Friends of The Archer Center Trust - 2014 Alumni Scholarship Recipients
The inaugural 2014 Friends of The Archer Center Trust voted to fund an initiative that allows The Archer Center to support alumni as they continue to pursue their professional and academic goals. Through the initiative, The Archer Center provides three $1,000 scholarships to alumni pursuing advanced degrees, public service fellowships, or study abroad experiences. Recipients are selected through a competitive application process.
Taneska Lewis-Jones
Taneska Lewis is a Fall 2010 Archer Fellow alumna and currently serves on the Archer Fellowship Alumni Association Fundraising Committee. Taneska is a graduate of The University of Texas at Dallas and is now in her first year of law school at the University of Houston Law Center. She looks forward to becoming involved with the law center's Immigration Clinic and mock trial team. "The Houston legal community and University of Houston Law Center offer various avenues through which I plan to carry out my commitment to public service," Lewis said. After law school, she plans to start her career as a litigation attorney. "My long-term goals to public service include dedicating a significant portion of my legal career to the prevention of human trafficking and domestic violence. As a lawyer I would like to use my skillset to prosecute trafficking operations and abusive partners, as well as enhance related policies and rehabilitation services for victims."
Taneska Lewis is a Fall 2010 Archer Fellow alumna and currently serves on the Archer Fellowship Alumni Association Fundraising Committee. Taneska is a graduate of The University of Texas at Dallas and is now in her first year of law school at the University of Houston Law Center. She looks forward to becoming involved with the law center's Immigration Clinic and mock trial team. "The Houston legal community and University of Houston Law Center offer various avenues through which I plan to carry out my commitment to public service," Lewis said. After law school, she plans to start her career as a litigation attorney. "My long-term goals to public service include dedicating a significant portion of my legal career to the prevention of human trafficking and domestic violence. As a lawyer I would like to use my skillset to prosecute trafficking operations and abusive partners, as well as enhance related policies and rehabilitation services for victims."
Dina Shahrokhi
Dina is a Master in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School. Dina graduated summa cum laude in 2011 from The University of Texas at Dallas, where she studied Political Science and traveled to eight different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. After graduation, she moved to Damascus to work for the United Nations Relief Agency during the first year of the Syrian revolution. In the states, Dina has held internships at the Middle East Institute and The Stimson Center, and she most recently was the Research Associate for the Middle East at the Baker Institute at Rice University. At Harvard, Dina specializes in International Global Affairs and works as a student associate for the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. "It wasn’t until I became an Archer Fellow that I had the opportunity to witness policy making first hand from Washington, D.C., and found inspiration to be a public servant," Shahrokhi said. "I believe that this world needs a new kind of foreign policy leader – one that bridges the gap between academics well-versed in particular regions and practitioners who understand political and economic realities. I am committed to becoming this kind of well-rounded policy maker."
Dina is a Master in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School. Dina graduated summa cum laude in 2011 from The University of Texas at Dallas, where she studied Political Science and traveled to eight different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. After graduation, she moved to Damascus to work for the United Nations Relief Agency during the first year of the Syrian revolution. In the states, Dina has held internships at the Middle East Institute and The Stimson Center, and she most recently was the Research Associate for the Middle East at the Baker Institute at Rice University. At Harvard, Dina specializes in International Global Affairs and works as a student associate for the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. "It wasn’t until I became an Archer Fellow that I had the opportunity to witness policy making first hand from Washington, D.C., and found inspiration to be a public servant," Shahrokhi said. "I believe that this world needs a new kind of foreign policy leader – one that bridges the gap between academics well-versed in particular regions and practitioners who understand political and economic realities. I am committed to becoming this kind of well-rounded policy maker."
Robby Teas
Robby is an alumnus of the Spring 2014 class of Archer Fellows and graduated with a degree in geography from UT Austin in May 2014. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in political science at The University of Texas at San Antonio, with the hope of one day returning to Washington, D.C., to work as a policy and government affairs specialist for an environmental non-profit. As an Archer Fellow, Robby interned with The Wilderness Society, an organization that works to protect and conserve America’s public lands. In his spare time, he enjoys all things outdoors, traveling around Texas, keeping up with politics and helping his fiancée plan their upcoming wedding. My goal for public service is to help protect America's national parks and public lands through government relations and outreach. Through my internship as an Archer Fellow, I found how important it is to get younger generations excited about the outdoors so that they may carry on a conservation legacy. I am inspired more than ever to achieve my goal of helping the efforts to educate Americans to care for, protect, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of our country," Teas said.
Robby is an alumnus of the Spring 2014 class of Archer Fellows and graduated with a degree in geography from UT Austin in May 2014. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in political science at The University of Texas at San Antonio, with the hope of one day returning to Washington, D.C., to work as a policy and government affairs specialist for an environmental non-profit. As an Archer Fellow, Robby interned with The Wilderness Society, an organization that works to protect and conserve America’s public lands. In his spare time, he enjoys all things outdoors, traveling around Texas, keeping up with politics and helping his fiancée plan their upcoming wedding. My goal for public service is to help protect America's national parks and public lands through government relations and outreach. Through my internship as an Archer Fellow, I found how important it is to get younger generations excited about the outdoors so that they may carry on a conservation legacy. I am inspired more than ever to achieve my goal of helping the efforts to educate Americans to care for, protect, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of our country," Teas said.
