Fall 2011 Archer Fellows
Omar Araiza | UT Pan American
Omar Araiza, a senior and honors student at The University of Texas-Pan American, plans to graduate in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Leadership Studies. He was the President of Student Leaders Abroad in 2010, managing a clothing drive for the earthquake victims of Haiti and collecting over $5,000 in donations to aid relief efforts. Omar has had the privilege to participate in several funded study abroad and volunteer programs in the past, including to Turkey, and Italy with the Guerra Honors Program, and Ecuador through the International Education Program. Omar is the Treasurer of Project Insight (a 501(c) 3 non-profit), and in 2010 initiated a book drive in order for the Peñitas Public Library to meet a book quota requirement to receive federal funding. Passionate about world issues and human equality, Omar plans to pursue a career in human rights and international development. 
Karen Arenas | UT El Paso
Karen Arenas is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Legal Reasoning. She is currently a student in the Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI) at UTEP. Karen received the award for “Top Advocate” and a partial tuition waiver for law school at the first Mock Trial Competition sponsored by John Marshall Law School. Karen is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and of Amnesty International. She is a guardian ad litem for the Court Appointed Special Advocates for the 65th District Court in El Paso, Texas. Karen plans to begin law school fall of 2012. She will intern with the American Bar Association in the Individual Rights and Responsibility section. 
Josh Baca | UT El Paso
Josh Baca is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso. He is an Honors student majoring in psychology. His campus involvement includes Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Student Government Association. Josh has also volunteered with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of El Paso since 2009. Some of his achievements include being elected to UTEP's Homecoming Court (2009-2010), being awarded Outstanding Greek Scholar of the Year (2009-2010), and being elected president of the Phi Delta Theta chapter at UTEP. For the past two years Josh has worked for grant-based programs at local high schools focused on improving graduation rates and college readiness and acceptance. He has a strong passion for national security, politics, education, leadership studies, and philanthropy. 
Hannah Rose Bainter | UT Austin
Hannah Rose Bainter is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, where she double majors in Government and Sociology. With a great focus on academics she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society as a junior and she is currently obtaining Sociology Departmental Honors. She is involved in over a dozen organizations, both on and off campus, including serving as Budget officer for the Student Events Center’s Distinguished Speakers Committee, Event Coordinator for the International Speakers Association, and Internal Communications officer for the Tournaments and Games Committee. With a passion for International Studies and Government relations she studied abroad in Beijing, China studying U.S./China relations where she also began learning Mandarin. She is eager to expand her education in government and her interest in languages in D.C. where Hannah Rose will intern at the U.S. Department of State. 
Lauren Boneta | UT Austin
Lauren is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she is double majoring in Latin American Studies and Geography & the Environment. During her time at UT, Lauren has held various leadership roles in her sorority, Kappa Delta, and is also a member of Orange Jackets, an honorary women’s organization where members serve as the official hosts of the university. Lauren also studied abroad in Chile for a semester where she helped with earthquake relief efforts in a small community outside Santiago. It was in Chile when Lauren developed a passion for environmental policy, particularly in the context of development. Upon returning to the U.S., she interned for the Teresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies, as well as at the Texas State Capitol. While in D.C., Lauren will intern in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education, Office of Public Engagement. 
Hannah Chapman | UT Dallas
Hannah Chapman is a junior studying Political Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. Hannah is involved with her university community as a member of the Collegium V Honors College and a captain of the UTD Mock Trial team. She is interested in the evolution of human rights and civil liberties in the modern, technological world. Through her work aiding innocent inmates in the pursuit for exoneration with the Innocence Project of Texas and as a legal assistant at a Dallas Social Security Disability firm, she pursues a passion for justice for individuals across Texas. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with local causes including a food pantry and voter registration drives. Hannah will be interning at the Supreme Court this fall. 
