Skip navigation

Join the mailing list

You can join our mailing list to receive newsletters, email newsletters, and updates on the events and students of the Archer Center.

Click here to join our mailing list!

Donate online

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.

Learn more about our programs and why becoming a donor is so important.

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 2004

Salome Balderrama, UT Austin

Ms. Balderrama is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin in the College of Engineering where she is a pursuing a degree in Architectural Engineering. She has had extensive and varied extracurricular experience during her undergraduate career having served as a judicial board officer and peer arbitration leader, vice president for the Architectural Engineering Institute, and as a freshman representative to the Society of Women Engineers. Salome will be spending her time in Washington at the United Nations Information Centre.

Jonathan Boos, UT Dallas

Jonathan is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in Government and Politics. He is a member of UTD’s pre-law society and is on the academic affairs committee with the Student Senate. Jonathan is also a graduate of UTD’s emerging leaders program and a member of the tennis team. He is interning with the Heritage Foundation, and has plans to go to law school and ultimately work in public policy when he graduates.

Michael Choate, UT Austin

Mr. Choate is majoring in English, Latin American Studies, and Geography at the University of Texas at Austin where he holds liberal arts honors and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Michael has worked as a radio personality for Graham Brothers Communications and as an intern with Texas Watch where he helped lobby the Texas Legislature along with other advocacy groups. During his semester in Washington, Michael will intern with the office of U.S. Representative Nick Lampson.

Casey Louis Edwards, UT Dallas

Casey is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas where he is studying Government and Politics. Casey has worked in the Economics Department at Richland College for the past three years, while maintaining an outstanding GPA. Casey has been active on campus, was President of the University Democrats, was on the UTD Tennis Team and was a Student Government Senator. While in Washington, Casey will be working for U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett.

Emily Einsohn, UT Austin

Emily is a junior in Government at the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked for the Ron Kirk for U.S. Senate campaign, the Texas Coordinated Campaign for the 2002 Election and has interned for State Representative Patrick Rose. Emily also enjoys volunteering for organizations such as Family Forward and Rock the Vote. During her internship in Washington at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism she hopes to gain insight into Jewish-American politics.

Ausra Laurusaite, UT Dallas

Ms. Laurusaite is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas where she has maintained a perfect GPA as a Government & Politics student. Ausra is the recipient of the STARS Scholarship at UTD. She is a member of the UTD John Marshall Pre-Law Society and the Pre-Law Chpater of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Ausra has volunteered with the World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas; she is fluent in Lithuanian, English, and Russian and is quickly becoming so in Spanish and French as well. While in Washington, D.C., Ausra will intern with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Mary Makary, UT Dallas

Ms. Makary is a rising junior at the University of Texas at Dallas where she is part of the prestigious McDermott Scholar program. She is pursuing a BA in Government & Politics and has already begun to supplement her coursework with real-life experience. Mary interned with the Office of Mayor Laura Miller in Dallas as well as with Anthony Champagne, PhD, a student favorite professor at UTD. She has volunteered with the University Democrats and Marcus Elementary School and served as a senator to the Student Government Association. While in Washington, Mary will intern with the Curator's Office at the Supreme Court.

Vittorio Merola, UT Austin

Mr. Merola is seeking a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in International Business from the University of Texas at Austin. Vittorio is an avid and accomplished teniss player as well as a member of the Tejas Club, a gentlemen’s social club at UT Austin. He has sought out opportunities to build out his international experience—as the Information Officer for the Foreign Policy Council, as part of the Cultural Exchange team for AEISEC Austin, and with Model UN. As an Archer Fellow, Vittorio will intern with the Subcommittee on Africa with the House Committee for International Relations.

Keri Rance, UT Austin

Ms. Rance is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing dual degrees in English and Studio Art. Additionally, Keri is planning a minor in Government. She has participated in a number of international experiential learning semesters, studying European democracy at Universidad de Alicante in Alicante, Spain and conversational language and political debate at Universidad Politecnica de Valencia in Valencia, Spain. Keri has been name a College Scholar at UT Austin. During her semester as an Archer Fellow, Keri will intern with the Cuba Travel Program with the Center for International Policy.

Kevin Richardson, UT Austin

Mr. Richardson is pursuing a BA in Government at the University of Texas at Austin where he has maintained a perfect GPA in his major. Kevin has served as a Government Relations Coordinator for Trinity Industries, Inc. where he assisted in lobbying efforts on the state and federal levels. Additionally, Kevin is an avid fan of football both as a spectator of Longhorn football and as a participant in Texas Rec Sports intramural football. Kevin has served as the Judicial Commission Chairman and on the Legislative Relations Agency with Student Government. As an Archer Fellow, Kevin will intern with the Republican National Committee.

Sophie Rutenbar, UT Dallas

Ms. Rutenbar is a student at the University of Texas at Dallas where she is studying Government & Politics. Sophie is a part of the McDermott Scholars program. Sophie has served as the Vice President of Student Government where she worked towards awareness of academic integrity problems, oversaw the Student Business Alliance, and pushed to increase visibility of Student Government throughout the campus. Sophie is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Collegium V Honors College. She has travel extensively with visits to England, Spain, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While in Washington, DC, Sophie will intern with the Africas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Katie Short, UT Austin

Ms. Short is a student at the University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a double major degree in Government and Anthropology. She is a part of the Liberal Arts Honors Program and was awarded the UT Liberal Arts Honors Freshman Scholarship. Katie has interned with the Texas Democratic Party Headquarters and has participated in the Campaign Corps Campaign Mini-Camp. Her volunteer history has included stints with the Green Festival and the Yellow Bike Project. During her semester, Katie will intern with America Votes.

Ginger Smith, UT Austin

Ginger is a senior in Communication Studies and is currently working on her Communication Studies Honors Thesis at the University of Texas at Austin. She is part of the new Bridging Disciplines Program and will be pursuing a master’s degree in International Relations next fall. Ginger has interned with the Texas Capitol, the Smithsonian, the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Her interest in foreign affairs has led her around the world while giving her the opportunity to study abroad in Morocco and Australia. During her time in Washington, she will be interning with the State Department’s Office of Western Europe.

Sam Strauss, UT Austin

Mr. Strauss is an honors student at the University of Texas at Austin where he is pursuing a degree in Communication Studies with a focus in political communication. Sam has spent a semester abroad at the University of Haifa. He has been honored with a number of distinctions, including the Cornerstone Fellowship, the International Student Scholarship, the Weilheimer Academic Fellowship, and the Outstanding Service Award from the Israeli Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. Sam has been named the Jeffrey J. Dye Fellow for the Fall Semester. One UT Austin Archer Fellow is selected each semester for this scholarship based on a commitment to public service. For his fall semester, Sam will intern with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Casey Wohlers, UT Austin

Ms. Wohlers is a student at the University of Texas at Austin where she is majoring in English and Government. Casey has interned with the legislative division of the Office of Governor Rick Perry in Austin, the Texas Historic Commission, and the Plano City Hall. Additionally, Casey has participated with the Shakespeare at Winedale Outreach Teaching team, taught with Breakthrough Collaborative, and served as the community service chairman for the National Residence Hall Honorary. Casey has received numerous awards, including being named to the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Honors List. As an Archer Fellow, Casey will intern with the Office of Communications at the White House.