Hometown: Athens, GA
Year: Sophomore
College: School of Public and International Affairs, Terry College of Business
Major: Political science and economics
Internship Unit: J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Have you taken a service-learning course before?
I participated in World Leaders, the first official welcome to all new international University of Georgia students.
Have you participated in a study abroad program?
At the London School of Economics, I took a class on International Political Economics, where we studied the effects of international organizations on building a more interconnected and supportive world system.
Have you had any internship before?
As a Vinson Fellow at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, I performed a qualitative analysis of teaching innovations used by charter schools in order to sort these developments into a more systematic grouping.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I want to have a civil rights firm that fights for the rights of victims of the criminal justice system, who have been wrongfully convicted or are experiencing unjust treatment in prison.
Why did you apply for PSO Scholars?
I applied so that I could get a more hands-on experience within my community through the exciting and innovative opportunities that the University of Georgia provides.
What excites you most about your unit?
I am most excited about working directly with people to help them be better leaders within their community, so that they can create the change that they seek.
What do you hope to get out of this experience?
I want to learn about the ways in which the University of Georgia reaches out to others, and to be a part of something that is bigger than me in a sense that it is devoted to serving others.
Why is service and outreach important to you?
One of the most valuable parts of my life is being connected to others in my community, and I see service and outreach as the best way to be engaged with others in a way that develops a stronger, more connected community.
Fun fact:
During the fall and late summer, I sometimes pick mushrooms from woods around Athens, and sell them to restaurants in Athens.
Potts loved his visit to the New York Botanical Garden.
The Public Service & Outreach Student Scholars program provides the opportunity for a select cohort of undergraduate students to explore and engage with the University of Georgia’s public service and outreach (PSO) mission. Supported by the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, and administered through the Office of Service-Learning, this year-long program is intended to provide deeper understanding of PSO’s purpose, breadth, and depth through supervised service experiences with PSO and communities, to help students link their public service experiences with their career and educational goals, and to create a community of student scholars who understand the role of public service in Georgia and more broadly.
