ATLANTA—Edwin Mathies Jr., like the other Young African Leaders Initiative’s (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellows, returned to Africa this summer after attending Georgia State University’s six-week Public Management Institute.
However, instead of resuming work as a financial risk analyst, he made plans to start a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) program at Georgia State University in the fall.
“I had eight days to pack and leave my hometown of Monrovia, Liberia,” he said.
Mathies is the first Mandela Washington Fellow to return to pursue an advanced degree. He decided to attend the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies because he was “Impressed by the school’s excellent reputation and the highly recognized experts who teach courses.”
Also a recipient of the Carolyn McClain Young Scholarship, he credits clinical associate professor Sharon L. Hill, who serves as YALI program director, for advising him during enrollment.
“Dr. Hill is definitely one of my favorite professors and mentor,” said Mathies.
After graduating, Mathies plans to develop highly effective policies that can be used to improve organizations and international relations. “I want to be in a position where my impact can be felt not only in Liberia, but in many institutions across the world.”