Student Leaders

Empowering student leaders is essential to achieving APPAM’s mission of improving public policy and management by fostering excellence in research, analysis, and education.

Learn more about how students can get involved in APPAM below.

Policy Council Student Representatives

The Policy Council works on behalf of thousands of APPAM members to improve public policy and management by fostering excellence in research, analysis, and education. The Policy Council is the association’s main governing body, or its Board of Directors. Serving on the Policy Council is one of APPAM’s ultimate honors because of the responsibilities it confers. Policy Council leaders set the organization’s overall agenda and execute its strategic plan.

Two seats on the Policy Council are for student members of APPAM. The two seats are staggered, and one of the current two student members will complete their term and rotate off the Policy Council at the end of the year. Candidates for Student Representative must be nominated and selected for the Policy Council.

Explore

Student Representative 2025-2026

Antonia Vazquez
University of Texas at Austin

Student Representative 2026-2027

Victoria Wyant
University of Pittsburgh

Excellence Equity & Inclusion Fellowship Liaison

Hojung Lee
Rice University

Data Analyst

Grace Brang
New York University, Wagner

Student Activities Committee

The Student Activities Committee (SAC) oversees student activities, programs, and student sessions at the Annual Fall Research Conference. It considers ways to strengthen student representation in all APPAM activities and events. The committee is responsible for reviewing student research papers and posters, hosting professional development webinars throughout the year, hosting the Fall Conference Student Mixer and professional development sessions, and supporting other student activities. The committee is entirely composed of students and includes one student member of the Policy Council.

SAC Selection Process:

Nominees who are not selected for the 2026 – 2027 Policy Council Student Representative role will be automatically considered for a position on SAC.

2026 Student Activities Committee Members :

Lucas Goodman
Virginia Tech

Erika Heeren-Moon
Virginia Tech

Chair

Calaia Jackson
University of Delaware

Elizabeth Lochhead
New York University

Albert Okwei
Virginia Commonwealth University

Paula Omokhomion
University of California, Riverside

Christian Osei
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Victoria Wyant
University of Pittsburgh

Student Ambassador Program

The APPAM Annual Fall Research Conference can be an overwhelming experience, particularly for first-time attendees and students who may not know how to make the most of their conference experience and the opportunities it offers.

The APPAM Student Ambassadors Program is designed to make the annual meeting more approachable and provide a positive, welcoming experience for conference attendees.

Ambassadors are active student members who are highly knowledgeable about the association. They are willing to commit to volunteering: serving as panel chairs, assisting conference attendees, and supporting the conference as needed.

Become an APPAM Ambassador and share your knowledge about APPAM, your graduate program, your research, and a little of your time by volunteering to help with one or more tasks during the conference.

Program Benefits:

  • Opportunity to attend the APPAM Fall Research Conference.
  • Waived conference registration fee.
  • Opportunity to connect with a member of APPAM leadership.
  • A personal letter from the President-Elect to your dean to acknowledge your contributions.

Eligibility:

  • Must be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program. Postdoctoral students are not eligible for the Student Ambassador Program.
  • Must be an active APPAM student member for at least two years.
  • Must have attended at least two APPAM conferences.
  • Willingness to serve in various volunteer roles.

Time Commitment:

  • Must be available beginning the morning of Thursday, November 5 (7 am ET) through Saturday, November 7
  • Attend the Know Before You Go Webinar (October 2026)
  • Attend the Virtual Pre-conference Check-in (October 2026)
  • Chairing a panel or student research session of your choosing (90 minutes)
  • Providing support to APPAM staff during the conference (3 hours); this can include, but is not limited to:
    • Staffing the registration desk
    • Assisting attendees with check-in issues
    • Answering general conference questions
    • Providing directional assistance
    • The term for all Ambassadors lasts the duration of the Annual Conference

Deadline: Monday, September 21

Apply Now