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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

Current Fellows

Amanda Almeda- UT Austin

Amanda Almeda is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a dual major in Marketing and Government. Throughout her college career, Amanda has sought after opportunities to apply her studies to experiences that reflect her passion for policy and education. She has had two governmental internships – she was a Media Relations Intern for the City of Austin’s Communication and Public Information Office and was a Congressional Intern for U.S. Representative Pete Olson’s District Office in Sugar Land, Texas. At UT Austin, Amanda has been an active member of Students for Education Reform, and served as a Volunteer Instructor at Langford Elementary’s after-school STEM Program. Additionally, Amanda is active in the McCombs School of Business. She is in the McCombs Leadership Program and was Media Director and Marketing Team Member in the Asian Business Students Association. Amanda has just completed a fall semester abroad in Vienna, Austria and is excited to begin the spring semester in our nation’s capital. She will be interning at Lewis-Burke Associates LLC, a government relations firm that specializes in advocating for the public policy interests of institutes of higher education and other research organizations. 

Celina Artusi - UT Austin

Celina Artusi is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double-majoring in International Relations & Global Studies and Spanish, with minors in government and Latin American studies. Celina is proud to have been raised in Austin by her parents, both Argentine immigrants. While at UT Austin, she participated in various internships, and served as a research assistant for a History department professor researching Mexican immigration. Celina also spent two years interning in two different House Committees at the Texas State Capitol. She spent a summer interning in Barcelona, Spain, at the Barcelona Bar Association's International Department, while also teaching English to Latin American immigrants. Celina's semester abroad in Seville, Spain, helped solidify her interest in international affairs while also having a profound personal effect. As a daughter of immigrants, she is passionate about her Latin American heritage and has a strong desire to advocate on behalf of those in the region, particularly those whose human rights are being violated. Celina is looking forward to interning at the Washington Office on Latin America while in D.C. this Spring. In her spare time, Celina enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, doing yoga, swimming, boating, scuba diving, trying new restaurants and reading.
Kelly Bahng

Kelly Bahng - UT Austin

Kelly Bahng is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Public Health Policy and Management with a minor in Business. Her activities on and off campus have focused on raising diabetes awareness and other public health issues such as cancer prevention. Kelly served as the President of Hook the Cure, a student organization dedicated to promoting diabetes awareness through organizing an annual conference on campus, connecting students to research opportunities, and volunteering with a local non-profit endocrinology clinic committed to providing high quality care to under and uninsured diabetics in East Austin. This past summer she interned with Clinic Auxanomen and allocated funding resources as well as apply for grants to help the clinic continue its mission. Kelly has also served as Historian for Texas Public Health. In the summer of 2011, she cycled from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK with Texas 4000, an organization that brings hope, knowledge, and charity to the fight against cancer and fundraised a dollar for each of the 4,500 miles of the ride. To gain a deeper understanding of health care systems, Kelly studied public health policy in Europe at SciencesPo Paris during the fall 2012 semester. She hopes to work on reducing health inequalities within the US and abroad in her public health career. 
Jacob Becker

Jacob Becker - UT Arlington

Jacob Becker is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington where he studies Political Science and History. His intellectual passion is the study of international politics and international systems. During his time as an Archer Fellow he will be interning with C-SPAN with their program "Q&A". While at UTA, Jacob has been an active member of campus. His positions as a Supplemental Instructor of Political Science, Peer Educator with UTA Relationship Violence and Sexual-Assault Prevention (RVSP), and president of the German Language Society each left a considerable mark on his development. Additionally, Jacob had the pleasure to work at the Office of Congressman Joe Barton throughout the year 2011. This experience brought him closer to the policy process and ultimately contributed to his decision to apply for the Archer Fellowship. Jacob has been honored several times for his academic achievements, including being awarded a Liberal Arts Excellence Scholarship, being named a Liberal Arts Scholar, receiving honors as an Outstanding Intensive German Student, being nominated for the Outstanding Student Leader Award and being initiated into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. His latest honor was being sent as one of two representatives of UTA to the Washington Center RNC Academic Seminar Program. In his spare time he likes to play basketball and hang out with friends and family. For all of the blessings and opportunities he has been given he would like to thank God, his family, and all the faculty of UTA who have helped him along the way.
Jihani Bergaoui

