Congratulations to Emily Gayle for being selected as Public Administration and Policy MPA March Student of the month!

Emily is in her final semester of the MPA program, specializing in nonprofit management. She currently works in two different offices at UGA: the Office of Fire Safety and the School of Public and International Affairs, Office of External Affairs. You will commonly find Emily walking around campus inspecting fire extinguishers in her neon vest, or at the Holmes-Hunter building working to promote SPIA’s development and communication efforts. She also works for two companies in the Athens community: Howard Properties and Perfectly Polished.

Throughout her time in the program, Emily has interned for three nonprofits across the country and for the University’s Office of Research. Her work in the nonprofit sector has allowed her to explore her love for history and education, and the importance of those topics in communities nation-wide. Her time spent with the Office of Research taught her the importance of effective and critical policymaking as it plays out in real time. Above all, these opportunities helped her further understand how leadership and involvement can revolutionize and raise communities for the greater good.

After graduation, Emily is looking to pursue a career in development and fundraising for nonprofits and/or universities, and is open to opportunities all across the country. She loves connecting with people and is motivated to share their passion and dedication to community service. In line with her favorite UGA motto, “never bark alone,” she is a voice for others and hopes that other students recognize the connections and support that our alumni network can provide. Emily is eternally grateful for all the opportunities and connections SPIA and the MPA program have provided her and will greatly miss this community when she graduates in May.

Emily is a wonderful student and we look forward to having her join our MPA alumni and watching her career take off when she graduates this Spring. Remember Emily, there’s another great UGA motto: “Once a Dawg, Always a Dawg!”