About Us

OUR MISSION

The Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) is dedicated to equipping future public service and international affairs leaders with the skills, networks, and experiences necessary to serve diverse communities effectively.


PPIA’s mission—to cultivate the next generation of professionals by expanding access to education, fostering inclusive leadership, and strengthening pathways into public service—reflects our long-standing commitment to preparing individuals from all backgrounds for impactful careers in policy and international affairs.


We believe that a strong, effective public sector thrives when individuals with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and talents are empowered to lead. To that end, we strive to ensure that our programs reach broad and diverse candidate pools, strengthening pipelines for leadership and opportunity.


Our Approach


  •  Expanding Access: PPIA works to broaden awareness of public service careers, helping aspiring leaders navigate graduate education and professional development.
  • Equipping Future Leaders: We provide students with rigorous training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to ensure they are prepared to contribute meaningfully in their fields.
  • Fostering Inclusive Environments: PPIA supports efforts to create workplaces and institutions where all individuals can excel, reinforcing principles of excellence, merit, and intelligence (MEI) in leadership.


As an independent, nonpartisan organization, PPIA is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have equitable access to opportunities that advance public service careers. We believe that a future defined by innovation, problem-solving, and impactful leadership requires the participation of individuals who bring a broad array of skills and perspectives.


We remain steadfast in our mission to empower the next generation of public service leaders and look forward to continuing our work with partners across government, academia, and civil society.

OUR VISION

 A thriving and equitable world uplifted by visionary, inclusive, and compassionate leaders.

OUR HISTORY

In the late 1970’s, public policy academicians were acknowledging the gross underrepresentation of ethnic and racial minorities in public service and the hazard this posed to the state of American democracy. A consensus was formed around the issue during a conference and a call for action was made. Hence, the Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) was born in 1980 with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and under the administration of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). At the time it was called the Sloan Fellows Program.


The new program had to overcome significant challenges in recruiting students of color into positions of leadership that serve the public interest. These challenges included a limited pool of minorities in post-secondary and graduate studies, the lack of interest or awareness for the field of public affairs and the financial obstacles for graduate education. A program model was developed to recruit students into summer institutes that intensively trained them for graduate level work and exposed them to the profession of public service. These students were guaranteed substantial fellowships to a number of graduate schools. Over the years, the Sloan Fellows Program significantly impacted the graduate school enrollment of minority students and their subsequent career choices in public service.


In 1989, the Ford Foundation succeeded the Sloan Foundation as the primary sponsor and administration was transferred to the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The name was also changed to the Woodrow Wilson Fellowships in Public Policy and International Affairs and reflected a growing program focus on international affairs. The Association of Professional School of International Affairs (APSIA) also joined APPAM as an institutional sponsor. The program retained its basic structure.


In 1996, the Ford Foundation shortened the program name to the Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), its current title. Administration of the program was moved to the Academy for Educational Development (AED).


In 1999, the Ford Foundation ceased funding and it was then that the new and current PPIA Program was started. In 2000 it incorporated as an independent, 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and received generous transitional support from the Foundation for Child Development and the William T. Grant Foundation. Today the PPIA Program is building a new organization on a long established program model.


The new PPIA Program includes all Sloan, Woodrow Wilson, IIPP and PPIA Fellows in its community of over 5,000 alumni and is committed to sustaining those relationships and providing ongoing support for them.

FORMER BOARD LEADERSHIP

Carleen Vincent (chair, 2024 - present)

Associate Dean for Student Success & Engagement, Teaching Professor, Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Sophal Ear (chair, 2023-2024)

Associate Professor, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University

Peniel Joseph (chair, 2022-2023)

Associate Dean, Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin

Laura Bloomberg (chair, 2016 - 2021)

Dean, Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

Eric Schwartz (chair, 2015-2016)

Dean, Professor, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

James Goldgeier (co-chair 2012-2015)

Dean, School of International Service, American University

Martha Chavez (co-chair 2012-2015)

Senior Assistant Dean for Academic Programs & Dean of Students, UC Berkeley

William LeoGrande (co-chair 2011-2012)

Dean, School of Public Affairs, American University

Martha Chavez (co-chair 2011-2012)

Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, UC Berkeley

Albert Beckford Jones (chair, 2009-2011)

Chairman and CEO of Trading & Consulting International, Inc.

Mark Wessel (chair, 2008 – 2009)

Dean, Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University

Rebecca M. Blank (chair, 2006 – 2007)

Dean, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Susan C. Schwab (chair, 2000 – 2005)

Dean, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland


EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

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