Michelle Nunn ’85 On the campaign trail in Macon, GA. Campaigning in Columbus, GA.

Michelle Nunn ’85 Makes Bid for U.S. Senate

After a career dedicated to building volunteer networks, this alumna is running to represent Georgia.
Michelle Nunn, NCS Class of ’85, is currently running as a Democratic candidate for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat, with the Senate primary scheduled to take place May 20, 2014.  According to research done by NCS archivist Elna Clevenger, it appears Michelle may be the first NCS alumna to run for the U.S. Senate.  “Class Notes” in the Winter 2014 NCS Magazine reports that NCS classmates in New York and Washington, DC, have organized events in support of her campaign. 
 
Michelle is the latest candidate from a family long dedicated to public service.  Born near Perry, Georgia, where her grandfather once served as mayor, Michelle moved to Washington, DC when her father Sam Nunn began his long and distinguished career as a U.S. Senator.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia in 1989 with a major in history and a minor in religion, Michelle returned to Georgia where she became the founding director of Hands On Atlanta, a nonprofit volunteer network.   In 2007, the Hands On Network merged with the Points of Light Foundation. After leading a successful merger, Michelle became the CEO and president of Points of Light, now the largest organization in the country devoted to volunteer service.  Her leadership has won national recognition.  For the past six years The NonProfit Times has named Michelle to its annual "Power and Influence Top 50" list of change agents, Fast Company magazine has highlighted her among "Social Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing the World," and she's been named among Georgia Trend's "100 Most Influential Georgians."  

Michelle has studied at Oxford University and in India. She was a Kellogg National Fellow and has a M.A. in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  She also holds honorary degrees from Oglethorpe University and Wesleyan College.

Her bid for the Senate is attracting media attention, from MSNBC to the New York Times.  For NCS, Michelle graciously agreed to answer these questions.
 
Why did you choose to enter the race for U.S. Senate in Georgia? 
I believe that our country is better than the dysfunction going on in Washington right now. We have the values, ingenuity, creativity, and compassion as a people to do extraordinary things. I believe we need people in Washington who will put aside their differences and build upon these fundamental strengths.

There are a lot of reasons for choosing to enter this race, but ultimately I believe I can make a difference as candidate and as a Senator, lifting up issues that I care about including job creation, fiscal responsibility, and education. I want to bring pragmatism and a collaborative spirit to Washington.
 
What has prepared you for this new venture?  
For the last 25 years, I have seen ordinary citizens creatively solve problems and meet enormous challenges. I co-founded Hands On Atlanta, an organization that mobilizes people to get involved in their communities. We mobilized hundreds of thousands of volunteers in Atlanta and this small idea grew across the state and the nation. Six years ago, our organization merged with Points of Light, the legacy organization of President George H.W. Bush. Our work grew from a handful of volunteers to 4 million just last year. And the group's budget grew from a few thousand dollars to $30 million.
 
I know what it’s like to start a successful enterprise and the challenges entrepreneurs and businesses face every day. And I’ve spent my career working with people—from all walks of life—who wanted to improve their communities. The critical values and lessons I have learned from Georgians and citizens around the nation are not being applied in Washington today. We need leaders who will get Washington working again: I can be that collaborative leader.
 
Did your experiences at NCS contribute in any way to your pursuit of public service?  
Absolutely! NCS provided a terrific intellectual foundation for my academic growth. The academic rigor helped push and cultivate my love of learning. NCS also taught me the importance of teamwork and friendship—I played basketball and learned how to work as a team on and off the court.  But NCS didn’t just provide a great academic and athletic atmosphere, it also gave me the opportunity to build long lasting relationships with some of my best friends and who are helping me along my campaign for Senate and have been supportive throughout my life’s journey. 
 
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of campaigning?
One of the most rewarding parts of campaigning is having the opportunity to travel and meet the people who make up the great state of Georgia. Having people invite me into their homes and businesses to hear their stories, hopes, challenges and aspirations and what I can do for them in Washington is humbling. It’s also great reconnecting with so many old friends and family. My old NCS friends across the nation have been incredibly helpful and supportive as I campaign for Senate.
 
Any reflections on the role of women in Congress?
The women in Congress are a great source of inspiration for my campaign and for women around the country. They provide a foundation for collaboration that I hope to expand upon in the Senate. Women on both sides of the aisle are building common ground to get things done and move our nation forward.
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    • Michelle Nunn ’85

    • On the campaign trail in Macon, GA.

    • Campaigning in Columbus, GA.