Camden Cornwell | UT Dallas
Camden Cornwell is a junior economics major at the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a Eugene McDermott Scholar and member of Collegium V honors college. Camden serves as a research assistant for the Center of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, assisting in various projects including the Neighborhood Change Research Initiative. He has studied at the London School of Economics, kayaked in the Southern French Alps, and backpacked through Ireland for his study abroad. Camden plays for UTD tennis team and has been selected for the NCAA All-Academic Team for the American Southwest Conference. He has tutored children in science for Group Excellence, Inc., worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity, and has served as vice president of the UTD chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an economics honor society. 
Sidd Dadhich | UT Austin
Sidd Dadhich is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a double major in Finance and Philosophy. Through the BDP Ethics and Leadership program, he formulated a study measuring the effects of race on Class B misdemeanor crime penalties. Additionally, Sidd worked as a legislative intern during the 81st Texas Legislature. Sidd has been heavily involved in volunteer work through his service fraternity, and has helped low income families complete their tax returns as a volunteer tax preparer. Through his efforts, Sidd received the Tower Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer. As a member of the UT Panama Brigades, Sidd worked on a sustainable development project in the Panamanian jungle. Previously, Sidd interned in the Strategic Planning group of a large oil and gas company. 
Max Deane | UT Austin
Max Deane is a senior at UT Austin pursuing a degree in Government. Max spent his past summer coaching a championship swim team in El Paso, as well as interning for the Office of the Attorney General - Child Support Division. At UT, he has served as the President, Secretary and Social Chair for the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, where he has organized numerous philanthropy and community service events. He has also pursued his passion in education by tutoring underprivileged students in Austin to actively engage the community and help bridge Texas' educational achievement gap. Some of Max's other interests include state and national lobbying, public and government relations, and a good round of golf. 
J.C. Derrick | UT Arlington
J.C. Derrick is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. After transferring to UTA with an All-Texas All-Academic Team Scholarship in the fall of 2010, J.C. served two semesters as the administration reporter for the school's daily newspaper, The Shorthorn. Previously J.C. was the executive editor at The Flare, the school newspaper at Kilgore College, and he has nine years of writing experience for the Longview News-Journal. He is a member of the Texas Sports Writers Association, Phi Theta Kappa and the Golden Key International Honour Society. J.C. will combine his journalism experience and his interest in law with an internship at the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press while in Washington, D.C, this fall. 
Brittney Herson | UT Austin
Brittney Herson is member of the Senior Fellows Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. She is in her junior year and is majoring in Communication Studies with a focus on Corporate Communication. Brittney serves on the Student Executive Cabinet at the Texas Hillel, an organization committed to overseeing Jewish life on campus. She was a Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for her dedication to community service and has also received the Emory Book Award for her Outstanding Service and Community Building. Brittney has held several internships in marketing and communications, with the American Jewish Committee and a Fortune 28 pharmaceutical company amongst her employers. On campus, she writes for The Daily Texan, and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. 
Grace Huffman | UT Austin
Grace Huffman is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she is majoring in Government. For a year and a half she worked for Joe Straus the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives in many different capacities, including as the Speaker’s Interim Executive Assistant. She also has had experience on several political campaigns, which include Kay Bailey Hutchison’s gubernatorial campaign, and Brewster McCracken’s campaign for mayor of Austin. Grace is an active member of the Texas Alpha chapter of Pi Beta Phi and has served on the Mayor’s Student Advisory Council at UT Austin. She was born and raised in San Angelo, Texas where her family owns a cattle and wildlife management ranch. Grace will be interning at Marathon Oil. 
Tyler Ingraham | UT San Antonio
Tyler Ingraham is a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in political science. He ran a campaign for the San Antonio College board of Trustees that garnered popular support from professors and students and broadened the board’s conversation about meeting student and faculty needs. He also created Free University, an education cooperative intended to fill in the gaps of a traditional collegiate education. Their topics ranged from auto mechanics to current events to critical theory. He was a Moreno/Rangel Legislative Fellow with the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and interned in the office of State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, D- San Antonio. He is a professional carpenter and will intern with Habitat for Humanity this fall. 
