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The Archer Center
"Where Texas meets the world."
The University of Texas System
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006

202.955.9091 Phone
202.955.9039 Fax
archer@utsystem.edu

Fall 2009 Fellows

Alan Adkisson – UT Austin

Alan Adkisson is a senior at UT-Austin, majoring in Government and Spanish with minors in French and Philosophy. During his freshman year at UT, he interned with Rick Perry’s gubernatorial campaign and later in the capitol office of Texas Representative Hubert Vo. As a sophomore, Alan worked in the Austin office of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. In his third year, he served UT both as a personal trainer for RecSports and also as a Resident Assistant at Simkins residence hall. While interning, working for the University, and taking classes full-time, he also held a part-time job as a manager at H-E-B. He has received academic honors every semester at UT and won numerous merit scholarships, including the COLA merit-based scholarship, Junior Achievement scholarship, and the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship.

Julianne Ayyad – UT Dallas

Julianne Ayyad is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she studies accounting at the school of management. In addition to being in the top percentage of her class, she is a member of the Professional Program in Accounting.  As a proud recipient of the Terry Foundation Scholarship Program, Julie will have the honor of being part of the first graduating class of Terry Scholars from UTD. She serves as a TA for UTD’s Freshman Rhetoric class as a part of the University’s First Year Leader’s Program and works closely with faculty and alumni during events hosted by the University President as a Student Ambassador.  Julie is excited about interning this semester in Congressman Pete Olson’s (R-Houston) district, and following her semester in DC, Julie will be interning for Deloitte and Touche CPA firm in Dallas

Ben Barkley – UT San Antonio

Ben is a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio with a major in Honors Studies with a focus on International Relations and a minor in Russian and Global Analysis. Ben is highly involved with the UTSA Debate team, frequently traveling across the country to compete in national events but still has enough time to contribute to UTSA’s Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity chapter and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Upon graduation Ben hopes to earn his graduate and post graduate degree before beginning a life of public service in the State Department.

Grace Bielawski – UT Dallas

Grace Bielawski is a Eugene McDermott Scholar at the University of Texas at Dallas. As a junior, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. During 2008-2009, she served as the Vice President of Student Government and received the Service to Student Life Award. She is also involved in Student Ambassadors, Students for Environmental Awareness, and the Pre-Law Society. Previous work experience includes an internship at The Center for American and International Law in Plano, TX and interning for an Animal Lawyer in Dallas. With a passion for animal welfare, she volunteers at the North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary and has studied animal rights issues. She is interning in the Government Affairs department of The Humane Society of the United States.

Frank Carni II – UT San Antonio

Frank Carni II is a senior at the Honors College at University of Texas San Antonio where he is pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Business. A dedicated conservative, Frank represented the Honors College and interned at the Republican National Convention and was selected as a 2009 UTSA McClendon Legislative Scholar where he interned in the Executive Office of Texas Speaker Joe Straus. He has served on the State Executive Board of Texas College Republicans since November of 2008 and currently serves as their Executive Director. After graduating in May 2010 Frank will marry his high school sweetheart and plans on attending law school in the fall of 2010. While in Washington D.C., Frank will be interning for The Heritage Foundation in the Executive Office of President Edwin J. Feulner

 

Michelle Castillo – UT Austin

A senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Michelle Castillo is double majoring in Government and Mexican American Studies with an interdisciplinary concentration in social inequality and health policy. Michelle's idealism and desire to give back has led her to the passionate pursuit of policy and public service. Michelle has interned with Workers Defense Project, a local Austin non-profit organization that advocates for workers' rights and safety in the workplace. She helped develop a survey instrument for data analysis, along with policy research in the area of workplace safety and compensation laws in Texas. Michelle also worked with the East Austin Oral History Project, where she researched the educational struggle for equity in Austin with a focus on the Chicano movement and its effects on higher education in Austin. Along with policy research and advocacy in health, labor, and education, Michelle most cherishes the time she spends mentoring children. While in DC, she will be interning with the White House's Office of Public Engagement / Intergovernmental Affairs. Michelle plans to pursue a Masters degree in public policy and JD

Bobby Cervantes – UT Austin

Bobby is a junior the University of Texas at Austin, where he majors in journalism and government with a minor in American studies. In the summer of 2007, he was an intern at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He is the recipient of the Jeffery J. Dye Leadership Foundation Scholarship and received the distinction of Magna cum Laude by UT’s College of Liberal Arts last spring. Since the fall 2008 semester, Bobby has held a variety of positions at UT’s award-winning student newspaper, The Daily Texan. As a reporter, columnist, and associate editor, his work mostly covers state and national politics as well as University issues. After UT, he hopes to attend Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and then Yale Law School. While in Washington, D.C., he will intern with the NBC News Political Unit.

