Fall 2014 Archer Fellows
Sophia Anwar | UT Austin
Sophia Anwar is a graduating senior double majoring in Asian cultures & languages and government at The University of Texas at Austin. Sophia spent her Fall 2013 semester studying abroad at The National University of Singapore, where she studied the effects of US soft power in Southeast Asia. She enjoyed the vibrant culture as she travelled to over 7 countries in the region. Through the Hindi Urdu Flagship Program, Sophia has become proficient in reading and writing in both Hindi and Urdu. Passionate about foreign policy issues within South Asia, Sophia has aspirations to work at The Department of State. 
Montserrat Zepeda Benavides | UT San Antonio
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Montserrat is majoring in political science and is graduating in December 2014 with Highest Honors from the University of Texas at San Antonio. While in college, Montserrat has worked at Gostomski & Hecker, P.C. gaining an abundance of knowledge and experience in the legal field. She has also worked for Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s re-election campaign, Organizing for America as the Latinos for Obama summer fellow, and Albert Uresti for Tax Assessor-Collector Campaign as an assistant campaign manager. This semester, Montserrat will be interning with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants as their Immigrant Children’s Legal Program Intern. 
Alex Camacho | UT San Antonio
Washington Office on Latin America Alejandro is a Mexican National; his interests lie in the foreign relations between the United Mexican States and the United States of America. He studies public administration and political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Recently, he was awarded the 2014 Elie Wiesel Foundation Prize in Ethics for his essay, ‘Exploring the Ethics of National Loyalty: The New Compromiso – Mexican Students Abroad in the U.S.,” in which he contextualizes the sociopolitical status of Mexico. During the fall, Alejandro will work as the Mexico and Border Program intern at the Washington Office on Latin America. 
Abi Chen | UT Dallas
Financial Services Roundtable Yuying “Abi” Chen is a third-year Eugene McDermott Scholar studying international political economy and economics at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is highly interested in obtaining a global perspective in the increasingly flattened world. She has studied in Italy, interned in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and attended an international Rotaract conference in Canada. On campus, she served as the President of the Rotaract Club and offered more service opportunities for students. She is also a volunteer at the Confucius Institute, facilitating cross-cultural communication between the U.S. and China. 
Carmen Cisneros | UT Pan American
U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) Carmen Cisneros is a senior at The University of Texas at Pan-American (UTPA) double majoring in Political Science and Psychology. Carmen plans to pursue a law degree, with the hopes of one day working in the government. Before entering UTPA she studied abroad in Monteux, Switzerland. In 2013, she was a participant of the Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she developed and honed leadership skills. She is confident being a Bill Archer Fellow will grant her the tools to better serve her country. Carmen is looking forward to interning in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Lloyd Doggett. 
Aiza Daud | UT Arlington
Center for American Progress, Enough Project Aiza Daud is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in history and minoring in political science. Aiza was born in the small island of Cuba. At age four Aiza moved to the Palestinian territory of West Bank before moving to the United States of America at age nine. Aiza is interested in civil and political rights as well as human rights. Aiza is passionate about serving her community and hopes to pursue a career in the field of law after college. 
Amanda DeFrance | UT Permian Basin
Center of Concern Amanda DeFrance is a senior studying psychology, humanities, and political science at UT Permian Basin. At UTPB she serves on the Student Senate, tutors writing at the University Success Center, and participates as an actor in the theatre program. She has also served on the UT System Student Advisory Council and various UTPB committees and has written for the UTPB Mesa Journal Newspaper. After graduating she plans to continue her education by attending graduate school. A native of Odessa, Texas, Amanda enjoys baking, reading, writing, soccer, and volunteering with youth programs. 
Chinenye Enenmoh | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Chinenye Enenmoh is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in public health with a concentration in health policy and management. Chinenye’s interests lie in health policy, specifically regarding protecting vulnerable populations and eliminating health disparities at the national level. She has been a campaign fellow for Jade Chang Sheppard for State Representative, a volunteer at University Health Services, and an ambassador for the College of Natural Sciences Ambassador Program. 
Isaac Frias | UT Arlington
The Financial Services Roundtable Isaac Frias will graduate with a double major in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Texas at Arlington in the spring of 2015. He is an Archer Fellow for the University of Texas System and he will intern and study in Washington D.C. during the 2014 fall semester. Also, as a McNair Scholar at UTA he conducted research during the summer of 2014 entitled “The Impact of the Illicit Drug Industry on Mexico’s Democratization,” with mentor Dr. Dale Story. In addition, he has participated in a service-learning component at Catholic Charities Fort Worth where he tutored refugees and asylum seekers. 