Heena Kepadia | UT Austin
Heena Kepadia is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin and is majoring in Government with a minor in Social Work and Italian. In addition to this, she is also pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate in International Studies through the Bridging Disciplines Program with a concentration in International Political and Economic Development. She has spent the past summer studying Italian in Rome and its different dialects throughout the country. Heena has been a congressional intern for the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock as well as for its Chairman Richard Hardcastle. On campus, Heena has been the Financial Director as well as Pledge Trainer for her professional fraternity, Phi Beta Chi. Her interests lie with consequences of environmental resource depletion on the global economy and environmental conservation policy. 
Gregory Kritsky | UT Austin
Gregory Kritsky is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors and Mathematics. As an undergraduate, Gregory quickly became involved with the Freshman Research Initiative, performing research in physical chemistry with the Computational Nanoparticles Stream for Graeme Henkelman. After participating in a Mock Healthcare Hearing at the Texas State Capitol, his interests turned to public policy and law. For the past year he utilized his talents in research and public service by working for Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr, of District 27. Gregory is an avid dancer and has taught others to dance as an officer for Longhorn Salsa. After graduation, Gregory hopes to earn a law degree to help advocate for people's rights and to continue pursuing his passion of dancing. 
John Lira | UT San Antonio
John Lira is a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in Political Science, with a minor in Global Analysis. Areas of interest include foreign policy, national security, and Intelligence analysis. John has served in the Marine Corps as an intelligence analyst for over twelve years, which included two combat tours to Iraq. At his university, John works with and advocates for transitioning veterans who are entering academia. John was also selected as a Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellow at Princeton University's Junior Summer Institute in the summer of 2011. |
Matthew Metz | UT Tyler
Matthew Metz is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler where he is a member of the inaugural class for the school's Honors Program and a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. A political science major with a minor in pre-law, he has a wide range of governmental interests spanning from foreign policy concerns such as America's relations with an ever-stronger China to domestic issues such as deficit reduction and entitlement spending. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading biographies of past and present political figures and frequent trips to the nearest cinema. He is extremely excited about spending a semester in Washington, D.C. and would like to thank the Archer Center for selecting him for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After graduation, Matthew hopes to either work on the Hill or serve America's interests abroad in one of the State Department's embassies. 
Michelle Mueller | UT Austin
Michelle Mueller is a junior studying both Government and International Relations and Global Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She concentrates in Political Economy and Latin American Studies; hoping to work with economic development in Central America. Spending months in Guatemala visiting family, she has developed a passion for the region. In Austin she is involved with Liberal Arts Council, has worked for the Texas Senate, researches deportations with LLILAS, and volunteers with a shelter for political refugees, Casa Marianella. Michelle is a SHARE ambassador on campus, giving tours of the University to prospective students. After living in Washington, D.C. for the semester she will study abroad in Santiago, Chile for the spring. While in D.C., Michelle will intern with the Foundation of Economic Trends - the Office of Jeremy Rifkin. 
Nick Mullikin | UT Austin
Nick is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin. He is majoring in government, with a minor in communications and has completed the Business Foundations Certificate program with distinction at the McCombs School of Business. Nick spent time as professional ballet dancer before making the decision to return to school to finish his undergraduate degree. He enjoys politics, art, business, and sports, and is planning on attending law school once he graduates. 
Jesus Ortiz | UT El Paso
Jesus Ortiz is a senior at the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in political science and and minoring in intelligence and national security studies. Jesus is multilingual with 3 years of studies in French and 18 months of studies in Arabic. Jesus looks forward to representing the University of Texas El Paso in the Bill Archer Fellowship program in Washington D.C. and beginning his internship with the Financial Services Roundtable. Jesus hopes that the experiences he acquires as an Archer Fellow will help him become a greater part of the intelligence community in the future. As a member of the intelligence community scholars program in his university and a past participant of the Walt Disney World Internship program, Jesus has learned to adapt to any environment, help his fellow peers, work hard, and appreciate every opportunity that he gets. 