Julie Chang – UT Austin

Julie is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin with a major in Plan II Honors/Pre-Med. She was able to travel to China during June 2009 to report for chinaonthemove.net. During the school year, she works for the Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research where she conducts alcohol research with mice under Dr. Yuri Blednov. She is also a member of Alpha Phi Sigma Pre-Medicine Society. She has received the Archer Alumni Scholarship as well as the Texas Exes Washington DC Chapter Scholarship. Fusing both her interests in journalism and medicine, Julie has as aspirations to become a health correspondent. She also is an avid music listener. She will be interning at the Department of Health Human Services’ Office of Health Reform.

Matthew Clarkson – UT Austin

Matthew is a fifth year student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a BA in government, BS in computer science, and a certificate in international studies with a concentration in international development under the Bridging Disciplines Program. He has been an active leader on campus as a Resident Assistant, Orientation Adviser, and Peer Mentor. Additionally, he is a proud member of two outstanding student organizations: the Texas Blazers and Planet Longhorn. Matthew found his passion in international policy while studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France in the spring of 2008. This fall he will be interning with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the STAGE and Wilson Center on the Hill programs.

Kelly Combs – UT Permian Basin

Kelly, age 20, will graduate with honors in December, 2009, from The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB), receiving a BA with a double major in leadership studies and political science.  At UTPB Kelly served as the Senate Treasurer and Secretary of Students in Philanthropy, which raised and awarded over $20,000 to local non-profit organizations.  During the spring of 2008 Kelly interned in Congressman Mike Conaway’s District Office and represented West Texas as a delegate to the U.S. Model House of Representatives.  At UTPB he was also an active member of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and wrote for the UTPB newspaper.  In D.C. Kelly is delighted to be named an intern in the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison this fall.

Jayme Daniel – UT Austin

Jayme Daniel is a Public Relations major with a minor in African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.  She has participated in several student organizations some of which include the Mixed Student Union, Panama Brigades, and Student Leaders Pursuing Law. Jayme’s positions of leadership on campus include her role as an Orientation Advisor. In addition to her campus involvement, she avidly volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of East Austin. Through her volunteer experiences, she has grown very passionate about education reform. As a result, last summer, she interned at Teach for America’s national office. Jayme considers her internship at Teach for America one of her most rewarding experiences because it gave her the opportunity  to work for a mission driven organization addressing inequities in education. This Fall, she will intern with Chlopak, Leonard, Schecter & Associates while in D.C

 

Caitlin Eberhardt – UT Austin

Caitlin is a History and Anthropology major at the University of Texas in Austin and part of the Liberal Arts Honors (Plan I) program.  During her time at the University of Texas, she has participated in archaeological digs in Belize and Portugal.  She was also honored to be part of the prestigious Normandy Scholar Program, an intensive study course focused on WWII, and one of her most rewarding college experiences.  As a member of Delta Gamma, she has especially enjoyed promoting her sorority's philanthropy, Service for Sight, by working with students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Caitlin has also been an active member of the University of Texas Campus Environmental Center, pioneering the way for the Green Greeks program.  Caitlin hopes to join the Peace Corps after finishing her undergraduate degree and then study international law.  While in D.C., Caitlin will be interning with the United Nations Information Center.  

 

Gretchen Ellison – UT Austin

Gretchen is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Corporate Communication Studies and pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate in the Ethics and Leadership of Politics, Law and Social Justice through the Bridging Disciplines Program. She is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma academic honor societies and was honored as a distinguished college scholar in the spring of 2009.  Throughout her college career Gretchen has worked at the Texas State Capitol as an intern for Representative Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles and Senator Judith Zaffirini, where she gained critical practice and insight into governmental affairs and social service. Upon graduating in May 2010 she plans to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Affairs.  In Washington, Gretchen will intern for Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23).

