Your Digital Story Toolkit

Be prepared to answer the questions your peers are already asking — and help them understand how they can be part of PPIA’s future.

ABOUT PPIA'S REFRAMED STRATEGY

Why is PPIA reframing its strategy now?

• We’re responding to a shifting legal, philanthropic, and political environment. 
• With a startup mindset, our strategy focuses on scaling for greater impact — reaching more students through Consortium Schools, expanding programming beyond Junior Summer Institute (JSI), and ensuring long-term relevance and sustainability.

What’s different about this new direction?

• We’re introducing new, scalable touchpoints — like 3-day Explorer Seminars, a tiered Leadership Academy, and mentoring pathways — to meet students and alumni where they are. 
• We’re also testing new revenue-generating models to diversify funding.

What’s staying the same?

• Our values, commitment to JSI, and belief in leadership development through public service. 
• We’re still focused on access, opportunity, and alumni pathways — just doing more of it.
• Why focus on alumni now?
• Alumni are our leadership pipeline, employer network, and mentor bench. 
• Engaging alumni fuels the cycle of giving, guiding, and growing the next generation.

WAYS TO SUPPORT

How can alumni support without giving money?

• Share your story. 
• Host a virtual seminar. 
• Amplify PPIA on social. 
• Mentor a student.
• Your visibility and advocacy are essential to our growth.

Why should I give now?

• You’re not just giving — you’re shaping what’s next. 
• Your support helps us pilot new ideas, fund student needs, and build infrastructure for the long haul.

Where does my gift go?

• Directly to programs that expand access, support alumni, and build national infrastructure — from microgrants and transportation to new curriculum and leadership tracks.

What if I can’t give much?

• Even $25 makes a difference — helping cover fees or local travel for a student attending a seminar. 
• Every gift opens doors.

How do I know my donation is making an impact?

• We share metrics, testimonials, and impact stories regularly.
• As a startup-style nonprofit, we’re transparent about both our wins and our learning.

Reinforce how PPIA’s new strategy opens more doors for students — and creates lasting value for partner institutions

PPIA GRADUATE SCHOOL PARTNERS

What’s a Partner School?

• Partner Schools (also known as Consortium Schools) are 50+ undergraduate institutions with public policy and international affairs programs that have historically helped promote PPIA’s Junior Summer Institute (JSI).
• As part of our new strategy, they now take on a formal role by hosting 3-day Explorer Seminars — immersive programs that introduce students to public policy careers and graduate pathways.
• While they don’t host Junior Summer Institutes, Partner Schools are key partners in helping PPIA reach students earlier, engage alumni, and expand our national footprint.

Why expand to Partner Schools?

• Partner Schools help us scale as they enable us to reach more students earlier, especially those unfamiliar with public service careers. 

How do students benefit from being at a Partner School?

• They gain access to regional seminars, mentoring opportunities, and awareness of the full PPIA pathway.

Is Junior Summer Insitute still part of the strategy?

• Absolutely. 
• Junior Summer Institute remains our flagship graduate preparation program.
• The reframed strategy builds around Junior Summer Institute to create more pathways before and after the program, making the experience more accessible and the outcomes more sustainable.

Be prepared to inspire students by connecting your PPIA experience to the vision behind Explorer Seminars.

EXPLORE SEMINARS OVERVIEW

What are Explorer Seminars?

• These are 3-day experiences (formerly known as Public Service Weekends) hosted at Partner Schools that are designed to introduce undergraduates to public service, graduate school pathways, and leadership development.
• Partner Schools (also known as Consortium Schools) are 50+ undergraduate institutions with public policy and international affairs programs that have historically helped promote PPIA’s Junior Summer Institute (JSI).

Why is PPIA rebranding Public Service Weekends as Explorer Seminars?

• The rebrand signals a more intentional role within PPIA’s long-term leadership pipeline — positioning the seminars as a formal, strategic entry point to a continuum of development opportunities.

What is PPIA asking of Partner Schools?

• Co-create and host regional programming, nominate promising students, and help spread the word about the new PPIA leadership pathway.

