Tag: PAC

Three students selected as Tieger Fellows will promote the Public Affairs Communications program at UGA

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of three Tieger Fellows for the fall of 2020: Sarah Geary, Melissa Hevener and Hannah Payne.

The Tieger Fellowship supports the college’s first-in-the-nation Public Affairs Communications (PAC) program by enabling students to apply campaign skills learned in the classroom towards promoting the program.

Tieger Fellows manage the PAC program’s media relations, social and digital media and event promotion. Fellows work under the guidance of Joseph Watson, Jr., program director and Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professor of Public Affairs Communications.

The Tieger Fellowship is funded by Carolyn Caudell Tieger (ABJ ’69) who has over 40 years of experience working in political and public affairs communications. The alumna also funds the Tieger Professorship currently held by Watson, who also has extensive experience in the field.

“We are delighted to announce the selection of Sarah, Melissa and Hannah as our newest Tieger Fellows,” Watson said. “This fellowship, made possible by the vision and funding of Carolyn Caudell Tieger, is even more critical today than it was at its inception. These students will bring a fresh approach to the promotion of our program at a time when it is greatly needed. I look forward to working with these remarkable students to serve the PAC program.”

“While the PAC program was just a vision a little more than two years ago, it has become a highly competitive offering by Grady, thanks to the exceptional leadership of Professor Watson… and I could not be prouder of how far we have come.” Tieger noted.  “The Tieger Fellows have an opportunity to help the College spread the word even further about this unique and exciting program for students who are interested in a career in politics and public affairs.”

Geary, Hevener and Payne are all working towards the PAC professional certificate and have supplemented their education with numerous internships and leadership positions.

Sarah Geary, from Smyrna, Georgia, is a senior majoring in public relations with a minor in political science. Along with her role of Tieger Fellow, Geary worked as the communications intern for the Institute for Energy Research this past summer. She intends on pursuing a career in public affairs communications after graduation. Geary serves as the media relations fellow. 

Melissa Hevener, from Biñan City, Philippines, is a senior studying public relations and political science. Last year, Hevener served as the student body vice president for UGA’s Student Government Association. She spent this past summer working as a creative marketing intern at Mitchell McClure, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, Hevener hopes to pursue a career in public relations or political communications. Hevener serves as the program promotion fellow.

Hannah Payne, from Rome, Georgia, is a senior majoring in public relations with a minor in political science. This past summer, Payne worked as a marketing coordinator for Abbson, a New York-based digital marketing firm, and as a press intern for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler. After graduation, Hannah plans on pursuing a master’s degree while continuing her work in political communications. Payne serves as the social and digital media fellow.

All three look forward to using their skills to promote the PAC program.

Public Affairs Communications Program: Student Spotlights Summer 2020

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

The Public Affairs Communications (PAC) Program is proud to spotlight the following students for their hard work and determination this summer: Patrick Femia, Sarah Geary, Zach Green, Karlie Hanson, Hannah Payne, Simran Sethi and Grace Wilbanks.

Patrick Femia is a rising senior from Cumming, Georgia. He is majoring in public relations and political science with a minor in public policy and management. This summer, Patrick is interning remotely for Deloitte’s Policy and Government Relations team. He monitors issues of legislative and regulatory importance, mapping stakeholders and condensing information to present to the firm and its clients. This internship has allowed Patrick to build on his past academic and leadership experiences on Capitol Hill and on campus.

“My PAC experience has helped prepare me for this role, which sits at the intersection of public and private sectors and has helped me better understand how firms prepare to advocate for a position or cause with the foundations of PAC.”

Sarah Geary is a rising senior from Smyrna, Georgia, majoring in public relations with a minor in political science. She is currently serving as the Tieger Fellow for the PAC program, in addition to working as the communications intern at the Institute for Energy Research (IER). There, she researches energy policy; writes scripts, press releases, blogs and op-eds; and develops content for IER’s social media. Sarah believes the certificate program and her internship experience has well prepared her for a career in public affairs.