Lorena Garza – UT Pan American

Lorena is a senior at The University of Texas-Pan American and she will be graduating in the spring of 2011 with a double major in Political Science and Philosophy. She comes from a Mexican background and is fluid speaker and writer in Spanish. She is an active member of several student organizations, including the Philosophy club, the Political Science Organization, the National Political Science Honor Society and treasurer for Students for Peace.  In the summer of 2009, Lorena interned with the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar at McAllen, Texas. After obtaining her degree, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. While in D.C., she will be interning in the US Department of Labor, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).

 

Philip Harris – UT Dallas

A native of Oklahoma City, Philip is a junior majoring in Political Science at UT Dallas.   In addition to being a Robert C. Byrd and Eugene McDermott Scholar, Phil is a member of the university’s Collegium V Honors Program.   He has served on campus as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of College Republicans and as co-founder and vice-president of SPEAK, a political awareness student organization which has helped register over 300 students to vote.  Phil has done phone-banking, block-walking, and poll-greeting for the Collin County Republican Party and actively campaigned for a number of Republican candidates.  He has served as a volunteer organizer for Habitat for Humanity and in the archives at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.  Phil has just finished an internship with Americans for Prosperity Texas and is looking forward to interning at The Heritage Foundation in Online Strategies.        

Akim Insyxiengmay – UT Arlington

Akim is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a B.A. degree in Political Science with a concentration in Policy Studies and a minor in Health Education. He is an active participant in multiple campus organizations including the Junior World Affairs Council and the National Political Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. During his time as a political science major at UTA, he developed a passion for the promotion of healthy living, which led to a fusion of politics and health within his studies. While in DC, he will be interning at the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Upon graduation, Akim plans to obtain a graduate degree in Public Health and pursue a career in global health and development.

Melissa Lerma – UT Brownsville

Melissa is a senior at the University of Texas at Brownsville majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Communication Studies.  She plans on attending medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston through the Early Medical School Acceptance Program.  During her undergraduate studies, she has developed a deep interest in Public Health and may seek a Masters in Public Health degree in health policy or international health.  Melissa was awarded a four-year academic scholarship and is currently a University Scorpion Scholar.  She was an officer of the Communication Council and has helped organize the annual CommEXPO on campus and participated in many civic engagement activities including “Planting Seeds of Hope” along the Border Fence.  As a class member of the Lemon- AIDES group, she worked to promote public participation in the Brownsville 2020 project, which highlights the top five issues that need attention in our city according to the public. 

Cierra Lowery – UT Tyler

Cierra is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler and will graduate in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in history and a minor in political science. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to study American history. In her spare time Cierra enjoys jogging and spending time with her family, especially her seven adorable nieces and nephews. Cierra works part time for Heartland Insurance Security Group, in Tyler Texas, where she has directed the company’s transition to paperless record keeping. In Washington D.C. she will intern with the Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives. During her time in Washington D.C., Cierra would like to observe how history plays a role in the U.S. government and the policy making process.

Cait McCann – UT Austin

Cait is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Geography & the Environment, Latin American Studies, and Government. On campus she serves as an officer for the Geography Society and Oxfam UT, where she dedicates her time to the Make UT Sweat Free Campaign. She is also in the Environment Bridging Disciplines Program and serves on the BDP student cabinet.  She enjoys her job teaching environmental curriculum to children at the City of Austin’s Nature and Science Center.  After finishing her studies, Cait plans to pursue a career that addresses social and environmental issues in developing regions. As an Archer Fellow in D.C., Cait will be working at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program.

Maricruz Molina – UT Austin

Maricruz was born in Brownsville, Texas. She is a third year government student at the University of Texas at Austin.  While at UT, she has taken part in different student organizations including Fellowship of Christian University Students (FOCUS) and University Democrats.  She currently serves as community service coordinator with FOCUS. Maricruz is a scholarship recipient with the Rapoport Scholars, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Texas Exes. This past spring semester, she interned at the Texas State Capitol during the 81st Legislative Session for Representative Eddie Lucio III.  After graduating in May 2011, Maricruz would like to attend law school and ultimately seek a professional career in public service. This fall, she will be interning with Public Education Network (PEN) in the Policy Department.

