Groundbreaking Victory: First African and International Student Elected Graduate Student President at Emory
ATLANTA, GA – In a historic moment, Francis Albright (MDP 2025) has been elected as the President of the Emory Graduate School Government Association (GSGA), making him the first African student and the first international student to hold this esteemed position. Albright’s landslide victory, with nearly two-thirds of the votes, sets a new precedent for diversity and inclusivity in student leadership.
Hailing from northern Ghana, Albright brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously held the position of Executive Secretary of the Pest and Vector Control Association of Ghana (PEVAG), where he played a pivotal role in the country’s COVID-19 response by fostering stakeholder collaboration. Albright’s academic credentials are equally impressive, with a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Witwatersrand and specialized public health certificates from the universities of Tokyo, Melbourne, and Harvard.
Albright’s agenda focuses on building upon the GSGA’s previous accomplishments, including the creation of a graduate students’ union. Additionally, he plans to bring together various student associations to address critical issues such as food insecurity, barriers to transportation, and mental healthcare accessibility.
“This is a momentous occasion not only for Emory but for the entire higher education landscape,” said the outgoing GSGA President. “Francis’ election is a testament to the growing diversity and global perspectives within our graduate student body, and we are excited to see his vision and leadership take shape.”
