by Alicia Weans
Sarah Kate Maher is a third-year political science and public relations double major at the University of Georgia. She complements her academic pursuits with minors in international affairs and law, jurisprudence and the state, along with a certificate in public affairs communication. Her involvement in organizations like the Spencer Frye Fellowship, Honors Student Council, SPIA Ambassadors, and the Tiger Fellowship, reflects her commitment to leadership and community. As a Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellow, Maher builds on this foundation by helping bring Grady College’s stories to life through strategic content and storytelling.
Q: What is the Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship and what is your role within the Fellowship?
A: “The Yarbrough Fellowship offers Grady students the opportunity to gain communications experience while serving the College. There are four Fellows, two of which work as Yarbrough-Grady Crisis Fellows, and two of which work as Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellows. This semester, I am a Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellow, along with Anyi Morfaw, who’s been a part of the Fellowship for two semesters now. As Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellows, Anyi and I strategize Grady’s social media content, write features for the website, and create graphics.”
Q: Why did you join the Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship?
A: “I joined the Yarbrough Fellowship in part because of the opportunity to gain hands-on communications experience prior to graduation, but also because it allows me to connect with amazing professionals like Sarah Freeman and Sam Tupper, who are amazing supervisors and leaders.”
Q: What does a typical day or week look like for you in your role?
A: “A typical week as a Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellow includes identifying and reaching out to students for Grady College’s Profiles of Tenacity series, crafting website and social content for Tenacity features, strategizing social media for upcoming events, and writing features on the amazing students, teachers, and alumni of Grady College.”
Q: What has been your favorite experience or project you’ve worked on through the Fellowship?
A: “Prior to attending Grady Salutes this past week, we interviewed and wrote features on the event’s honorees. While I greatly appreciate and enjoy all the work I do as part of the Fellowship, this experience was especially valuable as I got to know and highlight astounding Grady College alumni.”
Q: In what ways has your involvement in the Yarbrough-Grady Fellowship influenced your personal or professional growth, and how has that translated into your experience at Grady?
A: “Being a Yarbrough Fellow, outside of giving me hands-on communications experience I can translate to a career in public relations, has allowed me to learn from the most supportive and knowledgeable leaders and connect with respected individuals in the career I hope to pursue. My experience as a Fellow has allowed me to learn and appreciate all the amazing projects and research that take place in Grady College, as well as meet and feature fellow Grady students. My experience so far has been exceptionally valuable, and I’m excited to see what the rest of my time in the Fellowship will bring.”
Sarah Kate Maher, Yarbrough-Grady Communications Fellow
