University of Georgia graduate Sean Manning (AB ’25) has been awarded the prestigious Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship for fall 2025. Since 1987, the Scoville Fellowship has supported emerging professionals in the field of international peace and security, providing them with the opportunity to work with leading policy organizations in Washington, D.C.
A native of Hahira, Georgia, just outside Valdosta, Sean’s passion for international affairs took root early through high school speech and debate and Model United Nations. His path to UGA—and to the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA)—was marked by a clear sense of direction. “I came in as an intended international affairs major from the start,” he said. “I was a SPIA Dawg all the way.”
At UGA, Sean pursued a double major in International Affairs and Economics, combining global policy with a foundation in analytical tools. But it was his involvement with the Security Leadership Program (SLP) and mentorship from Dr. Maryann Gallagher that truly crystallized his professional goals. Through her, he was introduced to the critical field of energy security, a topic he connected to personally.
“Growing up in South Georgia, hurricanes could leave us without power for weeks. It always struck me how fragile our energy systems were, even in a country as developed as ours,” he explained. That curiosity led him to nuclear energy policy—and eventually to the broader world of nonproliferation and arms control.
Sean’s academic and experiential trajectory has taken him across the country. In Summer 2023, he participated in a fellowship at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California, where he engaged deeply with leading experts in nuclear arms control. The following summer, he worked as a contractor with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, gaining first-hand experience in federal-level policy implementation. While that experience affirmed his passion for the field, it also helped him identify what kind of work best fit his goals.
“I love research, but my true passion is advocacy,” Sean said. “The Scoville Fellowship gives me the chance to be where the rubber meets the road—engaging with the policy process on Capitol Hill and seeing how change is actually made.”
As part of the fellowship, Sean will be working with the Union of Concerned Scientists, where he’ll focus on the U.S. defense and nuclear budgets. His work will also involve attending congressional budget hearings and supporting working groups engaged in arms control policy.
For Sean, the opportunity to move to Washington, D.C., is a dream made possible by the fellowship. “The cost of living in D.C. can be a real barrier,” he said. “Scoville makes this possible for people like me who are passionate about the field but wouldn’t otherwise have the financial backing to just move to D.C. for an internship.”
His goals during the fellowship are clear: deepen his understanding of the defense budget, expand his network, and contribute meaningfully to advocacy efforts that connect national security decisions to the everyday lives of people.
Sean credits much of his success to the people and programs at SPIA. “Dr. Gallagher is just the best—she opened so many doors for me,” he said. “And SPIA has really prepared me to thrive in these spaces. I’ve been in rooms with people from Ivy League schools, and I felt ready. SPIA is punching above its weight.”
In addition to his academic and research commitments, Sean was active in Student Government for all four years and was a leading member of UGA’s highly respected Model UN team—one of the oldest in the country. These experiences helped hone his soft skills, confidence, and professional poise. “I learned how to advocate, how to write and speak effectively, and how to take initiative.”
His advice for SPIA students interested in peace, security, or public service? “Take every opportunity. Don’t wait. Reach out to your professors. The people here at UGA are your best resource.”
