Three MSU MPP students awarded Ira Polley Memorial Scholarship

October 22, 2025 - Karessa Weir

Three MSU Political Science Master of Public Policy students have been awarded Ira Polley Memorial Scholarships for their exceptional work both inside and outside the classroom.  
  
The scholarship awards are high honors for MPP students, established in the memory of MSU Political Science Professor Emeritus Dr. Ira Polley, whose 50-year career was dedicated to education and public service. Dr. Polley also served as State Controller, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Executive Director of the Council of State College Presidents and Secretary to the Constitutional Convention Planning Commission. Dr. Polley passed away in 2005.  
  
MPP students have been selected for this high honor for more than a decade and a half. Students performing at the highest level receive the award and scholarship dollars.  

This year’s recipients are Aubrey Ghambi, Micaiah Hall and Joshua Lake.  

“Not only did these three students excel academically during their first year in the MPP Program, but they also embody Dr. Polley’s deep commitment to education and public service,” said MPP Director Dr. Marty Jordan.  

Ghambi, originally from Malawi, has contributed to MSU’s Afrobarometer program, a leading non-partisan survey network focused on public attitudes across Africa. He also interned at Lansing’s Allen Neighborhood Center, supporting low-income communities. Passionate about using data to address policy challenges, Ghambi plans to pursue doctoral training in research design. His civic engagement includes creative advocacy—he collaborated with public officials, including the former U.S. Ambassador to Malawi, on the Making Integrity Cool campaign, using hip-hop to promote anti-corruption.  

“Receiving the Ira Polley Award truly meant a lot both personally and financially. It eased some of my financial stress and reminded me why I joined the MPP program in the first place,” Ghambi said.   

“MPP program has taught me how to use data and numbers to understand and solve real-world problems, connecting what we study in class to the issues I care about most, like youth employment and education policy. It’s been an incredible journey applying research and analysis to real policy challenges.”  

  

Hall, a Michigan native, earned his undergraduate degree in political science from MSU and is currently pursuing his MPP. Alongside his studies, he works in MSU’s purchasing department, where he helps coordinate RFPs and supports the university’s operational needs—ensuring faculty, students, and units have the resources they require.   

“I am grateful and honored to be given the award and glad that I can represent MSU's MPP program well,” Hall said.

 

 

 

Lake, a Grand Rapids native, earned his undergrad degree in Social Relations and Policy from MSU’s James Madison College. He is passionate about education and labor policy, with his Capstone Project exploring the paradox of rising graduation rates alongside declining test scores in Michigan schools. Over the summer, Lake interned with the Michigan legislature, engaging with constituents to understand their policy concerns. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in education policy or state-level politics.  

“I am honored to have been selected to receive the Ira Polley Memorial Scholarship. Previous recipients have gone on to do extraordinary things, and I am honored to be among them. I want to sincerely thank the award donors and the selection committee,” Lake said.   

“Deciding to pursue an MPP at Michigan State is among the best decisions I have ever made. The program is preparing me for a career in public service and is giving me the skills to be a successful professional who will make real-world impact. The faculty are incredible, as are my classmates. I’m very grateful to be part of such a wonderful program. “  

 Since the Polley Scholarship began, it has been awarded to 36 recipients, many who have gone on to exceptional careers in government, research, public policy and law.  

Past recipients include:  

Jennifer Flood (2012-2013 ). Jen currently serves as Michigan’s State Budget Director, overseeing all aspects of the state’s budget and managing key agencies including CEPI, OFM, OIAS, and SIGMA. Prior to this role, she was Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Whitmer, where she led major divisions of the executive office, including policy, legislative and federal affairs, appointments, community engagement, and scheduling.   

 Jordon Newton (2015-2016 ). After graduating from MSU, Jordon worked as a researcher at Citizens Research Council of Michigan, where he analyzed state policy issues and communicated findings through reports and presentations to stakeholders. He later pursued a PhD in political science at Washington University in St. Louis and is currently completing his dissertation.   

Madeleine March-Meenagh (2019–2020 ). Madeleine is the Director of Economic Initiatives at the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), where she leads statewide efforts to advance economic inclusion. Her portfolio includes managing key programs such as the Michigan CSA Network, MEIC, Tax Outreach and Awareness Group, Show Me the Money Day, and the Free Tax Preparation Expansion Grant.  

Daryn Watson (2020-2021). After graduating from the program, Daryn secured a prestigious internship at the White House, which led to a full-time role on Vice President Kamala Harris’s advance team. She later chose to pursue a law degree at the University of Michigan, driven by her passion for amplifying marginalized voices and serving her community.  

Sadia Kazi (2022-2023). Sadia is a Senior Policy Associate at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, where she fosters partnerships between researchers and state and local governments to apply randomized controlled trials for public sector impact evaluations. She also supports the Evidence to Scale (E2S) project and the U.S. Health Care Delivery Initiative (HCDI), aimed at improving the effectiveness and equity of the U.S. healthcare system.  

“The success of these students is, in many ways, a reflection of Dr. Polley’s enduring legacy. This support has helped ease their path toward education and public service, and for that, we are deeply grateful,” Jordan said.