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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 2005

Sarah Afkami – UT Austin

Sarah Afkami is a graduating senior from The University of Texas at Austin. She is majoring in Corporate Communication with a concentration in Child Psychology. Sarah is the president of the Society of Professional Mediators and previously interned at the Dispute Resolution Center of Austin as well as the Texas Governor’s Office. While in Austin, Sarah enjoys going to the lake with her friends and family. In Washington, Sarah will spend her semester interning for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher (D-CA).

Meyassa Baker – UT Austin

Meyassa Baker is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin. She is majoring in communication and government. She plans on attending law school and is actively involved in her pre-law organization. She founded the UT G-Force Chapter which mentors at-risk high school students, and serves as an assistant coach for a high school debate team. Meyassa has previously worked for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as two litigation firms. In Washington, Meyassa will intern at the American Bar Association.

Uri Heller – UT Dallas

Uri Heller is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is majoring in government and politics and spends his time as a member of the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, Phi Alpha Delta and the UTD Medical Ethics Society. He has served as a volunteer for both Amnesty International and Greenpeace.

Nien Hsu – UT Austin

Nien is a Plan II / Philosophy senior at The University of Texas at Austin. He has served in multiple student organizations on campus, and is currently the president of the International Relations Initiative. Nien’s academic interests include political and eastern philosophy, as well as Chinese political economy. He is the recipient of the Anne Armstrong Leadership Award from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for the fall 2005 semester and is a Goldman Sachs Global Leader. In Washington, he will spend his semester as an intern for CSIS.

Robert Janecka – UT Dallas

Robert Janecka is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas and will be graduating next spring with a double major in Historical Studies and Literary Studies and a minor in Government and Politics. An ’02 class McDermott Scholar, along with Clarisse Profilet, he co-founded the student publication “A Modest Proposal.” He also participates in Meteor Theater, the on-campus movie theater and plays with the UTD Rugby club. In Washington, Bobby will spend his semester in the press office of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Jessica Kerrigan-Ortegon – UT – Pan American

Jessica Kerrigan-Ortegon attends The University of Texas – Pan American. She is a senior graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. During her time in D.C. she will be interning at the National Institutes of Health in the repayment office. She appreciates history and government, but is most interested in economic policy.

Erika Masonhall – UT Austin

Erika Masonhall is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin earning a degree in Political Communication and concentrations in Government and Linguistics. She is a former office of Texas Spirits and actively involved in Women in Communication and the National Communication Association Student Club. As an Archer Fellow, Erika will be interning in the press office of the Democratic Leadership Council and Progressive Policy Institute. After graduation, Erika hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Communication Rhetoric and become a professor.

Stephen Myers – UT Austin

Stephen Myers is a third year Government major at The University of Texas at Austin. He is an active participant in UT life, serving as a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) Peer Mentor, and as a member of the UT Senate of College Councils. Stephen is a self-proclaimed political junkie and readily enjoys learning about and discussing American government. Thus far, he has clerked for the City Attorney’s Office of Texas City, Texas, and has worked for the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Office of the Governor. While in Washington, Stephen will intern with the White House Speechwriting Office.

Melanie Neely – UT San Antonio

Melanie Neely is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in History. Her interests include the history of U.S. foreign policy and the United Nation’s role in civil conflict. Melanie plays the violin and is involved with UTSA’s Honors College. She is a 2002 graduate of Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio. In Washington, Melanie will intern at the United Nation Information Centre.

Daniel Noll – UT Austin

Daniel Noll is a UT-Austin junior majoring in Government and Multimedia Journalism. Daniel is in the Liberal Arts Honors program and is actively involved with campus organizations such as University Democrats and the UT Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. As an intern for the Center for International Policy’s national security program, he will spend the fall conducting research and policy analysis. Daniel plans to pursue a law degree and a career in public policy after graduation.

