Augusta University celebrates Jags On-Campus inaugural class 

Augusta University’s inaugural Jags On-Campus Internship Program marked a major milestone with the completion of its inaugural class of student interns. With opportunities spanning across disciplines, students were placed in academic colleges, administrative units and campus engagement areas ranging from research and health sciences to communications and operations. For many interns, this semester marked the first time integrating the knowledge and theory learned in classrooms into hands-on learning. 

“Augusta University is uniquely positioned as a living, learning lab,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “Every day on our campuses, students see what life-changing, life-saving education looks like, and they experience it in action across health care, research, technology, innovation, business operations, athletics, public service and so much more. This program is a prime example of turning those strengths into opportunities, giving students the chance to bring classroom learning into the real world through paid, meaningful internships right here on campus.”

Designed around the core readiness competencies outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students experienced classroom learning come to life while supporting day-to-day operations and contributing to projects that directly impact the student experience. 

This first look into their chosen fields opened a window into potential career paths and professional possibilities, especially for the highlighted interns, though it represents just a glimpse into a much larger experience of life-changing moments and stories. 

Kedesan Amanuel, government relations intern

Kedesan Amanuel, a third-year health, society and policy student, serves as a government relations intern for the Office of Government Relations. Through the Jags On-Campus Internship Program, she has gained hands-on experience in public policy, expanding upon her initial academic interest in the intersection of health care and policy. 

In her role, she attends committee meetings, drafts bill summaries, tracks legislation and supports office operations and campus tours. She also assisted with Capitol Day, helping manage student engagement and observing the legislative process directly in action. 

“Visiting the Capitol was an amazing experience, especially to see it live and in person,” Amanuel said. “Overall, I’ve really been able to develop my skills, from professional email communication to learning how to have more effective conversations with people and multitasking. Outside of the internship, it’s been great to cultivate camaraderie between other Jags On-Campus interns. There’s this feeling that we’re in this together, and we’re all learning so much and able to talk about our shared experiences with one another.” 

As Amanuel’s site mentor, Margie Miller, vice president of Government Relations, assists and guides her throughout the internship process.  

The internship has provided a shared opportunity for growth and learning within the Office of Government Relations, strengthening both student development and team collaboration.

“We provide these opportunities to our students, but they’re also teaching us about more efficient technologies, processes and workflows,” Miller said. “Adding Amanuel to our team has shown ways in which we can improve, and it’s also helped the team accomplish tasks much more quickly to provide a very high level of service.” 

Will Kinnaird, kinesiology research apprentice intern

Will Kinnaird, an honors third-year kinesiology student, works as a research apprentice intern for the Department of Kinesiology, assisting with the research process, conducting research, writing and editing manuscripts and organizing and collecting data. 

Kinnaird is already a published co-author in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, as well as Life, where he served as first author in an article for his honors thesis topic examining how the core and skin temperature respond to donning personal protective equipment in firefighters, analyzing large datasets of core and skin temperatures and collecting and evaluating saliva samples to assess hydration levels. 

Kinnaird said the experience has been especially valuable as he considers pursuing a master’s degree and likely a docorate, noting that graduating with multiple publications has strengthened his resume. He also credited Maleah Winkler, PhD, associate professor, and Andrew Moore, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, for their mentorship, guidance and feedback. 

“This internship has really shown me and helped me determine what I want to do as a career, so that’s been really beneficial,” Kinnaird said. “The benefit of having a mentor – having someone who is here to teach you, here to help you and here to help you grow – that’s one of the biggest things, and our campus being small really makes these resources accessible.” 

Winkler emphasized the impact of student support, noting that without it, many projects would have fallen to the wayside, and she’s grateful to have an amazing intern for the inaugural Jags On-Campus spring semester.  

“Having a student helper who can take on specific projects and really learn the area has been incredibly valuable,” Winkler said. “It’s allowed us to move faster and stay on top of a large, complex data set that otherwise would have slowed progress significantly.” 

Emmanuel Faminu, photography intern

As a computer science student graduating this year, Emmanuel Faminu took a nontraditional path, pursuing a photography internship with AU’s Communications and Marketing to explore his passions and creativity. Both his academic pursuits and personal interests are rooted in a love of creation, blending his curiosity of technologies with creative expressions to showcase and elevate people’s stories.  

During his internship, Faminu has worked alongside site mentor Laura Evans, marketing strategist for University Communications, to visually tell the story of others, learning to adjust lighting, reframe a shot or capture an image that conveys meaning before a story is even read. 

“Even before I had the opportunity to be in this internship, I was taking photos of students on campus and working on projects that highlighted different communities and their cultures,” Faminu said. “I remember thinking I might find a few people from a particular background, but I realized there was a whole community I did not even know existed. Bringing those groups together and seeing those connections form was really meaningful to me.” 

Faminu built upon this realization through his final project, capturing students in their natural environments. By relying on impromptu photography, he is strengthening both his technical instincts and his confidence, while learning to adapt quickly and produce meaningful work within a shortened timeline. 

Along every step of the way, Evans has provided a guiding hand to help Faminu safely step outside of his comfort zone and build work experience. 

“It’s a true pleasure to work with Emmanuel, and it’s a true pleasure to know him,” Evans said. “He’s so joyful, and he just walks in and his smile lights up a room, and I am honored to be his mentor.” 

