Likhit Agrawal | UT Dallas U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Likhit Agrawal is a National Merit Scholar and junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in neuroscience. On campus, he has served as vice president of the UT Dallas chapter of Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity Inc., vice president of the UT Dallas chapter of American Medical Students Association, and director of Awaazein, a South Asian fusion competition. Alongside these roles, he was a Peer-Led Team Learning leader and has been involved in the officer board of the local chapter of Akshaya Patra, raising money for children in India. Off campus, Agrawal was a research assistant at UT Southwestern Medical Center and has regularly volunteered with the Denton County Medical Reserve Corps. He is passionate about public health and hopes to go to medical school after graduation and work within the intersection of public health and healthcare policy.
Tatiana Arias | UT San Antonio Office of U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) / The University of Texas at San Antonio - Office of Federal Relations Tatiana Arias is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio double majoring in political science and global affairs. Arias has held membership roles in several campus organizations, such as Honors Society, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, The Hispanic Students Association, Alamo United Nations, and the Roadrunners Swim Club. She recently interned remotely at The Osgood Center for International Studies, a non-profit educational organization for students around the world based in Washington, D.C. Her research for The Osgood Center focused on the humanitarian crisis of the Northern Triangle migration and the mental healthcare policies in place for those granted asylum within the United States. After completing her degree, Arias plans to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in political science with a focus on mental health care policies.
Christopher Back | UT Dallas The Center for Security and Emerging Technology Christopher Back is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in information technology and systems with a minor in political science. On campus, Back served as vice president for Big Data Club, service chair for Alpha Kappa Psi, and was a member of the ITS Leadership Council. He was also a volunteer consultant for 180 Degrees Consulting and a backend programmer for the Association for Computing Machinery. Off campus, Back interned with the documentary startup Explore Their Stories and for defense contracting at Textron in cybersecurity. Back is passionate about the intersection of technology and policymaking and hopes to use data science to identify and reduce inequalities in governance.
Madeleine Bruno | UT Austin Office of U.S. Representative Van Taylor (TX-03) Madeleine Bruno is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in public health. On campus, she helped establish UT Austin's Turning Point USA chapter, which advocates for free markets, fiscal responsibility, and freedom of speech. Last spring, she was a research and policy intern for Clements Consulting Group LLC, where she completed research on Medicaid legislation issues. She recently participated in The Heritage Foundation Academy, a virtual educational and leadership program. Upon graduation, Bruno plans to pursue a master's degree in public policy. During her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, trying new restaurants, and attending church activities.
Zaida Carballo | UT Rio Grande Valley Primary Care Collaborative Zaida Carballo is a senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in biomedical sciences with a minor in medical Spanish. On campus, Carballo has participated in undergraduate research in the chemistry department, where she co-authored two peer-reviewed articles in the field of nano energy. Passionate about healthcare and public health, she began a master’s degree in public health at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston as part of an accelerated graduate program. Following the completion of her master’s degree, Carballo plans to pursue a career in medicine. She holds a strong interest in health policy and improving healthcare for marginalized communities. She aims to obtain a more holistic sense of medicine and hopes to unite her interests by learning and understanding the distinct role healthcare holds as an agent of domestic and foreign development. Furthermore, she hopes to learn more about health advocacy and policy for a diplomatically active career.
Rutendo Chando | UT Dallas District of Columbia Public Schools Rutendo Chando is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in history with a minor in political science and certificate in education. On campus, Chando has been involved in student government as the student body vice president and founded her own organization called the Immigrant Rights Coalition. Over the summer she interned for Breakthrough Collaborative as a teaching fellow to help close the achievement gap for low-income students. After graduation, Chando plans to attend graduate school to study public policy with a focus on education.
Chiara Chanoi | UT El Paso Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Chiara Chanoi is a Presidential Scholar and senior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in economics with a minor in mathematics and international business. Chanoi previously worked as a research assistant at UT El Paso's College of Business and for Zayed University in Dubai. Her research recently culminated in the co-authorship of an article in the Journal of Management Education and contribution to a coalition for the 2021 Academy of Management conference. In her spare time, Chanoi has taught tap dance at a local dance studio and participated in the UT El Paso Dinner Theater.
