Fall 2012 Archer Fellows
Miriam Aguayo | UT Brownsville
Miriam Aguayo is a senior at the University of Texas at Brownsville where she is studying History. Her passion is Immigration law; the area in which she hopes to attain an internship in Washington D.C. Throughout her college career, Miriam has sought after professional opportunities to work in immigration issues and the legal profession. She has interned at the Southern District of Texas Federal Court and at the Law Office of Annabell Alegria. Her goal is to help improve our nation’s current immigration policies and help lessen the struggles illegal immigrants endure. In addition to her experience with the judicial system, Miriam has worked as an on-campus tutor, served as a student mentor for the AmeriCorps program, and acted as a consultant to the National Park Service. 
Abigail Allen | UT Arlington
Abigail Allen is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Texas at Arlington. As an undergraduate, Abigail received recognitions for her achievements including the UT Arlington President's Charter Scholarship and the Dora Nichols/Arlington Shakespeare Club Scholarship for achievement in English. She has completed and presented her Honors Thesis for English which discusses the relationship between identity and place. She is interested in internships that will introduce her to the issues surrounding environmental policy and environmental justice. Her experiences abroad, especially her volunteer work in China, have cultivated her interest in international environmental policy and human rights. She anticipates a career with an environmental interest group working to reform environmental policy. She plans to attend law school in the Fall of 2012, specializing in environmental law. 
Ben Barrett | UT Austin
Ben Barrett is pursuing a dual major in Plan II and Government at the University of Texas at Austin. In the fall, he will be interning with the US Department of Education in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs. Last year, Ben worked with Kipp Austin College Prep as an administrative intern. Before working with KACP, Ben also mentored a struggling fifth grade student with the Plan II- KIPP partnership. In the summer of 2011, Ben taught sixth grade social studies and a class on architecture with Breakthrough Collaborative, a non-profit that hopes to close the achievement gap by empowering students who aspire to be the first in their families to go to college. Ben was a varsity member of Texas Crew, UT’s club rowing team, and also served as the club’s fundraising coordinator. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and has held several leadership positions within the Interfraternity Council. 
Rebecca Beardsley | UT Dallas
Rebecca Beardsley is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in Global Business with a minor in Political Science. While at UT Dallas, Rebecca has been involved with the Spanish Club as one of its founding members, and served as the Speaker on the Collegium V Honors Program Executive Council. Rebecca is also a part of the Management Honors program and will serve as the President of the Spanish Club in the Spring following her Archer Fellowship. During her Junior year, Rebecca traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to study Turkish for a year and attended Ozyegin University in Anadolu. During her summers Rebecca has had a variety of Internships including teaching a business program to at-risk high school students through the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program and working at the Department of State in Washington, DC. This summer Rebecca is participating in her second State Dept. internship. In the fall, Rebecca hopes to work for a think tank in a Turkish program, researching and writing on Turkish political issues. 
Joshua Downes | UT Austin
Joshua Downes is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in History. He is also contracted to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps following graduation in May 2013. During the summer of 2012, Joshua travelled to Fort Lewis, Washington for evaluation at the Army’s Leadership Development Assessment Course. Following this month of field training and evaluation, Joshua was on temporary duty with the 4th Squadron of the 9th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, shadowing a scout platoon leader. Joshua participated in the Normandy Scholars Program in the spring of 2011, where he studied World War II during the semester and travelled to the sites in Europe that summer. He also spent part of the summer of 2011 at the Army’s Basic Airborne Course in order to earn his parachute jump wings. This fall, Joshua will be interning at the United States Department of State, in the Bureau of Political – Military Affairs. 
Madison Estes | UT Austin
Madison Estes is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Plan I Honors International Relations and Global Studies with a focus in international security and a minor in European Studies. While at UT Austin, Madison has been an active member of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, where she has served as a member of the Program Council for two years. She also studied abroad in Rome, Italy where she participated in a full submersion, UT faculty led program that helped her become proficient in the Italian language and solidified her interest in international affairs. Madison spent her summer prior to her Archer semester interning in Washington D.C. with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum where she expanded her knowledge in human rights advocacy and genocide studies. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the foreign service and/or international non-profits. 
