ATLANTA – State Representative Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) recently joined other new legislators from across the state for the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute (GLLI). Nominated members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia State Senate attended sessions at the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens, Georgia.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute, which provided valuable insight into the challenges and responsibilities of representative government,” said Rep. Rice. “Learning directly from Speaker Jon Burns, Brad Vaughan and experts from the National Institute for Civil Discourse was an invaluable experience, and I look forward to applying those lessons as I serve my constituents. I appreciate the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation for supporting this program, which continues to strengthen and prepare lawmakers across our state to lead with integrity and effectiveness.”
The GLLI was developed and authorized by the Georgia General Assembly Training Institute in 2005 to provide an opportunity for new lawmakers to explore the leadership challenges of representative government with faculty from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, legislative leaders and colleagues. As an extension of the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, GLLI is a component of the Institute of Government’s leadership development efforts designed for members of the Georgia General Assembly.
This year, lawmakers learned leadership lessons from House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Brad Vaughan, Legislative Director and Counsel for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. New legislators also had the opportunity to work with individuals from the National Institute for Civil Discourse to explore best practices for engaging in public discourse.
The program, supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, is designed to help legislators address certain elements of personal and public leadership as they carry out their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit that provides assistance, research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia.
*Editor’s note: a photo of the representatives that participated in the GLLI is included.
Representative Carmen Rice represents the citizens of District 139, which includes portions of Harris and Muscogee counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2024 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Education Committee and Secretary of the Special Committee on Resource Management. She also serves on the Judiciary, Juvenile and Transportation committees.
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