Zari Chipman | UT San Antonio The Sheridan Group Zari Chipman is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in communication. On campus, she has served as a peer coach and a research assistant to address food insecurity in San Antonio. As director of community engagement at a law firm, she developed litigation and business law knowledge. Chipman has worked alongside numerous health professionals to normalize healthcare for women as a content creator. She is passionate about gender equality, addressing health disparities, and fighting for social justice. After graduation, Chipman wishes to remain involved in healthcare policy and pursue a career as a health education specialist.
Thomas Dang | UT Austin U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / American Public Health Association Thomas Dang is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in health and society and neuroscience with a minor in healthcare innovation and reform. He has been deeply interested in mental health since high school and hopes to use education as an avenue to support students' mental health. Dang is a recipient of UT Austin's President's Award for Global Learning, where he has transformed research on students' mental health during the COVID-19 era into policy recommendations for university and local leaders. Ultimately, Dang hopes to study neurology in medical school and apply those skills to make informed policy recommendations to support students' mental health.
Andrew "Andy" Dareing | UT Austin Office of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18) Andrew “Andy” Dareing is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin triple majoring in Plan II honors, government, and international relations with a minor in philosophy. Dareing is an advocate of smart and compassionate public policy that works for everyone. With a focus on healthcare and environmental policy, Dareing has conducted legislative research in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. He most recently worked as a legislative aide to Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson (TX-16) during the 87th regular session. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in public policy to further his career in public service.
Ainsley Dorsey | UT Austin Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Ainsley Dorsey is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in government with a certificate in business Spanish. On campus, she was the co-director of Hook the Vote, vice president of external communication for Not On My Campus, a Texas Civic Ambassador, and a member of Texas Spirits. Off campus, Dorsey interned with a criminal defense law firm as a legal assistant. After graduation, she plans to earn a master’s degree in public policy and pursue law school. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering and hiking around Austin.
Katherine Dunbar | UT Austin Office of U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) Katherine Dunbar is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in government and international relations with a minor in French and a certificate in security studies. She is an undergraduate fellow with the Clements Center for National Security and was a member of the Academic Policy Committee in Senate of College Councils. Dunbar previously served as a research assistant for Innovations for Peace and Development, an interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research lab. As a junior, Dunbar worked as a legislative intern for Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini (TX-21), specializing in healthcare and education policy. Following graduation, she intends to pursue a career in public policy.
Elena Edwards | UT Austin Public Citizen Elena Edwards is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin triple majoring in sociology, government, and French. On campus, she has participated in Texas Spirits and Liberal Arts Council, having served in the latter as communications director and development coordinator. Off campus, Edwards has interned with Texas State Representative Eddie Lucio III (TX-38) and the Collin County Criminal District Attorney's Office. Edwards was also a social media manager intern for The Black Sheep, an integrated collegiate media and marketing company; she enjoys working in digital media, particularly graphic design and sound editing. Edwards is especially passionate about criminal justice reform, mental health advocacy, and voting rights. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in civil rights advocacy.
Meg Espey | UT Austin Office of U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-31) Meg Espey is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a dual degree in social work and communication and leadership with a minor in business foundations. On campus, Espey was the executive board member for the student-led organization Collegiate Foundations and vice president of philanthropy for the University Panhellenic Council. She has also been a member of TEDxUTAustin, Phi Delta Phi, and Pi Beta Phi. Through her coursework and volunteer work with groups such as the Boys and Girls Club of Austin and Communities in Schools, Espey sees firsthand the value and benefit of mentorship and relationship building. Knowing that she can impact someone’s life is what determined her degree plans and what motivates her every day. In the future, Espey hopes to bridge the gap between social work and law by becoming either a lawyer, advocate, or lobbyist.
Jaci Finch | UT San Antonio U.S. Capitol Historical Society Jaci Finch is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in marketing with minors in civic engagement and public administration. Finch founded and presided over the Global Business Brigades at UT San Antonio, an organization that teaches financial literacy to San Antonio refugees and micro finance to impoverished communities in Panama. Off campus, she founded Watering Sprouts, a small educational company for which she has written, illustrated, and published two children's books that teach life skills. She plans to earn a Ph.D. in public policy and improve policy through community building and educational research.
Hugo Garcia| UT Rio Grande Valley Office of U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5) Hugo Garcia is a senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in criminal justice with a minor in legal studies. Garcia is an accomplished first-generation college student whose goal is to bring opportunities back to his community in the Rio Grande Valley. Garcia was a legislative intern at the Texas State Capitol during the 87th session of the Texas Legislature with Texas State Representative Armando Martinez (TX-39), who represents the lower region of South Texas and Garcia's hometown. Garcia was involved in legislation that passed the Texas House of Representatives that would establish a law school in the Rio Grande Valley. After graduation, Garcia plans to attend law school. He is passionate about protecting human rights, social justice, and criminal justice reform.
