Phoebe Ketron, a rising senior at the University of Georgia (UGA), interned in Athens-Clarke County’s Communications and Community Engagement Department. Ketron, an entertainment and media studies major, documented and promoted county facilities, events, and initiatives through videography and photography. Working with the communications team, she created content for platforms such as the government access channel, YouTube, and social media. Ketron also assisted with live broadcasts, digitized old media, created graphics, and took event photos.

Rising Georgia Tech junior Violet Earwood interned in Bartow County’s Engineering Department. Earwood, a civil engineering major, assisted the county engineer and development engineers with plan reviews for permitting. She also helped with erosion and sedimentation inspections at large developments, including distribution facilities and subdivisions. Additionally, Earwood developed her AutoCAD skills and completed design revisions in accordance with the Bartow County Standard Construction Details. She also created flyers and mailing materials to educate residents on erosion and sedimentation issues.

Sophia Harlos, a graduate of Florida State College with a degree in computer information technology, interned in Camden County's IT department. Harlos strengthened the county's cybersecurity defenses through the department's human firewall project, designing and monitoring phishing campaigns to gauge employee awareness and training needs. Using results from these campaigns, she built educational materials and training videos that measurably reduced employee susceptibility to phishing. Harlos also compiled her findings into a presentation for the board of commissioners.

Mirna Sprouse Valdez, a student at West Georgia Technical College, interned with Carroll County’s IT Services Department. Using Microsoft Office and asset management tools such as Asset Tiger, Valdez assessed the county's hardware and software, documented equipment, and verified records to identify unsupported or outdated systems. Valdez successfully tagged 850 new devices and identified 60 assets needing to be decommissioned. She also helped develop a replacement schedule that meets cybersecurity and operational standards.

Kayla McCartney, a rising senior studying public health informatics at Georgia Southern, interned with Chatham’s strategic planning team, helping prepare the county's annual recovery fund report and analyzing investments that improve community resilience. McCartney collected and compiled data from more than 95 projects into a unified report, using tools such as Excel and Power BI to track metrics and visualize performance. Through the process, she learned to measure and communicate project impact.

In Chatham County, Baron Deatherage interned with the Floodplain Management Division, helping modernize its documentation system by digitizing decades of floodplain data into a searchable archive. Deatherage, a rising first-year and urban planning major at the University of Cincinnati, developed his data management skills through the project. Using ArcGIS, Adobe Acrobat, and document management software, he applied FEMA-compliant standards to ensure accuracy and audit readiness.

Kaden Vail, a rising junior and political science major at UGA, interned with Cherokee County’s Community Development Agency, supporting the newly established Cherokee Regional Land Bank. Vail helped build a comprehensive property database to track parcels available for redevelopment, working with county and municipal staff to gather data from tax records, GIS systems, and public property inventories and develop a profile for each parcel. Vail also compiled a findings summary and visual report for the Land Bank Board of Directors, the Cherokee County Planning Commission, and the Board of Commissioners.

Danica Lopez, a student in Morrow High School’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education program, interned with the Compensation/Classification and Workforce Analytics Division of Clayton County’s HR Department. Working under the Human Resources Manager, Lopez helped develop an electronic classification plan and a compensation philosophy standard operating procedures manual. Lopez also researched best practices, analyzed classification data, collaborated with other departments to ensure compliance and equity, and helped design and document a digital tracking system.

Karla Arreola-Gutierrez interned as a cadet with the Clayton County Police Department’s Community Affairs Division, supporting community policing, public engagement, and safety education. Arreola-Gutierrez assisted with neighborhood watch programs and outreach events and created safety materials for crime-prevention campaigns. She also observed patrol and administrative operations in a non-enforcement capacity, gaining insight into law enforcement professionalism and ethics.

Julia Taylor, a master’s candidate in economics at Georgia Tech, interned with Cobb County’s Fleet Management Department. Taylor researched and evaluated microgrid technologies to advance the county’s long-term sustainability goals. She analyzed energy consumption data, reviewed distributed energy and storage technologies, and assessed the feasibility of integrating a microgrid generator to improve efficiency and resilience. Taylor summarized her findings, potential cost savings, and environmental impacts in reports, spreadsheets, and presentations to staff.

Michael Harrison, a rising first-year environmental science major at Kennesaw State University, interned with the Cobb County Water System. Harrison assessed stream health through chemical, biological, and habitat monitoring. Under the supervision of aquatic biologists, Harrison gained hands-on experience in water quality sampling at sites across the county. Harrison also participated in fish assessments, collecting physical measurements and habitat data and analyzing results using the Index of Biological Integrity. Colquitt County (Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority)

Adel Tastanov, an economics major and rising senior at the University of Alabama, interned with Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority’s Human Resources and Finance Department. Tastanov completed a comprehensive update of the employee handbook to ensure alignment with current employment laws, compliance standards, and organizational best practices. He researched state and federal regulations, benchmarked policies against those of peer counties, and drafted updated content in clear, accessible language.

