UGA’s Development and Alumni Relations focuses on working with UGA students, faculty and alumni to turn their love for the university into meaningful impact. I am currently working as a communications intern for this team, focusing on drafting different types of written products, including newsletters, impact stories, blog posts and social media content to align with UGA’s voice and branding standards. I also conduct background research and interview individuals to highlight student scholarship recipients and alumni achievements for three different websites. Below is the published content that I have created throughout my time in this role.
These two pieces focused on highlighting two UGA alumni chapters: London and Atlanta. Putting these stories together involved reaching out to the chapter leaders and board members to interview them about their experience and the chapter as a whole. I then had to find an angle for each chapter and determine the best way to show why they are an integral part of the UGA alumni experience.
This series was created to feature different recipes from UGA alumni as part of the 2025 college football season. These pieces were more casual content, focused on being a simple read for all audiences.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation (GFAF) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting free speech and open government. I am currently working as a communications fellow for this organization, focusing on highlighting individuals advancing GFAF’s mission in their work, through written pieces and creation of digital content for a variety of social media platforms. This experience allowed me to explore my interest in the intersection of journalism and law by sharing important information and advocating for the protection of journalist and citizen’s First Amendment Rights to free speech.
This story allowed me to take the different multimedia elements of storytelling that I learned throughout my time as a journalism student and use it to tell the story of an individual who has made an impact on the Athens community. It included newsworthy elements of analyzing how the current political climate has impacted this individual and his journey to becoming a small business owner, and I, along with three other journalism students, sought to tell his story.
Carlyncia McDowell, PhD student and graduate teaching assistant, stands in front of the Institute for African American Studies office located in the Holmes-Hunter Building. This is where she works, pursues her research and creates a safe space for Black students. (Photo/Shweta Krishnan)
Bridging the Divide: UGA Ph.D. Student Uses her Research and Personal Experiences to Create a Safe Space for Black Students on Campus
Carlyncia McDowell has two goals with her work: exploring racial inequities within health and educational policies and supporting her students within the University of Georgia’s Institute for African American Studies (IAAS).
“I’ll take my time and my moments when I get home, but I know that when I step foot here, I really at least want to give to the students that are here,” McDowell said. “Letting them know that this space is a safe space. Safe space to come and cry, safe space to come and eat, safe space to come and talk.”
Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Higher Education
These new executive orders include anti-DEI legislation, “Ending Racial Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” and the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), all of which directly impact topics that McDowell seeks to understand through her research.
“I like to tie in health policy and education policy together and research why,” McDowell said. “That’s what led me to the research instead of actually doing practical work that I originally thought I wanted to do.”
Carlyncia McDowell (second from right), PhD student and graduate teaching assistant, stands with a group of PhD students and her fellow classmates in the African American Graduate Certificate Program. This was taken at the History Graduate Student Association Conference on Mar. 22. (Photo/Rafiki Jenkins)
Research shows that racial inequities and lack of equal access to resources can cause a domino effect in other areas of life, including public health and education.
“Just to have students come to me who are 18, 19, 20 feeling like, what’s the point? How can I continue to move on? Am I really valued in these spaces?” McDowell said. “And to not really have those answers because in many ways I feel the same way. I wanted to work for the Department of Education- will I be able to do that? Will I really be able to teach?”
McDowell mentioned how discouraging it can be to have to stay up to date on the news for her research and continue to have these types of conversations with students.
She also pointed out the ways in which policymakers lack understanding of different communities and the impacts their policy can cause.
“Some people don’t realize ‘as I’m writing this policy’ or ‘as I’m advocating for this,’ that your values and what you believe is also showing through that. That might not encompass everybody it does impact.”
Carlyncia McDowell presents her research at the History Graduate Student Association (HGSA) on Saturday, Mar. 22. She analyzed the implications of education and racism on social determinants of health within education policy. (Photo/Maya Brooks)
Her Upbringing and its Influence on her Teaching
McDowell grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, a city that was predominantly white and heavily influenced her upbringing.
She was no stranger to the reality of growing up with little to no role models that looked like her and a lack of representation in the books she read.
Her personal experiences facing overt racism and being one of 27 students of color in her graduating class of 326 pushed the PhD student to recognize the importance of using her voice.
