Ata to participate in first Turkish-American Youth Leadership Congress

Atakan Ata, a doctoral student in the College of Education's educational administration and policy program, has been selected as one of 30 young Turkish American students to participate in the 1st Annual Turkish-American Youth Leadership Congress to be held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9-12. Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Meet members of Congress, diplomats and policy experts;
• Expand their knowledge on U.S.-Turkey relations;
• Learn about the political systems in Turkey and the U.S.;
• Increase their awareness on Turkish historical heritage in the United States and issues of importance to Turkish Americans;
• Learn about effective advocacy in the American political system;
• Develop their leadership roles in the Turkish American community; and
• Establish networks with their peers from across the United States.

The all-expenses paid opportunity will also feature events highlighting the cultural and national landmarks of Washington, D.C.

Ata, a fourth-year Ph.D. student and a graduate research assistant, is originally from Kastamonu, Turkey. He earned his master's degree in public administration from Kennesaw State University in 2010. He received his bachelor's degree in teaching English as a Foreign Language from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey

Ata, who expects to graduate in July 2015, is an advisee of Sheneka Williams, an associate professor in the college's Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy.