AU’s SGA president experiences life in Washington, D.C. 

Augusta University Student Government Association President John Blalock had the opportunity to experience life firsthand in the nation’s capital through an Augusta University-sponsored internship with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  

“Washington, D.C. is the first big city I’ve ever lived in,” said Blalock, a native of Augusta and a senior majoring in political science at Augusta University. “For almost two months, I had the opportunity to live in D.C. and it was just a wonderful experience.” 

Each year, the Office of Government Relations at Augusta University offers both federal and state internship opportunities to students interested in gaining experience working for Congress, the Georgia State Capitol and various government agencies.

These internships provide students with valuable experience and networking opportunities that will shape their future career steps and capabilities.

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen said experiences like Blalock’s demonstrate the importance of giving students opportunities to apply what they learn beyond the classroom.

“John represents the kind of engaged, service-minded leader we strive to develop at Augusta University,” Keen said. “By working alongside public servants in our nation’s capital, he gained firsthand experience with the decisions and relationships that shape our communities and our country. Opportunities like this challenge students to broaden their perspectives, build confidence and discover how they can use their education to serve others and make a meaningful difference.”

Blalock said interning in Washington, D.C. was a tremendous growing experience for him.

During his summer internship, Blalock had the opportunity to meet several government officials, including U.S. Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, and U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, who is a native of Gainesville, Georgia. 

He also had the opportunity to attend a Georgia State Society meeting over the summer.

“This group hosts periodic networking events and congressional receptions to connect Georgians living and working in the nation’s capital,” Blalock said. “Rick Allen, who represents Georgia’s 12th District which includes Augusta, recognized me and came up to say hello, which was pretty cool. I couldn’t believe it.” 

Margie Miller, vice president of Government Relations at Augusta University, said these internships provide students with an incredible learning environment and a front-row seat to the inner workings of the government.

“Experiences like John’s are exactly why we have made student internships an important part of the work of the Office of Government Relations,” Miller said. “There is simply no substitute for being there and seeing government at work, building relationships with leaders and professionals and discovering how public policy impacts the communities we serve. Our students return to Augusta University with greater confidence, a broader perspective and a better understanding of where their education can take them.” 

This year, AU’s Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement has established Government Relations Scholarships which will provide students with the resources needed to make the move to Atlanta or Washington, D.C. for a unique experience in state or federal government.  

 “We never want a student to turn down an opportunity because they cannot afford to temporarily relocate to Atlanta or Washington,” Miller said. “This new scholarship will help remove that financial barrier and make these experiences accessible to more AU students. We are incredibly grateful to Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and to the donors who are investing in our students and helping open doors that can shape their careers for years to come.”

The Government Relations team will hold an information session about government internships at noon on Thursday, Sept. 17, at University Hall, room UH 243, on the Summerville Campus.

Blalock said it has been an honor to intern for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  

“This opportunity allowed me to really see politics and policy in a new way and work with people from every side,” Blalock said. “At the end of the day, everyone – no matter their political beliefs – wants what’s best for their country.” 

When Blalock told his family that he would be interning with the VA, they were beyond thrilled.  

“I’m so fortunate to have such a strong support system,” Blalock said. “My granddad was in the U.S. Air Force and also served in the Central Intelligence Agency, so he was super excited that I would be helping people like him who are now veterans.” 

Blalock, who was named AU’s 2025 Student Leader of the Year, is a member of the Interfraternity Council and Delta Chi Fraternity and co-founder of the Marrs Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting homelessness and food insecurity, specifically supporting homeless veterans in the Augusta area.  He also worked with the New Student and Family Transitions team to train and mentor orientation leaders while helping plan and implement orientation programming. 

Blalock said Monty Philpot Brock, the director of Federal Relations for Augusta University, couldn’t have been more helpful in guiding him through his internship in Washington, D.C. 

“I’d say Monty is the most helpful person I’ve ever worked with at the university,” Blalock said. “She came to Washington twice during the summer and, both times, she took me out to lunch to just talk about my experience here. She talked to me about tangible skills and what I needed to do to get the most out of this experience. It was so helpful. I just want to genuinely thank the Government Relations team. I wouldn’t be in this position without them. They helped me apply for this internship. They showed me what resources were available to me and went above and beyond to make sure I had a good experience in D.C.” 

For more than 13 years, the Office of Government Relations has recruited approximately 25 outstanding students to participate in such competitive internships.  

“When I created the federal internship program in 2013, my goal was to provide students like John with opportunities to gain firsthand experience working at the highest levels of U.S. government. John came to us as a strong candidate who had already invested in developing his skills and was eager to gain experience working in Washington, D.C.,” Brock said. “AU provided the opportunity and support needed for John to obtain and successfully complete an internship in DC. I know that he learned valuable lessons and gained experiences that will stay with him for a lifetime, both personally and professionally.”

“I personally saw John grow into an even more prepared student and young professional by the end of the internship, demonstrating what is possible when students make the most of the opportunities and resources made available to them,” Brock added. “It was a pleasure to help guide him through this process, see him rise to meet challenges, and emerge on the other side of summer as a stronger and more capable young man.”

Being up in the nation’s capital during the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is an experience Blalock says he will never forget.  

“Just being up here during the 250th anniversary of this country has been such a special time,” he said. “Especially that week prior to the Fourth of July, there was just so much going on.”

During the summer, Blalock had the opportunity to tour the White House and also attend the official outdoor watch party for the UFC Freedom 250 mixed martial arts event held on the South Lawn of the White House.  

“There were around 90,000 people gathered just to watch the event. It’s a pretty entertaining sport,” Blalock said. “And then there was a FIFA World Cup watch party by Capitol Hill. You could just go in for free and watch all the games on this massive screen. We got to watch the United States versus Australia game. There was so much energy in D.C. It was an incredible summer internship that I’ll never forget.”

AU students who are interested in learning more about opportunities to intern in Atlanta this winter or in Washington, DC in the summer of 2027 are invited to attend the Government Relations Internship Information session at noon on Thursday, Sept. 17, at University Hall, room UH 243, on the Summerville Campus.

Scan the QR Code to donate to AU’s Government Relations Scholarships that will provide students with the resources needed to make the move to Atlanta or Washington, D.C. for a unique experience in state or federal government.