Caroline Kraczon says the Arch is her favorite UGA tradition because it unites every person at the university — a sentiment that could also be applied to her ambitions.
The rising senior from Woodstock volunteers at UGA and in the community. She has her sights trained on law school after she graduates with a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in public administration.
“I’ve always known I wanted to help people, but my ideas on how to do that evolved throughout my education,” she said. “When I was young, I thought helping people meant being a doctor. Then, I got older and learned more about the law. I decided a better avenue for me was to find ways to improve our country.”
To reach that goal, Kraczon starts at home. She lends her talents to the nonprofit Whatever It Takes UGA, a student-led organization committed to combatting educational inequality in the community.
“I think it’s important to give back to the community while I’m in Athens. I love Athens. I think I’ve gained a lot from being a student at UGA, I think it’s important to pay that forward,” she said. “I mentor a middle school student. I have one student for the whole year, and I help her with homework and developing study skills, navigating teachers, behavioral issues and issues with friends. I try to provide whatever advice I can.”
At the university, she finds time between classes to take on extra-curricular responsibilities.
“I’m going to be president of the Student Alumni Council. We focus on connecting students and alumni, promoting philanthropy and tradition keeping,” she said. “I think it provides good services to students by connecting them with our incredible alumni network or our amazing traditions. The traditions were some of the things that helped me feel connected to the university. Now, that drives me to help other students feel connected and involved. I love helping the students I oversee develop those skills.”
The list doesn’t end there. Kraczon will be vice president of the undergraduate Moot Court team for the upcoming year. She also served as a UGA Centers Abroad student ambassador and participated in the Honors International Scholars Program while earning a certificate from Terry’s Legal Studies Program.
“I’m hoping to pursue a career in law and policy,” Kraczon said. “This summer, I’m doing an internship in civil rights law in Washington, D.C. and I’m really enjoying that. I think it’s an area I’ll pursue in the future.”
“I want to develop my skills as much as I can, but I definitely make time to appreciate the different traditions and experiences there are here at UGA,” she added. “I’ll miss it.”