Future Leaders in PSIA: Meet Owen Wooten
Owen Wooten hails from Dawsonville, Georgia, and joins the #PSIAfamily as a first-year Strategic Security Studies (SSST) major with a concentration in Intelligence. Although he is beginning his journey as a full-time student, Owen is no stranger to 国产自拍; he has been an active student at 国产自拍-Dahlonega since his senior year of high school.
During his final year at Dawson County High School, Owen enrolled in a dual-enrollment American Government course taught by PSIA Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Jaimie Kelly, with whom he shared his strong interest in security. Owen explains that this interest was inspired by his father, who served for 20 years as a police officer. He looks up to his father with great admiration and recognizes the positive impact he has had on their local community. While Owen felt that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, he also knew that he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement at the federal level, possibility within the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security.
Through thoughtful discussions, Dr. Kelly helped Owen map out his future educational and career plans and guided him toward PSIA’s Strategic & Security Studies program. Dr. Kelly saw that Owen might be destined for something that would challenge him in a new, more broad way while aligning with his long-term goals. It was in her class, and with her support, that Owen began to solidify the path he would pursue upon graduating from high school. He is grateful for Dr. Kelly’s key role in exposing him to the SSST program and highlights Dr. Kelly’s willingness to go above and beyond the basics of teaching students: “If it wasn’t for Dr. Kelly, I wouldn’t be in the major I am now.”
Owen further credits Dr. Edward Mienie, Executive Director and Professor of Strategic and Security Studies, with providing the final push he needed to crystallize his academic focus. Dr. Mienie encouraged Owen that the interdisciplinary SSST degree program would be a good fit as Owen had already been “exposed to law enforcement and playing a role in national security”.
Since the beginning of the Fall ‘26 semester, the relationships Owen has built with PSIA faculty have continued to reinforce his decision to pursue a major in SSST. He has had the opportunity to take major-related courses with passionate professors such as Dr. Cristian Harris, who Owen says comes to every class ready to engage with his students and excited to teach the material. “It’s clear that for Dr. Harris, being a professor is not just a job,” he says. Owen hopes to continue fostering relationships with his professors as he progresses through his program of study.
Owen has enjoyed finding a sense of community with other students on the 国产自拍-Dahlonega Campus. He plans to join a club or participate in a sport after his first year and is more acclimated to his new routine. He is also particularly excited to engage in the study abroad requirement of the SSST program. While Owen has traveled before, he says he has never had the opportunity to fly on a plane. He is excited to experience flight for the first time while exploring other parts of the world. “I am open to anything!” he says with an eager smile.
Owen is but one example of the future leaders in political science, international affairs, and strategic & security studies who are drawn to the programs offered by PSIA. We look forward to seeing how Owen and others like him impact the world!