Fall Semester (9 hours)
POLS 5030 Introduction to Applied Politics (3 hours) This “Launchpad” course will introduce students to substantive issues and knowledge needed to pursue a career in politics and politically-oriented advertising and public relations. Course material will be integrated with guest lectures by a variety of practitioners from politics and public affairs.
ADPR 3860 Introduction to Public Affairs Communications (3 hours) This course describes the field and the role of public affairs and advocacy in shaping public policy, legislation, and politics. Relevant topics include politics and media, ethics, advocacy advertising, and elements of historical campaigns.
POLS 4150 Research Methods for Political Science (3 hours) This course will be taught with a dedicated Applied Politics section and will focus on helping students develop the tools necessary to engage in applied politics and applied politics research.
Spring, Summer, or next Fall Semester (4-12 hours)
Internship courses may generate anywhere from 4 to 12 hours of course credit depending on the combination of requirements utilized by the professor and student. Internships must be sponsored by the Director of the Applied Politics program and developed with the specific career interests of the student in mind. Students may engage in an internship program affiliated with another body, however, students must register for POLS internship hours (at least 4) in order to meet the curriculum requirements for the Applied Politics track of the Public Affairs Professional Certificate. The core courses in the Applied Politics Program should be completed before the internship portion begins, however, some exceptions may occur and will be determined by the Director of the Applied Politics. Students must meet with the Applied Politics Director in person regarding their internship and assignments prior to registering for internship hours.
Thank you to the practitioners who have shared their stories, tips and tricks for working in politics and public affairs communications.
Alexa Bankert, Assistant Professor of Political Science, UGA School of Public and International Affairs
Greg Bluestein, Political Reporter, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Ryan Bowersox, Senior Policy Analyst, Senate Research Office, Georgia State Senate
Kaitlyn Branson, Vice President of Operations, War Room Strategies
Charles S. Bullock, III, Richard B. Russell Professor, University Professor of Political Science, UGA School of Public and International Affairs
Keisha Carter Brown, Public Service Partner, RaZor Solutions Group, LLC
Jordan Chinouth, President/Chief Executive Officer, War Room Strategies
Rebecca DeHart, Executive Director, Democratic Party of Georgia
Earl Ehrhart, State Representative of Georgia
Wells Ellenberg, Government Affairs Manager, Southern Company
Terry England, Georgia State House Representative, Chair, Appropriations
Bill Evelyn, Broadcast/Video Specialist, UGA Marketing & Communications
Carmen Foskey, Executive Director, Georgia Republican Party
Spencer Frye, GA State House
Jordan Fuchs, Vice President, Landmark Communications
Houston Gaines, GA State House
Jim Galloway, Senior Political Reporter, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Kristin Garrett, Assistant Professor of Political Science, UGA School of Public and International Affairs
Ben George, Catapult Consulting, former Chief of Staff for State Democratic Leader, Georgia State House
Cody Hall, Press Secretary, Governor Kemp
Jessica Hayes, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. House Member, Jody Hice
Neill Herring, Lobbyist, GA Sierra Club, Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Flint Riverkeeper, Ogeechee Riverkeepr, GA Forest Watch
Robin Hubier, Jackson Spalding, Corporate Social Responsibility
Melissa Jackson, Broadcast Media Relations Coordinator, UGA Marketing & Communications
Bree Johnson, Digital Strategist, currently with Tomlinson for Senate
Josh Jones, President/CEO Red Clay Communications
Ronny Just, Governmental Relations Manager, Georgia Power
Paul Kilgore, PDS Compliance
David Lakly, Vinson Institute, Expert, Georgia Legislative Process
Josh Mackey, Vice President of Government Relations, FrogueClark
Anthony Madonna, Associate Professor, Russell Teaching Professor, Political Science Department, UGA School of Public and International Affairs
Amanda Maddox, Communications Director, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson
Larissa Martinez, Director of Operations, Carly for America
Abit Massey, Georgia Poultry Federation President Emeritus
Lewis Massey, Partner at Massey, Watson & Hembree, LLC
Joel McElhannon, Managing Partner of Parlay Marketing Partners, LLC
Jim McVaney, Senior Director, Federal Relations and Policy (Energy, Environment & Agriculture) at Bayer
Carey Miller, Legal Counselor to Governor Deal
Powell Moore, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense
Bill Nigut, Senior Executive Producer at WGPB; WSB Political Reporter
Kristin E. Oblander, President, Oblander Group
Eric Paulk, Deputy Director, Georgia Equality
Hadas Peles, Project Manager, American Israel Public Affairs Committee
William Perry, Executive Director of Georgia Ethics Watchdogs
Xeron Pledger, Constituent Liaison and Special Projects, U.S. House Representative Johnson
Trey Pollard, National Press Secretary, Sierra Club
Speaker David Ralston, Speaker of the House, Georgia House of Representatives
Matt Ralston, Manager of State Affairs, Troutman Sanders Strategies
Ralph Reed, President, Century Strategies
Lori Ringhand, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law, UGA School of Law
Brian Robinson, Political Strategist, President of Republic Consulting, Former Communications Director for Governor Deal
Karen Russell, Associate Professor of Public Relations & Jim Kennedy New Media Professor, UGA Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Adrien Sandercock, Fiscal Policy Analyst, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
Ben Sheidler, Director of External Communications for Coca-Cola North America
John Sides, Associate Professor of Political Science, George Washington University
Brett Smith, Legislative Field Representative, U.S. Rep. Ferguson
Kristen Smith, Senior Lecturer, Public Relations, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Ben Stout, Senior Field Coordinator, U.S. House Member, Jody Hice
Jessica Suh, Legislative Staff, U.S. House Rules Committee
Stuart Swinea, Field Organizer, Iowa Democratic Party
Grant Thomas, UGA Office of Government Affairs, Director of State Relations
Michael Thurmond, CEO, DeKalb County, Georgia
Bob Trammell, GA 132, Ga House Minority Leader
Chuck Toney, Senior Strategist, Jackson Spalding
Shivani Vakhari, Legislative Correspondent and Press Assistant, for U.S. House Representative Graves
Lynn Vavreck, Professor of Political Science and Communication Studies, UCLA
Savannah Viar, RNCC and War Room Strategies
Jeff Vreeland, Director of Digital Operations, Prosper Group
James Wallner, Vice President for Research, The Heritage Foundation
Brad Williamson, Legislative Field Representative, U.S. Senator Isakson
Chrystian Woods, Director of Organizing and Outreach, Democratic Party of Georgia
Thank you to the following donors whose generous support makes this program possible!
