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University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) junior Fatima Santillan is the university's first Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (PPIA JSI) fellow. The award will allow her to attend a rigorous seven-week fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy.

Santillan will also receive mentorship from faculty at Berkeley, UCLA and University of California, San Diego. Additionally, as a PPIA alumna, she will be granted a $5,000 scholarship and waived application fees toward a master's degree at any consortium school.

This year, out of an applicant pool of over 1,300 students, 149 fellows were selected, from 33 states, 94 universities and 21 countries.

"The numbers intimidated me, and I thought my chances were slim, but I applied anyway," she said. "As a first-generation student, it is very common to get caught up in the idea that you aren't the ideal candidate, but it's important not to undersell yourself because chances are you may get in."

Santillan said she decided to apply for the experience because the coursework is designed to improve the participants' analytical and quantitative skills vital to success at top-level graduate programs in public policy and international affairs, as well as law school. She intends to become an immigration attorney while also working as a policy field analyst to improve the policies that are currently affecting the undocumented population in the United States, and she believes this program is the best way to prepare her for the role.

"I intend to harness my dedication to public service to improve the conditions for immigrants in my home state, the nation and eventually the world," she said. 

Santillan is pursuing a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration and a minor in economics, and she holds the position of vice president of the Latino Student Association (LSA) for the second consecutive year. Through her two years in the role, Santillan has learned how to balance her leadership position with school and those who inspire her daily.

"Fatima is a very hardworking individual who has excelled in her academics and contributes extensively to the ǧÃŬAV community through her engagements in clubs like LSA and the Model United Nations Club in Gainesville. I have closely witnessed her growth at ǧÃŬAV and cannot wait to hear about her future endeavors. I am certain that Fatima will maximize the benefits of her experiences at University of California, Berkeley through the PPIA," Dr. Bibek Chand, assistant professor of political science and international affairs, said.

The Gainesville, Georgia resident will leave June 6 and return in late July, during which time she will take four graduate-level courses: two in law and two in public policy.

"I come from a family of immigrants. If my parents can come to this country with nothing but the clothes on their backs and build a strong foundation, get a home, get a job, and do all of that coming from nothing, then I can do much more," Santillan said. "If I can have even just a quarter of that courage, then I would be very content with my success and ǧÃŬAV."