The Archer Center
  • Home
  • About
    • Archer Staff
    • Archer Faculty
    • Founding
    • Namesake
  • Programs
    • Archer Fellowship Program >
      • Academics
      • Application Process >
        • Application Guidelines
        • Interviewing >
          • Preparation
          • Practice
          • Presentation
          • Panel Interview Tips
      • Archer Fellow Alumni Ambassadors
      • Campus Coordinators
      • Current Fellows
      • Funding your Fellowship
      • Information Sessions
      • Internships
    • Graduate Archer Fellowship Program >
      • Academics
      • Application Process >
        • Application Guidelines
      • Campus Coordinators
      • Current Fellows
      • Funding your Fellowship
      • Graduate Archer Fellow Alumni Ambassadors
      • Information Sessions
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Profiles >
      • Archer Fellow Alumni Profiles
      • Graduate Archer Fellow Alumni Profiles
    • Archer Fellow Alumni Association
    • Get Involved
    • Previous Fellows
  • Support
    • Advisory Board
    • Archer Center Endowments and Funds
    • Corporate Partners
    • Friends of the Archer Center Trust
    • Make a Donation
  • Contact
  • Fellow Resources
    • Onboarding Process
    • Internship Postings
    • Internship Resources
    • Living in Washington, DC
Meet the Archer Center Team
Washington, D.C., and Texas Staff
 
Picture
Christine Anderson | Assistant Director, Recruitment and Admissions 
Email Christine
​
Christine Anderson is the Archer Center assistant director of recruitment and admissions. She leads both recruitment and selection for the Archer Fellowship Program and Graduate Archer Fellowship Program. To this end, Christine works closely with Archer Fellowship Program campus coordinators and other campus partners across the UT System campuses to promote Archer Center programs and select Archer Fellows. Additionally, Christine works on Archer Center data management and student scholarships. 
​
Prior to joining the Archer Center, Christine served as the Archer Fellowship Program campus coordinator for the UT Austin campus from 2014-2016. She also advised students pursuing certificates in Global Studies; Human Rights & Social Justice; Media, Culture & Identities; Public Policy; and Social Inequality, Health & Policy through the Bridging Disciplines Programs at UT Austin from 2008- 2016. In these roles, Christine offered guidance and practical help to students as they pursued their academic goals both in and outside of the classroom through challenging coursework and internships. She brings her passion for student success and student advocacy to her role with the Archer Center.
​
Born to a native Texan father and German mother, Christine has strong roots in both places. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of arts in history and a master of arts in Middle Eastern studies. Christine enjoys hearing live music in Austin and the Texas Hill Country, loves traveling to Germany to visit family, and is the proud mother of a college senior at Texas A&M. 

 
Picture
Dr. Michelle Chin-Miller | Academic Director
Email Dr. Chin-Miller
Dr. Michelle L. Chin-Miller is the academic director for the Archer Center. She teaches the undergraduate policymaking class for the Archer Center, a class she has taught since fall 2014. Previously, she was senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute. She is a former congressional staffer, working for more than eight years as an education policy advisor for U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, and for four years as a policy advisor for U.S. Representative Joe Barton of Texas. She was assistant professor of Political Science at Arizona State University and served as program director of the Arizona State University Capitol Scholars Program. 

​Dr. Chin-Miller earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in political science from Texas A&M University. She has a B.S. in political economy from Andrews University.

 
Picture
Laura Ferguson | Communications Manager
Email Laura
Laura Ferguson is the communications manager for the Archer Center. She helps tell the Archer Center's story through the creation of marketing and digital content, including the center's website, print materials, and social media channels.
​
Prior to joining the Archer Center, Laura was a staff member at The University of Texas at Austin for twelve years, most recently serving on the communications team in the School of Undergraduate Studies. During that time, she also supported the Archer Fellowship Program as the university’s campus coordinator from 2018-2021. She comes to the Archer Center with a lifelong passion for supporting students through their journey from college to career.

Hailing from the Midwest, Laura graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies and received a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri. She enjoys baking, folk music, and has an impressive knowledge of Wisconsin cheese.