Jihane Bergaoui - UT Austin

Jihane Bergaoui is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a degree in Government with a minor in French, along with an additional 19 hour-credit certificate on Ethics and Leadership. For her certificate, she conducted research on teaching ethical leadership to undergraduates, and created and presented her own workshop on the topic. An avid human rights activist, Jihane has used her strong passion for human rights and women's rights to make a positive difference in her community. She worked for Amnesty International as Student Area Coordinator for Texas while at the same time fulfilling her role as Vice-President of her university's chapter, which was recognized as Amnesty's 2nd best student chapter in the U.S. during her term. She also created and chaired the Women's Rights Committee and organized UT Austin's first Stop Violence Against Women Week. During her internship at The Office of State Representative Dawnna Dukes she created a bill that would ensure that juveniles in Texas would no longer be detained in solitary confinement. Due to her increasing interest in international relations, Jihane spent the Fall 2012 semester studying abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, where she conducted field research to create an independent research project on Islamophobia in Europe, as well as one in French on Prostitution in Switzerland. Born and raised until the age of 12 in Casablanca, Morocco, Jihane is fluent in English, French, Arabic, and the Moroccan dialect. She intends to one day make a career of her passion for fighting for women's rights around the globe.
Megan Bishop

Megan Bishop - UT Dallas

Megan Bishop is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Art & Performance with a minor in Political Science. In her time at UT Dallas, Megan has served in leadership positions such as Student Ambassador, Student Government Senator, Mock Trial Team Captain, Homecoming Dance Chair, Alpha Gamma Delta Recruitment Chair, Homecoming Court, and Orientation Leader. This past year, Megan had the privilege of serving as the Executive Chair of the Student Union & Activities Advisory Board, where she supervised and led the planning of on-campus programming. While Executive Chair, she was one of twenty-four other student leaders nominated for "Student Leader of the Year." Additionally, Megan has been awarded the Bryce Jordan Fine Arts Scholarship three years in a row in honor of her commitment to studying Art & Performance. Specifically concentrating in dance, she recently finished her senior honors thesis project, which included a full length recital of her own choreogaphy as well as a thorough research paper. Aside from Art & Performance, Megan has actively engaged in pre-law classes and activities, such as the UT Dallas Mock Trial team and the Collin County District Attorney Prosecutor's Academy. After graduation, she plans to attend law school in Fall 2013. She feels confident that her term as an Archer Fellow, as well as interning at the Public Defender Service for DC, will help prepare her for her future studies in law.
Jose Camacho

Jose Camacho - UT San Antonio

Jose Camacho is a junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in Economics. He plans to graduate from UTSA with Highest Honors, Business Honors, Leadership Honors, and International Distinction. Due to his interest in worldwide affairs, he received a scholarship from the College of Business to study abroad in China in the summer of 2012. With his busy schedule, Jose held numerous leadership roles in the field of economics; he co-founded and served as President of the National Association for Business Economics, facilitated collaborative study groups as a Supplemental Instructor for Introductory Macroeconomics, and is a member of the American Economic Association and Econometric Society. Prior to living in The Lone Star State, Jose spent 10 years in Guanajuato, Mexico where he became an avid rugby player. During his freshman year, he volunteered with UTSA Outdoor Pursuits to provide assistance to post-Katrina areas along the Gulf Coast. He also likes to participate in campus life and has been part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Society of Leadership and Success, and Toastmasters International where he served as Treasurer. Jose has been a UTSA Alumni Association Scholar since 2011 and was recently awarded the USAA Foundation Scholarship. In his spare time, he enjoys sculpting, painting, and running. While in Washington, D.C., Jose will be interning with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Daniel Crotty

Daniel Crotty - UT San Antonio

Daniel Crotty is a junior American studies and English major with minors in law and queer theory at The University of Texas at San Antonio. As a sophomore at UTSA, Daniel co-founded a student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and conducted meetings about the intersections of sexuality, gender, race, class, and able-bodiedness in relation to constitutional rights. In addition, he has worked with Unite Here! San Antonio to campaign for hotel workers' rights. While in school, Daniel has also worked as a teaching assistant in the UTSA Department of English. Upon graduating, he plans to pursue a joint degree in law and public policy. This spring, Daniel is interning with Senator Tom Harkin in the Labor office of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Robert Diaz

Robert Diaz - UT El Paso

Robert Diaz is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso double majoring in Political Science and History. An El Paso native, Robert spends much of his time engaged in activities around the community, allowing him to attain a better understanding of the law and its effects on ordinary citizens. Last summer, he was selected to participate in the Law School Preparation Institute—the pre-law program at UTEP, where he was later hired as a tutor to those preparing for the LSAT. He also assists first-time juvenile offenders diagnosed with mental illnesses to become active and productive members of society as an intern for the EMPOWER program at the Juvenile Probation Department in El Paso. Between March and November, he was first an organizing fellow and then a neighborhood team leader for Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots campaign, working with fellow Obama supporters to get voters in Texas and Florida to the polls. He will be interning at the Mental Health Division of the Public Defender Service for D.C. during his time as an Archer Fellow.

