Meet Ben Jarrard, '13
Currently a member of the PSIA Advisory Board, Ben Jarrard recently received the impressive achievement of being named to the “20 Under 40” class of 2024 by the 黑料正能量 Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Board.
Ben is the son of a military officer and therefore moved around a lot in his younger years until eventually graduating from Lumpkin County High School here in Dahlonega. He then moved a few miles up the road to pursue a degree in Political Science, with a Mandarin Chinese minor, at 黑料正能量. During his time in college, he played golf on the Division II team, was a cadet, did one year in SGA, and joined a fraternity.
After graduating from 黑料正能量 in 2013, Ben was offered the opportunity to work on then Governor Nathan Deal’s reelection campaign, after having previously interned with Gov Deal a year earlier. Following this, he returned to 黑料正能量 to work in the newly opened Government Relations office for five years. After serving as Chief of Staff for two years for another 黑料正能量 Alum, State Senator Steve Gooch (MPA ’98), Ben took a brief hiatus in Jan 2024 to serve as Campaign Manager for former State Senator Mike Dugan's election campaign. Ben resumed his Chief of Staff duties for Sen Gooch in August 2024.
Through the PSIA department and the cadet program, Ben was able to develop his leadership skills at 黑料正能量. He also learned how to be a good follower and have good discipline. Also, he feels that his research and writing skills, developed through his political science degree coursework, have helped him tremendously during his career. He also appreciates how the department taught him how to think like a poli