Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are now open and close on Friday, April 3, 2026.
About the Program
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 Georgia 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 beyond.
The program was first established in Spring 2011 with 10 students.
“Our program assessment shows that participating students report a statistically significant increase in their self-efficacy for successfully serving their community, and in their knowledge about the public service mission of UGA,” said Paul Matthews, associate director for the Office of Service-Learning.
Past participants have gone on to receive Fulbright Fellowships, entered medical school, been named Schwarzman Scholars, gone to graduate school in a range of fields, taught for Teach for America, entered the foreign service, been Boren Scholars, served as AmeriCorps VISTAs and have gone on to pursue successful careers in a wide variety of fields.
Program Overview
Fall Semester
- Hands-on leadership development
- Visit the Public Service and Outreach units on Fridays
- Learn about the units’ mission, work and opportunities for involvement
- Meet with PSO administrators, staff and faculty
- Spend a weekend visiting Skidaway Island near Savannah, home to UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium
- Take part in hands-on service opportunities
- Thanksgiving “Turkeypalooza” – food collection and meal distribution through the Office of Service-Learning’s Campus Kitchen at UGA
Spring Semester
- Participate in structured, 120-150 hour internships with one of the eight Public Service and Outreach units or the vice president’s office
- Receive mentorship and supervision by a faculty or staff member
- Meet with university administrators
- Receive recognition at the Public Service and Outreach Annual Meeting and participate in professional development
- Serve as ambassadors for the program
- Have the option for paid summer internships with a unit (does not have to be same one from spring internship)
Apply for the Student Scholars Program
Application and supplemental materials are due April 3, 2026, for the 2026-2027 program. Interviews for the program will occur April 17-27, 2026.
Students who have completed at least one year of university study prior to the start of the program year are eligible to apply. Students in all majors are welcome to apply and to consider how their skills and knowledge could benefit from internships with particular PSO units.
To apply for the program, you must submit the following:
- The completed application form
- A current résumé
- A 250-500 word statement explaining your motivations to participate in the PSO Student Scholars program; your preference and rationale for possible internship placement(s); and how participation relates to your career/academic goals
- One faculty/staff reference form (due April 3)
- Applicants are responsible for assuring referees have appropriate time to complete by the due date.
- A current UGA transcript
Additional information
Program finalists will be interviewed between April 17-27 with final notification prior to the end of the semester.
Here’s what past PSO Student Scholars have to say:
“One of the best experiences I have had at the University of Georgia thus far.”
“I feel like I have learned so much more about the university and about myself through participating in the program.”
“By far the single most impactful thing I have done during college.”
“Without having the experiences afforded me by this program, I would not be where I am today… PSO really did change my life.”
2025-26 PSO Student Scholars
Pablo Ashi
Regenerative Bioscience
Archway Partnership
Marcella Blancato
Biology and Psychology
UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Ava Bradley
Psychology and Neuroscience
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Ella Colker
International Affairs and Political Science
Office of the Vice President
Lukas Cornish
Finance and Management International Systems
Small Business Development Center
Sammy David
Management and Financial Planning
Office of Service-Learning
Jason Eappen
International Affairs and Political Science
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Liam England
Computer Science
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Macy Hall
Advertising and Agricultural Communications
Office of the Vice President
Samir Handa
Biomedical Physiology
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Amber Hensel
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Office of Service-Learning
Shreeya Jajoo
Psychology and Political Science
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Madeline Kim
Food Science and Technology
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Eva Legaspi
Landscape Architecture
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Dominique Lowe
Health Promotion
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Mimi Mayomi
Management Information Systems
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Coriander McGreevy
Anthropology and Ecology
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Nate Ortolano
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Archway Partnership
Emma Pastor
Agricultural Communications and Political Science
Office of the Vice President
Zaya Roberson
Human Development and Family Sciences
Archway Partnership
Jeb Salter
Finance and Management Information Systems
UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
Alekhya Seelam
Management Information Systems
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Andra Sirbu
Biomedical Physiology and Spanish
Office of Service-Learning
Aubrey Skinner
Political Science and Public Relations
J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Madi Thomas
Health Promotion
Office of Service-Learning