Jessica D'Souza

Jessica D'Souza - UT Dallas

Jessica D'Souza is a pre-medicine junior studying sociology and minoring in political science at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is honored to be studying as a Eugene McDermott Scholar. At UTD, Jessica has been involved with Student Government, where she served as the Communications Chair and on the I Heart UT Dallas (Health Awareness Fair) Committee, and was selected as Freshman Senator of the Year. In her sophomore year she developed a campus wide study of mental health perceptions and counseling services. After an enriching semester at the University of Navarra, Jessica is spending spring 2013 interning with the American Public Health Association in the Government Relations Department. She plans to pursue a career in public health, focusing on health policy and advocacy especially relating to malnutrition and the obesity epidemic. A loyal native of St. Louis, MO, Jessica has also grown to cherish the Dallas community and volunteers with Rainbow Days Kids' Organization. She is an avid baker who enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, exploring other cultures, and traveling.
Sanjana Dubey

Sanjana Dubey - UT Austin

Sanjana Dubey is a third-year student at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Business Honors, Finance and Government and minoring in Spanish. She is particularly interested in the role of investment in international development, the changing face of lobbying and political advocacy for women. As a freshman, she was a Junior Analyst and an administrative intern at an expanding sports rehabilitation firm, which treats Olympic athletes and the Dallas Cowboys, where she focused on banking integration and raising capital from new investors. This past summer, Sanjana studied abroad in the Czech Republic, taking classes in Eastern European business culture and honors finance at the University of Economics in Prague. She also took this opportunity to visit and research the beverage, automotive and financial services industries in this part of the world. While at school, Sanjana serves as a junior class representative on the Business Honors Steering Committee, focusing on peer feedback and curriculum changes and as the viral marketing coordinator of the Business Honors Student Ethics Board. She is a member of the co-educational honors fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, a member of the BBA Women’s Council at McCombs and coaches extemporaneous speaking at her alma mater high school remotely. Sanjana hopes to attend a top-tier law school and gain her J.D.– M.B.A. in order to practice as a corporate mergers and acquisitions attorney. 
Britanny Ellenberg

Brittany Ellenberg - UT Dallas

Brittany Ellenberg is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas studying political science in the Collegium V Honors Program. Her passion is advocating for marginalized populations, which just last year, landed her in Costa Rica working with the United Nations and indigenous tribes; in Jamaica serving on the world's largest humanitarian dental project; and in Thailand teaching a class of Burmese refugees a human rights activism curriculum. Active in her campus community, Brittany worked for the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, served as President of the UTD College Democrats, an organization she founded two years ago and was the political liaison for PRIDE. Brittany is the Vice-Chair of the LGBT Caucus for the national organization College Democrats of America. In the political arena she has held a Fellowship for Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots campaign, and acted as a campaign manager for a Texas State House race. Brittany also taught for Ignite, a non-profit program encouraging high school girls to be involved in politics. Through the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, she has competed in Mock Trial, Moot Court and interned for the Innocence Project and the Collin County District Attorney's Office. She will intern at the U.S. Department of State in the Office of the Secretary as an Archer Fellow.
Christina Flores

Cristina Flores - UT Austin

Cristina Flores is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with Special Honors in Sociology, minors in Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Government, a Business Foundations Certificate, and a Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Human Rights and Social Justice. She completed and presented her Honors Thesis for Sociology, which compares the U.S. and Mexican media coverage on the drug violence. During her time on campus, Cristina has been involved as a member of the executive board with the Hispanic Student Association, an organization focused to preserve, promote, and produce awareness and understanding of Hispanic culture and customs for all University students through community service. During the spring of 2012, Cristina completed the Texas Governor's Fellowship Program interning for the Criminal Justice Division. She had the opportunity to study abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the summer of 2012 where she interned with Criola, an NGO, and completed independent research in human rights, public health, and international policy. During the fall of 2012, she interned at the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at The University of Texas Law School and served as the liaison for the Human Rights Student Advisory Council. She wishes to pursue a Masters in Foreign Service and/or international non-profits in the near future. This spring she will be interning at the Social Office in The White House under the direction of Michelle Obama.

