Government & Sociology, Department of

Every once in a while, an obstacle isn’t an obstacle at all. It’s the perfect opportunity. That happened last fall when people on campus noticed the city had no public art ordinance. For years, Milledgeville City Council members said they wanted one. Without one, they had no guidelines for approving municipal art. That void gave a Georgia College & State University policymaking class some real-world experience. By proposing rules for art in the city, that class may also pave the way...

For people to respect law enforcement, the criminal justice system must be fair and reasonable—creating policies that make citizens of all classes and races feel safe. These are the words and hope of Montavious Taylor Sr., a Marine veteran, who earned his master’s in criminal justice at Georgia College & State University in December. He wants to be part of the change that makes justice equitable for all people. “I grew up witnessing the good and bad of the criminal justice system,”...

Vivian Cassaniti applied herself 110% at Georgia College & State University. She’ll graduate in December with a degree in both political science and philosophy.  In addition, she’s graduating with a concentration in pre-law, several accolades and priceless experiences. “My two majors complemented each other nicely,” Cassaniti said. “Now, I plan to apply to several colleges for my master’s degree while also applying to law school.” Cassaniti is a recent recipient of the Pajari Best...

Few today in the United States have borne the kind of scars Dr. George Kieh has for freedom. Born and raised on a rubber plantation in Liberia, Georgia College & State University’s latest Coverdell Visiting Scholar learned about injustice firsthand. His father worked the plantation 35 years, and treatment for laborers could be harsh.   By middle school, Kieh had organized his first social-justice movement. He later became president of the University of Liberia’s Student Government...

As a teenager, Grace Cooper, ’22, was intrigued by the “X-Files” TV series. She thought it would be cool to work with the FBI. When she took her criminal justice classes at Georgia College & State University, she quickly learned the fiction behind the television series depicting law enforcement.  “I once thought it would be so cool to be an investigator,” said Cooper, transitional case manager for the Continuum of Care program at Riverbend Correctional Facility in Milledgeville. “Then,...

Junior Emily Lanham pinpoints the 2016 U.S. Presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton as the pivotal moment in life that led her to politics. Little did she know she’d soon be a Georgia College & State University intern in the nation’s capital, working in U.S. Rep. Rick Allen’s (R-GA) office and rubbing elbows with congressmen in the U.S. House of Representatives. Allen oversees District 12 in Georgia—which includes Lanham’s hometown, Augusta. “I was ecstatic when...

This December, Omega Hedgepeth became a two-time graduate of Georgia College & State University. She's worked as a university accountant for the past 11 years, most recently in Accounting Services. Interestingly enough, that’s not what she’s getting a master’s in.   “I started my Master of Public Administration some time ago—and I took two breaks—so I’m excited to be at the end of that journey,” Hedgepeth said. “I fell into the public administration program and it’s been very different...

Criminal justice major Cameron Alee of Augusta, Georgia, knew she wanted to work in law enforcement for the federal government. Ultimately, Alee plans to mix her minor in international studies with criminal justice for a career with the U.S. Foreign Service.  “I always loved learning about criminal history,” she said. “I want to add the element of working for the criminal justice system along with American international affairs. Dr. Carrie Cook, professor of criminal justice and coordinator...