Nick Moore – UT Austin

Nick is a third year Liberal Arts Honors and Humanities Honors major at the University of Texas at Austin. His unique Humanities track is Political Psychology, an interdisciplinary field forged on the relationship between political science and social psychology. Nick is also an active member of the Texas Wranglers, a group of young men dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. Off campus, Nick has worked as an intern for the Texas Democratic Party, and has also taken part in the TDP’s Campaign Academy, a program designed to train young, talented campaign workers. In Washington, Nick will work for the University of Texas System Office of Federal Relations. After graduation in May 2011, Nick plans on attending law school before pursuing a career in politics.

Hector Morales – UT Austin

Hector is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin where he is pursing a degree in Government and a minor in philosophy.  Hector worked for Rick Noriega’s Texas Senate Campaign and the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign.  He was also an intern in the Hillary Clinton Campaign during the Democratic primary and later on volunteered in the Clinton Global Initiative University program that was hosted by UT Austin in February 2009.  Hector has also taken courses in the Bridging Disciplines Program and focused specifically on health policy.  While in DC, he will intern at the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights researching health policy issues and consulting with other Agencies and Departments.  Hector plans to attend law school where he will pursue a joint degree in Law and Public Policy.        

Gaven Norris – UT Permian Basin

Gaven is a Senior Political Science student at the University of Texas-Permian Basin. Gaven is a native of Odessa, TX and is very involved in his local area as a community activist and student organizer, both politically and civically. Gaven is a member of the honorary James Elkins Commemorative ensemble and, the civic organization, the Black Cultural Council of Odessa. He is also the organizer and Executive Director of the Young Democrats Club and the Chairman of the Black Leadership Council at U.T.P.B. Gaven and the Black Leadership Council spearheaded the first Black Leadership Conference to ever be held at U.T.P.B. This is the only community oriented, student organized, conference currently available at U.T.P.B. Gaven is also employed as a mentor and A.V.I.D college tutor at Permian High School and the Minister of Music at his local church. Gaven will graduate with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in the Spring of 2010 and he plans to attend law school where he aspires to graduate with both a Doctorate of Juris Prudence and Masters in Public Administration.

Amy Parker – UT Austin

Amy Parker is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she is studying both Government and Spanish.  While excelling academically at UT by centering her government studies on the American presidency, Amy has desired to use her college experience as a way to help others and her community. Amy demonstrated this desire by working with orphan children in Zambia, Africa, and also journeying to New Orleans to assist with the Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts. Amy has put her Spanish skills to work by tutoring bilingual students at a local elementary school in Austin. Amy has just returned from Córdoba, Argentina where she studied Spanish for three months. In Washington, Amy will be interning at the Woodrow Wilson International Center For Scholars where she will be working as a research assistant for two scholars.

 

Jenifer Pfanzelt – UT Dallas

Jenifer is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Literary Studies and Political Science. During her time at UTD she has actively participated in a number of student organizations including student ambassadors, literary studies society, golden key, and the Collegium V honors program. Additionally she helped found the UTD mock trial team as a freshman, and has since then served as captain and president. Her time working with the mock trial team has yielded consistent personal and team awards both locally and nationally. She also contributed to Greek Life on campus as an Alpha Gamma Delta, holding several officer positions and volunteering to work with children at Scottish Rite Hospital. While in DC Jenifer will intern at the American Bar Association, Section of International Law.

Francisco Rodriguez – UT El Paso

Francisco “Frank” Rodriguez is a senior at the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. While at UTEP, Frank has been very involved in the community by interning as student coordinator at the Center for Civic Engagement. While there, he worked closely on advancing the mission of the CCE to engage the UTEP faculty, staff, and students into the El Paso-Cd. Juarez area through community based teaching and learning. At the CCE, Frank coordinated various programs including a children’s literacy program, trained bilingual college students to serve as poll workers on Election Day, and help assigned UTEP students as mentors to adult learners in citizenship classes. While in DC, he’ll be interning at the Department of State.

