President
Isaac Kwabena Yeboah is a doctoral candidate in Public Policy and Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a research focus on the interplay between corruption and institutional quality within the context of political economy. His work investigates how governance structures shape economic outcomes, particularly in resource-rich developing countries, and examines the role of institutional quality in mitigating corruption and fostering sustainable economic development. Isaac holds advanced degrees in Public Administration from Regent University and Industrial Finance and Investment from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). His academic contributions have been recognized with the Best Paper Award at the 2024 COMPA Conference, the 2024 Excellence in Virginia Government Scholarship Award, the Wilder School Racial Equity & Action Scholarship Award, and fellowships from organizations such as APPAM and PATNet. With a strong policy analysis and economic research background, Isaac has served as a Management Analyst for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, and a Business Analyst at Dalex Finance in Ghana. His early career as a statistician with the Ghana Revenue Authority gave him extensive experience in data-driven policymaking and financial modeling. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Vice President of VCU’s Graduate Student Association, Isaac actively mentors students and contributes to impactful scholarship. He is an engaged member of professional organizations, including ASPA, APPAM, PATNet, and COMPA, and presents at these conferences. Born in Sunyani, Ghana, Isaac’s experiences with corruption in governance have fueled his commitment to advancing institutional reforms that promote ethical governance, reduce corruption, and drive economic growth.
Treasurer
Cammie Justus-Smith is currently a 3rd year doctoral student in the School of Education, focusing on research, assessment, and evaluation. Prior to her time at VCU, she worked as a K-12 teacher, a non-profit founder, and a microschool teacher/administrator. Cammie completed my BA (environmental science) and MAT (secondary science education) degrees at the University of Virginia in 2008. When she is not managing the load of a full-time graduate student, you will find her relaxing with my pets and spending time with her son. Cammie served on the GSA Appropriation Committee in 2022-2023, as the president of the SOE’s LaunchPAD organization, and is currently the American Educational Research Association’s Graduate Student Committee Chair-Elect. She looks forward to working with the GSA and VCU’s graduate student body to make positive changes for students across the campuses.
Symposium Chair
Ron Byamungu is a second-year environmental and sustainable engineering master's student. He works as a GRA at the CLSE department, and his study focuses on examining pollutants in oyster shells, where he collects data, analyzes data, and mentors undergraduate students through research projects.
Faculty Advisor
Erin Burke Brown has been a community engagement professional for 20 years. She is a self-described ‘pracademic’ who loves to integrate the worlds of practitioner and academic to improve communities. Dr. Brown has worked in K-12, higher education, and the nonprofit sector in various capacities. Her work has primarily focused on ensuring that under-resourced and minority students have access to equitable opportunities and resources. As an administrator, she is fiercely committed to keeping families and students at the center of conversations and initiatives related to academic success. Dr. Brown completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia where she double majored in English Literature and African American Studies. She completed her Masters and Doctorate at VCU studying Public Policy and Administration with a focus on higher education administration. In her free time, Dr. Brown enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, writing historical fiction, and mentoring young people.