 
Picture
Valerie Hardy | Administrative Manager
Email Valerie
​
Valerie Hardy is the administrative manager for The University of Texas System Washington, D.C., office, which houses the Archer Center. Valerie played a key role in opening the Washington, D.C., office in 1999. Prior to joining UT System, Valerie served as an executive assistant for Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates, one of the oldest lobbying firms in Washington, D.C.. She has intimate knowledge of Capitol Hill, along with the members and procedures, having spent five years working at the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Valerie is a graduate of the Washington School for Business. An active D.C. native, Valerie is heavily involved in community events, working with local charity events and her church. Valerie is a strong advocate for foster care and animal abuse prevention.

 
Picture
Arisha Harrison | Program Associate 
​Email Arisha
​
Arisha Harrison is the program associate for the Archer Center. In this role, Arisha serves as a primary point of contact for housing and fellowship-related questions or events.

Arisha was a Summer 2021 Graduate Archer Fellow and uses her experiences as a previous fellow, housing director, resident assistant, and background in psychology to form meaningful connections with current Archer Fellows to improve their lived experience in Washington, D.C. Previously, she worked as an assistant residence director for The University of Texas at Arlington in the on-campus residence halls. In this role, she supervised 16 undergraduate students in their roles to foster a group-centered, community environment with an emphasis on academics, student responsibility, and personal decision-making while aiding students in the adjustment to the college environment. 

Arisha received two bachelor's degrees in psychology and child learning and development from The University of Texas at Dallas and recently completed her master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2022. She has recently moved to Washington, D.C. from Texas and enjoys discovering new parts of the city and culture. In her free time, she loves enjoying the arts, singing, working out, and binging shows on Netflix and Hulu.

 
Picture
Tatiana Marceleño | Program Specialist
​Email Tatiana

Tatiana Marceleño is the program specialist for the Archer Center. In this role, Tatiana supports alumni relations, student recruitment and admissions, and development initiatives. She will also oversee the Archer Center’s scholarship program.

Previously, Tatiana worked at Texas Christian University as the recruitment coordinator for the Center for International Studies. During this time, she advised students on study abroad programs, managed marketing strategies, and coordinated campus-wide events. Tatiana also served as an assistant in the TCU Office of Institutional Effectiveness, where she oversaw academic assessment for the university.
​
Tatiana received her B.S. in public relations from The University of Texas at Austin and completed her M.Ed in higher educational leadership from Texas Christian University in 2021.

Tatiana has traveled and studied across five continents and is always dreaming up her next adventure. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and serving as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

 
Picture
Billy Nguyen | Senior Administrative Associate
​Email Billy​
Billy Nguyen is the senior administrative associate for the Archer Center and The University of Texas System Administration office in Washington, D.C. He works closely with the academic director, program coordinator, and assistant director for student life to support Archer Fellows from admission throughout their journey to and in D.C. He helps to manage the Archer Center’s website and the Archer Fellow Alumni Association (AFAA) alumni database and platform, AFAA Connect, in addition to providing logistical, administrative and programmatic support to the Archer Center’s staff and faculty in Washington, D.C., and Austin. ​

 
Picture
Whitney Rains | Program Manager
Email Whitney

Whitney Rains is the program manager for the Archer Center’s Washington, D.C., operations. In this position, she supports Archer Fellows throughout the entirety of their Archer Fellowship experience. Whitney serves as a trusted advisor before the Fellows’ arrival to Washington, advises them on their internship searches, manages onsite operations, and orchestrates a robust suite of programs during each Archer Fellowship term.  

Whitney has worked in higher education for nearly eight years. Her background is in admissions, recruitment, and enrollment management. She has worked for Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Tyler, Auburn University, and Stephen F. Austin State University. Whitney has a student-centered philosophy. She believes in creating pathways and opportunities for students to purse a degree and position themselves for professional success.

Prior to joining the Archer Center, Whitney worked at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service to open their new location in Washington, D.C. In this position, Whitney worked on the team that not only brought the Bush School to Washington, but also created a new graduate program.

Whitney is a native Texan. She has a B.A. in philosophy and history and an M.A. in history from Stephen F. Austin State University.  In her free time, Whitney enjoys reading, too much tea, and long runs around the National Mall.

