Georgia State University Sport Administration Program

Graduate student Vanessa Thraen serves as a Community Relations Intern with Georgia Tech Athletics, where she supports initiatives that connect athletics with the surrounding Atlanta community. She assists with planning and executing outreach events, building partnerships with local organizations, and tracking program impact. Through this role, Vanessa is gaining valuable experience in using sport as a platform for community engagement.

Graduate student Taylor Strickland serves as a Sports Operations Intern at The Galloway School, where he supports a wide range of athletic programs. His responsibilities include coordinating schedules, managing facility logistics, and assisting with game day operations for multiple sports. Taylor also contributes to digital content creation and maintains important documents such as schedules and spreadsheets, helping ensure smooth communication and organization throughout the department.

As a Groundskeeper Intern, graduate student Ethan Palazzetti is heavily involved in the maintenance and preparation of Georgia State’s athletic facilities. His responsibilities include performing key turf management practices such as mowing, aeration, and overseeding, as well as preparing playing surfaces for competition. Ethan also supports game day operations across multiple venues, helping ensure a safe, professional, and high-quality environment for student-athletes and fans.

As a Recruiting Intern with Georgia State Football, graduate student Lillian Meeker supports a wide range of recruiting and operational efforts. She assists with coordinating official visits, managing game day logistics, and organizing daily schedules for the program. Working closely with coaches and staff, Lillian helps ensure a smooth and professional recruiting experience for prospective student-athletes.