UGA program offers career support for veterans

By Caroline Paczkowski/UGA Today

The University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs has been selected to join the Service to Service initiative. This program, sponsored by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families, helps veterans and military families build careers in state and local government through graduate study in public service.

Launched in October 2024, the Service to Service initiative brings together a pioneering cohort of public service schools supporting military-connected students. SPIA joins this community with a focus on expanding access to its Master of Public Administration and Master of International Policy programs, enhancing support services and facilitating job placement in the public sector.

“The Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families are well-respected champions of public servants and public service,” said Matthew Auer, dean of SPIA. “We are very excited to partner with them to advance our military-affiliated students who are committed to careers in the public sector.”

SPIA will recruit and enroll a cohort of Service to Service Fellows — students who are veterans, active-duty service members or immediate family members of military personnel. These Fellows will receive tailored academic and career support, including specialized programming to translate military experience into public service leadership, career guidance focused on state and local government roles and financial incentives such as scholarships or stipends.

This new initiative builds on UGA’s strong foundation of support for military-affiliated students. For the ninth consecutive year, the University of Georgia has been named one of the top Military Friendly tier 1 research institutions in the country by Viqtory Media, ranking sixth nationally in 2025.

Clearing the path toward service

SPIA’s mission centers on preparing students for meaningful public service careers, and its graduate programs offer veterans a structured way to extend their commitment to leadership and civic engagement.

The Master of Public Administration program at SPIA has been a cornerstone of public service education for 60 years. Recognized for its academic excellence and impact, the program has consistently ranked among the top 10 public affairs programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The program equips students with the skills needed to lead and manage government and nonprofit organizations. The MPA at UGA offers a clear pathway for veterans seeking to continue their service in public-facing roles.

“The leadership and project management skills developed in our nation’s armed forces provide students with a solid foundation to excel in state and local government careers,” said Eric Zeemering, director of the MPA program. “With additional training in management and policy analysis, we know these military affiliated students will excel in public service careers.”

Since 2009, SPIA’s Master of International Policy program has prepared students for careers in international affairs, diplomacy and global policy analysis. With a curriculum that emphasizes strategic thinking, security studies and international cooperation, the MIP program is particularly well-suited for veterans whose military experience includes global engagement and leadership under pressure.

“We’re excited to assist veterans with transitioning from military to civilian service and eager to help them prepare for positions of increased responsibility across all levels of government,” said Joshua Massey, director of the MIP program. “The knowledge, skills and perspective that veterans bring into the classroom enhances the experience of all SPIA graduate students.”

SPIA will contribute to a national community of practice coordinated by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families, collaborating with peer institutions to share best practices and elevate veteran engagement in public service education. The school will host programming for Fellows, participate in coordinated recruitment efforts and work with state and local agencies to support job placement for graduates.

For more information about the Service to Service initiative, visit volckeralliance.org/initiatives/service-service.