AU Capitol Day successful experience for students

The Georgia State Capitol recently became a hands-on classroom for 35 Augusta University students and interns, who spent the day engaging with lawmakers, exploring the legislative process up close and discovering how their voices and experiences fit into the work of state government.

Capitol Day, an annual university tradition, provides students with meaningful exposure to the legislative process while showcasing the caliber of students at Augusta University to lawmakers.

“AU Capitol Day is an opportunity to highlight the strong partnerships Augusta University maintains with our state’s leaders as we work together to advance education, research and health care across Georgia,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. “Karen and I were proud to join our students, Foundation trustees and alumni under the Gold Dome. It was particularly meaningful to see our students experience firsthand how state government shapes the work we do. I am grateful for the continued advocacy and support of our legislators and appreciate the time they spent engaging with our students. Their commitment helps ensure that AU can continue providing the life‑changing, life‑saving education that strengthens communities throughout our state.”

AU deans and organization leaders selected outstanding students to proudly represent AU in Atlanta this year. Students had the unique opportunity to interact in small-group settings with members of the local delegation and university leadership.

“I truly enjoy seeing our students’ excitement and engagement throughout Capitol Day,” said Margie Miller, vice president of Government Relations at Augusta University. “It is especially rewarding to watch members of the legislature interact with them and later share how impressed they are by our students’ caliber, professionalism and insight.”

Student perspectives

Dylan King waited several years for a chance to attend Capitol Day. As a Hull College of Business Ambassador, he’s watched many friends capitalize on the opportunity and says the experience exceeded his expectations. 

“Going through high school and in my first year of college, I really enjoyed my government classes,” King said. “I always knew the right answers, knew how the process worked, but it never occurred to me until today what the structure actually looked like – to actually see some bills be passed, what two-thirds majority actually looks like – as well as the fact that the Senate and the House are in the same building, that was also new to me. It was a great experience, and I only wish I could have had it a little bit sooner.”

King, a senior from Augusta, plans to attend graduate school in the fall to pursue a master’s in analytical finance. He doesn’t have an interest in entering politics but is filing away life-lessons from the Capitol that extend beyond the political realm.

“I think tone management was interesting to observe. People obviously don’t always agree on all the issues. And it’s important to treat everybody with respect,” he said.

Francess Pujeh has aspirations of working in public health and felt very inspired after her day under the Gold Dome. She wasn’t aware of the opportunity to attend as a student and was pleasantly surprised to receive an email that she’d been selected by leadership to represent the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

“I emailed it to my parents, I sent it to my friends, everyone,” Pujeh said. “This helped me learn more about internships that would allow me to work at the Capitol, now and even later in medical school. Opportunities like this have been amazing at AU.”

Pujeh, who plans to attend medical school, was proud to see Natasha Savage, MD, associate dean for graduate medical education at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, recognized on the Senate Floor as “Doctor of the Day.”

Pujeh is passionate about bridging public health and medicine and wants to be an OB/GYN in the public health sector. It was her introduction to public health class that pushed her to change her major from biology. She is now a fourth-year health, society and policy student at AU.

“I learned you could study the ‘people side’ of medicine. That’s really what got me interested in it. Learning that medicine isn’t just about the biology, it’s also about the environmental factors that affect people’s health and the health policy. Learning how all of this comes together really piqued my interest and I just can’t get enough.”

Sean Strickland, vice president of the Interfraternity Council who was representing his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, is heavily involved at AU and considers Capitol Day the highest honor he’s had the opportunity to be part of during his time on campus. Strickland said he was looking forward to spotlighting how the university is thriving for lawmakers. 

“I’m really appreciative that I could come back to the Capitol now that I’m older and able to really notice how people are carrying themselves, how they’re introducing themselves to others,” said Strickland, a kinesiology major. “It makes you think about good networking skills. Just sitting, watching, observing and getting to learn have all been helpful here.”

AU Dance Team member Ilene Modaresi represented student athletes at Capitol Day for the second year in a row. She danced at two basketball games at Christenberry Fieldhouse the night before, and though exhausted, she made it a priority to meet the student bus before sunrise for the trip to Atlanta. 

“Returning for a second year allowed me to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones with senators, representatives and lobbyists,” said Modaresi, who has future plans to attend law school. “Each conversation reinforced my passion for government and public service, and with only two more semesters until graduation, experiences like this continue to affirm that I am on the right path.”

Students left Capitol Day energized, many echoing a common sentiment: advocacy matters. Their voices carry weight and their involvement is essential for meaningful progress for AU and beyond.