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...
The United States is in dire need of professional election administrators who understand today’s legal challenges, changing policies, vote-collection methods and latest technology.In response, Georgia College & State University has created a new Election Administration Certificate—the first academic certificate on elections in the state of Georgia and one of only a few nationwide.“Certificates in election administration go a long way in educating students about the election process...
Story and photos developed by University Communications. After 15 years in public administration and 16 years teaching the subject—Dr. Victoria Gordon retired. But she wasn’t idle long. Gordon turned quickly around and applied for the chance to be Georgia College & State University’s 2022 Paul D. Coverdell Visiting Scholar. It was the perfect opportunity to focus on her favorite teaching subject, “Women in Politics,” a topic she only taught five years before retiring. In those years,...
Story, photos and video developed by University Communications A week after the United States recognized the 102nd anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, Dr. Victoria Gordon, the Paul D. Coverdell visiting scholar, impaneled a group of current and former, female elected officials to rally engagement in the political process and reflect upon the state of equality within U.S. civil society. The Women in Politics panel included Milledgeville Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan, Georgia...
Samantha (Sam) Paton Town/state: Marietta, Georgia Major/minor: I’m double majoring in political science and criminal justice with a minor in economics. I’ve always been interested in government and law since I was a kid. History and government have been my strongest subjects in school. It’s in my best interests to study something I enjoy and am good at. Why Georgia College? I like GCSU because of the small environment and smaller class sizes. I’d like to be able to get to...
