Lauren                                                           Orla (L) & Gabi  

Three UNG students have joined the PSIA department’s Communications Team for the Spring 2023 semester.  

Orla Fennell, a senior from McIntosh High School, and Gabriella (Gabi) Bartlett, a junior from Northview High School were hired as “student workers” following their success at UNG’s Model UN and the WMGIC conference, respectively. Both are current majors in International Affairs with concentrations in Europe and thus have first-hand knowledge of the PSIA department and its student outreach programs.  

Lauren Varga, an undergraduate student in the Arts Department joins the PSIA Communications Team as an intern. She began building her skills in graphic design and marketing while at North Forsyth High School and expanded them during her time at UNG. Lauren’s specialized skill set is a great addition to our Team, where it will be used to enhance our digital marketing efforts, particularly in creating the 2023 Spring PSIA Newsletter and several other Department outreach initiatives.  

Department Head Dr. Dlynn Armstrong Williams is excited to have these students join our team. “It is invaluable that our two PSIA students are so involved and know the Department so well that they can contribute to all facets of our communications outreach program. In addition, all three will have a unique opportunity to enhance their respective skills in ways that cannot be found in the classroom alone.” 

The new hires shared that their interests in political science and international affairs have, “…been fostered throughout [their] time at the school” (Bartlett) and “…grown due to the opportunities that the PSIA Department provides to its students” (Fennell). Their academic interests and outside experience with journalism make them a strong fit for the Communications Team where they will assist with composing articles for our blog and our Newsletter; drafting Department Head internal and external correspondence; creating and editing video interviews; and disseminating information via social media and UNG Connect. 

[Author: Gabriella Bartlett, IA ‘23]