Ferdinand Mensah Quayson

About Ferdinand Mensah Quayson

I am a recent graduate of the Master in Public Affairs (MPA) program at the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), where I specialized in International Relations and Global Development. My academic focus explored the intersection of international political economy and human development, with a strong commitment to understanding how these forces shape global development, particularly in education and social advancement.Alongside my academic pursuits, I’m the owner and chief college advisor of an independent college consulting firm that guides high school and college students through the intricate process of applying to top universities globally. With 8+ years of experience, I have successfully assisted 300+ students from Ghana in securing admissions to their dream colleges. Together with my team, we support students and their families at every stage, helping to reduce the stress associated with the competitive nature of college admissions. Discover more about our tailored consulting services at quaysoncollegeconsulting.com.Beyond college consulting, I’m the proud founder and executive director of the Young Achievers Foundation Ghana (YAF Ghana). Our mission is to empower Ghana’s youth by providing access to college education and professional development skills. We are committed to fostering a new generation of leaders through our comprehensive college access programs, skill-building activities, and community engagement initiatives. Learn more about our impact and how we’re cultivating future leaders at yafghana.org.

Experience

1. Founder & Executive Director

   Young Achievers Foundation Ghana

   Jan 2017 — Present · Kumasi, GH

   Lead one of Africa’s largest college access and youth development nonprofits, which has supported 300+ low-income students to secure over $80M in scholarships to top universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford and many more- Manage a 6-person full-time team, overseeing organizational strategy, program development, and day-to-day operations- Raised $300K+ in funding to support mentorship, college prep, and educational outreach initiatives- Spearheaded digital literacy and coding programs in partnership with Michigan State University, reaching 300+ youth- Collaborate with the Ghana Ministry of Education to deliver annual outreach and scholarship seminars to students in underserved regions across Ghana.

Education

• Princeton University

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, Public Policy Analysis

• Faith Community Baptist High School

  West African Secondary School Certificate, General Science

  2008 — 2012

• Wesleyan University

  Bachelor's degree, Government (Major), International Relations (Certificate), African Studies (Minor)

  2016 — 2020

Skills

• Customer Service
• Public Speaking
• Communication
• English
• Event Planning
• Team Building
• Microsoft Word
• Time Management
• Leadership
• Human Relation