“I feel like the representation in general; it’s just important,” McDowell said. “So, I think me seeking out that representation, me going to a school, where there were Confederate flags on people’s car or different things of that nature, saying something to my teacher, and writing a whole paper about it, and letting people know how uncomfortable that made me, it made me understand that I have a voice.”
Creating a Safe Space for Black Students
McDowell reflects on her current situation, noting that not everything has been positive, particularly with the current political climate.
“I feel like various parts of my identity, and various parts of people that I care about identities are…attacked and undervalued,” McDowell said. “So it’s like, once again, not only am I trying to prove something to myself, you know, ‘I’m worthy of being here. I’m worthy of the research I’m doing. It’s valuable.’”
While the current political divide and its social impacts personally impact McDowell and her research, she seeks a way to create a safe haven for other Black students, recognizing that this space helped her process the new political changes.
Her dedication to students has had a profound impact. Aaliyah Khaiphanliane, a second-year student studying African American Studies and Sociology, shared how McDowell’s support has shaped her experience within the Institute for African American Studies and UGA as a whole.
Khaiphanliane first met McDowell in the Introduction to African American Studies course, where McDowell served as her graduate teaching assistant. Since then, she has remained connected to McDowell, drawn by the consistent encouragement and inspiration she receives.
“Carly is just an all around amazing person and in many ways, she’s what inspired me to get my PhD,” Khaiphanliane said. “Seeing her hold her own spaces, where she’s very often the only one that looks like her, the confidence that she exudes when she enters a room, and is able to state her views and opinions on things without being intimidated by anyone…I find it very inspiring.”
Carlyncia McDowell speaks with her mentor, Dr. Rafiki Jenkins, and one of her students, Aaliyah Khaiphanliane in the Institute for African American Studies (IAAS) Library. This space is used for students to work and spend time with friends and mentors. (Photo/Shweta Krishnan)
Most importantly, McDowell emphasizes the importance of respecting others and their opinions in her classroom because she believes that is the only way to find a common ground and help positively influence policy.
“This is an open space, and although you might not like or you might not understand what somebody is saying, ultimately, when we do have these conversations, we have it with respect,” McDowell said.
Her ultimate goal is for people from various backgrounds or different beliefs to have respectful conversations that can lead to a compromise or change in actions because it’s necessary for society to move forward.
Skills I Learned:
This story allowed me to take the different multimedia elements of storytelling that I learned throughout my time as a journalism student and use it to tell the story of an individual who has made an impact on UGA’s campus and students around her. It included newsworthy elements of analyzing how the current political climate has impacted her research and well-being, and I sought to tell her story and explain the effect she has made on the people around her. This story will be published on Grady Newsource in July 2025, and I look forward to having this piece be accessible to the UGA and Athens community to highlight this individual’s work.
This story allowed me to take the different multimedia elements of storytelling that I learned throughout my time as a journalism student and use it to tell the story of a marginalized community. It included newsworthy elements of analyzing how the current political climate has impacted individuals, and I sought to amplify these voices and explain their different perspectives. Speaking to students of different ages allowed me to understand different viewpoints of what they thought about this administration’s impact on society, based on each individual’s personal experience. I am grateful to have my first individual story published on Grady Newsource, and I look forward to continuing to use my writing to amplify the voices of different individuals in the communities around me.
I strongly believe in using my access to resources, skills and past experiences to challenge systemic inequalities and promote equity across all communities. My commitment to social justice is rooted in inclusion and empowerment. Through my storytelling, I seek to amplify the voices of those who are not able to advocate for themselves and drive meaningful change. Most importantly, I recognize that true change requires actively listening and having conversations to understand different perspectives and learn how I can uplift all voices.
I am interested in combining my journalism skills with my interest in politics. I am currently pursuing a certificate in public affairs communications, which has allowed me to gain skills aimed at educating and shaping public opinions on policy issues.
Through this certificate, I had the opportunity to participate in the GradyDC study away program in Washington D.C. During this time, I interned at the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a non-profit organization that seeks to influence DC specific policy issues through advocacy, research and litigation.
Letter-to-Editor
This letter-to-editor is written from the perspective of a hypothetical public figure on an important policy issue. It is meant to address the op-ed that the author Michael Bloomberg wrote in terms of addressing the immigration crisis in the United States.
This key messages document is an example document building up to the final campaign. This document focuses on why abortion should be legalized across the nation included main ideas supported by statistics and data.
This advertising script is another example document building up to the final campaign plan. This document creates a hypothetical advertisement based on a public policy issue using visuals and emotions to connect with the audience.
