Quique Riojas, a second-year School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) master's student, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship that explores issues in political economy and public policy.

Selection for the Mercatus Fellowship is a significant achievement. Administered through the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the program brings together exceptional graduate students from universities around the world who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to engaging thoughtfully across disciplines. Participants are chosen for their potential to contribute to the program's interactive seminars and collaborate with peers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

The Mercatus Fellowship focuses on political economy, examining how individuals pursue their goals within the constraints and opportunities created by institutions, policies, and social systems. Through seminars, discussions, and mentorship opportunities, participants explore complex public policy challenges and gain insights into the forces that shape social and economic change.

Riojas is an Urban and Regional Planning student with a concentration in Housing, Community, and Economic Development. The fellowship will provide an opportunity to connect his interests in planning and public policy with broader questions about how communities, institutions, and individuals influence economic and social outcomes.

Congratulations to Quique on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition.