
Congratulations to Dorian Philpot for being selected as February MPA Student of the Month!
Dorian Philpot is in her final semester of the MPA program at the University of Georgia, specializing in Public Policy. Originally from Pennsylvania, Dorian graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in December 2022 with a B.S. in Economics, a minor in Political Science, and a certificate in Leadership Studies. Her academic journey has been marked by a strong foundation in economics and public administration, with a keen interest in how policy impacts communities. Dorian’s passion for public service was ignited by a financial education research paper early in her undergraduate career. Dorian’s commitment to a career in public service was solidified after she gained valuable experience as an Economics Intern at the Virginia Employment Commission, a Data Science and Analytics Intern at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and a Program Coordinator at the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation. Currently, Dorian serves as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government for Workforce and Economic Development. Through her assistantship, Dorian has supported various projects including six published economic analysis studies for the Georgia Legislature on Georgia’s tax incentive programs. She is currently focused on a report on the Return on Investment of Georgia’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program for the Georgia Department of Education. Dorian has truly enjoyed the way her MPA coursework has enhanced the experience and practical application of her assistantship. Dorian’s leadership and community involvement are evident in her roles as Treasurer and Spring Banquet Committee Chair for Georgia Students for Public Administration. Her dedication to excellence has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being named Economics Student of the Year 2022, receiving the Black History in the Making Award 2022, and being a member of honor societies such as Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. After graduating in May 2025, Dorian plans to pursue a career that allows her to continue to blend her analytical skills and passion for impactful governance, ensuring that policies reflect the diverse needs within communities.