Josh Fuller

Josh Fuller - UT Austin

Josh Fuller is a third-year student at The University of Texas at Austin from Dallas, Texas. He is pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Philosophy. After graduation, Josh plans on attending law school. While at UT Austin Josh has been involved in many organizations and has held multiple leadership positions. His favorite has been Student Government, where he was elected by his peers to represent students in the College of Liberal Arts. The Archer Fellowship Program will be his second academic study experience outside Austin, having traveled to Europe as part of the Normandy Scholar Program. Josh is extremely excited to be spending a semester in Washington, D.C.—it will be his first time to ever visit the nation's capital. This spring Josh will be interning at the Financial Services Roundtable in their Government Relations office.
Prisha Gaddam

Prisha Gaddam - UT Dallas

Prisha Gaddam is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas pursuing a double major in Economics and Political Science. At her campus, Prisha has served as the Co-President of the organization Ladies of Vision and Excellence, as a member of the Legislative Affairs Committee in Student Government, as a member of the Traditions Committee for Student Ambassadors and as a Student Representative on the Advisory Board for the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. Along with her campus involvement, Prisha has been active in the Dallas community as a volunteer with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Salvation Army, the Frisco Independent School District and the India Association of North Texas. Prisha has also studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the Fundación José Ortega y Gasset where she took classes to become proficient in Spanish and learn about the culture, history and identity of Argentina. She also spent a summer pursuing a Development in the International Political Economy course at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In addition, she has done research at the Center for Behavioral and Experimental Economic Science at UT Dallas and has interned for a semester at the Office of Economic Development at the City of Dallas. Prior to her Archer semester, Prisha spent a semester in New Delhi, India interning at the political office of the Indian Member of Parliament, Mr. Naveen Jindal. During her semester in D.C., Prisha is looking forward to intern at the United Nations Information Center.

Kyler Geoffroy

Kyler Geoffroy- UT Austin

Kyler Geoffroy is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin currently pursing a double major in Government and Political Communications. For much of his undergraduate career, Kyler has been politically active both on and off campus. Since February 2011, he has served as a Legislative Aide for Representative Joe Deshotel in the Texas House of Representatives. He has also previously interned at GNI Strategies, a political consultant firm where he worked towards electing candidates on the city, district, and state levels. In addition, Kyler has focused much of his attention on societal inequalities and the steps necessary to eliminate such disparities.  In the spring, Kyler served as Chair of the Social Justice Committee for the University Democrats and also interned with the Texas Gay Straight Alliance Network where he developed strategies and toolkits to help combat anti-LGBT bullying in public schools across the state. This past summer, Kyler also studied abroad in London, where he learned the foundations and applications of public policy as it relates to social and economic justice. While in D.C., Kyler will intern with People For the American Way (PFAW) in the Political Department.
Dustin Haley

Dustin Haley - UT Austin

Dustin Haley is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Exercise Science, with minors in Biology and Government while also completing his Business Foundations Certificate. In the spring, he will be interning at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. With this, he will further his work as a volunteer and advocate for foster children across the country. He currently volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Austin, working with kids in the foster care system and helping express the best interest of children in court. On campus he was involved in Horns Helping Horns and the Physical Therapy Organization. This year Dustin was chosen to receive the Mike Wacker Award, which is given to students that have shown determination and perseverance while in school. This award is reserved for the few who are able to truly defeat the odds and still succeed, so it is a true honor. Outside of campus, Dustin has also interned at several clinics and hospitals in the Austin area, including Dell Children's Hospital. This past summer, Dustin traveled to Nepal where he volunteered in a pediatric orthopedic hospital. After the spring, Dustin will be continuing his studies as he pursues his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Alaina Heine

