Two Institute of Government student employees were named as UGA Student Employees of the Year. Garrison Taylor, a graduate research assistant with the Infrastructure and Community Resilience division, was awarded Graduate Student Employee of the Year, and Hannah Brown received runner-up for the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award. An additional four students from the Institute of Government were recognized as Top 100 UGA Student Employees of the Year honorees: Disha Adama, Hayat Abdulla Asad Cue, Kailani Restrepo and Micah Shannon.
Hometown
Jefferson, GA
Degree Program
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology with neuroscience emphasis, Spanish minor, May 2024
Position at the UGA Institute of Government
Student Employee, Survey Research and Evaluation Support division
Career Goals
I want to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and explore culturally informed treatment plans for marginalized communities. Through research, I aspire to continue making direct impacts in individuals' lives and amplify the voices of those unheard.
Why did you want to serve at the UGA Institute of Government? What makes you excited about your work?
Curious to see how research was applied in the workforce, I sought out employment working at the Institute of Government. During my time in SRES, I quickly learned the efforts it took to create an instrument that yields meaningful data. I was able to apply what I was learning in class to the workforce, and that overlap ignited my curiosity for research.
What has been your most memorable experience during your time at the UGA Institute of Government?
In January, I served as a Data Hub instructor and presented on the importance of knowing your audience. I crafted a presentation from scratch and delivered the information in a setting I was not used to. This experience was the most memorable for me because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to try something new. Opportunities like this fuel my excitement to grow as a young professional.
What advice do you have for students considering working at the UGA Institute of Government?
Your experience is what you make of it, put yourself out there and seek opportunities!
Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Hometown
Fitzgerald, GA
Degree Program
Terry College of Business, Major in Accounting, Certificates in Entrepreneurship and Personal and Organizational Leadership, Pre-Dental, Graduation date of December 2025
Position at the UGA Institute of Government
PROPEL Rural Scholar
Career Goals
Upon my graduation from dental school, I plan to open a series of general practice dental offices in rural locations across South Georgia. I hope to create hundreds of jobs, boost the economies of small, rural towns, and practice unparalleled dentistry through innovations in culture and leadership.
Why did you want to serve at the UGA Institute of Government? What makes you excited about your work?
I applied to the PROPEL Rural Scholars Program to gain an understanding of rural towns that surpassed the knowledge received from growing up in a small, homogeneous area. While growing up in a small town greatly influenced who I am today, I wanted to experience what it was like to take my knowledge and skills acquired through college classes and apply them to the areas that mean the most to me. The PROPEL program has made that possible by allowing me to use my expertise to give a small town the love and attention it needs through targeted projects. I enjoy my work with the PROPEL program, as it provides me with an opportunity to gain a glimpse of how I can strategically impact rural areas whenever I open my dental practices. My teammates, leaders, and supporting staff make our work more than purposeful and impactful, driving enthusiasm and motivation.
What has been your most memorable experience during your time at the UGA Institute of Government?
My most memorable experience while serving as a PROPEL Rural Scholar has been taking a trip to Baxley, Georgia to get a feel of what “life is like” in a rural area. Coming to college, surrounded by students from Atlanta, made me feel as if I missed out on incredible opportunities that weren’t available to me in my small town. However, changing perspectives and taking on a consultant role in a town so similar to my own has made me abundantly grateful for the area in which I grew up. I enjoyed traveling to Baxley, speaking to the city’s incredibly talented workforce, and exploring the hidden gems that make Baxley what it is today. Experiences like these are what excite me about the work that lies ahead of me this semester and push me to give the heart of Georgia my all!
Halle presented to the House Rural Development Council about her experience in the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government PROPEL Rural Scholars program.
