Abby Hagan is no stranger to leadership. The 19-year-old was recently elected to the position of Student Body President at the University of Memphis. A soon-to-be junior, Hagan is faced with the responsibility of leading an organization of her peers who collectively represent the interests of 20,000 undergraduate students. This may seem like an overwhelming undertaking, but Hagan is ready to tackle the task at hand.

Interacting with so many bright students [while at TFAS] challenged my thought processes and led me to be a more-well rounded person. My time in Washington, D.C. provided me with the skills to lead an organization,” Hagan said.

Hagan, who is originally from Pulaski, Tennessee, says she has always been interested in government and would like to seek public office as an eventual career choice. Her time in the Institute for Business and Government Affairs solidified this interest, as did her internship at the American Composites Manufacturing Association.

“The classes at Georgetown gave me insight into how government operated with business,” said Hagan. In addition, she says her internship offered her firsthand experience in a trade association, which focused on the representation of its members’ interests.

“I learned persistence and how to communicate effectively,” she said of her internship. “I know that these skills will serve me well in my chosen field of law.”

However, all of this invaluable experience Hagan acquired would not have been possible if not for Ron Hart, whose generous donation provided a scholarship for Hagan’s 2007 summer.

Hart, an alumnus of the 1981 Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative and Economic Studies and also a member of the TFAS Board of Regents, helped Hagan’s dream of working in government become a reality.

“Without this scholarship, I could not have attended the program. His generous contribution gave me the amazing opportunity to see Washington, D.C. for the first time, to sit on the floor of the House of Representatives, and learn skills that will help me for a lifetime” said Hagan. “In addition, Mr. Hart has been supportive of my endeavors after I graduated from the program.”

Hagan is majoring in political science with a minor in communication. Upon her graduation in 2010, Hagan hopes to attend law school and to further pursue a career in public service.