This summer, the Ford School welcomes 18 undergraduate students from 10 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute (JSI). Chosen through a highly competitive national application process, the students will spend seven intensive weeks completing graduate-level coursework, strengthening their quantitative and policy analysis skills, and collaborating with peers and faculty to tackle real-world policy challenges. This year's cohort represents a variety of intended majors, including political science, sociology, and international studies. For 45 years, the Ford School has proudly served as a host site for PPIA JSI.
"We have several exciting opportunities lined up for this summer, and I'm especially looking forward to our collaborations with the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy and the Education Policy Initiative on two policy modules," said Logan Corey, senior recruiting coordinator at the Ford School. "Our research centers do incredible work, and our students will really benefit from this more focused connection. In addition, we'll be joining our fellow JSI site schools in DC for the PPIA Future Leaders Summit. This is going to be an amazing summer for our newest PPIA JSI cohort!"
With over 5,500 alumni serving in government, nonprofit organizations, academia, and the private sector, PPIA has a long-standing legacy of preparing leaders who shape policy and governance in the United States and around the world. In total, 53 fellows were selected based on merit and their previous, current, and stated dedication to public service. They will participate at three university campuses.
2026 Ford School PPIA fellows:
- Lila Abdullah, Michigan State University
- Joselen Contreras, University of California, Berkeley
- Ariah Crosby, University of St. Thomas
- Viviana Diaz Pacheco, George Washington University
- Josh Evans, University of South Carolina, Columbia
- Jerrin Glade, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities
- Mauricio Gonzalez, University of North Georgia
- Milanno Jones, Eastern Michigan University
- Esdras Juarbe, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
- Jenna Kreedman, University of California, Berkeley
- David Labor, Hampton University
- Hattie Martinek, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
- Jai Patel, Michigan State University
- J'nae Player, University of Notre Dame
- Dylan Repertorio, University at Albany, State University of New York
- Zakia Safsaf, The City College of New York, CUNY
- Jada Turner, North Carolina State University
- Amy Weng, Claremont McKenna College
Read PPIA's 2026 Fellowship announcement.
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