Vicksburg native headed to Georgetown

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Giacoma Genet Kokotakis, a Vicksburg resident and known to family and friends as “Gia”, has distinguished herself as one of the most academically accomplished young women in the community.

In May 2024, Kokotakis graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University with double majors in Government and French, and a minor in Jewish Civilization Studies, which focuses on counterterrorism curriculum.

Her academic excellence was recognized early when she received early acceptance into Georgetown Law School during the fall of her senior year. Rather than proceeding immediately, she made the decision to defer her law school acceptance for two years to pursue a Master of Arts in Counterterrorism, National Security, and Society at King’s College London, one of the world’s leading institutions for security studies. She completed that degree in January 2026, graduating with Distinction — the highest academic honor awarded by the program.

Kokotakis’ research in her field has already been published multiple times, and she is regarded as an expert in ISIS and far right extremism.

Since returning home to Vicksburg, Kokotakis has been working for two private companies specializing in counterterrorism research, while also spending time working part-time at 10 South restaurant located in downtown Vicksburg. This fall, she will put her extraordinary education to work: Gia has accepted a merit scholarship and is scheduled to begin classes at Georgetown University Law Center on August 15, 2026.

Kokotakis is the daughter of Tiffany Rainer Kokotakis, a native and resident of Vicksburg and Nick G Kokotakis of Santa Monica. She is the granddaughter of Clara and Carey Grantham.