Our Story
In the late 1970s, a group of public policy academicians recognized the critical underrepresentation of ethnic and racial minorities in public service, which posed a significant risk to American democracy. This awareness led to the establishment of the Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) in 1980, initially supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. PPIA aims to recruit students of color into leadership roles in public service through summer institutes that prepare them for graduate education. Over the years, PPIA has evolved, changing its name and administration while steadfastly focusing on increasing diversity in public service. Today, it operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, supporting over 5,000 alumni and fostering ongoing relationships and support for them.