From Campus to the State Capitol: MTSU’s Jacob Pagel Graduates Ready to Lead

My MTSU intern, Senior Jacob Pagel Graduated After Making His Mark on Campus and at the Tennessee Capitol

Around campus, Jacob has become a familiar face. It’s hard to miss him. Whether appearing in university advertisements, billboards, pamphlets, interviews with WGNS Radio, or participating in campus events, Jacob has become known for his enthusiasm, leadership, and involvement both at MTSU and throughout the community.

One of Jacob’s most notable recent accomplishments was completing an internship with the Tennessee General Assembly under Mike Sparks. During his internship at the State Capitol, Jacob assisted with bill analysis and tracking, policy research, constituent services, and general office support.

Jacob was already very familiar with legislative work before beginning the internship. Over the years, he visited the Capitol numerous times advocating alongside the Tennessee Disability Coalition and participating in civic engagement efforts focused on improving opportunities for Tennesseans.

Known among classmates and professors for his passion for government and public policy, Jacob often shared his enthusiasm for Tennessee history and state government with fellow students. He even helped bring boxes of Tennessee Blue Books to Professor Syler’s class so students could better understand Tennessee’s governmental structure and political history. Jacob frequently carried his own Tennessee Blue Book and collected signatures from elected officials and public figures at events across the state.

Jacob graduates with a degree in Integrated Studies focusing on Public Policy & Management and Human Development. Looking ahead, he plans to continue his education through graduate school, where he hopes to further develop his knowledge in leadership, public policy, public administration, and legislative affairs.

Students like Jacob Pagel represent the heart of what makes MTSU special — dedication, service, leadership, and a passion for making a difference.