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The Archer Center is a non-profit entity supported by the generosity of its sponsors. Your support will ensure future generations of Texas students have the opportunity to take part in our programs. Donations can be made out to the UT Foundation and mailed to the Archer Center, attn: Katie Cook Romano, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC, 20006. Please feel free to call 202.955.9091 with any questions.

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Contact information

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

Archer Fellows Fall 2003

Jessica Cassidy, UT Dallas

Interdisciplinary Studies, May 2005

Jessica Cassidy is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas studying Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on medical ethics. Jessica has worked as a staff writer for the UTD Mercury and is a participant of the prestigious Collegium V Honors program. Jessica has expanded her classroom studies into the working world with a position as a Certified Pharmaceutical Technician at HCA Columbia Medical Center of Plano where she serves as the youngest member of the Hospital Ethics Committee. While in Washington, Jessica is interning with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Andrés Correa, UT Dallas

Government & Politics, May 2005

Andrés Correa has a long history of civic leadership and was rewarded for his high school accomplishments by being named to the inaugural class of McDermott Scholars at the University of Texas at Dallas where Andrés is studying government and politics as well as finance and economics. In addition to maintaining a near perfect GPA, Andrés has been involved with a number of interesting and diverse activities outside of the classroom, including working on a bill that was sent to the Texas House of Representatives and participating in activities with the Diplomatic Academy of Chile. This summer, he spent several weeks in Mexico on a cultural and academic exchange program. Andrés is serving as an intern with the Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Melissa Drosjack, UT Austin

Journalism, May 2004

Melissa Drosjack is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in journalism. This is her second term in Washington, DC. During the summer of 2002, Melissa participated in the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University where she took two classes and served as an intern reporter with Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. Additionally, Melissa has interned and reported for the Houston Chronicle and the Daily Texan, where she also served as the Associate Managing Editor, News Editor, and Senior Reporter. Melissa is interning with the Washington Bureau of the Houston Chronicle.

Daniel Erwin, UT Dallas

Literary Studies & Art & Performance, May 2004

Daniel Erwin is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas where he is a member of the prestigious McDermott Scholars program and is studying literary studies and art & performance. He has been a leader at the student newspaper, the UTD Mercury, serving as the Managing Editor. During his tenure, he reorganized the writer/editor communication process and created a standardized style guide. Daniel is an accomplished artist and specializes in glass art. While in Washington, he will intern with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Melanie Gleason, UT Austin

Communication Studies, May 2004

Melanie Gleason is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where is a student in the College of Communication studying Political Communication with a minor in the Business Foundations program. Melanie has had extensive extracurricular experience working with the UT Student Volunteer Board to engage on-campus residents to volunteer with their neighbors and direct the first ever campus-wide food drive. Additionally, Melanie has interned with Public Citizen, a non-profit public interest organization where she focused on environmental issues. As an Archer Fellow, Melanie will intern with Amnesty International.

Richard Howell, UT Austin

Government & History, August 2004

Richard Howell is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin where he is studying government and history. Richard has sought out extensive extracurricular activities and internships to supplement and enhance his classroom learning, including serving as an intern to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the Spring 2003 session. Prior to that, Richard was also a Texas Governor’s Fellow. He is also a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he was the founding community service director during the 2002-2003 school year. While in Washington, Richard, will intern with the Strategic Initiatives Office in the White House.

DeLisa Lay, UT Dallas

Government & Politics, May 2005

DeLisa Lay is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas. She was one of the original McDermott Scholars, a program of not more than 20 students selected each year to receive a full academic scholarship and stipend to attend UTD. DeLisa has maintained a perfect GPA while studying government and politics and literary studies. Her professional interests are in international relations; as such, she has already laid the groundwork to participate in an internship during the summer of 2004 in Geneva. She is also an accomplished pianist and vocalist. As an Archer Fellow, DeLisa will be interning with the United Nations Information Center.

Lauren Lien, UT Austin

Government, May 2005

Lauren Lien is a government and humanities junior at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a part of the Plan I Honors Program and is also minoring in philosophy and communication studies. Lauren has already sought out political experience in Arlington where she volunteered for the Martin Frost for United States Congress Campaign. Acting as a field canvassing team lead, she both canvassed and supervised other canvassers in neighborhoods throughout the district. Lauren is also active in a number of organizations, including the University of Texas Amnesty International chapter and the Lutheran Campus ministry. While in Washington, Lauren will intern with Representative Nick Lampson.

Neha Mehta, UT Austin

Economic Honors, May 2005

Neha Mehta is a junior at the University of Texas where she is majoring in economics honors and minoring in biology. She is also a part of the interdisciplinary Bridging Disciplines program and is pursuing a certificate in Children and Public Policy. Neha has been a part of several large research projects in the schools of social work and nursing. She has been a nominee and recipient for many honors, including membership into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Gamma Beta Phi. As an Archer Fellow, Neha will intern with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Kyu "Mike" Paek, UT Austin

Government , May 2004

Kyu “Mike” Paek is a junior government major at the University of Texas at Austin. He has already distinguished himself as a serious scholar, being named to University and Liberal Arts Honors. Mike has held a number of positions, including Assistant to Administrative Associate for the Division of Housing and Food Service at UT Austin and Legal Administrative Intern for the Texas Office of the Attorney General (Child Support). He is also multilingual: conversant in Korean and fluent in Spanish. As an Archer Fellow, Mike will intern with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation at the Council for a Livable World.

Mohan Rajagopalan, UT Austin

Economics , May 2005

Mohan Rajagopalan is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin where he is studying economics. During the spring of 2003, Mohan interned with State Representative Michael Villareal at the Texas House of Representatives. As a Legislative Aide, Mohan analyzed and organized legislation concerning the State Affairs committee and worked on constituent, lobbyist, and group correspondence. Prior to that, he interned with the Texas Democratic Party and served as a member of the University of Texas at Austin Legislative Relations Agency for Student Government. As an Archer Fellow, Mohan will intern with Hart Research.

Brittany Ross, UT Austin

Communication Studies, May 2004

Brittany Ross is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a Communication Studies major with a political communications concentration and an English minior. During the spring of 2003, Brittany participated in a language immersion and exchange program to Monterry, Mexico. During her stay, she interned with the MARCO Museum where she was a Communications and Education intern. Her duties included promotion of museum and events to American companies in Monterrey and provided English-language tours as needed. In Washington, DC, she will intern with EMILY’S List.

Rhett Skelton, UT Austin

Journalism, December 2003

Rhett Skelton is in his final semester as a student at the University of Texas at Austin. He will graduate in December 2003 with a degree in Public Relations with a minor in the Business Foundation program. Rhett has participated in a number of internships. As a public relations intern with IBM, Tivoli Software, he wrote news releases, fact sheets and backgrounders. As a Media Relations Specialist with the 3M, 2003 #M Half Marathon and Relay, he contacted and obtained news coverage and evaluated the overall PR and media plans. While in Washington, Rhett will intern with the Public Affairs office at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian.

Lauren Smith, UT Austin

Journalism & Government, August 2004

Lauren Smith is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin where is pursuing a dual degree in government and journalism. She is a part of the Liberal Arts Honors Program. Lauren’s experience is varied and includes an internship with the Campaigns for People, positions with The Daily Texan, an editorial assistantship with Stevens Publishing Corporation, and a semester in the Czech Republic at Charles University. She has also served as an executive officer with the Liberal Arts Council as well as the Study Abroad Chair. As an Archer Fellow, Lauren will intern with the Helsinki Commission.