Achievements

Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) was created in 2010 by Benjamin Deitchman (Ben) and Wes Staley. At the time of its inception, PPGSA had only a couple of officers who all served in a voluntary capacity. The main focus of PPGSA was to connect with students and provide a way for students to participate in casual and professional events. Since its creation, the work of the PPGSA has evolved, with the number of officers expanding to meet the needs of the School of Public Policy and the role of the PPGSA becoming more important to the administration of the school’s goal, values, and communication. The work of Ben and Wes still carries on today.

Under the leadership of President Marquise’ Collins, the Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) made a transformative leap in Summer 2024 by launching its first-ever official website and expanding its executive structure. Before this milestone, PPGSA had no centralized digital presence. Today, thanks to Marquise’s vision, the PPGSA website serves as a one-stop hub for everything from town hall events and officer directories to alumni engagement and organizational history.

Marquise’ also established PPGSA’s official social media pages, creating new channels for students to engage with one another, stay informed, and connect with alumni. These platforms have become vital tools for strengthening community and encouraging participation in academic and social initiatives across the School of Public Policy.

In addition to these digital advancements, Marquise’ led the creation of three pivotal leadership roles—Chief of Staff, Treasurer, and Communications Chair. These positions were introduced to enhance operational efficiency, improve communication strategies, and ensure financial oversight, reinforcing PPGSA’s ability to support and represent the graduate student body more effectively.

Through these achievements, Marquise’ Collins has redefined what leadership looks like within PPGSA—leaving a legacy of innovation, accessibility, and stronger student governance at Georgia Tech.

Thanks to the strategic leadership of Bolu (MSPP Chair) and Ejaz (PhD Chair), the Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) has secured a 4% increase in graduate stipends, effective Fall 2025. This landmark achievement marks a critical step toward addressing the financial challenges facing public policy graduate students and underscores the impact of student-led advocacy at Georgia Tech.

Over the past 1.5 years, Bolu and Ejaz led a comprehensive and data-driven campaign to highlight the growing burden of rising living costs—including housing, transportation, and everyday expenses—on graduate students. Their work included gathering student feedback, conducting financial analyses, and benchmarking Georgia Tech stipends against those at peer institutions.

With the support of the broader PPGSA leadership team, they engaged the Graduate Committee, the School Chair, and administration in sustained discussions that prioritized transparency, equity, and student well-being.

This hard-fought victory not only demonstrates the administration’s recognition of graduate students’ financial pressures but also affirms the power of informed, persistent student leadership to create meaningful institutional change.

This academic year, PPGSA Vice President Ryan Anthony broke new ground by organizing and hosting the first-ever Graduate Town Hall Meetings for the School of Public Policy. Held virtually during both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, these two events created a vital space for public policy graduate students to engage directly with their elected representatives, share feedback, and raise concerns in a transparent and inclusive setting.

Ryan’s initiative not only enhanced communication between students and leadership, but also set a precedent for future engagement efforts, reinforcing the importance of student voice in shaping the graduate experience. His leadership in facilitating these town halls represents a meaningful step toward greater accountability, community-building, and student-centered governance within the School of Public Policy.