Prepared for the Future

By Tiffany King

Not too long ago Chelsea Boatright (formerly Chelsea Copeland) could be seen on the softball field, playing center field for the Mariners. It was during her time as a student-athlete that Boatright took advantage of the opportunity to meet amazing people on campus and build lifelong relationships. Boatright graduated from the College of Coastal Georgia in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Economics. After working for a few years, she went on to Florida Coastal School of Law. She is now preparing to the take the Georgia bar exam in September and will practice real estate law and elder law.

The Jesup native became interested in pursuing a career in law during her freshman year at the College. She took a class with Dr. Mary Eleanor Wickersham, assistant professor of Public Management, who made the class fun and introduced her to the public affairs sector.

“Dr. Wickersham worked with me in the classroom and outside of the classroom to help me find the right career path for me,” Boatright said. “During my time at Coastal, I was selected to intern as a law clerk in with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia and I fell in love with the legal system.”

After graduating from the College, Boatright worked for the Glynn County District Attorney’s office and the Wayne County Probate court before going to law school in 2018. Boatright graduated with her Juris Doctorate in two and a half years and is currently enrolled in a preparation course for the bar exam. She is looking forward to passing the bar and beginning her career. Boatright said law school was one of the hardest things she’s ever done but feels that it was worth it.

“Worth all the stress, late nights, never-ending reading, cold-calls, and missed holidays with my friends and family because I finished law school a strong, better person that I started,” she said.

Boatright’s experience at the College taught her to be disciplined, work hard, and believe that sky is the limit.

“The professors and staff at Coastal Georgia have all played an integral part of my journey to achieve my career goals, and I am thankful for the opportunities that were afforded me at the College,” she said. “The College offers more than just a two-year or four-year degree. It offers a network of individuals who will continue to mentor you and help you achieve your goals in life and your career. Even five years after graduating, I have professors who frequently reach out and offer words of encouragement and advice.”

Her advice to students is to network and get involved in extra-curricular activities within the College and community. She encourages students to reach out to their professors, whom she said are willing to teach more than just the curriculum.

Boatright is recently married. In May of this year she wed Shawn Boatright, also an alum of the College and the Deputy County Administrator for the Camden County Board of Commissioners. They both graduated with the same degree from the College, but their paths didn’t cross until after graduation while working in local government positions, she said.

In her free time, Boatright enjoys boating, water sports, and coaching little league football.

Boatright has a bright future ahead of her and is sure to be an excellent ambassador for the College wherever she goes.

If you would like to nominate a graduate of the College of Coastal Georgia to be featured in the Alumni Spotlight, please email the Alumni Association at alumni@ccga.edu or Casey Hanak, assistant director of Development and Alumni Engagement, at chanak@ccga.edu.