“Coming into the PAC program, I knew that I wanted a career in public affairs communications, however, I neither had the needed skillset or depth of knowledge. I can honestly say that if it were not for Professor Watson’s dedication and the support of my cohort, I would not have the professional experience, confidence or expertise that I have today.”

Zach Green is a rising senior from Duluth, Georgia. He is majoring in public relations and has a minor in English. Zach is working as a research analyst for the Federalist Society this summer. In this role, he is involved in reading, writing and editing documents that support the organization’s goal to promote the principles of limited government embodied by the Constitution. Zach hopes to translate these experiences in law school after graduation.

“The PAC program has helped me with my work ethic. PAC requires people to dive into the world of political communication and politics in general. In doing so, PAC members not only find niches of politics that they are interested in, but they also learn how politics change on a daily basis. Finding out what you are interested in politically and learning more about it forces you to work hard. At the end of the day, that work is very rewarding, and I have the PAC program, Professor Watson and my cohort to thank for making each day in PAC better than the last.”

Karlie Hanson is a rising senior from Atlanta, Georgia. She is majoring in public relations with a minor in French. This summer, Karlie is interning for Governor Brian Kemp’s Office in the communications department where she develops digital content and aids in preparing press releases, video scripts, letters and other ceremonial documents. She was encouraged to apply for this position after meeting the governor’s Healthcare Policy Advisor, Ryan Loke, who spoke in the Introduction to Applied Politics course, a required class for the Public Affairs Professional Certificate. Karlie plans on pursuing a career in public affairs communications.

“PAC has really prepared me for being in this field. It has provided a sturdy foundation to grow from when it comes to political communication. It has finely tuned my attention to the use of certain language and strategy. I can easily say it has groomed me to be a more effective communicator.”

Hannah Payne is a rising senior from Rome, Georgia, majoring in public relations with a minor in political science. She is spending her summer in Washington, D.C., as a press intern for U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler. There, Hannah is working to enhance the office’s digital media, write press releases and aid in constituent communication. She is adding this experience to her resume after interning for Sen. David Perdue last summer. Hannah intends on pursuing a master’s degree while working in the world of political communications after graduation.

“The PAC program has prepared me more than I ever realized for this role along with my public relations communications class in Grady. When asked to write a press release or other form of communication, I feel more prepared and able to do it with ease because I have done it for class so many times in the past.”

Simran Sethi is a rising senior from Boone, North Carolina. She is majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. This summer, Simran is working as the corporate communications intern for Textron’s Specialized Vehicles branch assisting with internal communications projects and events. While in the process of applying for the internship, she was introduced to her current boss Brandon Haddock, the Director of Communications for Textron’s Specialized Vehicles, at a PAC Lunch and Learn. Simran hopes to continue work in corporate communications and go to graduate school in the future.

“The PAC program is valuable for the education our directors give us, but it is just as equally valuable for the networking opportunities we gain. There will be 92 interns at my Textron office this summer, and I will be the one and only communications intern. There are so many qualified students with impressive resumes but forming a relationship with Mr. Haddock at the Lunch and Learn gave me that leg up to stand out in the crowd and be given this opportunity!”

Grace Wilbanks is a rising senior from Orange, Virginia. She is majoring in public relations with a minor in Spanish. Grace spent time working this summer as a campaign intern for Georgia House Rep. Houston Gaines. There, she designed communications materials, engaged in constituent outreach and worked on the representative’s reelection campaign. Grace plans to work in mental health and immigrant advocacy after graduation.

“The PAC program 120% prepared me for this internship. It was exciting to see that for every task I was given, I had already done a similar version in a classroom setting for my applied politics and public affairs communications courses.”

Apollo 11 anniversary meant more for PAC graduate

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Stephanie Dixon (AB ’18), an inaugural cohort member of the Public Affairs Communications program, experienced the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing last year in a very special manner through her job with Lockheed Martin. In the weeks before the anniversary, Dixon worked behind the scenes on Lockheed’s unveiling of the Orion capsule at the Kennedy Space Center. Decades after the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, the Orion capsule will carry astronauts to the moon for the upcoming Artemis mission.

