Meet the Spring 2025 Graduate Student Ambassadors: Candace Mergerssa MPP 2026

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 HKS 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 HKS?

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