Javed Paiman | UT Brownsville
Javed Paiman is a senior at University of Texas at Brownsville, majoring in government. He has been actively involved on his campus serving as vice president of policy and procedure for the student government association. Javed has a strong passion for foreign affairs and international relations and he plans to pursue global policy or international relations after his graduation. Javed speaks four languages and enjoys learning about different cultures. He has traveled to South and Central Asia. While in D.C., Javed will intern at the political affairs department of the Afghanistan Embassy. 
Carly Phelps | UT Austin
Carly Phelps is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a government major in the College of Liberal Arts and also serves on the UT Liberal Arts Council on the Campus and Community Focus Committee. She worked last year as an intern at the Christian Life Commission, doing advocacy work in preparation for the legislative session. Carly enjoys live music, traveling, and working during the summers on the leadership team at a YMCA outdoors camp. While in D.C., Carly will be working in the office of Congressman John Yarmuth, the representative from her hometown in Louisville, Kentucky. 
Cullen Pick | UT Austin
Cullen Pick is a Political Communication senior at UT Austin. While in school Cullen has interned with the Texas House of Representatives in Diana Maldonado's office as well as with US Congressman Lloyd Doggett's district office. Cullen has also worked on campus at Jester Dormitory. Furthermore, Cullen has participated in the Freshman Leadership Organization and has been a member of the Tejas Club since the fall of 2009. Cullen hopes to intern with a lobbying firm focused on scientific research in institutions of higher education while in Washington, D.C. 
Mary Luiza-Popescu | UT Dallas
Maria-Luiza Popescu, a native of Romania, is a political science senior at the University of Texas at Dallas minoring in business administration. As an Archer Fellow Maria-Luiza will intern with the U.S. Department of Education. She has a deep interest in educational policy and the development of creative, non-traditional educational methods for greater applicability. Maria-Luiza was the first UT Dallas student within the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU), a think-tank uniting college students, celebrities and non-profit/private sector leaders for the development of creative solutions to contemporary challenges. Maria-Luiza is the CGIU Campus Representative for UT Dallas and has introduced students to the wealth of opportunities provided by it. She is also the Social Media Manager of Richardson city councilman Amir Omar, working in conjunction with 10 other UT Dallas students on innovative city projects, the current mtvU liaison of UT Dallas, and the Public Relations Chair of Golden Key International Honour Society. 
ASM Safwan Rob | UT Arlington
Rob is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, studying Political Science and communication. Rob’s focus on global politics and subjects related to international security inspire his desire to pursue a Ph.D. in Security Studies with focus in South-East Asia and the concept of freedom and security following his graduation. Rob is an active member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society and has been honored in the past year as a Spring 2011 University Scholar, a Spring 2010 Kaisikas Scholar, a Who’s Who Recipient 2010-2011, and he received both the Honors Presidential Scholarship and the Luther Wayne Odom Scholarship in Fall 2010. Rob recently traveled to the border of Myanmar and India to study the rural politics of the ethnic Burmese people who lives there. Rob enjoys travel, cooking, swimming, and jogging. 
Brianna Roberts | UT San Antonio
Brianna Roberts is a senior Sociology major at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is also a member of the esteemed Honors College at the university. Brianna is an active member of campus life; she served as Calendar and Features editor for The Ranger Newspaper before becoming a member of UTSA's nationally-ranked debate team. Brianna actively debated with the team while serving as team manager. Brianna also works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, where she leads groups of her peers in guided studied groups. Supplemental Instruction Leaders are assigned to historically difficult classes as determined by the university, and Brianna specialized in Classical Mythology and Mass Communication. During the spring semester of her junior year, Brianna interned for State Senator Leticia Van de Putte, where she assisted with several town hall meetings and a back-to-school health fair. Brianna will be interning for Australian Education International while in Washington, D.C. 