Dixon is now permanently based in Denver, Colorado, where she is a content specialist and editor at Lockheed Martin Space.

Before this, Dixon was part of Lockheed Martin’s Communications Leadership Development Program. This two-year, rotational program allowed Dixon to gain experience in external communications with Lockheed’s Rotary and Mission Systems sector before spending her second-year at Lockheed Martin Space. After graduating from CLDP, Dixon was promoted to her current position.

During her time at Lockheed Martin Space, Dixon has worked on internal communications for the company’s contributions to the movie Ad Astra, the Apollo 11 anniversary, multiple satellite launches and the retirement of NASA’s Spitzer Space telescope, which was built by Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is one of the only companies to have had a role in every mission to space since NASA was founded.

“Whether it is working on program milestone announcements, developing our employee intranet or rolling out new strategic tools to engage our workforce, writing is a core tenet of what I do every day,” said Dixon. “CLDP and Grady played a huge role in allowing me to develop these communications skills, and I look forward to further honing my business acumen with an MBA starting this fall – because communicators should always have a seat at the decision-making table in any business.”

Dixon plans to pursue her master’s in business administration starting this fall at the University of Colorado in Denver. Leading up to her graduation from UGA with a public relations degree in 2018, she held leadership positions in the Public Relations Student Society of America, worked on statewide and congressional political campaigns and interned with a PR agency. Networking and hard work got Dixon to where she is today, and she recommends that all current and future PAC students say ‘yes’ to every volunteer opportunity, guest speaker engagement and informational interview possible to build valuable connections.

 

Sarah Geary selected as summer Tieger Fellow in Public Affairs Communications

Posted on by Dayne Young

The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of a new Tieger Fellow for the summer of 2020 — Sarah Geary. The Tieger Fellowship supports the mission of the College’s first-in-the-nation Public Affairs Communications (PAC) Program by promoting PAC’s unique existence.

The PAC program provides students with practical training in the strategy and practice of public affairs communications focused on public policy and politics. The program allows students to apply skills learned in the classroom to real world public affairs jobs.

Tieger Fellows are responsible for day-to-day efforts to promote the program through use of media relations, event planning and social and digital media. Fellows work under the guidance of Joseph Watson, Jr., Professor of Public Affairs Communications.

This summer, Geary will manage internal and external communications for PAC, contacting and spotlighting PAC students and alumni, as well as producing digital content for the program’s social media accounts and blog.

The Tieger Fellowship is funded by Carolyn Caudell Tieger (ABJ ’69) who spent 40 years in Washington, D.C. working in public affairs and politics. She also funds the Tieger Professorship currently held by Watson, who also has a distinguished background in the field.

“I am excited to welcome Sarah as our 2020 Tieger Summer Fellow,” said Watson. “This fellowship is made possible by the vision and funding provided by Carolyn Caudell Tieger. This support allows us to provide exceptional students like Sarah with the opportunity to promote the PAC program and develop skills that will prepare them for their careers. Now more than ever, it is important to provide students with a practical education in public affairs communications. I have full confidence that Sarah will do an outstanding job of showcasing our students and recent alumni this summer.”

Geary looks forward to using her PAC training to serve the program and prepare for her future career.

Sarah Geary, a Georgia native, is a rising senior studying public relations and political science. On campus, Geary has experience writing for the PRSSA Drewry Chapter at UGA and working as the press secretary for a UGA student government association executive campaign. This past year, Geary served as the communications intern for an immigration law firm. After graduation, Geary hopes to pursue a career in public affairs communications.

Faculty profile: Joseph Watson, Jr.

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

According to Joseph Watson, Jr., to understand a person, one has to understand who his heroes are and who he admires.

Watson, who spends his days teaching about public advocacy, issues management and shaping public opinion in political contexts, focuses on the ideals of individuals who have helped guide his professional path.

“Encouraging civility and civil discourse are my true motives,” Watson says, explaining not only what guides him, but what characterizes his heroes.

