Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Blanca Davila
Summer 2014 Graduate Archer Fellow
Internship: Achieving the Dream
Education
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Public Affairs in public policy and management; May 2015
Texas State University
Bachelor of Science in applied sociology; August 2010
Career
Director of Economic Development at the City of Edinburg
Previous:
Director of Community & Economic Development at Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
Economic Development Specialist at Greater Brownsville Incentive Corporation
Summer 2014 Graduate Archer Fellow
Internship: Achieving the Dream
Education
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Public Affairs in public policy and management; May 2015
Texas State University
Bachelor of Science in applied sociology; August 2010
Career
Director of Economic Development at the City of Edinburg
Previous:
Director of Community & Economic Development at Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
Economic Development Specialist at Greater Brownsville Incentive Corporation
“The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program elevated my professional path and goals to new heights! Hands-on experience in the nation's capital provided greater value to my graduate degree and professional aspirations. Excellent experience!"
Q & A with Blanca
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
The City of Edinburg Economic Development’s mission is to foster and encourage growth in the greater metropolitan area focusing on Edinburg, TX, by implementing smart economic development strategies with a focus on local economic gardening, work assets, and investments to benefit the city. I am tasked to lead and implement the city’s economic development strategy, foster high wage employment through business relocations and expansions, and support retail and small business development efforts.
What has been your general career path?
My general career path has been public service in economic development and social entrepreneurship. Learning and contributing to the nonprofit and municipality worlds has led to the opportunity to implement sound policies and provide meaningful service to the Rio Grande Valley community in the economic development, tourism, and workforce sectors.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program elevated my professional path and goals to new heights! Hands-on experience in the nation's capital provided greater value to my graduate degree and professional aspirations. Excellent experience!
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
The most valuable experience I had as a Graduate Archer Fellow was the opportunity to interact and connect with diverse, intellectual, passionate, and motivated individuals in the capital of the world: Washington, D.C.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
I learned different things as a Graduate Archer Fellow, but the one thing that resonated the most was that people who want to change the world actually do. Every person we met with and spoke to during the program had contributed to change in significant ways. Very inspiring.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
Our network! Archer Fellows are everywhere and are working on life-changing things with important organizations and people. Also, the Archer Center staff is always helpful. Thank you for all of your help and support during the program and after. #ArcherFam
What is your favorite memory from the program?
My favorite memory is having access to real-time information from speakers at events, briefings, and conferences, and discussing and learning more about different issues with my peers. I loved our morning talks accompanied with breakfast and a hot cup of coffee at Casa de Archers.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Apply! Reach out to other Archer alumni and ask about their experience in the program. Archer Fellows are helpful and well connected to other Archer alumni and possible internships in D.C. We can provide insight and recommendations on how to successfully apply to the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program.
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
The City of Edinburg Economic Development’s mission is to foster and encourage growth in the greater metropolitan area focusing on Edinburg, TX, by implementing smart economic development strategies with a focus on local economic gardening, work assets, and investments to benefit the city. I am tasked to lead and implement the city’s economic development strategy, foster high wage employment through business relocations and expansions, and support retail and small business development efforts.
What has been your general career path?
My general career path has been public service in economic development and social entrepreneurship. Learning and contributing to the nonprofit and municipality worlds has led to the opportunity to implement sound policies and provide meaningful service to the Rio Grande Valley community in the economic development, tourism, and workforce sectors.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program elevated my professional path and goals to new heights! Hands-on experience in the nation's capital provided greater value to my graduate degree and professional aspirations. Excellent experience!
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
The most valuable experience I had as a Graduate Archer Fellow was the opportunity to interact and connect with diverse, intellectual, passionate, and motivated individuals in the capital of the world: Washington, D.C.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
I learned different things as a Graduate Archer Fellow, but the one thing that resonated the most was that people who want to change the world actually do. Every person we met with and spoke to during the program had contributed to change in significant ways. Very inspiring.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
Our network! Archer Fellows are everywhere and are working on life-changing things with important organizations and people. Also, the Archer Center staff is always helpful. Thank you for all of your help and support during the program and after. #ArcherFam
What is your favorite memory from the program?
My favorite memory is having access to real-time information from speakers at events, briefings, and conferences, and discussing and learning more about different issues with my peers. I loved our morning talks accompanied with breakfast and a hot cup of coffee at Casa de Archers.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Apply! Reach out to other Archer alumni and ask about their experience in the program. Archer Fellows are helpful and well connected to other Archer alumni and possible internships in D.C. We can provide insight and recommendations on how to successfully apply to the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program.