 
Picture
Katie C. Romano | Executive Director
Email Katie
Katie Romano is the executive director of the Archer Center. Central to her role is executive oversight of the Center, its programs, initiatives and staff, business and fiscal management, development, programmatic expansion, alumni relations, and Advisory Board and stakeholder relations. Katie develops the strategic direction, goals and policies for the Center and its programs to align with its mission statement: to educate the next generation of leaders. She is also leading a pilot UT System Texas Legislative Internship program in Austin this spring. Prior to joining the Center's staff in 2006, Katie served as both a mentor for Archer Fellows and on the Friends of the Archer Center Advisory Board.

Previously, Katie was the research and development associate in UT System's Office of Federal Relations, where she identified competitive federal grant opportunities and federal funding for each of the UT Institutions, coordinated and facilitated Congressional visits and federal agency meetings for UT System administrators, researchers and faculty, tracked legislation and policies related to higher education; and planned special events, conferences and campus visits to aid UT System’s federal initiatives.

Prior to working for the UT System, Katie worked for Mrs. Laura Bush on the Bush-Cheney ’04 Campaign, including the 2004 Republican National Convention. Following her role on the reelection campaign, she was a managing director of Bush Family Operations on the 55th Presidential Inaugural Committee, where she oversaw all Inaugural events and activities for President and Mrs. Bush’s daughters. U.S. Senator John Cornyn initially brought Katie to Washington in 2003 to serve as his constituent relations coordinator after his successful Senate race, where she worked in communications.

A native Texan, Katie is a third generation Longhorn and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science with honors in communication studies and a major in political communication. She has completed graduate coursework at Johns Hopkins University and has a non-profit management certification from UT Austin. Additionally, she served as an advance representative for the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library for more than a decade, where she traveled domestically and abroad to set up events for Mrs. Laura Bush prior to her arrival. She is active in a variety of non-profit and philanthropic organizations including the Dell Children's Council, the Seton Development Board, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She is a 2019 Frank McBee Fellow in Civic Entrepreneurship through the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO).

 
Picture
Dr. Stephanie Squires | Special Advisor
Email Dr. Squires

Dr. Stephanie Squires serves as the Archer Center’s special advisor. Prior to this role, Stephanie served as interim director of programs for the Washington, D.C., office. Stephanie was an inaugural Graduate Archer Fellow in summer 2010 and interned at the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She has gone on to serve as a mentor to Archer Fellows. 

Stephanie has experience in student affairs, higher education, federal relations, and social work. Prior to joining the Archer Center, Stephanie worked as a social worker providing clinical services and case management to birth, foster, and adoptive families in Washington, D.C. For several years, Stephanie worked as the federal relations officer for Hampton University, where she educated federal representatives and congressional staff on aspects of the university’s research interests and capabilities and coordinated agency and congressional meetings for faculty and staff. She also developed federal funding agendas for the university, as well as facilitated workshops and presentations to deans, faculty, and senior level administrators concerning federal engagement, policy changes, and funding opportunities.  

Stephanie has previously served as a student affairs administrator for the Volunteer and Service Center at The University of Texas at Austin, where she oversaw service-learning reflection, facilitated student leadership training, and advised student leaders in their coordination of community service and campus engagement programs. In this role, Stephanie provided programmatic direction to The Project, UT Austin's largest day of service and the Running of the Horns 5K Run/Walk Fundraiser. ​

A native Texan, Stephanie completed her undergraduate studies at Texas Southern University and graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin in social work, respectively. She completed her doctoral studies at Hampton University in educational management. Stephanie homeschools her three children and enjoys baking, reading, hosting and thrift shopping, especially for classic literature. 

 
Picture
Robby Teas | External Relations and Alumni Engagement Manager
Email Robby
Robby is the external relations and alumni engagement manager for the Archer Center. In this role, he oversees alumni relations, stakeholder engagement, and donor stewardship. He manages the Archer Center Trust and works closely with the Archer Fellow Alumni Association and Archer Center Advisory Board. He also provides operational support for special initiatives and projects, including the UT System Texas Legislative Internship Program.
 

