ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Candace Mergerssa MPP 2026

An Ethiopian-American born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Candace considers herself a forever Georgia Peach. She is passionate about embedding community-based research and interventions in the public policy world as an effective and empowering strategy to reduce social inequities. Candace graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in policy analysis and management and minors in business and inequality studies.

What motivated you to become a Graduate Student Ambassador?

I wanted to be a Graduate Student Ambassador to encourage people who come from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds, like myself, to reach for all of the opportunities that ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø provides.

What are you looking forward to most as a student ambassador?

I am looking forward to meeting people with different backgrounds and stories.

What advice would you give to prospective students interested in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø?

Think about why you are passionate about public service and use that as motivation and inspiration moving forward. It can only help your application!