spoiler- they are. As a senior who didn’t know this path of study existed as a freshman (or even a sophomore), this program has combined the policy element of political science I have always enjoyed with the human emphasis on education. Looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t block myself into one path, but found something authentic to me. UGA’s motto is “to teach to serve and to inquire into the nature of things,” and I hope every student feels confident and validated in their own choices as they do just that.