Alaina Heine - UT Austin

Alaina Heine is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a BA in International Relations and Global Studies in the Science, Technology, and the Environment tract, and with a minor in Latin American Studies. As a freshman, she was a legislative intern in the office of State Representative Joe Heflin. Throughout her sophomore year and in the fall of her junior year, Alaina worked as a research assistant for the Energy Systems Transformation Group housed by the LBJ School of Public Affairs, focusing on residential solar energy. Through her research, Alaina competed, and placed second, in the ASU Policy Challenge Competition, where she presented her research project in Washington D.C., in the Spring of 2012. Alaina is an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority and Order of Omega Greek Leadership Honor Society. During her high school and college years, Alaina has participated in and fundraised for The Race for the Cure and Relay for Life, and hopes to run in her first half marathon when in D.C. During the summer of 2012, Alaina studied abroad in Ecuador, where she improved her Spanish fluency and studied ecology and environmental conservation. Along with diving in shark-infested waters in the Galapagos Islands and swimming alongside piranhas in the Amazon, she had the opportunity to spend time in indigenous villages. This spring, Alaina will intern at the U.S. Department of State in the Bureau of International Organizational Affairs.

Levi Herrera

Levi Herrera - UT Tyler

Levi Herrera is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler. He will graduate in May of 2013 with a degree in English, and intends to continue his education, studying medieval and Renaissance literature. This spring, Levi will intern in the office of Congressman Ted Poe. Levi is an inaugural member of UT Tyler's Honors Program. He attended the 2012 National Collegiate Honors Conference in Boston to present research about J. M. Synge and the apocalypse. Levi is a former employee of the Robert R. Muntz Library on campus, and a former one-star server at the great dining establishment, Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Old Country Store. Levi is an Eagle Scout, and enjoys reading, hiking, cycling and watching movies in his spare time.

Jessica Higgins

Jessica Higgins - UT Dallas

Jessica Higgins is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Psychology and minoring in Political Science. She is a recipient of the Eugene McDermott Scholarship and a member of the Collegium V honors program. Jessica worked as News Director for UTD-TV, the campus television station, honing her skills filming and editing footage. She volunteers regularly with the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center and VITAS Hospice Care. Jessica has studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Orléans, France and is working on perfecting her French. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and cooking dishes from her native New Orleans. Jessica will be an intern in the political department of the Human Rights Campaign.

Jamie Johnson

Jamie Johnson - UT San Antonio

Jamie Johnson is a junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio. He is majoring in Geography with minors in International Studies and Global Analysis. Jamie has always had a passion for military history, foreign affairs and international relations. As a sophomore in high school he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and was nominated to the United States Military Academy at West Point his senior year. As a student at UTSA, Jamie spent a semester working for the athletics department as an academic tutor for struggling athletes in American history, physical geography, and persuasive writing. Jamie's faith in the Lord and his love for the outdoors came together this past summer while working at Camp Eagle, a Christian outdoor adventure camp, where he was responsible for the care and leadership of groups of campers, 24 hours a day, six days a week. Jamie aspires to one day serve his country through a career in national security and intelligence, primarily in the counter-terrorism field. As an Archer Fellow, he will be interning for U.S. Congressman Pete Olson of Texas' 22nd District.
Saige Lee

Saige Lee - UT Permian Basin

Saige Lee is a senior at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin pursuing a dual major in Political Science and Leadership Studies. She is a member of the Honors Program at UT Permian Basin and has made the President's List every semester. During the school year, Saige is involved with various clubs on campus and is a student worker at the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute. She devotes her summers to working with teens as a camp counselor at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. She enjoys getting to know people, adventures with friends, and watching her sister rodeo. After graduation, she plans to attend law school. Saige is interning this spring with the Office of the Curator at the Supreme Court of the United States.
Dani Litovsky

Dani Litovsky - UT Dallas

Dana "Dani" Litovsky is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Political Economy with a regional concentration in Latin America. During her three years at The University of Texas at Dallas, Dani has been President of the UTD Amnesty International Chapter, member of the UTD Model UN Team, and has been involved with other student organizations, including the UTD Terry Scholars, who are selected for their community service and academic achievements. Dani has also had the opportunity to engage in research and internships with the local and international community. She has helped with a project regarding the use of urban planning projects to improve socioeconomic conditions in Colombia and a project about US asylum decisions. Dani was a Spanish translator and interpreter for Schwamkrug, Freshwater & Lopez, PLLC, and an investigative journalist assistant for IDL-Reporteros in Lima, Peru. Currently, she works as a news stories translator for Comunicaciones Aliadas, based in Lima, Peru. Dani enjoys yoga, literature, languages, and travel. As an Archer Fellow, Dani will be working as a Research Assistant at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Stephanie Lopez