Brakeyshia Samms | UT Tyler
Brakeyshia Samms is a senior majoring in both Political Science and History at the University of Texas at Tyler. She has served as the senator for the College of Arts & Sciences in the Student Government Association for the past two years. She has also worked as a Peer Mentor to freshman, a Supplemental Instruction Leader, and a research assistant. She served as a Model UN delegate for the World Intellectual Property Organization. She was a founding member of Alpha Phi Omega and the Multicultural and Diversity Council. She recently finished her history thesis entitled, “Down, Set, Hut: The Passion behind Robert Francis Kennedy’s Quest for Equality in America.” After graduation from UT Tyler she plans to continue her studies and receive a JD and a PhD in Political Science. Brakeyshia is interested in civil rights, sports issues, discrimination issues, and intellectual property issues. 
Mayu Takeda | UT Dallas
Mayu Takeda is a junior studying political science and psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is a nationally competitive cross-examination policy debater at UTD, with multiple appearances in late elimination rounds as well as qualification to the National Debate Tournament as a top-ten team in the most competitive region in college debate. She has previously interned at The Center for American and International Law, where she was the head of the weekly newsletter, The International Inquirer, and headed The Center's video marketing efforts. Her previous work also includes being an instructor at Four Star Debate Camp as well as the Comet Debate Institute. This fall, Mayu will be working on projects involving the Middle East and North Africa. 
Jackelin Trevino | UT Pan American
Jackelin Trevino is a communication studies major at the University of Texas-Pan American. She has served on the UTPA Council for Sustainability and has interned with the Office for Sustainability where she assisted the Director for Sustainability in her efforts to move UTPA and the Rio Grande Valley at large in a more sustainable direction. Jackelin has also served on the City of McAllen's' Green Living Committee as a University Liaison and coordinated student involvement in local environmental policies. This summer Jackelin participated in the Center for Progressive Leadership's New Leaders Program, where she received training to strengthen her political leadership. Jackelin currently interns with the Sierra Club on their Beyond Oil program. Jackelin is very active in Power Shift, the semi annual youth environmentalist conference sponsored by The Energy Action Coalition. Jackelin was also honored to represent Texas and the Rio Grande Valley as a Texas Delegate at the National Wildlife Federation's Inaugural Young Leaders Assembly in April of 2011. 
Daniel Vasquez | UT Austin
Daniel Vasquez is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in government with a minor in history. Daniel has volunteered for various Houston and Austin City Council Campaigns. He interned at MacIntyre and McCulloch, a probate law firm in Houston, and clerked for Rudy G. Vasquez, Attorney at Law. During the 82nd Legislative Session, Daniel was selected as a 2011 Senator Gregory Luna Legislative Scholar, where he interned for State Senator Leticia Van de Putte. Through this position, he had the unique opportunity to learn the legislative process and earn full responsibilities as a legislative staffer. During his time in D.C., Daniel hopes to cultivate this interest in Education Policy, and upon graduation, he plans on pursuing a law degree. 
Christina Wright | UT Austin
Christina Wright is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government and corporate communication with a minor in African and African Diaspora Studies. As a Rapoport Service Scholar, Christina completes 200 hours of community service every summer while taking classes that focus on understanding the importance of service learning. Christina was also the Public Relations officer for Minority Women Pursuing Law, a student organization devoted to giving UT students insight into the law school admissions process. This past year, Christina conducted Congressional research with Professors Bryan Jones and Sean Theriault, which she presented at the Midwest Political Science Association research conference. She also recently studied abroad in Ghana, where she helped create seminars for women from a nearby slum that addressed leadership, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and gender inequality, among other topics. Christina is a proud member of the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. Christina plans to pursue graduate work in law and public policy. |
