Public Policy and International Affairs Program

The Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) is a not-for-profit that has been supporting efforts to increase diversity in public service for over 40 years.

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

Our Mission: Cultivate the next generations of diverse public service and international affairs professionals by investing in their education, essential skills, and networks to effect domestic and global change.

Each year, PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. During this fully-funded program, fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. The curriculum includes economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues and leadership topics, all designed to sharpen the students’ quantitative, analytic and communication skills. Once a student has successfully completed their JSI, they join an alumni network of more than 4,000 leaders.

JSIs are offered at six sites across the country including the University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, University of California - Berkeley, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Washington.