Dina Shahrokhi – UT Dallas

Dina Shahrokhi is a Political Science major at the University of Texas at Dallas. At UTD, she is involved in Student Government in which she was the Senator of the Year and the Chair of Committee of the Year in 2009.  Dina also started an organization, along with a former Archer, called SPEAK (Students for Political Education, Action, and Knowledge) to increase political awareness and participation in the university community via voter registration drives, current event news stands, hosting debates, etc.  She is interested in Conflict Resolution and its application in Middle Eastern Politics, and has studied Arabic and middle eastern culture in Dallas, through personal travels to Syria, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and through the Critical Language Scholarship she received from the State Department during the summer of 2009 to study Arabic in Morocco. Dina will be working at the Middle East Institute during her Archer Fellowship semester.

Igor Shneider – UT Dallas

Igor Shneider is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he is majoring in Finance and completing a fast track program to attain a masters in accounting. At UTD he is on an Academic Excellence Scholarship and has been involved heavily in student life. A former United States representative at the World Youth Chess Championship, he plays on the UTD Chess Team, where he has been a member of 3 winning Pan American Chess Championship teams. He has had leadership roles in the UTD Chess Club, Hillel, and Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity and is a member of the Financial Leadership Association. Outside of University life, Igor has had a Wealth Management internship at Smith Barney and was the owner of BGS Chess, an organization which provides chess education services to children in the North Texas area. In the fall, he will be interning at the United States Treasury, office of Economic Policy.     

Tahj Walker – UT Arlington

Tahj, born in Texas to Jamaican parents, is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington and is pursuing an Honors Degree in Political Science. Through his Big Brothers Big Sisters involvement, he became conscious of conditions in need of change- the lack of equity in education, parental strains in the home and child distress. As a result, he developed a conviction for child advocacy and outreach. Current organizations in which he has been an active member include, the Student Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, A Cappella Choir and he has held the offices of Vice president and Publicist in Pi Sigma Alpha. During the Fall 2008 semester, he met with prospective co-sponsors for the university’s 1st annual Great Debate between the University Democrats, College Republicans and Young Conservatives of Texas. He has been selected as a University Scholar, and Political Science Research award recipient. Tahj will be interning at the Department of Education in the Office of Communications and Outreach while in DC.

Rebecca Wernicke – UT Austin

Rebecca is a senior Political Communications and Plan II Honors student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, where she has served as Scholarship Chair and Formal Recruitment Chair. Rebecca got her start in politics as an intern in State Senator Jane Nelson’s office and worked as a full time intern on Rick Noriega’s Campaign for US Senate.  She has also worked as an intern for the political consulting firm RYLO, where she helped support numerous campaigns across Texas and the nation. In D.C. Rebecca will intern in the Political Department of Emily’s List, one of the largest Political Action Committees in the country, whose goal is to elect progressive female candidates to office.  When Rebecca returns to Austin she plans on writing her Plan II thesis, a biography of her grandmother, a Cuban immigrant and journalist, and applying to law school.

Christopher Reed Wilkins - UT San Antonio

A native of Arlington, TX, Reed enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at 18.  Originally designated a Russian Cryptologic Linguist, he attended the Defense Language Institute for a year-long immersion course in the Russian language.  Later, at Camp Lejeune, NC, he was selected as a computer network analyst for a charter intelligence team.  Much training, far too many 5 A.M. wakeups, and a small war later, Reed was honorably discharged from active duty.  Now a senior in the Infrastructure Assurance program at UT San Antonio, Reed consistently makes the President’s List, is a member of the Honors College, and participates in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.Reed has an interest in national computer security policy and will be interning with CACI International this Fall.

Josh Zuniga – UT Permian Basin

Josh is a senior at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin where he is double-majoring in Leadership Studies and Communication.  While attending UTPB, he has been very involved with his church in Odessa, TX: serving the last 2 1/2 years as youth pastor at New Life Chapel and being committed to the church’s praise and worship team.  When not at school or church, Josh enjoys spending time with friends playing basketball or ping-pong.  After graduating with his Bachelors degree in December, he plans to attend seminary at Oral Roberts University and obtain a Master of Divinity degree.  Josh will be interning at China Aid this fall.