The School of Public Policy is proud to celebrate the Class of 2021 as fall graduates receive their degrees this weekend. As thousands of Yellow Jackets prepare to join (or re-join) the ranks of Georgia Tech alumni, our students are looking back at their time at Tech, as well as looking ahead at their future.
“Go make your big, beautiful dent, and as you do so, come down on the side of boldness,” said author Sue Monk Kidd. “If you err, may it be for too much audacity and not too little. For you really are enough.”
Congratulations to our Fall 2021 graduates! Meet a few of them below.
Anne Hardin
B.S. in Public Policy, B.S. in Business Administration
In her time on campus, Hardin has been involved in the Undergraduate Judiciary Cabinet as Chief Justice, the Society of Women in Business, Phi Mu fraternity, and she’s been a student assistant with the Office of Institute Relations. She’ll be moving to Washington, D.C., next summer to work for Deloitte in their Government and Public Services practice.
What’s been your favorite thing about public policy at Tech?
Getting to know my classmates, professors, and advisor.
What will you miss most about the School of Public Policy (SPP), and Tech as a whole?
I’ll miss the close-knit community of SPP most.
Do you have any favorite classes, professors, and/or SPP staff that you want to shout out?
Richard Barke (Policy Analysis, Regulatory Policy), Zak Taylor (Globalization and Public Policy), and Chad Slieper (US Constitutional Issues) — you all make me love learning! Each of your classes and teaching has positively impacted my life. Thank you! And of course, I wouldn't have gotten through GT without our fabulous advisor, Leslie Ross!
Andrew McGraw
B.S. in Public Policy, minor in sustainable cities
McGraw has been involved in a number of things during his time at Tech, including the Ramblin' Reck Club, Ivan Allen College Student Ambassadors, Omicron Delta Kappa, Global Leadership Learning Community, iGnite Student Advisory Board, Residence Hall Association, Learning Communities Council, National Residence Hall Honorary, Georgia Tech Marching Band, and Student Alumni Association.
McGraw participated in the Sustainable Development and Climate Change study abroad program in Venice, Italy, and researched through the Ivan Allen Research Internship Program and Kendeda Building Equity and Sustainability Vertically Integrated Program. He also interned with Civic Dinners/Inclusivv as a social media/product design intern and in the Ivan Allen College Dean’s Office.
After graduation, he’ll be staying at Georgia Tech to work as a student support coordinator in the Ivan Allen College.
What has been your favorite thing about public policy at Tech?
The small class sizes. It's been great seeing the same faces (both students and professors) in multiple classes over the years — it really allowed us to create lifelong connections.
What will you miss most about the SPP, and Tech as a whole?
I'll still be around Tech, so I won't miss too much, but I will miss having classes in DM Smith. As old and as difficult as the building is sometimes, it has a certain charm to it that I don't think other students on campus get to experience.
Do you have any favorite classes, professors, and/or SPP staff that you want to shout out?
Lindsey Bullinger — she’s the best internship advisor and an amazing professor; she’s super compassionate and dedicated to making sure students learn.
Where else are our graduates going?
- Phillip Carnell, M.S. in Public Policy and Master of Urban and Regional Planning, will continue consulting part-time in the private sector while looking for full-time employment in state or local government.
- Karim Farhat, Ph.D. in Public Policy, will be working for a strategic consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
The School of Public Policy is proud to award six degrees at the Fall 2021 Commencement ceremony. Master's and Ph.D. ceremonies will be held on Friday, Dec. 17, and the bachelor's ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18.