Sofia Gonzalez| UT Austin Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sofia Gonzalez is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations and global studies with a minor in anthropology and a certificate in German. She completed her honors thesis on the political inclusion and efficacy rates of tribal groups with a concentration of the Maori in New Zealand. Gonzalez has held internships with the Department of State's Diplomat in Residence Kristen Sivertson, NuStar, the Molecular Biological Anthropology Lab at UT San Antonio, and Siller Law Firm in Boerne, Texas. During her junior year she was the internal director for the International Relations and Global Studies Council and taught piano lessons while pursuing her two internships. After graduation, Gonzalez plans to earn a master's degree in international policy and pursue a career in the Department of State to support the development of international human rights.
Paulina Hruskoci | UT Dallas The Brookings Institution Paulina Hruskoci is a juinior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in geospatial information sciences and political science. She has worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the FracTracker Alliance, and the UT Dallas Office of Sustainability. On campus, Hruskoci has served as UT Dallas chapter president of Deeds Not Words. She is interested in the applications of geospatial data for environmental and social justice advocacy.
Samir Karn | UT Tyler The John W. Kluge Center at the U.S. Library of Congress Samir Karn is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler pursuing a double major in economics and political science. He has been actively involved in several school organizations, including Student Government Association and the Nepali Student Association, among others. Karn is an international student from Nepal, a small country in South Asia that is plagued with issues of inequality. His passion for promoting economic and social equality rises from his upbringing. Karn has volunteered at several organizations in his home country, providing relief efforts and seminars to raise awareness on unjust social norms and human rights. He strongly believes in the power of economic equality and its effect of bringing true equality. He plans on working in policymaking or activist organizations to promote economic education and equality by raising people’s living standards.
Pratik Koppikar | UT Dallas Melanoma Research Foundation / Chrysalis Health Pratik Koppikar is a McDermott Scholar and junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in biology. On campus, Koppikar has written for the school newspaper and worked at Radio UTD. He has also led two organizations: Roosevelt @ UTD, a public policy case competition, and Dallas Musical Outreach, a music volunteerism organization. Koppikar has also volunteered on local and national political campaigns and has experience working in numerous scientific laboratories. After graduation, Koppikar plans to pursue law school, a Ph.D. in neurobiology, or teach at a Texas high school.
Nidaa Lafi | UT Dallas Office of U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) Nidaa Lafi is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas double majoring in global business and international political economy with a minor in gender studies. Lafi has worked for various political campaigns, most prominently for the Colin Allred for Congress Campaign and the Hosanna Yemiru for Dallas Campaign. In fall 2020, she was a programs intern for the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Lafi has also held leadership positions in various student organizations including the Terry Student Organization, where she was secretary and academic coordinator, and Students for Justice in Palestine, where she was the organization's president.
Eduardo Levi | UT Austin Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA) Eduardo Levi is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in biology with a certificate in evidence and inquiry through the Polymathic Scholars Honors Program. Recently, he has conducted cancer prevention research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center through a National Cancer Institute funded fellowship. On campus, Levi worked as a research assistant at the Osier Lab based in the Dell Medical School, served on the College of Natural Sciences Honors Diversity Group, and co-led several extracurricular projects to empower minority groups in STEM and medicine. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a master’s degree in public policy to help launch his career as a physician who advocates for evidence-based health policy.
Virginia Macias | UT El Paso Capitol Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition Virginia Macias is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in biological sciences with a biomedical concentration. She established her career in healthcare by working as a patient care specialist at International Cardiovascular. As a student leader, she has served as a Miner Ambassador and a mentor for The Institute of Cardiology at El Paso. Through the MERITUS scholarship, Macias conducted research on cardiac tissue engineering. During the pandemic, she worked for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services as a Covid-19 case investigator. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in healthcare administration.
Maryann “Mimi” Martinez Okhuysen | UT Austin The White House Council on Environmental Quality Maryann “Mimi” Martinez Okhuysen is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in government and sustainability with minors in entrepreneurship and geography. On campus, Martinez Okhuysen has been actively involved in the Liberal Arts Honors Program, moot court, and the Central Texas Model United Nations team. She has also worked as a museum docent at the Harry Ransom Center and assisted with an ongoing research project to assess women’s role within Inca society. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental and social justice.
