04/24/2026
We're incredibly happy to spotlight Brenda Washington, Political Science Class of 2026. 🎓
Brenda spent 20 years serving as a U.S. Army combat medic before transitioning into real estate and, ultimately, back to the classroom. She started at Perimeter College, transferred to the Atlanta Campus, and found her way to our department, where a pre-law concentration and courses on courts, public policy, and civil liberties set her on a clear path: law school.
Two experiences in our department made all the difference. First, the Maymester Judicial Field School, taught by lecturer Stephanie Kerce, brought Brenda into Atlanta courtrooms and face-to-face with legal professionals. This experience led her to decide she wanted to advocate for the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable. Second, a Georgia Legislative Internship Program placement at the Capitol gave her a front-row seat to how policy actually gets made, the strategy, the negotiation, and the people behind every bill.
"Getting detailed insight into the disparities in funding and resources for public defense ultimately helped me decide that I wanted to advocate for the constitutional rights of the most vulnerable," she said.
This spring, Brenda walks across the stage not just as a graduate, but as a veteran, a mother, and a woman with a vision. We're honored that political science was part of her story. Congratulations, Brenda! 👏
