Amazing student: Emily Goggin

Boren Scholar and Latin American and Caribbean Studies major Emily Goggin came to UGA with an open mind about her future and found her calling early on. She has studied in Brazil and Ghana, and as an Army ROTC cadet, she will pursue her professional interest in international affairs in the military:

During my freshman class registration, I signed up for a first-year seminar class without knowing its subject, teacher or content. It was near my other classes and fit with my schedule, (so in true freshman fashion) I registered without a second thought. I walked into the classroom on the first day and discovered that I would be learning about the culture and politics of Rio de Janeiro. As the semester progressed, I learned about favelas, cachaça and samba. I was fascinated with Brazil’s complex culture and society, and by the end of the semester I decided to double major in history and Latin American and Caribbean studies. I still find it shocking that an introductory course altered my academic plans so drastically, but I am thankful, nonetheless. After months of contemplation, I contracted as an Army ROTC cadet at the University of Georgia Bulldawg Battalion.

Shortly after starting my LACS major, my passion for language learning led me to study Spanish and eventually Portuguese. Becoming a member of the Portuguese Flagship Program was a pivotal moment in my college career. Through this program I studied abroad in Florianopolis, Brazil, for two months during the summer of 2019. During this time, I had my second CURO under the mentorship of Cassia Roth. My research investigated Os Confederados, a group of 20,000 American Southerners that migrated to Brazil after the Civil War. Since her arrival to UGA, Dr. Roth has been a constant source of support, mentorship, and laughter. I became a design editor for Fala Aí, our campus Portuguese magazine, and vice president of the history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta. I am also thankful to Josh Darnell for acting as a military mentor during my experience as a member of the Richard B, Russell Security Leadership Program.

In spring 2019 I received a Boren Scholarship to fund my capstone year in Brazil in which I will attend advanced level Portuguese classes and partake in a professional internship. The Portuguese Flagship Program was an instrumental part of achieving this goal. I am so thankful for Elizabeth Hughes, Oscar Chamosa, Kathleen Schmaltz, Robert Moser and Teresa Freitas for their constant support during the application process. I couldn’t have done it without you. I am so fortunate to have had these amazing mentors to guide me throughout my college experience.

One of the many fascinating aspects of a great university experience is the simple possibility of discovery that can impact a student's life course. Not one single process but many, and making these many opportunities possible for so many students, year in and year out, defines a comprehensive university. Great faculty, facilities and programs attract students like Goggin to UGA; their instincts, diligence, progress and accomplishments complete the circle that fulfills UGA's role as a great university.