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Meet Our
State Branch
The State Branch operates at the level where much of American policy is actually decided, engaging with key stakeholders in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Members engage the General Assembly, state agencies, and other officials in Harrisburg. The branch brings student perspectives directly to state policymakers, translating research into actionable recommendations.
Founded in 2026, the State Branch was created to maximize PPC's impact on the issues in Pennsylvania that matter most.
2026-27
State Branch
Luke Peterson
State Lead
Luke is a sophomore from Fort Worth, TX studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. His interests include state governance, educational reform, policy analysis, and political communication. In addition to being an inaugural State Branch Co-Lead, Luke is a national politics reporter for The Daily Pennsylvanian, a Pi Lambda Sigma Fellow, and the 2026 Lauder Research Fellow. Luke previously served as an Associate Consultant in the Global Branch.
Saniya Malhotra
State Deputy Lead
Saniya Malhotra is a senior at Penn studying International Relations and Economics. She joined PPC in the spring of 2024 and currently serves as the Deputy Lead of the State Branch. She is specifically interested in veterans’ affairs, human rights, and national security. Outside of PPC, she enjoys dancing and baking.
2026-27 Members: To Be Announced