He is proud that his list of heroes is bipartisan, and includes Mother Teresa, William F. Buckley, Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., among others. And, then there are material nods to his other heroes, including his penchant for bow ties, a tribute to the late Democratic Sen. Pat Moynihan, and his black, horn-rimmed glasses modeled after those worn by Atticus Finch in the film, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”=

It was Watson’s father who planted the seed of a career related to politics at an early age.

Watson grew up in a household where his father, a union steelworker, followed Democratic politics and regularly watched shows like “Meet the Press” on television.

An ideology class in college led him to re-examine his political leanings, with a new fascination for conservatives like former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and later, former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp.

It was also during this time that Watson started tutoring students in economics and realized the satisfaction that comes from teaching.

“I am most comfortable prepping others,” Watson explains. “I like working behind the scenes, and I get a natural high from working with young people to help them achieve their goals.”

Two years out of law school, Watson began working on Capitol Hill where he served as the legislative director for Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, which led to an appointment working on Internet policy in the George W. Bush Administration. A move to the private sector in 2005 brought him to Exelon, a Fortune 100 energy company, where he ultimately served as the director of public advocacy.

Three years ago, the urge to teach returned to Watson, and he left Exelon to serve as the Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professor of Public Affairs Communications. The Public Affairs Professional Certificate program is offered in partnership with the School of Public and International Affairs and is the first of its kind in the country, offering an education that promotes a holistic combination of political science, journalism and public relations courses for undergraduates.

Joe Watson frequently brings guests into his class to talk with as a way of keeping his lessons fresh and current. (Photo: Dayne Young)

While Watson doesn’t care for the current climate of political divisiveness, he does appreciate the learning opportunities it provides.

“Whatever is going on, we are going to talk about it,” Watson says about his teaching that brings students together at watch-parties during political debates and mid-term elections.

Watson also relishes the special topics courses he teaches, including one on civil rights and his current class on the women’s rights movement taught for the centennial of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. and Susan B. Anthony used public affairs communications to achieve their objectives and create an environment where those laws were passed. I teach my students to use those same tools.”

Watson also directs the intensive Grady D.C. program each summer where students live in Delta Hall while working full-time internships and taking an online class.

“One of the most important lessons I can teach is how to renormalize bipartisan relationships and friendships,” Watson says. “It’s important at an early age for students to get comfortable with people they may not see eye to eye with and have meaningful conversations.”

Watson is proud to be working alongside Tieger in developing the program. Tieger is a 1969 alumna of Grady College who has prospered in a public affairs career spanning more than 40 years in Washington, D.C., and most currently in Naples, Florida.

“It’s an honor to lead the first program in the nation that prepares undergraduates in this area,” Watson said. “There are several master’s programs that focus on public affairs communications, but there is no reason that students should have to wait until graduate school for this education.”

 

Three students selected as Summer Tieger Fellows in Public Affairs Communications

Posted on by Dayne Young

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of three new Tieger Fellows for the summer of 2019: Maggie Cavalenes, Carter Chapman and Austin Gibbons. The Tieger Fellowship supports the mission of the College’s first-in-the-nation Public Affairs Communications (PAC) Program by providing students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-world public affairs work promoting the PAC program.

The summer fellows will work to bolster the program’s digital brand, spotlight student success and showcase how the PAC program is contributing to the career pursuits of recent alumni.

Cavalenes is responsible for managing the program’s social and digital media. Chapman is charged with spotlighting students and alumni in Washington, D.C., especially those participating in the Grady@DC summer program. Gibbons is responsible for managing internal and external communications for the PAC program.

The Tieger Fellowship is funded by alumna Carolyn Caudell Tieger, a 1969 Grady graduate, who also funds the Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professorship currently held by Joseph Watson, Jr. Tieger spent a successful 40-year career in public affairs and politics in Washington, D.C. Professor Watson, also a veteran of politics and public affairs, held executive positions in both the public and private sectors before joining Grady.