Stephanie Lopez - UT El Paso

Stephanie Lopez was born and raised along the US/Mexico border and is currently a junior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. Stephanie has always had a strong commitment to public service and at a very early age she discovered a passion for helping the less fortunate. Today, she is a dedicated advocate for those who are unable to defend themselves. In particular, she is fighting for the rights of children and immigrants. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Stephanie has represented children who have been abused or neglected and now find themselves caught in the middle of intimidating court proceedings. She also volunteers with the El Paso Bar Association by assisting attorneys during legal clinics for United States Veterans. Stephanie is also a volunteer with the El Paso Child Crisis Center and the Salvation Army and she is a member of Alpha Xi Delta Women's sorority where she takes part in various philanthropy events benefiting Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy organization. During her time at UTEP, Stephanie had made significant academic achievements such as becoming a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society in which she served as the organization's Secretary. She has also participated in the Law School Preparation Institute at UTEP. This Spring Stephanie will be interning with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute. Upon graduation, Stephanie plans on pursuing a law degree and becoming an immigration attorney.
Braeden Mayer

Braeden Mayer - UT Dallas

Braeden Mayer is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in International Political Economy with a focus in Latin America. He is a recipient of the Eugene McDermott Scholarship, a member of the Collegium V Honors Program, and the Phi Kappa Phi Collegiate Honor Society. As an Archer Fellow, Braeden will be interning with the Marathon Oil Office of Federal Relations. He just finished a fall semester study abroad experience in Nicaragua where he wrote his thesis on the political history of Nicaraguan baseball. On campus, Braeden is involved in a variety of organizations and has held several leadership positions including Secretary of Student Government, Recruitment Chair for the Student Ambassadors, and Pledge Class Vice President for his fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He has also written for the opinion newspaper A Modest Proposal, served as an anchor for UTD TV, and participated on the school's Mock Trial, Model United Nations, and Moot Court teams. With a passion for the intersection of the public and private sector, Braeden has worked with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce as their Public Policy Intern and interned twice with Southwest Airlines on their Community Affairs and Grassroots team. In addition, he was awarded UT Dallas Greek Leader of the Year and elected as the 2010 Homecoming King. When he's not working or involved in school, he loves to travel, read, keep up with social media, and eat great food!
Emily Nasir

Emily Nasir - UT San Antonio

Emily Nasir is a senior in the Honors College at The University of Texas at San Antonio where she is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She will graduate in the spring of 2013 with Leadership Honors and International Distinction. While at UT San Antonio, Emily participated in several organizations that demonstrated her commitment to service, leadership, and integrity such as the Ambassadors of UTSA, Be A Responsible Roadrunner, and the university newspaper "The Paisano". As Public Relations officer of the Health Ambassadors, Emily provided San Antonio residents and disabled young adults with free medical screenings through the American Diabetes Association and the Methodist Mission Home. In 2012, due to her academic record as a Presidential Scholar, UTSA recognized her as one of the top Political Science Seniors. To assist her goal of becoming a lawyer, Emily participated in the UTSA Summer Law School Preparation Academy where she earned a Certificate of Legal Reasoning and was awarded the Ray Coleman Jr. Scholarship for Top First Year Student. Emily credits her passion for international relations and human rights advocacy to her time studying abroad in Australia and her Palestinian background. She hopes to foster this interest after graduation by pursuing an international law degree and a Masters degree in Law and Diplomacy. As an Archer Fellow this spring, Emily looks forward to interning with the United Nations Information Center.
Lisa Newman

Lisa Newman - UT Austin

Lisa Newman is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is majoring in Government with a minor in Philosophy and will receive a certificate in Core Texts and Ideas. During her time at UT Austin, she has served as executive editor of the newly founded Texas Undergraduate Law Review, an organization designed to encourage undergraduate students to pursue their passion through scholarly and academic research. She also worked to foster better student-faculty relationships during her time as the Faculty Affairs Committee Chair in Senate of College Councils. She is an active member of her sorority, Delta Gamma, where she passionately works with the students at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In addition to her on-campus involvement, she was a legislative intern for Senator Mike Jackson. She is currently working for the Segura Criminal Defense Firm after her involvement with The University of Texas School of Law, Criminal Defense Clinic. In her free time she enjoys exploring the outdoors, two-stepping, and reading. She is excited to intern at the Department of Justice, Federal Programs Branch in the spring.
Ha-Vi Nguyen

