The Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) was founded in 2010 by Benjamin Deitchman and Wes Staley. With the aim of representing the interest of students in the School of Public Policy and connecting students with fellow classmates, PPGSA is rooted in improvement of the school, community, and service.
Founders
Benjamin Deitchman
Benjamin Deitchman was the founding President of the Public Policy Graduate Students Association (PPGSA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated from the School of Public Policy in 2014. He has since worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Georgia Public Service Commission, where he is now the Assistant Director of the Electric Unit. He is currently involved in the community with Trees Atlanta, as an elementary school room parent, and as a youth sports coach. He is the author of “Climate and Clean Energy Policy: State Institutions and Economic Implications” and his next book should be available in 2025.
Wes Staley
Wes Staley was the founding Vice President of the Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Wes is a highly skilled Information Technology and Management professional with over two decades of experience spanning IT consulting, risk management, and business process improvement.
Currently serving as a Section Chief for a Data and Technology team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wes specializes in streamlining risk management processes, developing custom IT solutions, and driving strategic goals through automation and data-driven insights.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Wes brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to his work, ensuring high-quality outcomes across projects. He holds a Master of Science in Public Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum laude, from Kennesaw State University.
Past Administrations
Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Key Highlights and Major Initiatives
Creation of PPGSA
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.
PPGSA Website and Social Media Creation
Prior to the Fall 24 semester, the Public Policy Graduate Student Association had no official website. Today, the PPGSA website stores everything, from townhall events, officer and alumni information, and PPGSA history.
Undergoing many changes throughout the years, the Public Policy Graduate Student Association’s official website and social media pages were officially created by President Marquise’ Collins during the Summer of 2024. These platforms exist as a way for student’s to connect with the School of Public Policy, our social media pages help students network with alumni, build community with fellow students, and find ways to participate in fun events.
2025 Stipend Increase
The Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) has successfully secured a 4% increase in graduate stipends, effective Fall 2025, following sustained advocacy efforts on behalf of students. This increase addresses the growing financial strain caused by rising living costs and marks a significant step toward improving financial support for graduate students.
Over the past 1.5 years, PPGSA has worked diligently to highlight the impact of escalating housing, transportation, and essential expenses on students’ ability to focus on their academic and professional goals. Recognizing this challenge, PPGSA engaged the Graduate Committee, the School Chair, and the administration in extensive discussions to push for increased financial support.
This effort was led by Ejaz (PhD Chair) and Bolu (MSPP Chair), who spearheaded a data-driven approach by gathering student feedback, analyzing financial trends, and benchmarking stipend levels against peer institutions.
This milestone reflects the administration’s acknowledgment of the financial pressures facing graduate students and underscores the power of student advocacy in driving meaningful institutional change
Expanding Leadership for a Stronger PPGSA
Under the leadership of Marquise’ Collins, the Public Policy Graduate Student Association (PPGSA) took a significant step forward by establishing three pivotal leadership roles: Chief of Staff, Treasurer, and Communications Chair. These roles were created to enhance the efficiency, financial oversight, and communication strategies of PPGSA, ensuring better representation and engagement for the graduate student community.
These positions mark a major advancement in the governance of PPGSA, reinforcing its ability to support students, advocate for their needs, and create a more connected public policy graduate community at Georgia Tech.