Joseph Gallardo | UT Austin
United States Supreme Court A senior at The University of Texas at Austin, Joseph Gallardo will complete his final undergraduate semester majoring in public relations, business foundations and government as an Archer Fellow. With a wide variety of interests ranging from politics, to law, and sports, he has previously interned at the Texas State Capitol and will intern with the San Antonio Spurs in the spring of 2015. Joseph hopes to begin law school in the fall of 2015 and will spend his Archer Fellowship semester as a judicial intern for the Supreme Court of the United States. 
H. Drew Galloway | UT San Antonio
The White House Hilliard Drew Galloway is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a degree in public administration. He is a member of the Honors College, the Public Administration Student Organization, and Phi Alpha Alpha Public Administration Honors Society. Drew is the founder of The Civic Court Project, a Clinton Global Initiative University Commitment to Action focusing on civic engagement. In addition, he has previously worked with Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, San Antonio Councilman Ron Nirenberg, and Tim Wilson for Bexar County Commissioner. Upon graduation in May 2015, Drew will pursue law school. 
Maya Garcia | UT Austin
The White House Maya Garcia is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government and communication studies with a concentration in political communication. At UT Austin, Maya is an active member of Moody College of Communication Council, having co-chaired Moody CoC Week last spring. Off campus, Maya has interned at a PAC, a city council campaign, a non-profit, and a state office. Upon graduation, Maya hopes to return to D.C. for graduate school and pursue a career in public service. 
Ghada Ghannam | UT San Antonio
Akin, Gump, LLP Ghada Ghannam is a junior studying English and legal studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A native of Cairo, Egypt, Ghada’s volunteer experiences abroad have cultivated her interest in pursuing a career in international law with a focus on human rights and democratic reform in the Middle East and North Africa. Currently, she is the Chair of Communications at For The Kids, one of Texas’ largest student-led non-profits, which supports families battling pediatric cancer. She is also the co-founder of Camp U.N.I.T.E., a 501©3-pending non-profit that works to empower teenage refugees entering the American school system. 
Charlie Hannigan | UT Dallas
Kyle House Group Charlie Hannigan is a McDermott Scholar representing UT Dallas this fall. He is pursuing a double degree in mathematics and literature studies. His interest in public policy began with his work as Student Government Vice President at UT Dallas, and he plans to further pursue that interest interning at the Kyle House Group this fall. 
Nina Haug | UT Dallas
Global Giving Foundation Nina Haug is a junior majoring in international political economy at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a member of the Eugene McDermott Scholars Program and the Collegium V Honors Program. Nina has participated in various campus organizations, serving as an officer of the Newman Catholic Ministry. Her interests in transatlantic cooperation and economic development have inspired Nina to study abroad throughout Europe, most recently with the London School of Economics and the University of Dallas in Rome. These experiences have drawn Nina to the regional and environmental aspects of development. 
Scott Hickle | UT Austin
House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Scott Hickle is a fourth-year student in the Mechanical Engineering Honors Department at the University of Texas at Austin. His chief policy interests are energy, innovation and climate change. He is enthusiastic to be interning for the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology this fall, where he will gain firsthand insight into relevant legislative processes. Upon graduation from UT Austin, Scott hopes to work for an engineering firm before pursuing either further education. Long term, he aspires to become an entrepreneur and inventor in energy technologies, as well as a liaison between the worlds of technology and policy. 
Connor Hughes | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Connor Hughes is a third year Plan II Honors and biochemistry student at The University of Texas at Austin. Connor plans on attending medical school upon graduation and is interested in the fusion of public policy and health care quality. This past year he interned under physicians at hospitals and The Texas Department of State Health Services. On campus, Connor has served as the team leader for his bacterial research team, fundraised for his charity bike ride to Alaska, and been active in The Tejas Club. Connor will be interning with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotions. 
Matthew Ibarra | UT El Paso
U.S. Congressman Beto O'Rourke (TX-16) Matthew Ibarra is a senior from the University of Texas at El Paso studying political science with a minor in accounting. As an undergraduate, he has been a Dean's List recipient multiple times, an active member and officer of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, and an overall engaged student. Outside of university, he is a sports fan, video gamer, and enjoys discovering new musicians. He will be interning with Congressman Beto O'Rourke's Office and looks forward to the professional experience and personal growth that is sure to come from spending time in D.C. 
Shannon Kahlden | UT Austin
The White House Shannon Kahlden is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin who is majoring in political communication and completing the Business Foundations Program. A native Texan, Shannon worked on State Representative Dan Branch’s campaign for attorney general of Texas and for Representative Dennis Bonnen during the 83rd legislative session. On campus, she is a member of the Longhorn Rodeo Club, Pi Beta Phi sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies, and Texas Darlins. Furthermore, she enjoys barrel racing, traveling, and spending time outdoors. 
