Alumni Champions - Office of Career Services & Alumni Relations

YOUR ALUMNI CHAMPIONS

SHAPING TOMORROW BY INSPIRING TODAY…

This recognition honors a select group of alumni who have meaningfully contributed to the AYS community by serving as guest speakers, panelists, or employers at career or alumni events throughout the past year. These individuals have gone above and beyond to support student success, share valuable insights from the field, and help strengthen the bridge between academic learning and real-world impact.

Each Champion exemplifies the spirit of leadership, service, and generosity that defines the AYS Alumni Network. Whether through classroom visits, industry panels, council service, enriching an alumni event, or creating job and internship opportunities, their contributions have helped inspire and guide the next generation of public service professionals.

Relevant service activities include, but are not limited to:

Speaking on panels, in classrooms, or at career events
Recruiting students for jobs, internships, or mentorship
Supporting the next generation of public service professionals

Demonstrating leadership, service, and generosity
Contributing to a robust alumni network

2024-2025 CHAMPIONS

Ailen Mitchell

Ailen Mitchell, a 2021 MISCJ graduate, serves as Police Major at the Atlanta Police Department. He gained Champions List status due to his involvement as a panelist for AYS Pathways, a career exploration event for students.

Amy Barrow

Amy Barrow, a 2013 MSW graduate, works as a Senior Director in United Way of Greater Atlanta. She was acknowledged on the Champions List for her exceptional service on AYS Pathways, a career exploration event for students.

Ashley Blocker

Ashley Blocker, a 2019 MSW graduate, serves as Associate VP of Child Welfare Programs at Wellroot Family Services. She is included on the Champions List, in recognition of her service on AYS Pathways, as a panelist.

Azriel Bailey

Azriel Bailey, a 2021 Master of Public Policy graduate, works as an Equal Opportunity Specialist in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. He is included in the Champions List for hosting employer information sessions about the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Breeanna Bellinger

Breeanna Bellinger, a 2015 BSW graduate, serves as an Investigator at the Federal Public Defender Office. Her participation in Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) resulted in her Champions List recognition..

Christabel Ghansah

Christabel Ghansah, a 2017 MPA graduate in Management & Finance, serves as a Contracts Officer at SRI International. For her involvement in Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC), she is recognized as a Champions List member.

Clifton Ndubuisi

Clifton Ndubuisi, a 2015 B.S. graduate in Criminal Justice, works as a Crisis Management Officer in the Department of State. He was named a Champion for his contributions in telling his story to students in the Virtual Alumni Lounge.

Dantrell Person

Dantrell Person, a 2017 BA graduate in Economics, serves as a Senior Analyst at IHG. He is acknowledged on the Champions List for his exceptional work for visiting an economics class and inspiring future changemakers..

Federal Transit Administration staff portraits, on location at the USDOT Headquarters, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (Photo by Max Taylor)

Elijah Owuor

Elijah Owuor, a 2010 MPA graduate, serves as a Lead Program Analyst at NASA. His commitment to Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) earned him a Champions List designation.

Evan Malbrough

Evan Malbrough, a 2020 Bachelor of Public Policy Analysis graduate, serves as a Senior Economic Policy Officer at Netherlands Consulate Atlanta. He received Champions List recognition for his part as a facilitator for the annual Pulse on Policy alumni event.

Jack Bernard

Jack Bernard, B.A. ’69, M.P.A. ’76, works as a Chair of the Fayette Board of Health. His involvement in Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) distinguished him as a member of the Champions List.

Jackson Autry

Jackson Autry, a 2023 Master of Public Administration graduate, works as an Analyst in the Government Accountability Office. Autry is featured on the Champions List featured for co-hosting an employer visit for students.

20230622_Alumni_BOD_Portraits_SR_022 - JB Thibodeaux

Joel Thibodeaux

Joel Thibodeaux, a 2012 MPP graduate, serves as Executive Director, Internal Audits at DeKalb County School District. Recognized for his impact as a member of the Virtual Alumni Lounge, he was named to the Champions List.

