The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has named Caroline Meadors, a native of Newton County, a Yarbrough-Grady intern for spring 2013.

She is only one of four selected students to participate in the internship program, which is made possible by the support of Dick Yarbrough, an alumnus of Grady College who currently reaches more than 1.3 million readers in the state of Georgia with his award winning syndicated newspaper column.

The internship gives students the opportunity to work with Jackson Spalding, a marketing and communications firm; Grady’s public relations firm of record; and leadership within the Grady College.

According to a news release, the interns will be able to apply the communications and relationship management skills studied in class to promote Grady and its works to a broader audience. The Yarbrough-Grady interns will also spend a portion of their time working in the Athens office of Jackson Spalding.

"The relationship between Jackson Spalding and the college’s Yarbrough interns is designed as a learning laboratory for the students and a way of expanding the College’s messaging over all platforms," E. Culpepper Clark, dean of Grady College said. "It’s a great relationship and terrific opportunity for the students and the college."

Meadors, a 2009 graduate from Eastside High School, expressed her excitement for the opportunity.

"I am incredibly excited. I just received my first byline on the Grady website a week ago and that was a really great way to kick it off," she said.

The UGA senior who will graduate in December said she also enjoys working at Jackson Spalding and at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

"I can’t wait to see the rest of the year’s achievements come out," she said. "I’m very honored to have not only the internship, but also to receive the guidance and insight from the Jackson Spalding team as well as professors at Grady and other alumni in which I will publicize."

The Yarbrough-Grady internship program is in its second semester and according to officials, has already produced big results for the college.

"Yarbrough-Grady interns provide an insight and perspective to the partnership that helps Grady better understand its student audience," Brian Brodrick, director of Jackson Spalding Athens said. "We’ve seen an increase in social media activity since the interns have taken an interest in increasing Grady’s communication through Facebook and Twitter, and they have provided creative ideas to grow the Grady brand among all stakeholders."

Meadors, 21, is a magazine journalism major and French minor. She currently serves as the public relations director for the Drewry Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and was named PRSSA Member of the Year for 2012-2013. She plans to pursue a career in Public Relations after graduation.

Meadors is the daughter of Lee and Joy Meadors of Covington. She has an older sister Maria, 30, and brother Jack, 24.