Hello and welcome to the SPSA about page!
The Schar PhD Student Association (SPSA) is a student-run organization for all Ph.D. students in the Schar School. It provides a platform for professional and intellectual support, student-led initiatives, and opportunities for greater student interaction and collaboration. We sponsor a variety of events to help students progress through the program such as the Ph.D. student research workshops, student-led panels on different stages of the program, and of course, happy hours.
Below you will find background and contact information for our organization’s leadership. If you would like to be involved in SPSA or have ideas for events that would help you in the program, please reach out to any one of us!
Executive Board 2022-2023
President: Angelo Santos | asanto7@gmu.edu
Angelo Santos comes to the Schar School after working for five years in multilateral organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, where he was involved in the monitoring and evaluation of development aid projects. At the Schar School, he works on a research project that analyzes the fertility stall in Sub-Saharan Africa and the links between democracy and development. His experience in and passion for international development prompted him to focus his dissertation on the effects of climate shocks on human capital outcomes in developing countries. In his free time, he enjoys playing the keyboards, running, and exploring different bars in D.C.
Vice-President: Jared Wold | jwold2@gmu.edu
Jared Wold is a 4th-year Ph.D. Student in the Public Policy Program. His research interests include Discrimination, Credit Markets, and Migration. He currently works for the Census Bureau and has previously worked in Banking and in Technical Theatre. He holds B.A.s in Economics and Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Treasurer: Marina Manganaris | mmangana@gmu.edu
Marina Manganaris is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Public Policy Program. Her research interests include transportation policy, public-private partnerships, and regional planning. She currently works for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Prior to starting at the Schar School, she worked in survey research. Marina holds a Masters of Public Policy from American University and a B.A. in Anthropology from SUNY Stony Brook University.
Secretary: Sungbin Park | spark224@gmu.edu
Sungbin Park is a Ph.D. student in the Public Policy Program, focusing on labor market outcomes and unemployment insurance. Sungbin holds bachelor’s degrees in Social Studies Education and International Office Administration, as well as a master’s degree in Behavioral Socioeconomics from Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Prior to her current studies, she worked as a researcher for the Korean government. In her free time, she enjoys playing violin.