John Gunnells

John Gunnells, a 2018 MPA graduate, serves as Senior Manager, State Affairs at American Gas Association. He was recognized on the Champions List for his contribution as a member of Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC).

Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson, a 2020 MPA graduate in Management & Finance, serves as a Security Manager at Visa. He was added to the Champions List thanks to his contributions for a Criminal Justice career panel for students, “Securing the Future”.

Karin Smoot

Karin Smoot, a 2021 MPA graduate, serves as a Project Manager at MARTA. Her involvement with the Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) earned her recognition on the Champions List.

Keyshawn Phillips

Keyshawn Phillips, a 2024 master’s graduate in Urban Studies, serves as an Urban Planning Intern at Toole Design. He was named to the Champions List for his role as a member of the alumni panel for the 2025 AYS Open House for incoming graduate students.

Kisha Wesley

Kisha Wesley, a 2001 Master’s graduate in Public Administration, serves as a Senior Director of Operations at Welcoming America. Her role on the Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) led to her inclusion on the Champions List.

Lauren Taylor

Lauren Taylor, BA in Economics and Political Science graduate, works as a Strategic Communication Analyst in Concurrent Technologies Corporation. She was listed as a Champion thanks to her role in the Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC).

Madeline Dunn

Madeline Dunn, a 2024 MSW graduate, serves as a Student Engagement and Support Program Coordinator at Kennesaw State University. She is featured on the Champions List for her role as a panelist in AYS Pathways.

Malikah Thompson

Malikah Thompson, a 2019 Master’s graduate in Criminal Justice, serves as an Insider Threat Intelligence Analyst at Agile Defense. Her service as a principal for an alumni chat secured her a place on the Champions List.

Marian Dickson

Marian Dickson, a 2012 MPA graduate, serves as Director of Donor Engagement at the CDC Foundation. Her service as an alum in residence for the Virtual Alumni Lounge earned her recognition on the Champions List.

Meredith Bailey

Meredith Bailey, a 2012 Master of Criminal Justice graduate, serves as Supervisory Intelligence Analyst at Georgia Bureau of Investigation. She secured a place on the Champions List due to her service on the AYS Open House for incoming graduate students.

Michael Owens

Michael Owens, a 2015 Bachelor of Criminal Justice graduate, serves as an Investigator at the Georgia Advocacy Office. His role as a member of Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC) earned him a spot on the Champions List.

Nicholas Mulkey

Nicholas Mulkey, a 2013 Bachelor of Public Policy graduate, serves as an Ecosystem and Experience Architect at Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. He was recognized on the Champions List for his efforts of service on the Andrew Young School Alumni Council (AYSAC).

Robert Fulton

Robert Fulton, a 2024 Master’s graduate in Social Work, serves as an Internship Development Coordinator at Ubuntu Community Catalyst. He earned a spot on the Champions List for his contributions to AYS Pathways, as an alumni panelist.

Rorie Scurlock

Rorie Scurlock, a 2011 MSW graduate, serves as an Associate Vice President in United Way of Greater Atlanta. She was added to the Champions List for her significant contributions to 25 AYS Open House.

Sarina Marsh

Sarina Marsh, a 2017 Master of Social Work graduate, works as the Director of Community Engagement in Hope Atlanta. She was included on the Champions List for serving as a panelist for MASTERclass, a program highlighting the AYS graduate school journey.

Terrica Ganzy

Terrica Ganzy, a 2020 Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Social Enterprise holder, serves as an Executive Director at Southern Center for Human Rights. Named to the Champions List, she is being acknowledged for her contributions as a facilitator for the 2025 Pulse on Policy Alumni Event.

Xiangyu Meng

Xiangyu Meng, a 2022 Ph.D graduate in Economics, works as a Postdoctoral Researcher at New York University. Her service as Principal during an alumni chat to students gained her a place among the Champions.

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