Amanda G. Hyatt Fellowship
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Amanda G. Hyatt had a genuine passion for helping people. Among Amanda's many exceptional qualities are two that particularly stand out: leadership and a commitment to compassionate public service. The Amanda G. Hyatt Fellows program seeks to recognize and foster these qualities in students whose career commitment is public policy in the public interest.

When Amanda died in August 2001, she left a rich legacy of commitment, service, and determination that spanned the Atlanta metropolitan region. For over 25 years, Amanda was a leader in efforts to improve the quality of life for others. She manifested this most frequently in programs supporting job training and education. In all her endeavors, Amanda brought vision, determination and a spirit of cooperation.

Through her vision she participated in the formulation of sound public policies, and she fought for such policies even when some found them unpopular. Through her determination, policies became positive and meaningful programs and practices. And through her selflessness and her gift for bringing people together, cooperative and collaborative efforts produced far-reaching benefits for our region and beyond. She had an abiding faith in the power and responsibility of the nonprofit sector, and she was active in organizations that improved their capacity and leadership.

The Amanda G. Hyatt Fellows Program was created to recognize and support students who have a similar vision of public service in the public interest. It seeks to recognize candidates that have demonstrated leadership qualities and a strong, proven commitment to public service. Academic achievement, though an important measure of a candidate's qualifications, will not be the sole determinant. This fellowship is awarded at least biennially to a current or prospective student in the Master's Program in Urban Policy Studies.

About the Program

The Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies at Georgia State University offers interdisciplinary degree programs designed to prepare students for work in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Our students have the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in a wide range of scholarly and applied research and community service with the goal of improving government, society, and the quality of life in the Atlanta area, the Southeast region, throughout the United States, and beyond.
The masters degree in urban policy studies is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge base and a wide range of practical experiences. By combining scholarly research and practical experience, students learn firsthand the essential collaboration and cooperation necessary among the public, private and nonprofit sectors in developing sound policy in the public interest. Specializations within the program allow students to gain additional expertise in a number of areas.

The Nonprofit Studies Program was created "to foster academic scholarship in the nonprofit sector, and serve as a conduit between scholars and practitioners in creating and disseminating knowledge."

Atlanta has one of the fastest-growing nonprofit sectors in the United States, providing an ideal location in which to study this sector's growing influence and challenges. The impact of technology changes, shifting demographics, global influences and the sector's increasing linkages to the private and government sectors are presented in a program that combines rigorous academic study, critical research and influential community partnerships.

The various research centers within AYSPS offer many research and public service opportunities for students in all of the degree programs. The school is committed to providing excellent policy research and instructional programs that are responsive to the needs of many constituencies, including governments on all levels, nonprofit agencies, business, the international community, and the scholarly community. Georgia State University is centrally located in Atlanta, close to a great variety of public, nonprofit, and private agencies.

Selection Process

Candidates will complete and submit an application package addressing or including the items listed below.

1. Evidence of an undergraduate degree from an accredited, 4 year college or university
2. Excellent prior academic performance in related coursework
3. Letter(s) of recommendation from academic evaluators
4. Interest in and commitment to the development of sound public policy
5. Demonstrated commitment to public or community service
6. Work experience
7. Leadership skills
8. Personal statement, 1-2 pages on the candidate's future goals and anticipated role in public and community service. Letters of support may also be included.

The Chair of the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies will appoint a Scholarship Selection Committee. From the pool of applicants, the Scholarship Selection Committee will determine the finalists (2-5 top applicants). The Trustees of the Seven Oaks Foundation will review the applications of the finalists, interview them, and make the selection of the scholarship recipient, or determine that none meets the requirements. Formal recognition of the recipient will be made annually at the Honors Day Ceremony for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.