Arjun Mehendale | UT Dallas United States Senate Arjun Mehendale is a National Merit Scholar and junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in neuroscience with minors in psychology and political science. He has worked on campus as a research assistant in the Cortical Plasticity Lab at the Texas Biomedical Device Center, where he studied vagus nerve stimulation as a potential treatment for autism. He has also worked as a clinical researcher in the cardiology department at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Hospital. As someone passionate about advocating for people with neurodevelopmental disorders, Mehendale founded Divergent at UT Dallas, an organization that aims to demystify these conditions. For the past three years, he has volunteered at the GRACE Community Clinic, a free clinic in Grapevine, TX, serving economically disadvantaged patients. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in neurosurgery as well as public policy.
Joshua Menhennett | UT Tyler Office of U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman (WI-06) Joshua Menhennett is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler majoring in marketing. As a two-term student government president, member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, and member of the UT System Student Advisory Council, Menhennett has developed a deep passion for serving students and developing policy on large scales. He plans to earn a master's degree in public policy and pursue a career in government relations for a business firm or institution of higher education. He also hopes to one day serve as a U.S. Congressman and help shape America's future education and social policies.
Sydney Mitchell Flores | UT Austin The White House Council on Environmental Quality Sydney Mitchell Flores is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in sustainability studies and international relations & global studies with a minor in French. Flores is an avid environmentalist; her passions are centered around environmental policy and governance. Most recently, Mitchell Flores served as the advocacy intern with Environment Texas. She has also worked as a radio DJ for KVRX, UT Austin's student radio. After graduation, Mitchell Flores plans to pursue a master's and doctorate degree and eventually work within environmental politics.
Austin Montgomery | UT Austin Washington Office on Latin America Austin Montgomery is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations with certificates in creative writing and public policy. On campus, Montgomery has assisted in research at the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life and is an undergraduate fellow at the Clements Center for National Security. Off campus, Montgomery worked for progressive political consulting firm Y-Strategy and served as an intern for U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35). After graduation, he plans to pursue a joint degree in law and international affairs.
Edvin Morales| UT Austin Bipartisan Policy Center / National Immigration Forum Edvin Morales is a first-generation college student and senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in government and Mexican American and Latina/o studies with a certificate in public policy. To work in solidarity with the immigrant community, Morales interned with the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services as a Children's Program legal intern and as a social services and outreach coordinator at AsylumConnect. Additionally, Morales has worked regularly with the City Hall of Friona as a community outreach and public policy intern to help address the needs of his hometown community. On campus, Morales has served in roles as co-director of community engagement for the Latinx Community Affairs organization, lead mentor for the Foundation Scholars Program, and member of Texas Blazers, an honorary service organization at UT Austin. Throughout college, Morales has been able to gain the knowledge and passion towards amplifying the voice of the immigrant community and finding ways of helping others. He plans to attend law school to focus on immigration law and policy.
Catherine “Cat” Mouer | UT Austin The John W. Kluge Center at the U.S. Library of Congress / STG Results Catherine “Cat” Mouer is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in political communication studies with a minor in government and a certificate in public policy. She is passionate about gun violence prevention and environmental policy. In her community, she has served as a Dean’s Ambassador for the Moody College of Communication, a member of the Communication Council, and a foster parent to local dogs in need. Professionally, Mouer has worked at the Texas State Legislature as a Legislative Aide for State Representative Julie Johnson (TX-115), while holding positions at the Texas Democratic Party and the Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG). After graduation, Mouer plans to return to Washington, D.C., to pursue a career in public service and a graduate degree in public administration.
McKenna Potter| UT Dallas The Wilson Center McKenna Potter is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas double majoring in global business and international political economics. She grew up in Austin, Texas, but lived for one year in Beijing, China. Potter studies Spanish, Chinese, and French. She is a student in the Davidson Management Honors Program and serves on various student advisory boards. Potter has won national competition awards with her university's pre-law teams. After graduation, she plans to attend law school to pursue a career in international contract law.
Cari Reinert | UT Dallas The Aerospace Corporation / Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Cari Reinert is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in international political economy. While at UT Dallas, Reinert has served as the founder and president of the Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS@UTD), as well as vice president of the Model United Nations team. Off campus, she has volunteered as an English teacher at the Richardson Adult Literacy Center. Through her on-campus research and internship at NASA Headquarters, Reinert has developed a fascination for the relationship between space development and international political economy. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in space policy.
