Leadership Programs

By Amanda Respess For the past 25 years, Georgia Education Mentorship — more commonly known as the GEM program — has defined leadership in action. Nearly 800 Georgia College students have completed the one-of-a-kind program, which pairs undergraduates with state changemakers from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce for a yearlong partnership that benefits mentees and mentors alike. “Georgia College and the Georgia Chamber are two institutions uniquely positioned to shape the future of...

By Ian Wesselhoff Thanks to her demonstrated commitment to service,  junior political science major Mia Simmons was recently awarded the Reagan Institute Civic Leaders Fellowship – a six-month program designed for students dedicated to strengthening civic life and bringing forth positive change. Simmons is one of 25 students to earn the fellowship from a nationwide pool of nearly 200 applicants, and she is the first from Georgia College & State University to ever be selected. “When...

By Ian Wesselhoff In the back of her mind, senior mass communication major Paige Blakemore had thought about giving a TED Talk ever since her middle school teachers began playing them in class. But a year ago, it started to feel tangible. In her role as communications specialist for the Office of Leadership Programs at Georgia College & State University, her first big project was working on last year’s TEDxGeorgiaCollege event.With scripts in hand, she ensured each speaker’s talk ran...

By Gil PoundGeorgia College & State University is hosting topical discussions and events throughout an ongoing slate of 2025 Constitution Week events.Centered around Constitution Day Sept. 17, Constitution Week is a celebration of the United States of America’s governing document and the freedoms it affords citizens.“Our Constitution Week always has a lot of energy behind it,” said Dr. Harold Mock, director of Georgia College Leadership Programs and an organizer of the event. “The...

By Ian WesselhoffKassie Arps and Bridget Johnson have a lot in common.The two seniors were both active in Georgia College Leadership Programs, including Leadership Academy, the Leadership Certificate Program and Georgia Education Mentorship Program at Georgia College & State University. In 2024, they studied abroad together in Strasbourg in the Intercultural Leadership Program. They even serve as vice president and president, respectively, of the Georgia College Circle of Omicron Delta...