Five graduate students at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy have been awarded scholarships through the Progress of Ideas Scholarship Program, an initiative established by the Progress and Poverty Institute (PPI). Each recipient will receive $5,000 to support their studies in public policy or urban planning.
The scholarship program aims to assist students who are interested in areas such as resource rents, value capture, land and property taxation, land use and housing, or environment and climate change. The award is open to Bloustein School master’s students with a strong interest in economic equity and justice.
“We are so happy to be able to support these outstanding scholars,” said PPI Executive Director Dr. Josie Faass. “All of us are impressed with their talent, focus, and drive.”
The 2025-26 recipients are Emily Evers MCRP/MPP ‘26; Alexander Koskoski MPP ‘26; Jake Papa MPP ‘26; Amara Thompkins MCRP ‘26; and Andrew Zuppardi MCRP ‘26.
Stuart Shapiro, Dean of the Bloustein School, commented on the collaboration: “We are thrilled with the partnership with the Progress and Poverty Institute to support deserving students at the Bloustein School studying issues deeply relevant to current policy concerns. Each of the students selected has demonstrated a commitment to serving the public and the greater good. We look forward to their continued development as leaders in these important areas.”
Founded in 1925 as the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation, PPI works to advance ideas developed by Henry George that underpin tax reform efforts focused on reducing economic inequality.
The student awardees have varied backgrounds related to community development, environmental policy, real estate development, sustainability policy, affordable housing, food security, climate resiliency, historic preservation projects, grassroots organizing for environmental justice initiatives—experiences that align closely with both PPI’s mission and ongoing priorities at Rutgers’ Bloustein School.
