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.
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.
Current Student Representatives:
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.
2025 Student Activities Committee Members :
Jordy Coutin, University of Southern California
Calaia Jackson, University of Delaware
Vishal Jamkar, University of Minnesota
Warren Lowell, Duke University (chair)
Paula Omokhomion, University of California, Riverside
Antonia Vazquez, University of Texas at Austin
Madeline Yozwiak, Indiana University
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, Ignite Session hosts, assisting conference attendees, and serving and supporting the conference where 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:
- One-hour orientation before Fall Research Conference.
- Leading and speaking at one informal Ignite Chats at the Student Lounge (30 minutes)
- Facilitating a Peer Roundtable (30 minutes)
- Chairing a panel session of your choosing (90 minutes)
- Providing support to APPAM staff during the conference; this can include working at the APPAM booth, taking room counts for sessions, or directing attendees in between events (1 hour)
- The term for all Ambassadors lasts the duration of the Annual Conference
2025 Student Ambassadors
Elizabeth Aritonang
University of Texas at Austin
Blessing Asuquo-Ekpo
Jackson State University
Evan Bennett
University of Pennsylvania
Emilio Castañeda
University of Washington
Richard Dunks
The University of Texas at Dallas
Lindsay Dusard
University of Pennsylvania
Ojooluwa Ibiloye
University of Delaware
Olumayowa Idowu
Clemson University
Cade Lawson
Georgia State University
John Natoli-Henry
Florida State University
Albert Okwei
Virginia Commonwealth University
Gabrielle Sorresso
Cornell University
Victoria Wyant
University of Pittsburgh
For more information, contact [email protected]