MPP Forum
Master of Public Policy Capstone Forum 2026
Please join us for the 2026 MPP Capstone Forum on Thursday April 9 at 6 p.m. in the Lake Huron Room of the MSU Union. We have five graduating students who will present their capstone research projects.
Keynote speaker is MPP alumna Jen Flood, State Budget Director.
Projects include:
- Luke Bingaman, “Upzoning and Affordable Housing”
- Aubrey Ghambi, “When Youth Speak, Do Budgets Listen?: Evidence from Malawi”
- Josh Lake, “Crossing the Finish Line, but Missing the Mark: Growing Gap between Graduation & Competency in Michigan High Schools”
- Michael Oriyavong, “In Mail Ballots, We Trust! Policy Evaluation of Mail Voting Systems”
- Charles Vroman, “Right for Workers? Effects of Right-to-Work on Private Sector Labor Market Outcomes in MI and IN”
Please RSVP for the event here: https://forms.gle/m1s5999rVzznAVWQ8
Schedule of Events
Forum Opens & Capstone Project Showcase 6:00 - 6:25 pm
Welcome by Dr. Jeff Conroy-Krutz, Dept. Chair of Political Science 6:25 - 6:30 pm
Remarks by Dr. Marty Jordan, MPP Director 6:30 – 6:35 pm
Keynote Address: Michigan Budget Director Jen Flood 6:35 - 6:50 pm
Capstone Project Showcase Continues & Networking Reception 6:50 - 8:00 pm
Richard G. Adjadeh - "Leaving or Staying: Brain Drain Dilemma in Ghana"
Liz Armstrong - "A Deep Dive into Michigan's State Disability Assistance Program (SDA): A project that Rejects its Own Constituents."
Abigail Bies - "It Can't Just be Money: Unspent ESSER III Funds in Michigan School Districts"
Bejamin Bischoff - "Model Surveillance Technology Policy for Detroit."
Avery Cook - "Investing in the Future: Increasing Civic Engagement in Postsecondary Schools"
LiChail Gaines - "Give Me Medicaid or Give Me Death: Analysis and Recommendation on the Administrative Burden of Medicaid."
Nick Hess - "American kikomori: The Socially Isolated World of Economically Detached Young Men"
Peyton Klochack - "Passing Baby Bonds in Michigan in the 103rd Legislature"
Dale Kruithoff - "Michigan Local Governments are Increasingly Raising Revenue from Special Assessments"
Reese McLellan - "Trapped in the Fine Print: How U.S. Terms & Conditions Undermine Privacy and Consumer Rights"
Willem Nienhuis - "Congestion Pricing in Chicago? Higher Speeds, Less Noise, Lower Emissions"
Morrigan Potter - "Breaking Barriers: Navigating the Road to Universal Pre-K in Michigan"
Katie von Steinman - "Michigan Youth Are Not Okay: Barriers to Mental Health Care Access"
Rahsun Watson - "The Black Detroit Wealth Heist"
