Grinnell Students Selected for Competitive Public Policy Fellowship

Joyce Ceballos ’25 has joined the list of Grinnellians accepted to the prestigious Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA). In past years, Grinnell students Valery Lopez ’24, Loyal Terry ’23, Maximillian Hill ’20, and Angela Frimpong ’20 have also participated in the program. 

“I was thrilled, but not surprised, to hear that Joyce and Valery were both selected to participate in the Institute,” Director of the Government, Law, and Public Policy Career Community Gracie Brandsgard says of the most recent fellows. “Both women are leaders on and off campus and deeply committed to making a positive impact though public service.” 

PPIA is a summer program for rising college seniors intending to pursue graduate studies in public policy or international affairs. The program prioritizes including students from historically underrepresented backgrounds with the goal that, in the long run, American public leadership will become more representative of the American people.  

For six weeks every summer, the PPIA Junior Summer Institute prepares participating students for graduate school by providing networking opportunities and offering education in subjects including economics, policy studies, and statistics. Participants receive a summer stipend as well as financial assistance for graduate school.  

Lopez, reflecting on her experience with PPIA, found that the opportunity to connect with other like-minded students was the most impactful aspect of the program. “It was inspiring and transformative to meet people who are equally passionate and committed to public service,” Lopez says. “Being surrounded by other minority and first-generation low-income students was extremely empowering and reassuring about my interest in public service work.” 

This year, PPIA selected 149 fellows from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants. The program takes place at six universities across the United States, each with its own specialization. Ceballos will be attending the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. 

“I’m super excited to meet other students that are passionate about public policy, learn from them, and make long-lasting connections,” Ceballos says.  

Ceballos’ interest in public policy has been shaped both by her coursework at Grinnell and her personal experiences. “As I started taking more political science and economics courses, I realized that public policy is a crucial component in not only helping all people, but especially those that come from marginalized and underrepresented communities,” Ceballos says. “As a daughter of immigrants, my mission has always been to empower the voices of marginalized individuals, and public policy is a space where underrepresented voices need to be heard.” 

Hearing about Lopez’s positive experience with PPIA last summer initially inspired Ceballos to apply to the program. Like Ceballos, Lopez’s interest in public policy stems from her family background. 

“My experience as a daughter of immigrants is what really pushed me to explore the intersection between public policy and law,” Lopez says. “I remain curious about how public policies are formed and what groups are advantaged or disadvantaged throughout the policymaking process.” 

Lopez completed her fellowship at University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy. She says PPIA played a key role in clarifying her career goals.  

“My PPIA fellowship helped me learn about my passion for advocacy work and grassroots organizing” Lopez says. “Following my Bachelor of Arts degree with political science and French majors, I plan to continue my education by obtaining a master’s in public policy and a Juris Doctorate, with the goal of becoming an immigration attorney and working with nonprofits and national organizations for immigration advocacy work.” 

Similarly, Ceballos hopes that her fellowship with the PPIA will strengthen her ability to help overlooked communities in her future. “One of my major goals is to be a bridge between communities in need and the institutions that shape public policy directly impacting these communities,” Ceballos says. 

For students considering applying to the PPIA program in the future, Brandsgard encourages them to reach out to Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) advisers and connect with students who have previously participated in the fellowship. She says that participating in the PPIA fellowship can play a key role in setting students up for an impactful career. 

“I am so excited [Ceballos and Lopez] will have this undergrad experience to serve as a launchpad for their public service careers,” Brandsgard says.