What support does PPIA provide to Partner Schools hosting Explorer Seminars?

• PPIA offers curriculum guidance, alumni speaker connections, planning tools, and implementation best practices — making it easy for schools to deliver a high-quality, meaningful experience.

How are Explorer Seminars funded?

• Each seminar is fully funded by its respective Partner School, which serves as the host and campus partner.

How do Explorer Seminars connect to the rest of the PPIA pathway?

• Explorer Seminars are the front door to PPIA’s ecosystem — leading to Junior Summer Institute, the Leadership Academy, and ongoing mentorship and leadership development throughout students’ careers.

PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

Who are the Explorer Seminars for?

• They are designed for undergraduates who are new to public policy. 
• They offer a way to introduce students to public policy while showcasing a university’s commitment to leadership development.

Why are Explorer Seminars important?

• They allow PPIA to reach students earlier — expanding awareness, sparking interest, and providing early access to mentorship, exposure, and professional development.

Who are Explorer Fellows?

• Explorer Fellows are students who participate in a 3-day Explorer Seminar — often their first exposure to public policy. 
• They represent the starting point of the PPIA leadership journey.

What do Explorer Fellows gain from the experience?

• Exposure to public policy careers and graduate pathways.
• A cohort experience that builds confidence and community.
• A formal introduction to the broader PPIA network.

Are there follow-up opportunities for Explorer Fellows?

• Yes. 
• They stay connected through targeted outreach, alumni engagement, graduate school resources, and alerts for future programs like Junior Summer Institute and the Leadership Academy.

Can Explorer Fellows apply to become PPIA Fellows?

• Absolutely. 
• Explorer Fellows are encouraged to apply for the Junior Summer Institute (JSI). 
• If admitted and they complete the 10-week program, they become PPIA Fellows — gaining expanded benefits and lifelong access to the alumni network.

How are Explorer Fellows different from PPIA Fellows?

• Explorer Fellows complete the 3-day seminar. 
• PPIA Fellows complete the 10-week Junior Summer Institute. 
• The Explorer Seminars is the entry point while the Junior Summer Institute is the deeper dive that leads to full Fellow status and additional long-term opportunities.

PROGRAM IMPACT

What do we get in return if we host Explorer Seminars?

• National visibility as a host campus within the PPIA network, reaching a diverse pipeline of high-potential undergraduates interested in graduate study and public service careers.
• Stronger connections to future applicants who leave with awareness of your graduate programs, faculty, and institutional mission.
• Minimal lift for your team, with PPIA handling logistics, curriculum, and delivery in collaboration with your staff and faculty.
• Direct support for equity and access, reinforcing your university’s leadership in building inclusive pathways into graduate education and civic leadership.

We need to see evidence the Explorer Seminars work before committing.

• Explorer Seminars are a new initiative, developed in response to demand from university partners who want more accessible, high-impact programming for undergraduates exploring public service.
• The model is informed by decades of success with PPIA’s Junior Summer Institute, adapted into a shorter format to expand reach and lower barriers to entry.
• Content is designed around what we know works from the Junior Summer Institute experience — early exposure, mentorship, graduate preparation, and leadership reflection — all grounded in PPIA’s proven mission.
• As we pilot the Explorer Seminars, we invite partners to help shape the experience, provide feedback, and join a shared commitment to building the next generation of public service leaders.

We already send student to the Junior Summer Institute.  What's different about these new Explorer Seminars?

• Explorer Seminars are shorter (three days) and designed to reach students earlier in their academic journey, often before they are eligible for JSI.
• Hosting Explorer Seminars brings the program to your campus, expanding visibility and access to students who may not apply to or be selected for JSI.
• The format is accelerated and immersive, combining policy exposure, leadership reflection, and graduate school preparation in a concentrated format.
• Explorer Seminars complements Junior Summer Institute by widening the pipeline, offering another access point to PPIA’s network for students and institutions alike.

Reinforce our shared commitment to JSI while expanding opportunities for collaboration through Explorer Seminars and leadership programming.

PPIA'S SUSTAINED COMMITMENT

Are you still committed to the Junior Summer Institute (JSI)?

