Observing local government helped clarify Catie Padilla’s interest in public service.
The senior public affairs major has explored how institutions function through civil discourse in the Institute of American Civics’ Tocqueville Scholars program, undergraduate research, peer mentorship, and an internship with the City of Knoxville, strengthening her interest in pursuing law school.
That interest began early. A Knoxville native, Padilla was drawn to questions surrounding citizenship, civic responsibility, and how policy decisions affect communities.
“The moment I heard about the Tocqueville Scholars Program, I knew I had to apply,” she said. “Studying civics through book clubs and discussions with my friends made me excited to keep learning and growing.”
Pairing her public affairs major with a minor in American civics, Padilla’s coursework has helped her better understand the complexity of policymaking and the challenges of crafting effective solutions
“My classes through the Baker School have demonstrated to me just how complex public policy can be,” Padilla said. “Even without the politics and personal motivations, crafting a policy that achieves its purpose without causing unintended consequences is not easy.”
Outside the classroom, Padilla has looked for ways to apply those lessons. As a peer mentor in the IAC 101: Engaging Civically course, she supports first-year students as they adjust to the demands of college coursework and begin exploring questions around civic participation and public service.
Faculty mentorship has also shaped her experience. Working with Professor Xuhong Su as a research assistant, Padilla studied the relationship between government corruption and environmental performance, analyzing how well the environment was being treated by looking into air and water pollution data. The pair presented their findings at the 2025 EURēCA Symposium, which highlights undergraduate research and creative achievements across the university.
Her interest in public service has continued beyond campus through an internship in Human Resources with the City of Knoxville.
“With so many different departments ranging from finance, to police and fire, to public works, HR has to respond to a variety of issues and needs,” she said.
The experience also reinforced her long-term plans. One supervisor encouraged Padilla to observe proceedings in local courts and discuss career paths in law, experiences that strengthened her interest in attending law school after graduation.
As a Baker Scholar, Padilla will continue developing those interests through a faculty-mentored research thesis completed over three semesters.
Padilla said the Baker School has given her opportunities to explore her interests through research, mentorship, and public service experiences, helping her gain confidence in the path ahead.