Current MPA Students

Born and raised in the Ozark foothills, Brice is particularly interested in how community-based approaches can be used to promote reproductive and rural health across the life course. Before joining Princeton SPIA, Brice spent two years as a health educator in Chicago school-based health clinics. Brice spent her summer working for the Chief Public Policy Officer’s office at AARP.

Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Madelyn earned her undergraduate degree in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies at Florida State University. As a Boren Scholar, she studied Arabic at the University of Jordan in Amman, where she deepened her interest in refugee protection and the political dynamics shaping humanitarian crises. Prior to Princeton, Madelyn worked at InterAction where she coordinated advocacy efforts among humanitarian organizations on issues including humanitarian access, sanctions policy, and crisis response. She has also held positions with the National Endowment for Democracy, USAID, and the International Rescue Committee. Madelyn is interested in improving how the international community responds to conflict and displacement, particularly through humanitarian system reform and more effective partnerships with affected communities. She hopes to build a career advancing policies that strengthen the effectiveness and accountability of humanitarian assistance. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys playing the trumpet, finding new coffee shops, and solving New York Times puzzles.

Luka grew up in Sagarejo, a small town just outside Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2023, he graduated as valedictorian from Tbilisi State University’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. As an undergraduate, he studied abroad for three semesters, attending European University Viadrina in Germany, the University of Limerick in Ireland, and the University of Alabama in the United States. Before enrolling at SPIA, Luka worked in the United Nations Association of Georgia, where he led projects aimed at advancing religious freedom and fostering a culture of tolerance. In this role, he coordinated the Council of Religions under the Public Defender of Georgia - the country’s largest civic platform for religious minorities, uniting more than 20 religious organizations. This summer, Luka worked at Georgetown University's Baratta Center in Washington, D.C. for his MPA internship. At SPIA, Luka aims to deepen his understanding of how human rights and national security intersect. He hopes to apply what he learns at Princeton to help develop evidence-based policies that uphold human rights and ensure social cohesion. In his free time, Luka enjoys reading, taking long walks, and supporting FC Barcelona.

Jack is an experienced public policy professional and native Texan. Jack graduated from Yale University in 2022 with a B.A. in economics and additional interests in data science and international politics. After a short stint as an outdoor wilderness guide, Jack entered the public arena in the service of a bipartisanship-oriented Member of Congress. In his role as a Legislative Assistant, Jack analyzed legislation relating to poverty and opportunity in America, specifically focusing on affordable housing access, immigration and refugee policy, as well as democratic strengthening. He coordinated the introduction of almost 20 bipartisan legislative bills related to these critical issues. Through dialogue with humanitarian advocates and independent study, Jack became interested in the possibility of pursuing international development as a career, combining many longstanding personal and professional interests. At Princeton, Jack hopes to enhance his skills in economic analysis, development practice, and foreign language in order to prepare himself for a career in evidence-based poverty alleviation at an international development organization. For his summer internship, Jack worked as a Jobs and Growth Intern at the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.

Aidana graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in business analytics as part of the Honors College. Originally from Kyrgyzstan, she developed an interest in the intersection of public policy, technology, finance, and international development through her work in research, student leadership, and data analytics. During her undergraduate studies, Aidana worked across industries including finance, education, and sports operations, with experiences ranging from Formula One Miami Grand Prix operations to AI and financial analytics internships. On campus, she served as vice president of external affairs for the Association of Information Systems and as a senator for the Student Government Association, where she enjoyed connecting students, organizations, and new initiatives. Before coming to SPIA, she spent her summer in Kyrgyzstan preparing for graduate school, spending time with family and continuing her research interests related to educational technology and access to opportunity. At SPIA, Aidana hopes to strengthen her quantitative policy skills and further explore how data-driven policy, finance, and innovation can support economic and social development. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in international development and public policy through international organizations and development institutions or within the public sector in the Kyrgyz Republic, including the Ministry of Education.