Clarisse Profilet – UT Dallas

Clarisse Profilet is a senior majoring in both Government and Politics and Mathematics at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is a McDermott Scholar and along with Bobby Janecka, co-founded “A Modest Proposal” an alternative political publication after serving as Life & Arts editor at the university paper, “The UTD Mercury.” She is also the Technology and Public Relations chair of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, and has received awards for both charitable contributions and scholastic achievement. Additionally, Clarisse is an accomplished pianist. In Washington, she will be working at the Democratic National Committee.

Michelle Robinson – UT Austin

Michelle Robinson is a fourth year student at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a Sociology major with a minor in government, and is also pursuing an interdisciplinary minor in Population and Public Policy. In Washington, she will be interning at the Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics. She is a former Orientation Advisor, facilitator of an inter-group dialogue course, and a member of Students for Equity and Diversity, among other things. Michelle’s interests are in Social Inequality and it’s intersections with public policy, particularly within the educational system.

Victor Santana-Melgoza – UT El Paso

Victor Santana-Melgoza comes to D.C. by way of The University of Texas at El Paso. Victor is a senior with the Department of Communication studying Organizational and Corporate Communication with a minor in Applied Music. Victor originally attended Arizona State University and transferred to UTEP two years ago where he has worked for such offices as the Alumni Center, Career Services Office and was instrumental in creating the sixth component of the Student Development Center, Diversity Initiatives. Mr. Santana-Melgoza has over five years experience in diversity training and is passionately committed to social justice and equality. Although Victor keeps his career options open, he ultimately would like to become either an upper level administrator for diversity at a college or the executive director for a national nonprofit dedicated to equality. In Washington, Victor will intern for The Hatcher Group.

Leah Schier – UT San Antonio

Leah Schier is a graduating senior majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Legal Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Leah serves as a University Ambassador, and is involved with several student organizations on campus. Her focus is on global humanitarian aid and human rights abuses. As an Archer Fellow, Leah will be interning at Capitol Resources and completing her research for her Honors thesis at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. After graduation, Leah plans to earn joint Master’s and Law degrees focusing on the relationship between international law and policy. She plans to work for a human rights organization.

Paul Seegers – UT Austin

Paul Seegers is currently a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where he is pursuing dual degrees in electrical engineering and computer science. While in Washington, he will be working for the governmental affairs office at Marathon Oil. His extracurricular activities include serving on the boards of the Distinguishing Speakers Committee and the UT Cycling Club, working as an Orientation Adviser, and presiding as chairman of the UT Sailing Club. Paul has also studied at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Daniel Susong – UT Austin

A senior at UT Austin, Daniel Susong will be graduating after finishing his time here in D.C. He is interning at the White House in the speechwriting office. After he completes his internship, Dan hopes to find a position in political speechwriting or corporate public relations in either Washington, D.C. or Austin.

Yvonne Villescas – UT – Pan American

Yvonne Villescas is a senior Business Management student at The University of Texas – Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. This fail, she will be an intern at the White House Presidential Photo Office. Yvonne is very involved in her local church. She enjoys singing in the choir, voluntarily playing the piano and planning activities for the college students. After graduation, Yvonne plans to start a video-editing business. She hopes that her experience here D.C. will lead her in the right direction for a future career.

Drew Wall – UT Permian Basin

Drew Wall is a senior at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. He is the first Archer Fellow from UTPB and is a native of Snyder, Texas.

Kristine Witkowski – UT Arlington

Kristine Witkowski is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington. This fall she will be interning at the Feminist Majority Foundation. After graduation in December, she plans to enter a graduate program in Sociology with a focus on gender studies.

Shea Wynn – UT Austin

Shea Wynn is a graduating senior from The University of Texas at Austin. She is majoring in government with a concentration in women’s studies. Shea is also a member of the Bridging Disciplines Program in Ethics and Leadership, and served as a representative on the BDP Student Cabient. She is also an active member of University Democrats and was the co-chair of the Women’s Issues Legislative Action Task Force. Shea also served on the honor board for the Delta Gamma Sorority and as the undergraduate representative for the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies. Shea will be interning for the ABC News show, “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”