“We are excited to welcome Maggie, Carter and Austin as our first Tieger Summer Fellows,” said Watson. “This fellowship is made possible by the vision and funding provided by Carolyn Caudell Tieger. This support allows us to provide these exceptional students with the opportunity to promote the PAC program and develop skills that will prepare them for their careers. I have full confidence that these three students will do an outstanding job of showcasing our students and recent alumni this summer.”

Cavalenes, Chapman and Gibbons are putting their PAC training to good use for the program, on UGA’s campus and in their workplaces this summer. They look forward to using these skills in their future careers.

Maggie Cavalenes is a rising senior who came to the University of Georgia from Cumming. During her time in Athens, she has studied public relations with a Public Affairs Professional Certificate. Cavalenes has honed her social and digital communications skills through public relations internships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Disney College Program and UGA’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. While spending her summer in New York City, Maggie will work as an intern for Guardian Insurance.

Carter Chapman is studying political science and public relations with a Public Affairs Professional Certificate. Since coming to UGA from Acworth, Chapman has spent time with the UGA Wesley Foundation and the UGA College Republicans, where he now serves as vice chair. Chapman’s summer will be spent in Delta Hall interning for Global Grady and Senator Johnny Isakson. After receiving his undergraduate degree in May 2020, Chapman will continue his studies at UGA by pursuing a master’s in advertising through Grady’s 4+1 program before pursuing a career in public affairs communications.

Austin Gibbons, a senior from Stone Mountain, is majoring in political science and public relations, with a Public Affairs Professional Certificate and a certificate in personal and organizational leadership. Last year, Gibbons held a research fellowship with UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government while being involved in several campus organizations. This summer, he is living in Delta Hall while interning for the American Red Cross and Senator Johnny Isakson’s office. Gibbons hopes to pursue a career in government relations after graduation.

Two Grady students selected as new Tieger Fellows in Public Affairs Communications

Posted on by Sarah Freeman

Students to conduct media relations for the nation’s first Public Affairs Communications program

The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the selection of two new Tieger Fellows for the spring of 2019: Madison Gable and Anna Leigh Herndon. The Tieger Fellowship supports the mission of the College’s first-in-the-nation Public Affairs Communications (PAC) Program by providing students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-world public affairs work promoting the PAC program.

The new Tieger Fellows are responsible for managing media relations on behalf of the program and succeed the program’s first media relations fellow, Sarah Cunningham, who graduated in December. Herndon is responsible for managing local media relations while Gable is responsible for conducting national media relations.  

The Tieger Fellowship is funded with support from Grady College alumna Carolyn Caudell Tieger, who graduated in 1969 and who also funds the Tieger Professorship currently held by Joseph Watson, Jr.

“We are proud to welcome Anna Leigh and Madison as our newest Tieger Fellows,” said Watson. “This fellowship would not be possible without the vision and funding of Carolyn Caudell Tieger. Through her support we are able to continue to build upon the early successes of the program by recognizing amazing students and providing them with a unique opportunity to support the PAC program and develop skills that will prepare them for their careers.”

As members of the 2016 PAC cohort, Herndon and Gable have enriched their academic experiences with real-world applications. They are looking forward to serving the program in their respective roles and eventually using these learned skills in their careers.

Madison Gable is a senior studying journalism and political science and is expected to graduate in May 2019. Last year, Gable served as the director of policy research on UGA’s Student Government Association and was a staff writer at Georgia Political Review. Originally from Roswell, Georgia, Gable spent this past summer interning in the communications office at Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization in Washington D.C. After graduation, Gable hopes to pursue a career in public affairs communications.

Anna Leigh Herndon, from Valdosta, Georgia, is a senior studying public relations and political science. In addition to her role as a Tieger fellow, Herndon currently serves as the marketing and branding manager for The Red & Black student newspaper and the C. Richard Yarbrough Crisis Communication intern for the UGA Crisis Communication Coalition. Last summer, Herndon participated in the Grady@DC program, working as a press intern for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and a communications intern at the Institute for Energy Research. Upon graduating, Herndon would like to work in political communications.