• Absolutely. 
• JSI remains a cornerstone of our leadership development model.
• The reframed strategy builds around Junior Summer Institute to expand the pipeline and strengthen outcomes before and after the program.

Can we also host a 3-Day Explorer Seminar?

• Yes! 
• Junior Summer Institute schools are welcome and encouraged to host Explorer Seminars to engage undergraduates earlier, build awareness of public service careers, and strengthen the leadership pipeline at their institution.

How do Explorer Seminars benefit us as a Junior Summer Institute host school?

• Hosting Explorer Seminars can elevate your visibility with prospective students, strengthen your institutional commitment to public service, and build relationships with Consortium Schools in your region.

What kind of support does PPIA provide for Explorer Seminars?

• We offer guidance on curriculum, agendas, alumni speakers, and promotional support to help ensure a successful, impactful event. 
• Each school funds and organizes the seminar locally.

Can Junior Summer Institute and Explorer Seminars co-exist at the same institution?

• Yes — and they complement each other well. 
• Explorer Seminars attract new students who may later apply to Junior Summer Institute (JSI), while JSI alumni/staff can help lead sessions or mentor students during the seminar.

Are Explorer Seminars a replacement for Junior Summer Institute?

• Not at all. 
• Explorer Seminars are designed as on-ramps — short, high-impact experiences that introduce students to public service. 
• Junior Summer Institute is still our flagship graduate prep program.

How do we express interest in hosting Explorer Seminars?

• Reach out to the PPIA team to start the conversation. 
• We’ll walk you through what’s needed and how we can partner to bring the experience to your campus.

Explain how PPIA strengthens the future public service workforce and why investing in leadership yields lasting results.

TALENT PIPELINE & PARTNERSHIPS

Why should employers invest in PPIA?

• PPIA alumni bring the skills, values, and training needed to lead.
• It’s an investment in a more effective, mission-driven workforce.

What kind of partnership models are available?

• We customize based on employer goals — including event sponsorships, speaking engagements, leadership roundtables, mentoring, and pipeline-building initiatives.

Do you offer internship or hiring pipelines?

• We can connect you with alumni and help shape recruitment events that align with your organizational needs.

What makes PPIA alumni different?

• They lead with purpose and have been trained to ask big questions, work across differences, and stay accountable to impact.

What’s different about PPIA’s new model?

• We offer earlier entry points, longer-term engagement, and more flexibility for students. 
• It’s a full ecosystem — not a single moment.

Why support leadership development over direct services?

• Because leadership is the multiplier. 
• Investing in students with values and vision drives change across entire systems.

Can we co-develop content or training with you?

• Absolutely. 
• We’re looking to build workshops, mentoring opportunities, and certifications that support shared goals.

Explore ways to communicate PPIA’s unique value to foundations seeking measurable and lasting impact

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

Why should foundations support PPIA now?

• We’re scaling to reach more students and expanding programming with a lean, startup mindset that maximizes impact.

What makes PPIA a smart investment for foundations focused on systems change?

• We develop leaders who transform institutions, shape policy, and drive long-term public impact.

How do your programs align with common foundation priorities?

• We advance civic leadership, education-to-career pathways, and measurable, scalable solutions.

What is the impact of funding leadership development instead of direct service?

• Leadership multiplies impact — our alumni lead agencies, set policy, and sustain systemic change.

What’s different about PPIA’s new model?

• We offer earlier access, longer-term engagement, and a full leadership ecosystem instead of one-off programs.

How are you measuring success?

• We track participation, outcomes, and testimonials by combining data with alumni and partner feedback.

What safeguards support long-term sustainability?

• We’re diversifying funding through alumni giving, earned revenue, and institutional partnerships.

How is PPIA innovating under the new model?

• We’ve restructured around modular, scalable programming like the 3-Day Explorer Seminars and Leadership Academy through flexible, cost-effective models that can be replicated and adapted.

Are there risks involved in your new approach?

• Yes, but we’re balancing innovation with careful testing, oversight, and a mission-first focus.