Cody Kemrite | UT Tyler
Team Boehner Cody Kemrite is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler where he is pursuing a double major in economics and finance as a member of the UT Tyler Honors Program. Cody has represented the school for three years on the intercollegiate men’s basketball team where he was on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee his junior year and a two-time American Southwest Conference All-Academic athlete. |
Ethan Kerstein | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Justice Ethan Kerstein is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, double-majoring in history and government. He has previously interned with the U.S. Department of State and with his U.S. Congressman. This past summer, he had the chance to work for the Dallas Holocaust Museum, where he helped create and implement a new temporary exhibit. On campus, Ethan enjoys volunteering at the Blanton Museum of Art, leading tours that highlight the museum’s inimitable collection of works. This fall, he will have the opportunity to intern with the Department of Justice in their Office of International Affairs. 
Aubrey Kinser | UT Dallas
Center for American Progress Aubrey Kinser is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in economics, with a particular interest in international economic development. She is a Eugene McDermott Scholar and a member of the Collegium V Honors Society. She is also a member of the UTD chapter of International Justice Mission, of which she was secretary during the 2013-2014 school year. Her volunteer service includes working with victims of human trafficking (with Mosaic Family Services), as well as helping expectant mothers (with the White Rose Women’s Center and with Pregnancy and Adoption Services at Catholic Charities of Dallas). 
Savannah Kumar | UT Austin
United Nations Information Center Savannah Kumar is a junior in the University of Texas at Austin’s Plan II Honors program and is studying human rights and social justice. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of both the Amala Foundation and Eastside Community Connection. She also works with the Amala Foundation on designing and implementing a program evaluation system. Savannah previously interned for State Representative Mark Strama during the 83rd Legislative Session, has worked as a debate consultant, and has studied HIV/AIDS education abroad in Ghana. On campus, Savannah is a Junior Fellow, a Rapoport Service Scholar, and a member of the Texas Orange Jackets. 
Victoria Lemus | UT Pan American
NBC News Victoria Lemus is a senior at The University of Texas Pan-American studying Mass Communication and minoring in Criminal Justice and English. Besides journalism, she is passionate about human rights, immigration, social service and the environment. Before becoming an Archer Fellow, Victoria worked as a Deputy Clerk for 206th Hidalgo County District Court and was also the Media Relations Coordinator for the Edinburg Housing Authority. She has also worked as a writer for the campus newspaper The Pan American and the Panorama Magazine. Victoria looks forward to the personal and professional growth she will obtain while working in Washington, D.C. 
Annie Liu | UT Dallas
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Ke Ting "Annie" Liu is a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in biology and pursuing a career in pharmacy. She has been involved in UT Dallas' Student Government, Women's Cross Country team and HOSA Future Health Professionals. Annie also cofounded the JSOM Book Club and TEDxUTD at her university. She spent two years in a neuroscience research lab, building neurological devices. She has worked as a retail pharmacy technician and has interned at Novation, a healthcare contracting company. Annie has a strong interest in pharmaceutical policy and will intern at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 
Chuck Matula | UT Austin
White House Council of Economic Advisers Chuck Matula is a senior at the The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a finance degree. He has interned with Texas Monthly and been published by their website, worked in the offices of two Texas legislators during the 83rd legislative and special sessions, and analyzed securities at a firm that identifies instances of misrepresentation in structured products. Since coming to UT Austin, he’s been involved with the Daily Texan, Habitat for Humanity, and studied financial derivatives pricing at the London School of Economics. He’s excited to be interning with the White House Council of Economic Advisers while in D.C. 
Stephanie Mendez | UT Brownsville
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Stephanie L. Mendez is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and management at The University of Texas at Brownsville. She has served as UT Brownsville’s Student Government Association President, a representative in the UT System Student Advisory Council, a University Ambassador, and a student representative in the UTRGV President Search Committee, a committee formed of faculty, staff, and students in charge of making a recommendation to the Board of Regents on the selection of UTRGV’s inaugural President. Stephanie wants to pursue graduate school after earning her undergraduate degrees and pursue a career in public service. 
Liza Miadzvedskaya | UT Dallas
D.C. Public Defender's Office Lizaveta Miadzvedskaya is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas majoring in chemistry and minoring in political science. Miadzvedskaya conducts research in cell biology and nano-materials, and is a part of the Model United Nations team at her school. She will be doing an internship with the D.C. Public Defender's Office through the Criminal Law Internship Program this fall. 