Mr. Eli J. Abad
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Ms. Caroline L. Anderson
Ms. Sarah J. Baines and Mr. Christopher P. Baines II
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Capt J. Wesley Bernard
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Mrs. Frances Bullock and Dr. Charles S. Bullock III
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Dr. Brett A. Clementz and Dr. Jennifer E. McDowell
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Mr. Christopher C. Devine
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Mr. David B. Dove and Ms. Courtney Dove
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Mr. Donavan K. Eason and Mrs. Ashley L. Eason
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Dr. Ashton G. Ellett and Ms. Jessica Ellett
Mr. Raphael E. Fix
Ms. Cassidy M. Flood
Mr. Ross E. Freeman
Mr. Kerman D. Goodin II
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Mr. Keith A. Guthrie and Ms. Carolyn C. Guthrie
Mr. Robert M. Haire and Dr. Susan G. Haire
Mr. Cole M. Harper
Mr. J. Bradley Harris
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Mr. Mark Isbitts and Ms. Debra Isbitts
Mr. Dylan M. Jolley
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Dr. Joshua M. Lang
Mrs. Megan L. Larkins and Mr. Wallis M. Larkins
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Mr. Joseph A. Lestingi III and Ms. Kathryn L. Fisher
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Mrs. Kaylyn E. Littleton and Mr. Jeffery Littleton
Ms. Leanne E. Livingston
Mr. Joshua J. Mackey and Ms. Kallarin Mackey
Mrs. Brooke Malcom
Mr. Justin P. Maloney
Ms. Sara Beth Marchert
Ms. Jessica D. Martin
Mr. Lewis Massey
Mr. John J. McArthur and Judge Sara McArthur
McArthur & McArthur, P.A.
Mr. Allen T. McCall
Mr. James P. McVaney Jr.
Mr. John T. C. Mitchell
Mr. Kevin L. Mitchell
Ms. Angela M. Morgan
Ms. Madeline C. Morgan
Ms. Katherine R. Moseley
Ms. Roya Naghepour
Mrs. Caroline M. Paczkowski and Dr. Andrew M. Paczkowski
Ms. Samantha E. Paul
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Mr. Ethan M. Pender
Ms. Nicole T. Phillips
Dr. Andrew W. Pierce
Dr. Keith T. Poole and Mrs. Jan Poole
Mr. Glyndon D. Pruitt
Mr. Robert F. Ray Jr. and Mrs. Karen Cochran Ray
Red Maple Group, LLC
Ms. Tiffany N. Reed
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Dr. Deondra E. Rose
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Mr. Adrien D. Sandercock
Mr. Brett D. Smith
Mr. Hunter G. Smith
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Mr. Grant R. Thomas I
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LTC Scott M. Virgil
Mr. John T. Walden
Mr. Frank A. Wasser
Dr. Peter W. Wielhouwer
Mr. Brad L. Williamson
Mr. Jonathan M. Wilson
updated 4.5.21
Gaines, Houston
Harben, Catherine
John-Williams, Kimberlee
Lozano-roman, Glanny
MacPhail, Kate
Marticke, Sam
McAllister, Kaylyn
Mitchell, Tate
Morgan, Madeline
Naghepour, Roya
Sandercock, Adrien
Smith, Hunter
Stone, Emily
Williams, Hayley
Burkett, Mark
Conde, Louis
Dickinson, Bailey
Flores, Stephanie
Griffin, Elizabeth
Hennessy, Reed
Hood, Callie
Hudson, Josh
Katz, Evan
Knell, Samuel
Konishi, Allyson
Marsh, Charlene
Melton, Preston
Pender, Ethan
Plombon, Megan
Siggers, Grace
Thigpen, Cary Lynne
Vanden Heuvel, Alex
White, Haleigh