Ha-Vi Nguyen - UT Austin

Ha-Vi Nguyen is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Economics and Government. She is a fellow of the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan and served as a student panelist her junior year. She has a special interest in comparative government and has finished writing her senior capstone on Chinese business ventures into Africa. Ha-Vi has worked as a governmental affairs intern at TRPSA Strategy Partners where she first became acquainted with Texas legislation. She also served as a law firm intern at Tuggey Fernandez LLP which helped her make the decision to attend law school. Ha-Vi has also completed an internship as a public policy intern at the Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities this fall. She also tutored at Reagan High School, a local high school in Austin, to help students pass state standardized tests in math and science. As an Archer Fellow, she will be a Geoeconomics intern at the Council of Foreign Relations. She hopes to attend law school after graduation specializing in international and comparative law.

Jackie Odum

Jacqueline Odum - UT Pan American

Jacqueline Odum is currently a senior at The University of Texas-Pan American pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. As a prospective law student she has made Public Interest law the main focus of her legal career. Her path towards law school began in the summer of 2011 when she participated in the Council on Legal Education Opportunity's (CLEO) Sophomore Summer Institute, a four week pre-law institute sponsored by the American Bar Association. Since then she has served as Historian and Vice President of the Pre-Law Society, Treasurer of Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society, Reporter of the Political Science Association, campus ambassador for the CLEO Ambassadors Program and as a member of the UTPA Mock Trial Team. Aside from her commitment to campus involvement, she also enjoys volunteering with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. Jacqueline has had the honor to be recognized as a South Texas Rising Scholar, Mario Medrano Scholar and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship recipient. During the summer of 2012 she was selected to participate in UTPA's prestigious Law School Preparation Institute where she was trained in legal research and writing. She also has experience as an intern for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, the Hidalgo County Bar Association and with the Chief Legal Officer in the Office of the President at UTPA. Jacqueline looks forward to interning with the Legal Progress Department at the Center for American Progress during her Archer Fellowship.
Jessica Pena

Jessica Pena - UT Pan American

Jessica Lizette Peña Torres is a senior at The University of Texas Pan-American in Edinburg, TX, where she pursues a B.A. in Theatre Performance and Dance Performance and a minor in Spanish. She is also a student of the Guerra Honors Program and the Activities Coordinator of the Latino Theatre Initiatives. With the LTI, she has performed in several international theatre festivals such as the 2011 New York International Fringe Festival, the Houston Fringe Festival, and LUMINARIA in San Antonio, TX. Back home, she performs children's plays in Spanish and tours all over the Rio Grande Valley to elementary schools with a large bilingual student population. She also performs with the UTPA Dance Ensemble, with a main focus in Modern Dance. Because of her interest in advancing her Latino community, Jessica was selected to participate in the 2011 Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School. With this experience, she and a group of students from UTPA developed a student organization that would potentially raise voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley for local, state, and national elections. This spring she will be interning at the International Activities Department of the National Endowment for the Arts. Jessica plans to pursue an M.F.A. in Dance and/or Theatre or an M.A. in Performance Studies following graduation. Jessica enjoys acting, dancing, choreography, and Latino Theatre.
Neeraj Sirdeshmukh

Neeraj Sirdeshmukh - UT Dallas

Neeraj Sirdeshmukh is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas where he is studying geospatial information sciences (GIS).  His passion is geography and GIS. He has won national and international recognition in several geography competitions, including the National Geographic Society's annual National Geographic Bee, where he placed second in the country, and the National Geographic World Championship, where his team placed second in the world. Neeraj is also active on campus, where he has served as President of the UT Dallas chapter of Toastmasters, which is an international public speaking improvement organization. He is also actively involved with the Indian Students Association, was the site leader for an Alternative Spring Break trip, and was the president and founder of the Global Awareness Forum, a geography and current events discussion organization at UT Dallas. He has been the recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award and the Undergraduate Research Scholar Award. Neeraj has frequented the Dean's List and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Collegium V Honors Program. Neeraj has conducted two GIS/mapping internships at Hunt Oil Company and conducted GIS research with a UTD faculty member- he hopes to publish his findings in a top academic research journal. His other academic and personal interests include global economics, international affairs, and mathematics. In his spare time, Neeraj enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, traveling the world, and spending time with friends. He is looking forward to working this spring in his dream internship with the National Geographic Society.