An op-ed, or opinion editorial, is based on a specific policy issue. The author writes the issue based on a strong and informed opinion backed by data. The opinion of the author doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of a publication, rather it gives the author a chance to express their ideas about a specific issue. The first op-ed focused on human trafficking, and how it needs to be more heavily addressed on the national level. The second op-ed was another part of the building blocks to the final campaign plan. This piece focused on legalizing abortion across the nation, addressing the maternal healthcare crisis.
An infographic is used to factually and visually display information based on a public policy issue. This was the final assignment in the Advanced Public Affairs Communications course used to once again, highlight an important public policy issue in a visually appealing manner.
Final Campaign Plan
The final campaign plan was a culmination of all the tools and elements learned throughout the Advanced Public Affairs Communications course. As described earlier, this project focuses on creating a hypothetical public policy campaign, incorporating previous assignments that were used as building blocks for this final project.
I was able to take what I learned about lighting and visuals to create a story about an individual in the Athens community. Having a storytelling background allowed me to put together a written story and take visuals that accompanied the audio and written portion to help create a cohesive, clear project.
I had the opportunity to work with the AJC to do live coverage on Election Day 2024 in Athens-Clarke County. I interviewed voters before polls opened at 7 a.m. and continued to have conversations until 2 p.m. at five different polling locations across the county. This opportunity allowed me to gain experience talking to a variety of people and writing quick stories with tight deadlines. This was one of my favorite experiences because I was able to take the skills that I learned from each of my Grady classes and apply it to a real-world experience and report on a newsworthy event that was highly important across the nation.
One of the most important skills taught throughout my time as a journalism student that I was able to use, was making sure to obtain a source’s contact information in order to be able to follow up with them. Because I was able to do this, I was able to verify details from my story and ensure that the information I published was factually accurate- my main goal with journalism. It was important for me to receive this feedback from multiple professionals in the field to help me recognize the importance of the work I was doing.
Celebrating International Education Month with International Student Life at UGA
International Education Month is more than just three weeks in November. For the University of Georgia’s campus, it’s about internationalizing the student experience and celebrating a variety of cultures throughout the year.
“A large part of International Education Month is showing everyone that international education doesn’t just happen in a vacuum, it doesn’t just happen here in ISL or immigration services and OGE,” said Natalie Kenny-Hall, Senior Programming Coordinator for International Student Life at UGA. “Literally every department has some kind of international education going on.”
International Education Month is dedicated to providing international education to all UGA students. It’s based on the federal initiative of International Education Week, which is the third week of November.
“We recognized that so much international education was being done at UGA that we needed to expand that to cover the entire month,” she said.
It kicked off with the Parade of Flags on Monday, Nov. 4, where students requested their countries’ flag from the International Student Life office. Each student carried their country’s flag from the Arch to Tate Student Center.
“I was carrying the Brazilian flag. It’s my first semester here, and I just came from Brazil, and it was an honor to bring the Brazilian flag with me,” said Majorie Baio, Graduate Assistant for ISL.
Following the Parade of Flags was WorldFest, an event held in Tate Plaza where several UGA ISL organizations had a table displaying their own cultures.
This was a chance for both international and domestic students to interact with international cultures and student organizations from all around campus.
“The ability for our international students to be able to speak about their culture to their peers is really lovely to see that happen in real time,” said Natalie Kenny-Hall.
A variety of departments across campus put on events to continue supporting ISL’s initiative to expand international education across campus throughout the month.
At UGA’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute, the Dancing with Devils: Latin American Masks Traditions exhibit is dedicated to celebrating a small portion of Latin American culture. It’s available for all UGA students to take time to engage with a particular international culture and learn about celebrations and traditions.
“I think international students just love to see a focus of things that are not American and see that celebrated, not just a quick hat-tip of ‘Oh we’re doing this, isn’t that nice?’,” said Natalie Kenny-Hall. “It’s real in depth, a whole month of celebrating on campus that helps them feel more included and it opens up more opportunities for them as well.”
Skills I Used
I liked being able to create another story based on International Student Life. I enjoyed being able to talk about such a broad topic because I think it gave me the opportunity to film different angles to provide a clear picture of International Education Month. This was also my first time using video for a journalistic purpose, and I feel like I learned a lot about filming and editing techniques, which helped me create this product.