Macy Linder, a master’s candidate in public relations at UGA, interned with Dade County’s Administration Department. Linder helped implement the Building a Stronger County Voice initiative, a strategic communications project to enhance storytelling, transparency, and public engagement in the county. Working with the Communications Director, Linder produced written and visual content highlighting each county department. She interviewed department heads, shot b-roll, and edited complete videos for each department. Linder also identified updates to the county website to enhance accessibility.

Joanna Lamnek, a rising senior and psychology major at the University of North Georgia (UNG), interned with Dawson County’s Senior Center. She updated and organized client information to ensure records were accurate, complete, and compliant with state reporting requirements. Through in-person and home-visit reassessments, Lamnek collected updated data on clients’ contact information, health needs, medications, and food security. She then updated records in the state database, removed outdated information, and ensured consistency across systems. Lamnek also supported the senior center's daily operations and various outreach programs, such as Meals on Wheels.

Kate Knuth, a UNG rising senior and communications student concentrating in public relations, interned with Dawson County’s Administration Department. Knuth gained hands-on experience in video production, interviewing, and storytelling while learning about county government operations. Working under the Public Relations Specialist, Knuth helped create a video series highlighting county departments, filming interviews with directors, managers, and frontline employees, and capturing “day in the life” b-roll footage. Knuth also produced social media videos, assisted with press releases, researched media trends, and observed public meetings.

Jeremy Salguero, a rising second-year student at Emory University School of Law, interned with Fayette County State Court under Judge Jason B. Thompson. Assigned cases to work on from start to finish, Salguero analyzed arguments, researched applicable laws, and applied the findings to draft and finalize orders for the judge with guidance from staff attorneys. Salguero also observed court hearings and trials, gaining insight into trial practice and the impact of legal decisions.

Roger Thomas III, a recent Berry College graduate who majored in communication and political science, interned with Floyd County’s Office of the Public Defender. Thomas helped design and implement a structured internship program to improve the consistency and educational value of student placements. He developed a rotation framework that allows future interns to gain experience in administrative operations, legal defense, investigations, and social services. Thomas also drafted onboarding procedures, developed orientation and training materials, and designed evaluation tools to support the program’s sustainability.

Bryan Hall, a recent Fort Valley State University graduate who majored in criminal justice, interned with Glynn County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Hall helped develop and launch a Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT) program that trains youth ages 14–18 in disaster preparedness and response. Hall adapted FEMA’s Teen CERT curriculum to local needs, supported outreach and recruitment, and helped design a sustainable implementation plan. Hall also presented the program to youth organizations, coordinated communications with the Public Information Officer, and helped plan community events.

Cohen Coolidge, a business administration and economics major and rising junior at UGA, interned with Glynn County’s strategic planning team. Coolidge helped finalize the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and supported the development of the 2027–2030 plan. Coolidge analyzed project data, met with department heads to document progress, and helped draft the final report summarizing outcomes and lessons learned. Coolidge also helped plan and present the final public Quarterly Execution Review, highlighting departmental performance.

Kayla Kuyu, a health promotion major and rising senior at UGA, interned with Gwinnett County’s Office of Emergency Management, working on projects that strengthen preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities. Kuyu contributed to community education, outreach, and emergency exercise planning, including developing a countywide community education program focused on preparedness for vulnerable populations, creating public outreach materials, and assisting with the design and evaluation of county emergency exercises.

Rathieswari Jeyabalan, a recent Georgia Gwinnett College graduate who majored in environmental science, interned with the Gwinnett County Water Resources Laboratory. Jeyabalan gained hands-on experience in environmental science, laboratory operations, and field research. She shadowed scientists collecting samples from Lake Lanier and supported a multi-year study on Serratia marcescens, a common airborne bacterium that causes visible staining in water systems, contributing to the county’s ongoing water quality research.

Radu Casapu, a master’s candidate in city and regional planning at Georgia Tech, interned with Hall County’s Planning and Zoning Department. Casapu evaluated progress toward the goals of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and identified potential updates to the Unified Development Code (UDC). Working with planning staff, Casapu researched land use and development trends, analyzed code language, and explored solutions used by other fast-growing communities. He also participated in community feedback meetings and engaged with residents during Q&A sessions.

Chloe Costley, an incoming nursing student at LaGrange College, interned in Heard County’s Human Resources Department, gaining firsthand experience in local government HR functions and interdepartmental coordination. Costley supported administrative and technical processes, including recruitment, onboarding, personnel management, and benefits coordination. She also helped implement a new HR management system and created educational and instructional materials for staff.

Kendall Wiley, a rising senior studying graphic design at Georgia College & State University, interned with Henry County’s Transportation Planning Department. Wiley developed alternative designs for wayfinding signs along the county’s multi-use trail network. Applying design principles, Wiley created visual alternatives featuring distinct color schemes and layouts that align with county branding and community aesthetics. Using design software, Wiley produced professional-grade sign concepts to help the county finalize its visual identity for future trail installations.

