The Archer Center

Katie Cook Romano, Director

Katie Romano is the Director of The Archer Center, The University of Texas System Center founded to provide professional and academic experiences for UT System students in Washington, DC. Central to her role at the Archer Center is the oversight of all programs and initiatives, staff and faculty, accounting and budgeting, fundraising and development, recruiting and marketing, Fellow selection, programmatic expansion, alumni relations and Advisory Board involvement for the Center. Katie develops the short and long-term strategic direction, goals, plans and policies for the Center and its programs to align with our mission statement: to educate the next generation of leaders. 
Before transitioning into the role of Director in 2007, Katie served as the Interim Director of The Archer Center and Archer Fellowship Program Coordinator, where she managed the Bill Archer Fellowship Program in addition to the roles and responsibilities listed above. Katie has actively volunteered with the Center since 2005, serving as both a mentor for Archer Fellows and on the Friends of The Archer Center Advisory Board.

Before joining The Archer Center, Katie was the Research and Development Associate for Federal Relations in The University of Texas System Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., where she identified competitive Federal grant opportunities and Federal funding for each of the 15 UT System Institutions, coordinated and facilitated Congressional visits and Federal Agency meetings for UT System administrators, researchers and faculty, tracked legislation and policies related to higher education, and planned special events, receptions, conferences and campus visits to aid UT System’s Federal initiatives.

Prior to working for the UT System, Katie was the Event Coordinator for Mrs. Laura Bush on the Bush-Cheney ’04 Campaign, including the 2004 Republican National Convention. Following her role on the reelection campaign, she was a Managing Director of Bush Family Operations on the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee, where she oversaw all Inaugural events and activities for President and Mrs. Bush’s daughters, Barbara and Jenna. United States Senator John Cornyn initially brought Katie to Washington, D.C., in 2003 to serve as his Constituent Relations Coordinator after his successful Senate race, where she worked in the Communications Department.

A native Texan, born in Corpus Christi, Katie is a third generation Longhorn and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Communication Studies and a major in Political Communication. She is pursuing her Masters in Government with a concentration in Political Communication at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C. She is an active member of the Texas State Society, the Texas Exes and several other non-profit organizations. For the past decade, she has enjoyed volunteering at the White House during Garden and Holiday Tours, and was a volunteer Advance Representative for the White House and the U.S. Department of State from 2004 to 2009, where she traveled domestically and abroad to set up official events for First Lady Laura Bush prior to her arrival.

Sally Lemmon, Associate Director

Sally Lemmon is the Associate Director for The Archer Center, The University of Texas System Center founded to provide professional and academic experiences for UT System students in Washington, DC.  Sally works primarily with the Graduate Program Fellows throughout all aspects of their experience in DC.  Her responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing and selecting potential candidates for the Graduate Program in Public Policy and planning Graduate Program orientation events in Texas and Washington, D.C.  Sally assists Graduate Fellows in securing internship opportunities and is their contact at the Archer Center while they are in living and working in DC.  Sally also assists with other Archer Center Programs and activities including the Archer Fellowship Program and Archer Center Summer Speaker Series.

Before joining The Archer Center, Sally worked for four years at Special Olympics International managing several global Special Olympics initiatives surrounding health and constituent outreach.  Prior to her work with Special Olympics Sally worked as a Federal Legislative Assistant and Office Manager at a Washington DC based government relations firm representing Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, colleges and universities, hospitals, local governments and not-for-profit organizations.  Sally began her career in Washington DC in 2001 as a Federal Legislative Assistant at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. 

Sally originally hails from the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and is proud alum of The Pennsylvania State University.  She graduated from Penn State in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science.  After moving to DC Sally went on to continue her studies at the George Washington University and graduated with a Masters degree in Public Administration in 2007.

During the Fall Sally loves to watch football and is a devoted fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles.  Sally also enjoys hanging out with friends and taking advantage of all that Washington, D.C. has to offer including sporting events, cultural activities, and amazing restaurants. Although Sally is not originally from Texas, she is working on achieving Honorary Texan status.

Ana Benhalim, Program Coordinator

Ana Benhalim is the Program Coordinator for The Archer Center, The University of Texas System Center founded to provide professional and academic experiences for UT System students in Washington, DC.  Ana works with the Bill Archer Fellows throughout all aspects of their experience in DC.  Her responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing and selecting potential candidates for the Bill Archer Fellowship and planning Fellowship orientation events in Texas and Washington, D.C.  Ana assists the Bill Archer Fellows in securing internship opportunities and is their contact at the Archer Center while they are in living and working in DC.  Ana also assists with other Archer Center Programs and activities including the Graduate Program in Public Policy.

Before joining The Archer Center, Ana was a graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin where she earned her Master of Education degree specializing in College and University Student Personnel Administration. While studying, Ana worked within the UT Austin Dean of Students’ Office as a Greek, Leadership, and Intercultural Education Graduate Assistant where she helped develop and implement recognition programs, leadership development programs, and intercultural education programs while assisting in the advising of the University Panhellenic Council.  

Prior to her studies in Austin, Ana worked as the Healthcare Initiatives Manager with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce where she researched healthcare policy and acted as a liaison between healthcare providers, wellness agencies, and business leaders throughout the DFW area. Ana pursued her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Dallas, where in December of 2008 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and literary studies, Ana was herself a Bill Archer Fellow in the class of Fall 2008.

Ana enjoys traveling and planning trips with her friends, husband, and family. As a native of San Antonio, Texas, Ana enjoys frequently traveling back to her home state to visit loved ones and enjoy authentic Tex-Mex. On any given day she can be found exploring the city, grabbing a bite at a local restaurant, catching a movie, or reading on her kindle in a shady city park. As a harpist Ana loves to play classical music, often as a volunteer at local elder care facilities.

Dareth Finn, Recruitment and Alumni Coordinator

Dareth Finn is the Archer Center’s Recruitment and Alumni Coordinator.  She is responsible for managing recruitment of prospective undergraduate Archer Fellows on all nine academic campuses, including advertising and promoting the Bill Archer Fellowship Program, running information sessions, attending recruiting events and holding meetings with campus faculty, advisors and student groups.  Dareth is also responsible for managing alumni relations with the Archer Center’s 400+ alumni.  She works closely with the Archer Fellow Alumni Association Leadership Board, coordinates alumni events in D.C. and Texas, and works with Class Representatives to maintain updated information for all Archer Fellow Alumni.

Prior to joining the Archer Center, Dareth worked for two years at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars—an educational organization that provides college students from across the country with opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C.  Dareth managed the organization’s domestic on-campus recruitment efforts, coordinating recruiting visits to approximately 230 campuses throughout the country each semester.  She also coordinated The Washington Center’s Intern Abroad programs in London, England and Sydney, Australia.

Dareth graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Government and American Studies.  She participated in the Archer Fellowship Program during the spring of 2008 and has served on the AFAA Board since 2009.  After her time as an Archer Fellow, Dareth assisted the Archer Center with its recruitment and marketing efforts and served as the UT Austin student liaison to the Archer Center.  A native Texan, born and raised in Houston, Dareth is a loyal Longhorns and Texans fan, as well as a self-proclaimed Mexican food connoisseur.

Allison Roberts, Program Assistant

Allison is a 2009 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Government and a minor in Business. During her collegiate years, Allison worked with the Texas Senate Sergeant at Arms Office assisting the Senate Messengers as
well as Senators and staff members during the 81st Texas Legislative Session.  Upon graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the University of Texas System, Office of Federal Relations, assisting the Vice Chancellor and The Archer Center.  Allison was also selected as the 2011 Texas Cherry Blossom Princess for The National
Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.