Robby brings a combined background in higher education, outreach, and government to his role with the Archer Center. As a Spring 2014 Archer Fellow, Robby was a policy and government affairs intern for The Wilderness Society. From 2019 to 2022, he was operations manager for Purdue University’s Institute for a Sustainable Future, supporting faculty on interdisciplinary environmental research projects. Prior to his time at Purdue, he worked for the Irish Consulate in Austin as a regional outreach officer, leading engagement efforts with the Irish community in Texas and surrounding states. Robby also spent two sessions in the Texas House of Representatives as a legislative aide for the Office of Texas State Representative Jim Murphy (HD-133).
 
Originally from the Houston area, Robby earned his B.A. in geography from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in public administration from Purdue University Global. He and his wife Elizabeth, also an Archer Fellow alumna, met while in Washington, D.C., and have a son. Robby enjoys exploring Austin and surrounding areas with his family, visiting Big Bend National Park, playing baseball for the Austin Senators sandlot team, and seeing movies at Alamo Drafthouse.

 
Picture
Christine Washington | Director of Programs
Email Christine
Christine Washington is the director of programs and head of the Archer Center’s Washington, D.C., operations. She oversees the day-to-day programmatic operations of the Archer Fellowship Program and Archer Center, including managing and developing program staff. Christine is committed to student success, experiential learning, and leadership development, in service of the Archer Center’s mission of educating the next generation of leaders. 
​
Previously, Christine served as Georgetown Law’s senior director of executive education. In that capacity, she strategized with global partners to design and deliver top-caliber global executive training programs. At Georgetown Law, Christine also held frontline positions with the Institute of International Economic Law, Advancement, and Graduate Professional Development teams. She delivered “Global Georgetown” professional development programs in Washington, D.C., and around the world, including in Paris, London, Madrid, Seoul, and Beijing. She has chaired Georgetown Law’s Professional Development Committee and twice received Georgetown Law’s Special Performance Award for outstanding performance.

Christine is a skilled leader whose extensive professional experience spans higher education, private practice, Big Law recruiting and client development, the U.S. Department of State, and the nonprofit sector. She has served as a speechwriter to former Egyptian First Lady Jehan Sadat, focusing on issues of women and leadership. An attorney, Christine is a member of the New York and D.C. Bars. Christine has held numerous board and executive leadership roles, including serving several terms as president for multiple D.C.-area volunteer organizations. Additionally, she has long been an active member of the Junior League of Washington, serving on the Historic Alexandria Docents Committee.
​
Christine holds a B.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, as well as a J.D., with honors, from American University’s Washington College of Law. While at Georgetown, she received the Certificat d’Etudes Politiques from Sciences Po, Paris, as well as the Raoul Wallenberg Post-Graduate Fellowship to study leadership in democratic societies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Picture
1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 900 | Washington, D.C. 20006
202.955.9091 (p) | 202.955.9039 (f)
  • Home
  • About
    • Archer Staff
    • Archer Faculty
    • Founding
    • Namesake
  • Programs
    • Archer Fellowship Program >
      • Academics
      • Application Process >
        • Application Guidelines
        • Interviewing >
          • Preparation
          • Practice
          • Presentation
          • Panel Interview Tips
      • Archer Fellow Alumni Ambassadors
      • Campus Coordinators
      • Current Fellows
      • Funding your Fellowship
      • Information Sessions
      • Internships
    • Graduate Archer Fellowship Program >
      • Academics
      • Application Process >
        • Application Guidelines
      • Campus Coordinators
      • Current Fellows
      • Funding your Fellowship
      • Graduate Archer Fellow Alumni Ambassadors
      • Information Sessions
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Profiles >
      • Archer Fellow Alumni Profiles
      • Graduate Archer Fellow Alumni Profiles
    • Archer Fellow Alumni Association
    • Get Involved
    • Previous Fellows
  • Support
    • Advisory Board
    • Archer Center Endowments and Funds
    • Corporate Partners
    • Friends of the Archer Center Trust
    • Make a Donation
  • Contact
  • Fellow Resources
    • Onboarding Process
    • Internship Postings
    • Internship Resources
    • Living in Washington, DC