Dancey Glover | UT Austin
Dancey Glover is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a major in Government, and a minor in Arabic through the Liberal Arts Honors Program. During her time at UT Austin, Dancey has been especially active in the organization University Democrats, serving as a Mobilization Committee Chair, Events Chair, and Vice President. She has also served as the Assistant Advocacy Policy Director in Student Government, and was active in the Invest in Texas Campaign, a campaign which advocated for higher education during the 2011 Texas Legislative Session through lobbying initiatives. In addition to campus organizations, Dancey has served as Programs Director for the statewide organization Texas College Democrats, and has interned for State Representative Mark Strama. Dancey has also worked as a Peer Academic Coach for the past year, mentoring UT Austin students on a weekly basis to teach them academic skills such as time management, maximizing memory, and preparing for tests. During her semester in D.C., Dancey will be interning in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. 
Nicole Haley | UT Austin
Nicole Haley is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, where she will earn a dual degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Political Communication and Government in the spring of 2013. During her time at the university, she was a Key Votes intern for Project Vote Smart, a non-partisan legislative research organization, as well as a legislative intern for State Representative Ryan Guillen. In addition to her internship experience, she has been an active member of the UT Austin chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-educational community service fraternity, since 2009. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys reading, swimming, and trying out new restaurants with her friends. She looks forward to interning at the Office of Presidential Correspondence in the White House. 
Nadia Hammoud | UT Pan American
Nadia Hammoud is currently a senior at the University of Texas - Pan American where she is majoring in Biology with a minor in Biochemistry. She is part of the joint BS/MD Pre-Medical Honors College, which has offered her conditional acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine. Nadia is also a member of the Guerra Honors Program, Eta Omicron Nu, and Health Occupations Students of America, for which she served as Vice President. During her time as an Archer Fellow, she hopes to gain a better understanding of health care reform and public health through her internship. Upon returning from her internship, Nadia will be defending her thesis on a study of socioeconomic influences on childhood obesity. She will graduate in the spring of 2013 and will continue on to medical school to pursue an M.D/M.P.H. 
Nikki Hernandez | UT San Antonio
Adriana Nicole Hernandez is a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Legal Studies. She is a member of the Honors College and plans to graduate with Leadership Honors. She is also participating in UTSA’s prestigious Summer Law School Preparation Academy where she will earn a certificate of Legal Reasoning. Nikki works as a legal assistant at a business law firm where she conducts research, contacts clients and performs administrative tasks. She stays active on campus and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. While in Washington, D.C., Nikki hopes to enhance her knowledge of the legal system with the desire to become a lawyer. 
Jessica Huff | UT Austin
Jessica Huff is a fourth year multimedia journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin. While attempting to find new ways of disseminating information through both writing and multimedia projects, she is also working towards an interdisciplinary certificate in human rights and social justice. She hopes to use these skills to become a multi-platform journalist with a focus on state and/or national politics. Until then, she is the news editor for the online publication The Horn and founder and President of Texas New Media – a start-up organization focusing on the rapidly changing journalism industry. While in D.C., Jessica will intern with NBC News. 
Jordan Humphreys | UT Austin
Jordan Humphreys is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Austin. He has finished his on-campus studies towards a Bachelor of Arts degree with Special Honors in Government, a Bachelor of Journalism degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Communication. In his time at UT Austin, Jordan has written for Reporting Texas, Taylor Daily Press and The Daily Texan; conducted several research projects on media effects on public opinion; publicized organizations, candidates and companies; worked to secure funding for higher education; and worked to implement policies on campus of a reliable emergency alert system, a recognized student voice in budget and tuition decisions and an improved degree audit system. Jordan will be spending his final semester in D.C. interning with JDA Frontline and the U.S. Department of State. 
Kayla Klein | UT Dallas
Kayla Klein is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she is double majoring in Neuroscience and Biology. At UT Dallas she researches in the Think Lab, a development psychology lab that focuses on children’s cognitive development. She has been very active in UT Dallas Student Government, serving as Academic Affairs Chair in 2011-2012. She also serves as the Student Representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Financial Aid Committee, which works with the state of Texas education centers to develop strategies to improve financial aid for students in higher education. Kayla is particularly interested in health and education, and hopes to learn more about the policies that affect these areas during her time in Washington, D.C. In her spare time, she enjoys running half marathons, visiting her home in Austin, TX, and tie dying. 
