Graduate Program in Public Policy Alumni Profiles
Ashlee R. Peña
Summer 2016 Archer Fellow
Internship: White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
M.Ed. Education Policy and Planning; December 2016
Trinity University
B.A. Political Science, B.A. History; December 2006
St. Mary's University School of Law
J.D.; May 2011
Career
Chief of Staff at the Texas House of Representatives
Attorney - previous
Summer 2016 Archer Fellow
Internship: White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
Education
The University of Texas at Austin
M.Ed. Education Policy and Planning; December 2016
Trinity University
B.A. Political Science, B.A. History; December 2006
St. Mary's University School of Law
J.D.; May 2011
Career
Chief of Staff at the Texas House of Representatives
Attorney - previous
“The most important thing I learned as an Archer Fellow is that it is never too late and you are never too old to shift the trajectory of your career. I came into the program having five years experience as a practicing attorney, and I was extremely nervous about taking a leap of faith to work in D.C. for free for a summer. Looking back, it was the best decision I could have made."
Q & A with Ashlee
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
As a Chief of Staff, I hold a variety of responsibilities. I manage two offices with as many as eight staff members at a time, am principal liaison to constituents and various interest groups, manage the office budget, and analyze and research legislation. My responsibilities fluctuate depending on whether or not we are in a legislative session. During session, the majority of my work is focused on legislative matters, while during the interim the bulk of my work is related to constituent correspondences and preparing for the next legislative session.
What has been your general career path?
My general career path has always focused on law or public policy, but it definitely has not been a linear path. I knew what I was passionate about and that I wanted to give back to my community somehow, but was not sure how to put myself in the best position for those types of jobs. If you do not have the right connections, finding jobs in public policy can be difficult. The Graduate Program in Public Policy provides you with an instant network to assist you in opening doors you never knew were there.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
My experience has had an incredible impact on my professional path. I was actually contacted about my current job while I was in D.C. after a post from another scholarship organization was released on my Facebook. That evening, I received an email asking if I was interested in a job as Chief of Staff to a San Antonio Representative—giving me an opportunity to make a direct impact on my community. I think the value of having experience at the federal level made me a desirable candidate for the position, which I would not have had without the Archer Fellowship.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
One of the most valuable things about my experience was the relationship building. I met so many incredible people, and it is inspiring to see what they are doing. As the eldest intern in my office, I learned so much from the undergraduate interns—the passion, the fight, and motivation they had was contagious. It was refreshing. Sometimes as we get further into our careers we lose that drive, but being around them reminded me that as a Latina in a leadership position I had to continue to strive to be the best version of myself and set an example of what is possible for the next generation of women in public policy navigating these spaces.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
The most important thing I learned as an Archer Fellow is that it is never too late and you are never too old to shift the trajectory of your career. I came into the program having five years experience as a practicing attorney, and I was extremely nervous about taking a leap of faith to work in D.C. for free for a summer. Looking back, it was the best decision I could have made and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I was afforded because of the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
The most powerful thing about being an Archer Alumni is the ability to give back and use my experience and story to encourage others to follow their passions. If you are passionate about the work you do, it doesn’t feel like “work.” Since completing my fellowship, I have joined the AFAA Leadership Board as the Scholarship Chair in order to directly give back to incoming cohorts and share my experience. I knew as soon as I left D.C., I wanted to ensure other students with less financial support were able to take advantage of the opportunity.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
I think the everyday moments were some of my favorites—walking by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol everyday and thinking, “wow, not everyone gets to do this,” and then quickly reminding myself not to take it for granted. But the one moment that stands out, was being inside the Supreme Court when the decision for Whole Woman’s Health was read. I vividly remember watching Senator Wendy Davis filibuster HB 2 in 2013 and the power and energy in the Texas Capitol. Siting in the Supreme Court the day the decision was read felt like I saw it all come full circle.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Do it! Take a chance, and see what is out there. You can learn so much about yourself and others when you take yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether you are early on in your career or looking to change directions, the experience and people you meet during the program will help you figure out the best fit for you. Some people dream of this type of opportunity for a lifetime—I was one of them—take advantage of everything the program has to offer. You won’t regret it!
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
As a Chief of Staff, I hold a variety of responsibilities. I manage two offices with as many as eight staff members at a time, am principal liaison to constituents and various interest groups, manage the office budget, and analyze and research legislation. My responsibilities fluctuate depending on whether or not we are in a legislative session. During session, the majority of my work is focused on legislative matters, while during the interim the bulk of my work is related to constituent correspondences and preparing for the next legislative session.
What has been your general career path?
My general career path has always focused on law or public policy, but it definitely has not been a linear path. I knew what I was passionate about and that I wanted to give back to my community somehow, but was not sure how to put myself in the best position for those types of jobs. If you do not have the right connections, finding jobs in public policy can be difficult. The Graduate Program in Public Policy provides you with an instant network to assist you in opening doors you never knew were there.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
My experience has had an incredible impact on my professional path. I was actually contacted about my current job while I was in D.C. after a post from another scholarship organization was released on my Facebook. That evening, I received an email asking if I was interested in a job as Chief of Staff to a San Antonio Representative—giving me an opportunity to make a direct impact on my community. I think the value of having experience at the federal level made me a desirable candidate for the position, which I would not have had without the Archer Fellowship.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
One of the most valuable things about my experience was the relationship building. I met so many incredible people, and it is inspiring to see what they are doing. As the eldest intern in my office, I learned so much from the undergraduate interns—the passion, the fight, and motivation they had was contagious. It was refreshing. Sometimes as we get further into our careers we lose that drive, but being around them reminded me that as a Latina in a leadership position I had to continue to strive to be the best version of myself and set an example of what is possible for the next generation of women in public policy navigating these spaces.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
The most important thing I learned as an Archer Fellow is that it is never too late and you are never too old to shift the trajectory of your career. I came into the program having five years experience as a practicing attorney, and I was extremely nervous about taking a leap of faith to work in D.C. for free for a summer. Looking back, it was the best decision I could have made and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I was afforded because of the Archer Center Graduate Program in Public Policy.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
The most powerful thing about being an Archer Alumni is the ability to give back and use my experience and story to encourage others to follow their passions. If you are passionate about the work you do, it doesn’t feel like “work.” Since completing my fellowship, I have joined the AFAA Leadership Board as the Scholarship Chair in order to directly give back to incoming cohorts and share my experience. I knew as soon as I left D.C., I wanted to ensure other students with less financial support were able to take advantage of the opportunity.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
I think the everyday moments were some of my favorites—walking by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol everyday and thinking, “wow, not everyone gets to do this,” and then quickly reminding myself not to take it for granted. But the one moment that stands out, was being inside the Supreme Court when the decision for Whole Woman’s Health was read. I vividly remember watching Senator Wendy Davis filibuster HB 2 in 2013 and the power and energy in the Texas Capitol. Siting in the Supreme Court the day the decision was read felt like I saw it all come full circle.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Do it! Take a chance, and see what is out there. You can learn so much about yourself and others when you take yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether you are early on in your career or looking to change directions, the experience and people you meet during the program will help you figure out the best fit for you. Some people dream of this type of opportunity for a lifetime—I was one of them—take advantage of everything the program has to offer. You won’t regret it!