Mason Remaley| UT Tyler The Hudson Institute Mason Remaley is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler majoring in political science. As a collegiate debater, he was a national finalist at the 2020 National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence and was awarded the ‘Bronze Gavel’ denoting third best national speaker. While captaining the UT Tyler debate team, Remaley has also devoted his time coaching and assisting local high school debate teams to statewide and national success. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in security studies and international relations.
Ana Rodriguez| UT El Paso Vital Voices / Women for Women International Ana Rodriguez is a first-generation college student and senior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in political science with a minor in economics. On campus, Rodriguez has provided support for UT El Paso students enrolled in American history and political science courses. Off campus, she interned with a local campaign in her hometown at the border region of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and served as director of public relations of the El Paso Leadership Network, a nonprofit organization. Rodriguez is interested in pursuing a career focused on increasing the efficiency of the nonprofit sector. She plans to pursue a master's degree in public policy and nonprofit administration.
Alexzandra Roman | UT Austin League of United Latin American Citizens Alexzandra Roman is a Terry Scholar and junior at The University of Texas at Austin triple majoring in women and gender studies, Mexican American and Latina/o studies, and government. Passionate about the intersection of educational policy and ethnic studies, Roman interned with the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies' Tejas Foco. As a McNair Scholar, she conducted research on education, race, and gender through Northwestern University and served as an undergraduate fellow with the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. On campus, Roman has held roles as the director of operations for the Latinx Community Affairs and as a board member of the Walker Fellowship. Her senior honors thesis focuses on research surrounding violent curriculum structures and ethnic studies. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate school to study educational policy.
Ruben “Ben” Romero III | UT Austin Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP Ruben “Ben” Romero III is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin pursuing a dual degree in government and finance with minors in Chinese and management information systems. On campus, he served as the director of the Latinx Leadership Summit and was affiliated with the Sustainability Investment Group and the Undergraduate Mentorship Agency. Off campus, Romero interned for Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson (TX-16) and was a research intern at the Edward A. Clark Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies. After graduation, Romero plans to attend a dual J.D./M.B.A. degree program.
Jennifer "Jen" Saeling | UT Austin Maverick Consulting Jennifer "Jen" Saeling is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in neuroscience with a minor in sociology. Passionate about healthcare, Saeling has worked as a vision therapist at The Optometry Center for Vision Therapy. Having experienced healthcare from a provider's perspective, Saeling aims to gain a more holistic view of medicine through her strong interest in healthcare policy; she is most passionate about increasing healthcare accessibility for marginalized communities through social impact and advocacy. Saeling has served as a junior fellow for the Social Entrepreneurship Learning Lab, where she worked on a social venture that helps Asian American and Pacific Islander elders and immigrants smoothly navigate the U.S. healthcare system. After graduation, Saeling plans to attend graduate school to complete a dual MSPAS/MPH degree in order to provide accessible and compassionate care for her patients.
Diego Salas | UT Rio Grande Valley Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Diego Salas is a senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in finance. His commitment to excellence has led him to the top of his class. Salas has held leadership roles through various business-oriented student organizations. Through his leadership as president of the UTRGV Enactus chapter, the organization made an economic impact of more than $150,000 in the Rio Grande Valley through their community service initiatives. Enactus also won "Student Organization of the Year" at UT Rio Grande Valley and placed in the top eight at the Enactus National Expo. Salas recently completed an internship with Best Buy as an enterprise risk management intern. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master's degree in business analytics.
Jay Alan Salinas | UT Rio Grande Valley Office of U.S. Representative Filemon Vela (TX-34) Jay Alan Salinas is Presidential Scholar and senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in business administration with a minor in legal studies. His passion for community involvement has led him to work with the City of Edinburg for over two years coaching the youth, setting up food drives, organizing marathons, and planning other city-wide events. After graduation, Salinas hopes to attend law school, devote himself to serving his community as an attorney, and focus on meaningful policymaking and legislation as a public servant.
Aiza Shah | UT Austin Office of U.S. Representative Ayanna Presley (MA-07) / American Civil Liberties Union Aiza Shah is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in sociology and humanities. She is passionate about exploring public policy and the law and how these can be used to uplift underserved communities. In previous years, Shah served as a writing intern with the media non-profit Law at the Margins and as a judicial intern with the 126th Civil District Court of Texas. During her sophomore year, Shah served a term in the Disability and Inclusion Agency of student government, advocating for students with disabilities on campus. She has been involved with campus organizations such as Minority Women Pursuing Law, Texas Spirits, and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Research Lab. After graduation, Shah plans to attend law school and pursue a career in the field of public interest.
