Master of Public Policy Graduate Builds Leadership Pipeline Through Community Work

ATLANTA — Peace Bamidele (M.P.P. ’25) arrived at Georgia State University with a mission to broaden his impact and reimagine what was possible through public service and policy. A native of Nigeria, he brought with him more than a decade of experience in education, nonprofit leadership and social entrepreneurship.

Bamidele kickstarted his career in Lagos, Nigeria, at Educational Aid Global Initiative. He helped grow the nonprofit from a small local effort into a network of more than 500 volunteers and helped launch what became one of Africa’s largest teacher development conferences. He later founded two Lagos-based organizations — a nonprofit and a consulting firm — through which he has launched online courses, published books and reached over 7,000 professionals across different sectors. His broader contributions to education and workforce development have earned recognition from international bodies, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“My work in education is driven by my passion to inspire others to become the best version of themselves and realize their greatest potential,” Bamidele said.

This passion eventually inspired him to pursue graduate studies in public management and policy. Encouraged by friends who spoke highly of Georgia State University’s national reputation for innovation and diversity, and its prime location in Atlanta, he joined Georgia State in 2023. Upon entry, Bamidele received a Global Social Impact Fellowship funded by The UPS Foundation through a long-standing partnership with the Department of Public Management and Policy. As a fellow, he worked with The UPS Foundation’s philanthropic team to learn about nonprofit evaluation, grant making and global investment strategies across programs in Kenya, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Nigeria and more.

Beyond his coursework and fellowship, Bamidele quickly found ways to give back. He served as co-president of the student organization Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA), and founded Hillcity Missions, a community outreach initiative supporting unhoused people in downtown Atlanta. Over the past two years, he has hosted events in nursing homes and led public service projects across the city.

Bamidele’s commitment to service and leadership earned him several accolades, including the Allison Powell Scholarship for Graduate Students, the Alumni Association Graduate Student Award and induction into the Pi Alpha Honor Society.

Bamidele was selected to participate in the Panther Immersion Program, a six-month professional development initiative jointly run by the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. As part of the program, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to engage with public- and private-sector leaders. He also represented Georgia State at an annual student simulation competition hosted by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). His team won first place at the regional event held in New York City.

“Georgia State allowed me to see beyond limitations and reimagine what’s possible,” he said. “The variety of backgrounds, resources and relationships here have been truly life-changing.”

Looking ahead, Bamidele plans to work with philanthropic organizations in addition to launching a social enterprise focused on professional development and nonprofit leadership. His vision includes establishing training academies at universities across Atlanta — and eventually nationwide — that equip students with essential workplace competencies like leadership and effective communication skills. He hopes to build on the success of similar initiatives he’s led in Nigeria and with international audiences.

— By AYSPS Graduate Student Assistant Ayomidotun Olugbenle (M.A. in Communication)