Katrina Parkey | UT San Antonio
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Katrina Parkey is a senior Terry Scholar at The University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a degree in History. At UTSA, she has served in the UTSA Ambassadors program, the Student Government Association, and For The Kids Dance Marathon at UTSA. Upon graduation in May 2015, Katrina plans to attend law school. She will be interning at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 
Anai Ramirez | UT El Paso
CBS Newspath Anai Ramirez is a rising junior at the University of Texas at El Paso studying multimedia journalism with a minor in linguistics. She loves learning about politics, languages and cultures. Her hobbies include volleyball, soccer, yoga, cycling, arts and crafts, reading and cooking. She also loves teaching her zumba classes! She is very excited to be part of the Archer Fellowship program and hopes to give and learn during her time in Washington, D.C. 
Angelica Reyes | UT Arlington
Council on Hemispheric Affairs Angelica Reyes is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a degree Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. She is an active member in the community by being a volunteer at the Legal Aid of North West Texas to facilitate the pro-Bono services that the organization offers. In addition, she held an internship position at the immigration Law Office of Jason Mills this past spring. On campus, she is a member of the Pre-Law Center, and part of the MavElite recruiting staff for the university. Angelica will intern at the Council of Hemispheric Affairs in the fall of 2014. 
Josette Rophael | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of State Josette Rophael is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas studying international political economy. With experience living abroad and an interest in Middle Eastern affairs, she will pursue law school and a career in international law, human rights, and economic development. This past year she participated in Clinton Global Initiative University and hopes to continue expanding her project to aid refugees. She has been involved in numerous on campus organizations including being Vice President of the International Political Economy Student Association (IPESA). This fall she will be interning with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in the Department of Population and International Migration. 
Jordan Rudner | UT Austin
U.S. Supreme Court Jordan Rudner is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors and history with a minor in journalism. When in Austin, she can be found in the dimly lit basement offices of the The Daily Texan, where she spends countless hours each day writing, editing, and eating jelly beans. Beyond her work reporting on the UT System, Jordan is interested in political journalism and the rights of women and minority groups worldwide. This fall Jordan will be interning at the Supreme Court of the United States, Office of the Curator. 
Emily Salada | UT Austin
United Nations Information Center Emily Gray Salada is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying international relations with a focus on conflict and peace studies. Her professional interests include international policy and public diplomacy and her experience includes a Fellowship in the Office of the Governor, a research position with the City of Austin's Public Engagement Office, and membership on a development project team in Africa with the non-profit Nourish International. A lover of community and travel, she has been a Resident Assistant in Littlefield Hall for two years and ventured to Cameroon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo among other countries. 
Chris Stewart | UT San Antonio
Marathon Oil Corporation Chris Stewart is a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a major in public administration. He has worked on several local San Antonio political campaigns, including those of Councilmen Joe Krier and Ron Nirenberg. This Fall, he is excited to be interning with the Intergovernmental Relations Department at Marathon Oil. When not absorbed in the world of politics, he enjoys cooking and being involved in theatre arts. 
Benjamin Strube | UT Tyler
U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Benjamin Strube is a senior economics and political science major at the University of Texas at Tyler. His interests include non-profit community development and international political economy. He is a native Texan and enjoys the outdoors. 
Jennifer Tran | UT Austin
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Jennifer Tran is a senior Sociology and Government major at the University of Texas at Austin. She is passionate about social justice has been heavily involved with UT’s Multicultural Engagement Center. She has served as the Director of Operations for the Asian Desi Pacific Islander American Collective and has led efforts on various issues, including a campaign to support the university in the Fisher v. Texas case. She organized the 15th anniversary of The Project, the largest student-led day of service in Austin, and has been a peer mentor on campus. This summer, she interned at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 
Matthew Treviño | UT San Antonio
U.S. Agency for International Development Matthew Treviño is a junior McNair Scholar pursuing a bachelor's degree in philosophy with minors in economics and political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Matthew became open to the idea of serving in the public sector after attending the Harvard Kennedy School's Public Policy and Leadership Conference during his freshman year. Besides philosophy and public policy, his interests include volunteer work, film, and photography. Matthew will intern with USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program. 
Peter Ueng | UT Dallas
Justice at Stake Peter Ueng is a fourth year Political Science major attending the University of Texas at Dallas. He plans on either being a campus missionary or attending law school after graduation. Among his interests are music, longboarding, and the San Francisco 49ers. 
Eduardo Zerbe | UT San Antonio
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Eduardo Zerbe is a native of Mexico currently studying at the University of Texas in San Antonio and majoring in Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Economics. He is interning at the Voting Rights Project with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Eduardo is currently working to fight low political efficacy in Texas through his Non-Profit Organization, MOVE San Antonio. The organization takes an active role in registering and empowering the youth vote in order to help influence local public policy. Upon graduation, he will be attending law school. |