Lindsay Kubatzky | UT Austin
Lindsay Kubatzky is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government with a minor in History. While attending school, Lindsay has interned for State Senator Wendy Davis and he volunteers at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum as a volunteer docent. During his time in Washington D.C., he hopes to work in political communications to further his aspiration of a career in public service after graduation. When he is not working or studying, he likes to spend his spare time watching movies, attending University of Texas football games, traveling, going to concerts, and playing intramural sports. Eleni Kyriakides | UT Austin
Eleni Kyriakides is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Humanities Plan I Honors. The Humanities Major is an interdisciplinary program for the highly motivated student to build his or her own degree plan, which for Eleni has meant a focus on political science, the judicial system, and sociology. During her time at UT Austin, she enthusiastically dove into the Texas political scene, ranging from writing pieces on health and wellbeing for an Austin women's magazine, interning at the Texas Freedom Network and organizing lobbying events, working for the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation, and successfully campaigning for the non-profit Environment Texas. In her down time, she volunteers at local women's organizations, loves exploring her hometown of Austin, and enjoys long runs on Town Lake. Upon graduation, Eleni plans on pursuing a law degree. 
Autumn Lansford | UT San Antonio
Autumn Lansford is a senior French and Political science major with a minor in International Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a sophomore at UTSA, she helped to found the French Club to provide an organization in which the campus community could practice their language skills outside of the classroom. She also served a term as Vice President of Young Americans for Liberty and was invited to speak as a student panelist at the 2010 Students for Liberty Texas Regional Conference. She has also taken an active interest in improving UTSA through her involvement in the Student Government Association. Due to her academic achievements, she has been ranked among the top sixteen students in the Department of Political Sciene and Geography. Autumn plans to pursue a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy upon graduation. This fall Autumn will intern at Press and Communication Office of the Embassy of France in Washington. 
Michael Mederos | UT Pan American
Michael Mederos is a senior at the University of Texas- Pan American, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. His minors include Chemistry, Honors studies, and English. As a member of the Premedical Honors College, he has solidified his acceptance to Baylor College of Medicine where he will earn his medical degree. In addition to coursework, Michael has researched in the Medical Research Division at the Edinburg Regional Academic Health Center- University of Texas Health Science Center since 2010, and he will defend his honors thesis based on his research with the glucocorticoid receptor. As a member of the Guerra Honors Program, Michael gained international experience and developed a passion for international policy while studying abroad in France. He also has a keen interest in health care policy and will apply his health and science background in Washington, D.C. this Fall. |
Irene Morse | UT Dallas
Irene Morse is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in International Political Economy with an emphasis in the Middle East. She is a recipient of the Eugene McDermott Scholarship and a member of the Collegium V honors program. Irene is a writer and editor for UTD’s campus opinion paper A Modest Proposal. She has also competed with the moot court team, placing among the top ten percent of mooters in the nation at the 2011 Championship Tournament. She volunteers regularly at the Richardson Public Library and has received the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award for her over 100 hours of service. Irene also speaks Spanish and Arabic and was selected as an alternate for the Boren Scholarship in Arabic. She plans to intern in Washington, D.C., this fall with a think tank specializing in Middle Eastern politics. 
Jacqueline Muniz | UT Austin
Jacqueline Muniz is a Gates Millennium Scholar majoring in Government with a minor in Spanish at the University of Texas at Austin. Jacqueline has developed a particular interest in education as a result of what she has been learning and experiencing in the past few years. Her interest started when she volunteered over 800 hours with AmeriCorps Youth Harvest, where she had the opportunity to tutor bilingual students at a local elementary school and in the public library. Her awareness in the field of education has continued to grow in the past three summers while working as an Office Assistant, Resident Advisor, and Mentor for the Upward Bound Math and Science TRIO program at UT Pan-American, where she works with first-generation and low-income high school students. Jacqueline has also completed her internship doing legislative research with Project Vote Smart, and has been inducted as a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. 
Basel Musharbash | UT Dallas
Basel Musharbash is a Junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in Political Science, with a minor in Drama. He is interested in political communications, public policy, and law - which led him to past work and internship experience at the Center for American and International Law and the District Office of Congresswoman Johnson (TX-30). Basel has been a student participant in the Innocence Project of Texas workshop at the University of Texas at Dallas. He also volunteers as the Executive Co-Director of the North Texas Student Campaign (NTSC), a nonpartisan student advocacy organization with research, media, awareness, lobbying, GOTV and grassroots operations. Through those operations, NTSC seeks to inject a student voice into the public debate surrounding the issues of financial aid and university funding which are vital to the future of Texan students. Lastly, Basel is mainly interested in education and welfare policy, as well as issues pertaining to the image of liberalism in the United States. 
