ABOUT US
Mission Statement
Student Civic Engagement prepares students for their public lives as citizens, members of communities and professionals in society by providing civic education programming and service opportunities that respond to societal issues and concerns.

Meet Our Staff

Ellin McDonough - Director
Ellin McDonough (She/Her) As Director of Student Civic Engagement, Ellin leads efforts to engage students in service to the greater Atlanta community from all six campuses. With more than 15 years of experience working in higher education and social work, she is motivated to develop human talent that is prepared and ready to make a difference in the civic life of our communities. Ellin’s interest areas are strengthening workforce development, increasing literacy, and developing fair and affordable housing. Ellin holds a M.Ed. in Counseling degree from Winthrop University.

Byron Jones - Assistant Director
Byron Jones (He/Him) is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a proud product of the educational system in Georgia. Byron currently serves as the Assistant Director for Student Civic Engagement. Prior to assuming this role, Byron has served in various capacities at several University System of Georgia (USG) institutions including admissions recruiter and counselor, international recruiter and student advisor just to name a few. Byron received a B.A. from Morehouse College and his M.Ed. from Mercer University. He is currently a doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership.

JP Peters - Coordinator
(Perimeter College Contact Person)
JP Peters (He/Him) works with the Panthers Vote Coalition, Voter Engagement, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, and the MLK Day of Service. Before his time at Georgia State, JP worked two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA through the South Carolina Campus Compact at the University of South Carolina Upstate and Coastal Carolina University. While serving, he focused on the universities’ alternative break program, student veteran services, food desert awareness, and community garden development in the two communities. He earned his B.S.Ed. in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from Georgia Southwestern, M.Ed. in Higher Education from Columbia College (SC) and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Georgia State.
Morgan Connor - Coordinator
(Community Impact Corps & PawsForACause Contact Person)

Meghana Menon - Graduate Assistant
(Community Partner Relation Focus)
Meghana Menon (She/Her) is a 2nd year Law Student at Georgia State's College of Law. Meghana is a Law School mentor, a member of the Asian-American Law Student Association, and a member of the Immigration Law Society. Prior to Law School, Meghana received a BA in Communication Studies and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Georgia.
Contact Us
Student Civic Engagement
Contact Information
404-413-1550
civicengagement@gsu.edu
Office Location
475 Student Center West
66 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
Georgia State University
Student Civic Engagement
P.O. Box 3972
Atlanta, GA 30302-3972
Staff Contact Information
Director for Student Civic Engagement
Ellin McDonough
404-413-1553
emcdonough@gsu.edu
Assistant Director for Student Civic Engagement
Byron Jones
404-413-1552
bjones164@gsu.edu
Coordinator for Student Civic Engagement
JP Peters
404-413-1554
jpeters14@gsu.edu