Mathew Smith

Matt Smith - UT Austin

Matt Smith is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, where he is pursuing a major in Government and a minor in Arabic. Matt's focus is on global policy and the effects of humanitarian intervention, specifically in the Middle East and North Africa. Last spring, while working as a research assistant for Dr. Alan J. Kuperman of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, Matt completed a research project that analyzed the effectiveness of the NATO intervention in Libya. Matt is currently building upon this research experience as a Robert S. Strauss Next Generation Scholar. The Next Generation Scholars program has been established to foster the new generations of global policy scholars and practitioners, and as a recipient of this award Matt has been provided with funding to continue his independent research and professional development, while being mentored by Dr Kuperman. As a Bill Archer Fellow, Matt hopes to improve his analytical skills and research capabilities while working as an intern at the Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. After graduation, Matt hopes to obtain work that will enable him to acquire policy relevant experience in either D.C. or the Middle East before he returns to pursue his Master's degree in International Relations.
Leslie Tisdale

Leslie Tisdale - UT Austin

Leslie Tisdale is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in Political Communication with a minor in Government. Recently, Leslie has enjoyed working in the Texas Legislature and serving as president of the University Democrats during the US Presidential election season. Her focus at UT Austin has been ensuring student civic participation through her organization of the non-partisan Politipalooza, and the Big XII on the Hill lobbying trip with Student Government. Her more fond memories include being a Congressional Page during the 111th Congress and attending the 2012 Democratic National Convention as a Texas delegate. Currently, Leslie works for the United States Attorney in Austin and is looking forward to her return to Washington, D.C.
Hilary Turner

Hilary Turner - UT Austin

Hilary Turner is a senior at The University of Texas as Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Political Communication and a minor in Government. For the past seven months, Hilary has interned in the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resource Committee where she co-authored a charge on the Interim Report to the 83rd Legislature. She has also worked as Data Curator for Zonabiliy, an Austin start-up. In previous summers, Hilary worked as a social media intern at a political digital media consulting firm based in Austin. During her time at UT Austin, Hilary served as an Executive Editor for the Texas Undergraduate Law Review, and was involved in the Phi Alpha Delta Retreat Committee. Hilary is currently a J.J. Pickle Congressional Research Assistant, where she has conducted her own research on Interest Groups and Legislative Output. Hilary is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and has served as Collegiate Alumni Relations Chair and Activities Director. In the spring, Hilary will be interning at Patton Boggs as a public policy intern.

Cody Willming

Cody Willming - UT Dallas

Cody Willming is a junior pursuing a degree in Political Science at The University of Texas at Dallas. Cody's interest in politics began while serving as a Congressional Page for the U.S. House of Representatives during the spring of 2009, when he worked on the House floor and attended school in the Library of Congress. While at UT Dallas, he served as Vice President of Student Government his sophomore year and represented the university on the UT System Student Advisory Council. While on the Council he served as Vice Chair of the Financial and Legislative Affairs committee and helped present recommendations to the UT System Board of Regents. This past fall, Cody worked as an intern at Southwest Airlines with the Community Affairs and Grassroots team, where he analyzed social media usage by Members of Congress and identified legislative engagement opportunities for the airline. He is looking forward to interning with the staff of the U.S. House Budget Committee this spring.
Ofirah Yheskel

Ofirah Yheskel - UT Austin

Ofirah Yheskel is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing a dual degree in Communication Studies along the Political Communication tract and International Relations & Global Studies with a focus in international security. During her time at the university, she has gained experience on all sides of the political spectrum, beginning first as an intern on Ted Cruz's campaign for United States Senate. She then went on to become a community organizer in east Austin with Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots group, mobilizing voters in six precincts for Election Day. Most recently, Ofirah has completed a legislative research internship with the nonpartisan nonprofit group Project Vote Smart and hopes to continue working to empower voters in the future. During the summer of 2011, she had the opportunity to study abroad and enhance her Spanish speaking capacity in northern Spain and her love of the language and culture motivated her to pursue a minor in Latin American Studies. This fall she completed a thesis about the security implications of terrorist groups becoming political parties; the concepts of democracy building and consolidation are especially of interest to her. In her spare time, Ofirah enjoys reading, watching movies, traveling, and exploring Austin.