Fellowship Spotlight: Alex Estroff

Meet Alex Estroff

Graduation Date:  May 2017

Majors or Areas of Study:  Political Science and Journalism

Hometown: Marietta, GA

Community & Campus Involvement: Peabody Awards Student Honor Board, head mentor for the Thomas Lay afterschool program, writer for the Georgia Political Review, and member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity

Interesting fact about yourself?: I climbed the Great Wall of China while studying abroad in China.

What interested you most about the Spencer Frye Fellowship Program?: I wanted to learn more about how policies can shape a community. When I heard about it, I immediately recognized this program as an opportunity to engage with the Athens community and advocate for its interests at the state Capitol. The program will also give me the chance to gain valuable experience in state policy work.

What is your current role on the Spencer Frye team?: Legislative fellow

What have you learned so far as a fellow?: I have learned the importance of engaging with a community on a personal level when deciding what policies would be best for it. The only way for a representative democracy to work is if those in power are attuned to the needs of their constituents. I’ve also learned the importance of helping your community through volunteering.

What has been your favorite experience as a fellow?: Getting to know all the other fellows at our overnight retreat.

What are your future goals?:  I hope to attend law school and continue with policy work in order to help whatever community I find myself in.

What do you love most about Athens?:  The ubiquitous music, the delicious food, the friendly people, the lively and quirky atmosphere–pretty much everything.

Favorite place in Athens, Georgia?:  A concert at the Georgia Theatre or a sold out football game at Sanford Stadium

Favorite movie?: Interstellar

What are your hobbies outside of school and the Fellowship program? I love discovering new music, watching my beloved Georgia Bulldogs (in all sports) and Atlanta Falcons, and reading about important current events and how they affect the causes that I care most about.

What is the last book you read?: Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights by Salman Rushdie

Coffee or tea?: 100% coffee

Describe your dream job:  To advocate policies that help preserve the rights of all Americans in an organization such as the ACLU.

What has been your greatest experience during your college career?: Attending the Peabody Awards every year in New York City has been an extraordinary opportunity. I’ve had the chance to meet some of the world’s most influential figures in media and a few of my personal heroes (like Neil Degrasse Tyson and Amy Schumer).

If you know that you would not fail, what would you do?:  I would be the lead singer of a band in hopes of performing in front of sold out concert venues (very unrealistic).

Why are you interested in politics?:  While volunteerism is something I care deeply about and is crucial to any society, I understand politics to be the avenue through which one person can help the most people. Even one good local policy has the potential to benefit thousands. I have been fortunate enough to receive a quality education, a privilege not afforded to many people. I hope to use this education to advocate policies that help those who lack such resources and who may feel that they are voiceless within our political system.

Favorite quote: “If his was more than just a vague ambition, if he was absolutely determined to discover the truth, there’s no way we could prevent him.” -The Truman Show