Taya Grant interned with Henry County’s SPLOST office, developing a broad understanding of the plan review process and the governmental processes involved in civil engineering. Grant built practical skills in reviewing engineering plans, learned the processes for government-funded projects like SPLOST and TSPLOST, and studied problem identification and mitigation before and after construction. Grant also created a detailed plan-review checklist and government analysis documentation to streamline the engineering plan-review process.

Lawrence “Braswell” Bryant, a recent UGA graduate who majored in psychology, interned with Irwin County’s Administration Department. Bryant helped develop and implement a centralized property and equipment inventory database across all county departments. Working under the guidance of administrative staff, Bryant designed a system to capture essential data, including equipment type, location, department ownership, and maintenance status, while standardizing existing records for consistency. Bryant also trained staff on proper data entry and system usage.

Christopher Moore, a natural resource management major and rising junior at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, interned with Jasper County’s Administration Department. During his internship, Moore documented and verified prescriptive rights-of-way to help the public works and legal departments confirm maintenance authority and legal access to county roads. Moore researched courthouse and tax records, including deeds, plats, easements, and surveys, to establish accurate ownership and right-of-way boundaries for county-maintained roads.

Jordan Brady, a rising senior at UGA studying political science, interned with Lincoln County’s Finance Department. Brady conducted a chapter-by-chapter review of the county’s code of ordinances to identify outdated sections and recommend updates for consistency with current state laws and regulations. Under the Finance Director's supervision and with guidance from the County Attorney, Brady researched relevant provisions of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and comparable ordinances from peer counties, gaining practical experience in legal research, local government operations, and policy drafting.

Caleb “Bo” Bagley, a rising second-year law student at Mercer University School of Law, interned in the Macon-Bibb County Attorney’s Office, gaining exposure to the diverse legal roles of local government. Bagley performed legislative tasks, provided litigation support, shadowed attorneys, attended meetings, and developed skills in legal research and attorney-client communication. Bagley also supported legal matters related to new capital projects, including a sports and events arena, a jail expansion, and a new convention center.

Carson Bleich, a recent Erskine College graduate who majored in history and political science, served as a law clerk for Meriwether County Probate Judge John Rasnick. Bleich assisted with civil and criminal cases in probate and superior court. He researched and prepared case files, worked with attorneys and the district attorney, and helped issue marriage licenses and gun permits. By following cases from start to finish, Bleich learned the practice of law by researching cases, collaborating with attorneys, and engaging with evidence and witnesses.

Cierra Vaughan, a psychology major and senior at Jacksonville State University, interned with Paulding County’s Mental Health Court, helping develop resources and expand programs for participants. Vaughan helped establish a database of Paulding County local businesses to support participants and identify mental health resources in the community. She also helped develop materials to launch a 501(c)(3) foundation to grow and expand the court’s funding and programming.

Ciara Cameron, a criminal justice major and rising junior at Fort Valley State University, interned with the Peach County Juvenile Court. Cameron provided administrative and advocacy support, assisting intake staff with case processing and serving as an on-call officer as needed. She played a key role in developing, planning, and executing the Positive Incentive Program for at-risk youth, collaborating with local businesses, community organizations, and outreach providers to secure resources and support for program participants.

Kourtney Mays, a Master of Public Administration student at Clark Atlanta University, interned with Rockdale County’s Human Resources Department. Mays developed the county’s first formal succession planning framework to identify internal leadership talent, prepare for the retirement of long-tenured staff, and fill critical roles cost-effectively. She researched best practices, collected data from internal stakeholders, helped implement a 9-Box talent assessment pilot, designed a Leadership Academy model, and developed a toolkit to guide future workforce planning.

Jared Harris, a Master of Business Administration student at Georgia State University, interned with the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency. Harris completed a comprehensive update of the county’s Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Stakeholder Preparedness Review, two critical components of FEMA’s National Preparedness System. Harris supported data collection, risk analysis, and report development. He engaged county departments, first responders, local industries, and community partners to accurately capture the county’s preparedness.

Amme Mobley, a marketing major and rising senior at Brewton-Parker College, interned with Spalding County Leisure Services in the Our Legacy Museum. Mobley helped develop and enhance the museum’s social media presence by establishing a content calendar, developing recurring series, and creating engaging content. She analyzed engagement over time to measure success and track follower growth. Mobley also provided administrative support to the museum in the final weeks before its public opening.

Dylan Peugnet, a management information systems major and rising sophomore at UGA, interned with Spalding County Public Works. Peugnet developed an inventory of major software systems, assessed current utilization rates, and identified unused operational features and critical updates. He also developed training program recommendations, standardized onboarding procedures for new employees, designed training materials for existing staff, and conducted a cost-benefit analysis to quantify potential savings and efficiency gains.

Denisha Williams, an entrepreneurial and small business operations major and rising senior at LaGrange College, interned with The Active Life, a recreational facility for independent older adults. Williams helped plan programs to meet the needs of Generation X retirees over the next decade. She analyzed demographic data on local populations, reviewed national and regional studies on aging trends, and benchmarked best practices from other senior centers and community organizations. Using her research, Williams developed a strategic plan that identifies gaps in current programs and proposes new activities, outreach strategies, facility adjustments, and marketing approaches.