Carisa Nietsche | UT Austin
Raised in La Grange, Texas, Carisa Nietsche is a Plan II Honors and Government student at the University of Texas at Austin. During her time on campus, Carisa served as the President of the Senate of College Councils where she represented students on over fifteen campus committees. Carisa has been an active volunteer in the Austin community through Orange Jackets (the oldest honorary women’s organization on campus), Kappa Delta Sorority, and as the vice-chair of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. At the end of her senior year, Carisa was one of twelve seniors recognized as a recipient of the Dean’s Dozen Award for her contributions to campus. Carisa is passionate about European Union politics, immigration policy, and education policy, and she is writing a thesis on the European Court of Justice’s role in immigration policy. Upon the completion of her degree in December, she hopes to get a Ph.D in Political Science. 
Amie Njie | UT Tyler
Amie Njie will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in international relations from The University of Texas at Tyler. As a Political Science student, she spent two years in Milan, Italy interning at the Milan institute and Milan Municipal where she did research on policy making and on current issues, and where she conducted surveys and polls regarding public opinion. In the summer of 2008 Amie studied in Switzerland where she compared social policy structures. This inspired her to pursue a career in public policy. Amie has been an active member of the UT Tyler international students’ organization, the United Nations Club, and the head of the Voice of the Young, a program that encourages early career researchers to play an active role in determining public opinion. During her semester as an Archer Fellow Amie hopes to continue her work in international relations. 
Selina Marie O'Neil | UT El Paso
Selina Marie O’Neil is a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso. Majoring in Political Science and minoring in Legal Reasoning, Selina hopes to attend law school and become an attorney. Unsure about what kind of law she wants to practice, she is currently interested in learning more about criminal, corporate, and tax law. Selina is passionate about helping others who endure adversities similar to those she has overcome. To do so she has become a Court Appointed Special Advocate to help abused and neglected children have a voice in the courtroom and to have their opinions considered when deciding the next step of their lives. In her spare time, she likes to play volleyball, partake in family road trips, and camping. 
Elizabeth Petruy | UT Dallas
Elizabeth Petruy is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She is an active member of the student body as the Treasurer of the College Panhellenic Council, an association of sorority women who raise thousands of dollars for philanthropic groups including St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research Hospital, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Circle of Sisterhood, among others. She has worked on many political campaigns, including an internship with Jack Ternan, a candidate for Texas State Senate, as well as block walking for Jim Pitts, and Myra Crownover. Elizabeth is also a member of the Collegium V Honors program at UTD, as well as Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity. In her free time she sings with a local a cappella group and volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at her church. Elizabeth hopes to intern with a group focused on the law and civil rights while in Washington, D.C. 
Cameron Phillips | UT Tyler
Cameron is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler majoring in Political Science and minoring in International Relations. He hopes to intern for an organization that deals with either Sino-American relations or legal advocacy during his semester in Washington D.C. Cameron enjoys keeping up with politics, playing soccer, film, and yoga. As the co-president of the Pre-Law Society at UT Tyler and co-founding member of UT Tyler's UNICEF chapter, Cameron has been an active participant in planning, leading, and listening in organizational settings. He has also participated as a camper and counselor in Boys State for several years. Along with his commitment to these previous organizations, he has spent several summers working in a law office, which has assisted in his computer and professional skills. He is anxious to start work and life in D.C. 
Sunaina Rajani | UT Austin
Sunaina Rajani is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology, along with pre-medical coursework. Her interests in science first sparked as an intern at the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute in the George A. Jeffrey NanoExplorers Program. She served as a research assistant through the UT Neurobiology Department, in which results were published with her co-authorship. Through Sunaina’s initial research exposure and Bridging Discipline Children & Society Program she created a study exploring the correlation between level of drug trafficking activity and concurrent mental illness & substance abuse disorders for adults and children in the United States of America. Through her experiences in research, as well as her internship with The Autism Project (TAP), Sunaina developed a strong desire to be involved with policy-work relating to bio-technology, neurology, and substance abuse. While volunteering extensively with various medical centers, her service sorority, and UT’s Alcohol and Drug Education Program (ADEP) as a Peer Educator, Sunaina received the UT Tower Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer. She intends to attend medical school and immerse herself in the fields where medicine, biotechnology, and policy come together. 
Mike Saidi | UT Dallas
Sepanta “Mike” Saidi is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Political Economy. Mike is multi-lingual with fluency in Persian (Farsi), working proficiency in Spanish, and a beginner’s grasp of Arabic. He intends to use his arsenal of languages to promote positive U.S relations with the Middle East and to conduct cross-cultural research in Persian-speaking countries. For the last two summers, Mike has worked as one of his University’s Orientation Leaders to help incoming freshmen become acclimated to their new academic and social atmosphere. With his most recent position as an Officer, Mike was in charge of an 8-member committee while also having a greater level of responsibility in managing the flow of the Freshmen Orientations and the Extended Freshmen Orientation camps. Last fall, he has awarded an Undergraduate Research Grant from the Office of the Vice President of Research and was also inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Under the supervision of Dr. Karl Ho, he will continue to undertake investigations examining the variability of U.S. public sentiments regarding Islam. 
