From SGA President to UWG Graduate Student: Chase Williams on Leadership, Public Service and What Comes Next Share this page
Chase Williams has never stayed in one lane. The University of West Georgia alumnus and current Master of Public Administration student has worn many hats – history society member, Student Government Association (SGA) president, city government intern and now graduate assistant – and he’s only getting started.
Williams began his MPA program in the fall of 2025, though the decision had been taking shape long before that.
“I knew I wanted to get an MPA in spring 2024 thanks to a conversation with University College Dean Dr. Karen Owen and some further conversations with former MPA students from UWG who I met on a trip to Washington, D.C., in 2024,” he said.
During his undergraduate years, he was heavily involved in the clubs and organizations that the school had to offer. Eventually, he rose to the SGA presidency, a role that pushed him well outside his comfort zone.
“It’s hard for a lot of people to believe, but I am an introvert at times,” Williams admitted. “Going out and talking and connecting with people can be really difficult for me.”
The leadership role helped him gain confidence in public settings, sharpen his communication skills and take on real responsibility for organizations that others looked to for guidance.
Professionally, the experiences accelerated Williams’ growth in ways he never expected.
“I suddenly was responsible for the success of organizations that people looked to,” he said. “I learned really quick what it means when people look to you for guidance.”
He also credits these years with building friendships he wouldn’t have found otherwise – something he described as perhaps the best part of the whole journey.
Even before he was selected as president for SGA, Williams was part of a team who was working around the clock to rebuild the organization and create a resource for students – he didn’t want to see that work go to waste.
“The position aligned a lot with one of my core values of helping people,” he explained.
Shortly after taking office, Williams helped guide the student body through a period of institutional transition. By the end of his one-year term, his team made tangible progress on campus – a result he still reflects on with pride.
One of Williams’ most formative experiences came through a connection he almost didn’t make – during an Academic Recognition Scholar Day interview with Owen in spring, she mentioned knowing Woodstock City Manager Jeff Moon and offered to make an introduction. Williams accepted and spent that summer as the city’s community development intern.
“The main thing that the internship taught me is that I do have a passion for public planning,” he said.
It also reinforced pursuing an MPA over an MBA, following conversations with city planners who helped him understand the field more deeply.
The internship’s standout moment? Presenting his summer research before Woodstock’s city council.
“I was more nervous about that presentation than I was speaking at the convocation two weeks later,” Williams said.
Since beginning his MPA program, he has gained experience that have amplified his career direction, including his graduate assistantship with Career Services. Most notably, he was invited to a professional conference in March after receiving a scholarship from the Georgia City-County Management Association.
“It was great as I was able to network and meet many city and county managers within the state of Georgia and learn about the job as it is my ultimate career goal,” Williams said.
Post-graduation, Williams will be stepping into a full-time role as city planner for Cherokee County. He also has personal goals on the horizon – including getting married.
And what excites him the most about life after graduate school?
“Having a little less on my plate in terms of not having to worry about assignment due dates,” Williams said.
For students hoping to follow a similar path, Williams offers wisdom rooted in his own setbacks. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he got turned down by 10 different jobs before landing his current position.
“Don’t let one bad moment ruin your goals,” he said. “Sometimes life will throw you a curveball, but you have to just stay there and keep swinging.”
Williams also encourages students to invest in relationships with faculty and staff.
“Make great connections with your faculty and staff here on campus as you never know what doors that can open for you,” he said, offering a piece of advice that has led him to a summer internship, a scholarship and a career path he now pursues with belief.