Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Jacqueline DeAnda
Summer 2018 Archer Fellow
Internship: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Human Services Policy
Education
Boston College
B.A. in applied psychology and human development; May 2014
The University of Texas at Austin
M.A. in human development and family sciences; May 2018
The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. in human development and family sciences; July 2021
Career
Program specialist with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Summer 2018 Archer Fellow
Internship: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Human Services Policy
Education
Boston College
B.A. in applied psychology and human development; May 2014
The University of Texas at Austin
M.A. in human development and family sciences; May 2018
The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. in human development and family sciences; July 2021
Career
Program specialist with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission
"Both in the Fellowship Program and beyond, the Archer Center team remains committed to helping Fellows become and continue to be their best, most well-rounded, successful selves."
Q & A with Jacqueline
Please tell us more about your current position.
I recently began a position in prevention and behavioral health promotion with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. In this role, I use population-, state-, and district-level data to oversee and modify the state's substance misuse prevention programs and support its regional prevention resource centers. I use a range of methodological approaches (e.g., qualitative needs assessments, secondary data collection, etc.) to modify existing programs, develop new programs, and inform decision-making more broadly.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I served as a human services policy intern with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. I covered policy research in the areas of child support enforcement, family strengthening, and single parenthood more broadly. I conducted needs assessments and translated program and policy insights via policy briefs, memos, data visualizations, and presentations to diverse audiences.
What has been your general career path?
Since completing the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program in summer 2018, I have been committed to building a career around human services program and policy evaluation. My long-term goal was to conduct research for the federal or state government, so I am thrilled to have landed in this current role.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As a student in human development and family sciences, I had never received formal training in policy prior to the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program. The entire experience, including the academic coursework and internship experience, helped me to realize my passions for bridging the gaps between social science and policy. Following the Fellowship, I continued to forge a path in science and public policy by tailoring my academic coursework and professional experiences to align with these passions. I look forward to continuing this work in the future!
What did you value the most about your Graduate Archer Fellowship Program experience?
I truly value the Archer Center's mission in educating the next generation of leaders in public service and the team's dedication to it. The Archer Center team supports the Fellows personally, professionally, and academically throughout each step of the Fellowship. The academic instructors work to ensure that all students gain a foundational knowledge in politics, policy, and stakeholder engagement, while still encouraging students to transfer that knowledge to their specific passions and areas of interest. Both in the Fellowship and beyond, the team remains committed to helping Fellows become and continue to be their best, most well-rounded, successful selves.
What do you value the most about being an alumnae?
I most value the vast alumni network. The Archer Center team is always eager to facilitate introductions between alumni who might be able to help one another reach important goals in their career endeavors.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My favorite memory as an Archer Fellow is discussing my policy ideas with members of Congress. Dr. Chin, the Program's academic director, recognized the legislative potential of my (admittedly niche) capstone policy proposal and supported me in sharing those ideas with policymakers before departing Washington, D.C. Given her amazing connections and networking potential, Dr. Chin secured meetings with legislative staffers with only days' notice. I am thrilled to share that this proposal has since been drafted into legislation (S.3225- PARENTS Act of 2020) and recently passed in the Senate!
Please tell us more about your current position.
I recently began a position in prevention and behavioral health promotion with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. In this role, I use population-, state-, and district-level data to oversee and modify the state's substance misuse prevention programs and support its regional prevention resource centers. I use a range of methodological approaches (e.g., qualitative needs assessments, secondary data collection, etc.) to modify existing programs, develop new programs, and inform decision-making more broadly.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I served as a human services policy intern with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. I covered policy research in the areas of child support enforcement, family strengthening, and single parenthood more broadly. I conducted needs assessments and translated program and policy insights via policy briefs, memos, data visualizations, and presentations to diverse audiences.
What has been your general career path?
Since completing the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program in summer 2018, I have been committed to building a career around human services program and policy evaluation. My long-term goal was to conduct research for the federal or state government, so I am thrilled to have landed in this current role.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
As a student in human development and family sciences, I had never received formal training in policy prior to the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program. The entire experience, including the academic coursework and internship experience, helped me to realize my passions for bridging the gaps between social science and policy. Following the Fellowship, I continued to forge a path in science and public policy by tailoring my academic coursework and professional experiences to align with these passions. I look forward to continuing this work in the future!
What did you value the most about your Graduate Archer Fellowship Program experience?
I truly value the Archer Center's mission in educating the next generation of leaders in public service and the team's dedication to it. The Archer Center team supports the Fellows personally, professionally, and academically throughout each step of the Fellowship. The academic instructors work to ensure that all students gain a foundational knowledge in politics, policy, and stakeholder engagement, while still encouraging students to transfer that knowledge to their specific passions and areas of interest. Both in the Fellowship and beyond, the team remains committed to helping Fellows become and continue to be their best, most well-rounded, successful selves.
What do you value the most about being an alumnae?
I most value the vast alumni network. The Archer Center team is always eager to facilitate introductions between alumni who might be able to help one another reach important goals in their career endeavors.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My favorite memory as an Archer Fellow is discussing my policy ideas with members of Congress. Dr. Chin, the Program's academic director, recognized the legislative potential of my (admittedly niche) capstone policy proposal and supported me in sharing those ideas with policymakers before departing Washington, D.C. Given her amazing connections and networking potential, Dr. Chin secured meetings with legislative staffers with only days' notice. I am thrilled to share that this proposal has since been drafted into legislation (S.3225- PARENTS Act of 2020) and recently passed in the Senate!