Anshu Shrestha | UT Arlington The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress / Office of U.S. Representative Grace Meng (NY-06) Anshu Shrestha is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in political science with a minor in law and legal studies. On campus, Shrestha was a student research assistant and ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Research. She has also served in student government as a supreme court justice and has been actively involved on various campus organizations. After graduation, Shrestha plans to pursue a master's degree in international relations and work in the field of diplomacy.
Sargun Singh | UT Austin The National Partnership for Women and Families / Generation Hope Sargun Singh is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in biochemistry with a minor in critical disability studies. On campus, Singh has served on the Student Government Mental Health Agency and worked with the local chapter of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctorate degree in occupational therapy and continue policy and advocacy work.
Joseph Smrstik | UT Dallas SAP Global Joseph Smrstik is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science with a minor in computer science. Smrstik has previously spent time in Washington, D.C., as a spring associate in the office of U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal (MA-1) and was the vice president of Pi Kappa Phi Iota Xi chapter. Joseph has served as volunteer deputy voter registrar in Collin County as well as a staff member for the UT Dallas Athletic Department and Brass Ensemble. After graduation, Smrstik hopes to pursue a career in public policy, focusing on technology and privacy law.
Janae Steggall | UT Austin Campus Vote Project Janae Steggall is a first-generation college student and senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations & global studies with a minor in history. She is a Dedman Distinguished Scholar and led TX Votes as president after two years of leadership in voter education and registration efforts. She has served a mentor for Liberal Arts Honors students and first-generation Longhorns, planned the 2021 graduation for first-generation college students, interned with Texas State Representative Ryan Guillen (TX-31), conducted policy research as a Brumley Next-Gen Scholar, and volunteered with local campaigns. After graduation, Steggall plans attend law school and work to protect voting rights for Texans.
Fran Stum | UT Austin Environmental Integrity Project Fran Stum is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in environmental engineering with a Bridging Disciplines Programs certificate in public policy. She is a Presidential Scholar and College Scholar in the Cockrell School of Engineering. On campus, Stum has worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying paleoclimate change and the effects of urbanization on Austin watersheds, as well as an undergraduate learning assistant for the general chemistry teaching team. She has also served as a Camp Texas counselor and service chair for Texas Women of Excellence, a service organization focused on empowering women and volunteering with Posada Esperanza. After graduation, Stum plans to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental justice.
Alex Vaughn | UT Dallas Office of U.S. Representative Colin Allred (TX-32) Alex Vaughn is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in international political economy with minors in political science and Spanish. On campus, Vaughn has participated in his campus’ Deeds Not Words chapter, Roosevelt Policy Institute, and served as a student government senator. Recently, he worked for a year as an English Language Learner (ELL) substitute in his local Title I school, where he learned more about systemic educational inequities and how they affected his students. His political and educational experiences have developed a specific interest in how public policy affects language-speaking minorities. After graduation, he plans to earn his educational certification and attend graduate school.
Catherine Washington | UT El Paso Office of U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16) Catherine Washington is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso double majoring in English and American literature and philosophy with a minor in political science. On campus, she recently finished her term as a senator at-large, where she served as chair of sustainability, co-chair of the Student Application Review Committee, and general and special election advisor. Off-campus, she interned with the El Paso Municipal Court’s Teen Court and Juvenile Case Management program, mentored early college students in legal competitions, and simultaneously held a full-time job in food service. After graduation, Washington plans to pursue law school as well as a Master of Law degree in international human rights, which will enable her to focus on ethical issues globally.
Amel Weaver | UT Austin U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor Amel Weaver is a first-generation college student at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in sociology with a minor in business. Weaver's experience encompasses federal and state civil service. Recently, she completed an education and labor policy internship with Texas American Federation of Teachers. She has also interned for Texas State Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) in the Houston District Office and with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Weaver has also done a great deal of on-campus work supporting marginalizing populations through the Multicultural Engagement Center–Afrikan American Affairs and Texas Orange Jackets. She is passionate about a variety of policy matters and, most importantly, fighting for racial equity. She plans to pursue a joint degree in law with a master's degree in public policy or social work.