Audrey Savins | UT Austin
Audrey Savins is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Studies on the Political Communication tract as well as a concentration in advertising and government. Since her freshman year, she has worked as an account coordinator with a political digital media consulting firm based in Austin, which manages local, state and national political campaigns’ online media presence. During this time, Audrey was assigned to manage several digital campaigns including a state treasurer election, the College Republican National Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee. Throughout her undergraduate experience, Audrey has been involved in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and is particularly passionate about their philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. As an Archer Fellow this fall, Audrey looks forward to the D.C. experience during this presidential election and interning with the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the New Media Department. 
Megan Simons | UT Dallas
Megan Simons is currently pursing double degrees in Criminology and Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is pursuing Collegium V honors and has been inducted into both the Alpha Phi Sigma and Delta Epsilon Iota honors societies. Her primary areas of interest include constitutional interpretation and analysis and civil rights education. After graduation Megan plans on pursuing her Master of Arts in Criminology before heading to law school. Over the past year, Megan has had the wonderful opportunity to aid the Innocence Project of Texas in their work securing the exoneration of innocent inmates, which has taught her much about the legal system and sentencing process. In her spare time, Megan performs and studies improvisation with her university theater department. During her time in D.C. Megan hopes to take on an internship related to legal issues and justice. 
Eve Sirianni | UT Tyler
Eve Sirianni is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler. She will graduate in Spring 2013 with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Anthropology. After graduation, Eve will continue her education in Art History and plans to eventually receive her Ph.D. In the Spring of 2012, Eve was asked to assist Dr. Thomas Guderjan with an exhibition to be displayed at Tyler Junior College. This exhibition focuses on the theories of the Mayan predictions of the end of the world. Eve hopes to take her love of art to Washington D.C. and intern at one of the many museums D.C. has to offer. Eve dreams of one day being able to travel the world and see all the beautiful art she has studied. 
Ann Stehling | UT Austin
Ann Elise Stehling is currently a junior at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Government. During her time at UT, she has worked to be an advocate of civic engagement and voter awareness. In addition to a legislative research internship with Project Vote Smart, she has served as VP of Membership and Outreach for UT Votes, UT’s only nonpartisan political organization. This past spring, she worked as a legislative intern in the office of State Representative John Zerwas, M.D. Ann has been heavily involved with the Texas Exes Alumni Association as a Camp Texas counselor and a Texas Exes Student Association Member. Ann is a proud member of the UT Women’s Chorus and has served as a mentor for Freshman Leadership Organization. During the summer of 2012, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Antigua, Guatemala, where she improved her Spanish fluency and explored the sociolinguistic factors that influence how people of diverse backgrounds learn through volunteer work with students from low-income families. 
Elisa Tamayo | UT El Paso
Elisa Tamayo is currently majoring in Economics and Finance at the University of Texas at El Paso. This past semester Elisa was busy serving as the President of the El Paso student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA), and as a Supreme Court Justice in the UTEP Student Government Association, which she has been participating in since her freshmen year. Before studying abroad for the summer, Elisa spent her spare time volunteering to tutor students for their U.S. citizenship exam and also volunteering on Congressman Silvestre Reyes’ campaign. Elisa is interested in a career in public service, and would like to intern this fall with an organization working to promote positive environmental policies and practices. She is also interested on international law, and is planning to attend law school following the completion of her business degree. 
Philip Tryon | UT Austin
Philip Tryon attends the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Philosophy and International Relations and Global Studies, with a focus in International Security, while double minoring in European Studies and German. Due to his academic interests, he studied abroad in Germany during summer 2012, seeking to enhance his German speaking capacity. Philip is also a proud member of the Texas Blazers, one of the premier student organizations on campus, and has been instrumental in initiating the first Youth Empowerment Program in Austin through the Blazers. Also, from 2011-2012, he co-led the Human Rights Student Advisory Council, while fulfilling the role of a Resident Assistant at Jester Lower East. Philip has been engaged in many volunteer and service opportunities, such as participating in the International Justice Mission’s Lobby Day in D.C. and lobbying for anti-trafficking legislation, and this past summer, he contributed to the relief efforts in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. |
