Current MPA Students

Born and raised in Bogart, Georgia, Ayah graduated summa cum laude with first honors from the University of Georgia, where she earned degrees in international affairs and economics, a minor in Arabic, and a global studies certificate. Following graduation, Ayah joined the Treasury Department, where she served as an economic research analyst and special advisor supporting the work of the Office of International Affairs. Ayah is passionate about economic development, governance, and human rights - at the local, state, and international level - and has previously served as legislative director for Georgia Representative Spencer Frye, a democracy program intern with the Carter Center, and a measurement program assistant with the International Rescue Committee. She has also conducted extensive academic research and policy analysis focused on macroeconomic policy and the intersection of international political economy and human rights. At Princeton, Ayah hopes to explore evidence-based policies that support economic development while maximizing respect for human rights. 

Sam is a dual U.S.-German citizen who was born in Atlanta and grew up in Seattle. After graduating college, he spent two and a half years working as a poker dealer and as the union representative for his cardroom. In 2022, he joined Open Philanthropy where he worked as a grantmaker for their Global Aid Policy Program. During his time at Open Philanthropy, he has recommended grants to think tanks, civil society groups, and government affairs firms across 12 countries to grow the scale and cost-effectiveness of global development assistance. He has also represented Open Philanthropy on lawmaker delegations to Zambia, Ethiopia, and Ghana, and in meetings with 50 members of parliament across Japan and Korea to discuss the evidence base of global health multilaterals like GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund. Outside of work, he likes to play jazz and soccer.

Dayton previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Leader with the North Mississippi VISTA Project, where he supported and mentored fellow VISTA members in their efforts to combat poverty and strengthen the capacity of local nonprofits and Title I schools. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science from the University of Mississippi. Dayton’s academic work has explored the welfare state, with a focus on housing and health policy, as well as broader issues in political economy. He is eager to apply the skills and knowledge he gains at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs to improve quality of life in his home state of Mississippi and across the country.

Cassandra was born in Accra, Ghana, and raised in both Ghana and Nigeria. After graduating, she moved to Dakar, Senegal, to join IDinsight as an Associate, where she provided Monitoring and Evaluation advisory services to NGOs and governments across West Africa. After IDinsight, she worked with IPA Ghana, supporting the Ghanaian Ministry of Education in developing and scaling a nationwide early childhood education program. Prior to attending Princeton, Cassandra spent three months in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, supporting the Ministry of Agriculture in implementing the government’s flagship program, Feed Salone. Following graduation, Cassandra intends to pursue work that addresses inequality and supports the strengthening of governance institutions across Africa. In her free time, she enjoys baking and hiking.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Clara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Before attending Princeton SPIA, she worked in the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of International Affairs, where she conducted macroeconomic analysis and contributed to economic policy for the Office of Europe and Eurasia. Prior to her time in public service, Clara worked in international financial services and educational sectors. She served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Türkiye and studied abroad in Baku, Azerbaijan. The summer before starting at SPIA, she volunteered as a trail builder on the Transcaucasian Trail in Dilijan, Armenia. Clara hopes to continue working in international economic policy after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, and spending time outdoors.