Omarion Butts, AU Police Department intern

Omarion Butts, a fourth-year criminal justice student, serves as an intern with the AU Police Department, rotating through multiple units to gain exposure to the full scope of the department’s work and how those areas connect in practice, from patrol operations and communications to investigations and community services. 

Building on his experience in the FBI Collegiate Academy, Butts is further developing those foundational skills through the Jags On-Campus internship, where he is gaining firsthand exposure to the realities of law enforcement, from combatives and traffic stops to surveillance and rapidly escalating situations that require quick judgment and awareness. 

With his sights set on working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, he is building investigative skills and real-world experience by earning CPR and Narcan certification and training as an interview rater. 

“My observation skills, adaptability, communication and critical thinking have changed a lot,” Butts said. “The way I thought about going into a case before any experience has completely shifted. It is not like that at all. My skills have developed and pushed me to look at things from angles I never would have considered before.” 

Curtis Dyal, director of Campus Security, notes that having a member of the AU student body join the police department provides a fresh outlook and helps the agency become closer to the community they serve.

“His effect on the department is that we have somebody so invested in learning from us, and it gives us the opportunity to become better teachers and involve a student in what we do,” Dyal said. 

He appreciates the ability to connect with students and establish a positive relationship where interns become advocates for local law enforcement.

Lydia Utomwen, Certificate of Leadership intern

As a fourth-year kinesiology student, Lydia Utomwen serves as the Certificate of Leadership intern for the Office of First and Second Year Experiences, engaging, connecting and encouraging students as they transition into college. 

One of Utomwen’s many responsibilities included establishing a book club focused on self-care for college students, along with creating classroom curriculum and building project management skills. She also stepped outside of her comfort zone teaching INQR 1000 courses for first-year students on stress and health management, learning how to effectively engage a classroom while delivering an impactful message. 

“Four days after I graduate, I’ll be entering occupational therapy school, and I would say one major factor of occupational therapy is being able to adapt on site and being creative in the ways that you do so,” Utomwen said. “Similarly, each student who comes into this office has their own set of needs. You cannot address one student the same way you address another student. You have to gauge their levels of comfortability, and that is something that I’m constantly practicing.” 

Utomwen’s internship is guided by Beth Huggins, EdD, director of FYE/SYE, along with other office staff members who foster an open and welcoming environment.  

Huggins emphasizes the value that a student perspective brings into a workplace, creating a shared learning experience across generations. In fact, the office includes Utomwen in logistics meetings where she can provide a helpful student perspective.  

While this is the first semester of the Jags On-Campus Internship Program, implementing an intern has been a seamless process thanks to Career Services’ incredible support.  

“One thing I really enjoy about this whole process is the support that we get from Career Services,” said Huggins. “If there’s ever any question that I have, I just reach out to them, and they are willing to support me and work through it.” 

Honoring the first intern cohort and looking ahead 

Career Services celebrated the semester’s first cohort of interns with an award ceremony honoring standout students and their accomplishments. 

Honorees included: 

• Career and Self Development Award: Kedesan Amanuel, a third-year health, society and policy major, serving as a government relations intern for the Office of Government Relations 
• Communication Excellence Award: Lydia Utomwen, a fourth-year kinesiology major, serving as the Certificate of Leadership intern for the Office of First and Second Year Experiences 
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Award: Anuj Patel, a fourth-year business administration major, serving as a research administration intern in science and education for Interdisciplinary Research
• Leadership Impact Award: Aidan Ruby, a fourth-year political science major, serving as the ROTC administrative and leadership development intern for Military Science 
• Professionalism Award: Aarilynne Austin, a second-year psychology major, serving as organizational development intern for Human Resources 
• Teamwork and Collaboration Award: Jada Smith, fourth-year business administration major, serving as a marketing and engagement intern for the Office of the Dean of Students  
• Technology and Innovation Award: Valeria Ballestero, a fourth-year art major, serving as the media production intern for the Department of Art and Design
• Founder Award: Amy Clemente, assistant director of applied experience for Career Services, for her hard work and dedication implementing the Jags On Campus Internship Program

Daniel Reed, a second-year computer science major serving as a digital fabrication intern for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development, was actually the creative mastermind behind the personalized Jags On-Campus awards. Utilizing equipment in The Garage Makerspace, he worked alongside his site mentor to create a multi-color filament 3D-printed design that brought each award to life with campus spirit. Drawing inspiration from a variety of classic and modern trophy designs, he created a piece that will stand the test of time. 

“I have had an amazing time working in the Makerspace, all thanks to the Jags On-Campus program and my amazing mentor Aaron,” Reed said. “This has truly been my dream internship. I have learned so much in these past few months, and I will definitely continue to put the skills that I’ve learned as I get through college and go into the workforce.”

Looking ahead, Career Services is already preparing for the fall 2026 cohort. Clemente said that they have received close to 1,000 student intern applications and are seeing a 43% increase in departments and offices seeking to host interns from the first semester. 

“The program has the opportunity to grow, and it’s exciting to watch,” Clemente said. “It’s even more exciting to see the younger students interested in these opportunities, which is a great resume builder for them as they think about their future.” 

Ultimately, she highlights that this exploratory student experience helps to guide decision-making and personal growth, providing students with a safe space to try new things, build confidence and gain clarity in their future career, while also expanding access to paid, hands-on experience. 

Learn more by visiting the Jags On-Campus Internship Program webpage. Students can also connect with Career Services for questions, support and career preparation.