Morris E. and Frances G. Williams Minority Student Assistance Fund
The Morris E. and Frances G. Williams Minority Student Assistance Fund provides support for underrepresented students enrolled in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in the Department of Public Administration and Policy. Examples of support include stipends for graduate assistants, travel support to present papers at academic conferences or professional meetings, and campus visits or other recruitment efforts focusing on outstanding underrepresented students seeking admission to the MPA program.
SPIA Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Student Recruitment and Outreach Fund
The SPIA Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Student Recruitment and Outreach Fund enhances SPIA’s ability to recruit and support students who exhibit dedication to racial equality through previous experience, initiative, and creativity in improving race relations in the community.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Study abroad is an important component to the educational mission of the School of Public and International Affairs. In an effort to provide opportunities to students who may not otherwise be able to study abroad, SPIA offers several scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need.
SPIA Georgia Commitment Scholarships
During UGA’s Commit to Georgia Campaign, the Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program was created to grow the number of need-based scholarships awarded to incoming UGA students. SPIA is honored to have had several generous alumni and friends of the School create these types of endowments. The recipients are selected by the Office of Student Financial Aid, and first preference is given to students who declare their intention to study at SPIA. All students who submit their financial aid application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA via the UGA Office of Student Financial Aid), are automatically reviewed for eligibility for these awards.
- Loch and Leena Johnson Scholarship
- Martin Family UGA Scholarship Endowment
- SPIA Five Scholarship
- SPIA Georgia Commitment Scholarship
- Thomas R. Dye and Frank K. Gibson Scholarship
Emerging Leaders Internship Program
The SPIA Emerging Leaders Internship Program promotes the pre-professional development of students from underrepresented and underserved communities through internships and mentoring experiences in Georgia-based public agencies and government-facing non-profit and for-profit organizations. This program advances the goal of “job readiness” and is particularly important for students from underserved communities who often lack strong professional networks when they enter UGA.
Private support for students who wish to participate in this program is provided by the Mesa-Orozco SPIA Emerging Leaders Endowment.
SPIA Experiential Learning Fund
This fund supports experiential learning opportunities for students in SPIA, with a preference given to opportunities targeting the recruitment and retention of students in the School who have overcome obstacles such as socioeconomic or educational disadvantage or other significant challenges. Examples of support include internship stipends and funding for travel to conferences.
Sherry Lyons-Williams Scholarship in Criminal Justice Studies
Named in honor and memory of Sherry Lyons-Williams, the first female member of the Atlanta Police Department to be killed in the line of duty, this fund provides scholarship support to a Criminal Justice student. Scholarships will be awarded to individuals from student populations which are underrepresented in the Criminal Justice field. Selection of recipients is based on the potential of applicants rather than past academic performance, and preference is given to disadvantaged students, as defined by the Criminal Justice Studies Scholarship Committee.
