PUBLIC FINANCE FELLOWSHIP
Employment Opportunities
Incoming or current graduate students, particularly those in public policy or economics programs, with an interest in the Public Finance Fellowship should contact Alex Hathaway ([email protected]). In general, fellowships decisions are made by May for a fall semester start. Graduate students with expertise in marketing and communications are also needed and may inquire even if their academic programs lie outside of AYSPS. Occasionally, PFRC has research projects appropriate for undergraduate students. Those interested in gaining real-world public finance expertise should reach out to Alex Hathaway at the email above.
Current Graduate Students
For the 2024–25 academic year, PFRC has five Public Finance Fellows and a Marketing and Communications Graduate Assistant.
- Federico Corredor, Ph.D. in Economics
- Sukriti Beniwal, Ph.D. in Economics
- Meera Omar, Ph.D. in Public Policy
- Meghna Paul, Ph.D. in Public Policy
- Aidan Rickaby, MPA, Department of Public Management and Policy
- Wendy Zhang, MS, Mental Health Counseling
Alumni Highlights
Jonatas T. Prates (BS ’20, MA ’22)
Jonatas Prates, a graduate of AYSPS, has leveraged his academic experiences to propel his career forward. His journey, which began with a passion for economics and continued through a public finance fellowship at the PFRC, led him to a predoctoral research fellowship at Stanford University. Now pursuing a PhD in health policy at Stanford, Jonatas credits Georgia State's mentorship and resources, particularly through graduate assistantships and faculty guidance, for helping launch his successful academic career.
Aligning with GSU's Strategic Pillars
Research Excellence and Innovation
Fellows engage in transformative research that directly impacts public sector decision-making in PFRC's key focus areas: tax policy and reform, budgeting and financial management, education finance, and economic development and urban policy. Working with PFRC's research team, fellows:
- Conduct innovative public finance research
- Draft policy briefs and reports
- Participate in technical assistance projects
- Develop advanced statistical analysis skills
Past fellows have assisted with—and served as the primary author on—research projects that have been published and presented at national conferences, contributing to new knowledge that shapes public sector practices. The annual conferences PFRC fellows regularly participate in are American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM) and the National Tax Association (NTA).
Student Success
Fellow Support
PFRC demonstrates its commitment to fellow success through:
- Full tuition waiver
- Competitive stipend
- Professional mentorship
- Comprehensive training programs
Recent student achievements include acceptance to present at the prestigious National Tax Association's annual conference as well as multiple fellow presentations at the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM) conference, where in 2023 Meghna Paul won the Best Poster Presentation Award. In 2025, Sukriti Beniwal received the Graduate Student Paper Award at the Southern Regional Science Association (SRSA) Annual Meeting.
Professional Development & Training
Building on this tradition of excellence, PFRC offers specialized training programs designed to equip fellows with essential skills for successful public finance careers. These specialized trainings include:
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College to Career
PFRC provides students with direct networking opportunities with public finance professionals. Our fellows consistently secure competitive positions after graduation. Our alumni have established successful careers at prestigious organizations including:
- Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office
- Georgia Office of Planning and Budget
Other fellows have gone on to successful careers in local government, nonprofits, think tanks and the private sector.
Fellow Testimonials
Being a graduate research assistant in the Public Finance Research Cluster at Georgia State University has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Working on impactful projects for Georgia and engaging with local authorities to provide insights for policymakers has been both inspiring and fulfilling. Collaborating on faculty-led projects that evolve into academic research has been an excellent opportunity to enhance my academic development. Additionally, the experience of working in teams has helped me develop valuable skills in communication, project management, and translating complex findings into accessible insights for both policymakers and the public.
——Federico Corredor
The experience at the Public Finance Research Cluster has been both impactful and transformative, allowing me to connect academic research with practical policy implementation. By working on pressing issues related to state and local government finances, I’ve had the opportunity to produce work that directly informs policy and addresses real-world challenges. This role has taught me how to translate complex research into actionable insights for policymakers and the public—an essential yet often-overlooked skill in academia. Beyond professional growth, the assistantship provided financial stability during my sixth year of the Ph.D. program, enabling me to focus on my research. These experiences have solidified my commitment to producing accessible research that supports evidence-based policymaking.
——Sukriti Beniwal
As a public policy Ph.D. student interested in state and local finances, the Public Finance Research Cluster (PFRC) has been an ideal environment for exploring the practical implications of government taxes and expenditures. Through projects like evaluating the fiscal impact of state tax cuts and assessing tax exemptions for non-profit hospitals, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the intersection between politics, economics, and social welfare. Working at PFRC also broadened my understanding of the U.S. public finance system, especially as an international student. The collaboration with policy research groups and faculty members has helped shape my research interests while developing my ability to translate theory into actionable policy recommendations.
——Meghna Paul
Working for the Public Finance Research Cluster has been invaluable for my professional and academic growth. As an international student, I quickly familiarized myself with the U.S. governance and policy landscape under the mentorship of the center’s senior researchers. I’ve worked on diverse topics, from municipal to international-level policies, gaining insights that have broadened my knowledge of public finance. PFRC has also helped me develop essential research, writing, organizational, and communication skills. The collaborative and supportive environment allowed me to grow alongside talented peers and mentors, making this experience one of the most rewarding aspects of my academic journey.
——Meera Omar
My experience as a graduate student at Georgia State has been highly complemented by my work as a graduate research assistant with the Public Finance Research Cluster (PRFC). I’ve gained invaluable skills in policy research and fiscal analysis, which have been applied to my coursework in Public Administration and will serve me well in my career. I enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of research associates, whose policy interests span from fiscal decentralization to state and local tax expenditure forecasting. This collaboration has helped me develop my formal writing and presentation skills. For example, our report on Georgia’s Dual Enrollment program expanded my knowledge of education finance. I am extremely grateful for this experience.
——Aidan Rickaby