Six Ford School alumni have been elected to serve on the Alumni Board by their peers. These engaged alumni bring diverse experience working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors in higher education, housing policy, health reform, and other policy areas. Elected members include:
- Franklin Esson (MPP ‘08)
- William Feuer (BA ‘19)
- Safiya Merchant (MPP ‘21)
- Jim Potter (MPP ‘89)
- Tosha Downey (MPP ‘96) (re-elected)
- Kevin Sweitzer (BA ‘19) (re-elected)
The newly elected members began their term on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on December 31, 2027. The first meeting of the new term will take place on April 4, 2025.
Two student representatives selected by their peers, Michael Fuller (MPP/MBA '25) and Akhila Mullapudi (BA ‘25), will serve one-year terms from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Four Ford School alumni have concluded their service on the board. For three years, outgoing board members brought expertise and passion to advance the Ford School’s mission. They played key roles to share their professional networks with students, raise funds for student support, and create meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni. We thank the following alumni for their service:
- Edward Chu (MPP ‘86)
- Sam Geller (MPP ‘17)
- Latesha Love-Grayer (MPP ‘02)
- Jackson Voss (MPP/STPP ‘18) (vice-chair)
About the Ford School Alumni Board
Founded in 1990, the Ford School Alumni Board offers peer-elected alumni a first-hand understanding of the school's goals, programs, and key issues—and enables members to share their wisdom and experiences in an advisory capacity that supports the programs and activities of the school.
Alumni Board members work to increase the Ford School’s visibility; strengthen the school’s alumni network; and assist the school with student recruitment, career services, and alumni relations activities. Recent Alumni Board initiatives supporting the activities of the Ford School include engagement with prospective students, the annual Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day, fundraising efforts for student support, and student professional development opportunities such as office hours and mock interviews.
Alumni Board members serve three-year terms and six seats open for election each year to encourage broad alumni involvement and representation.
