Spring 2011 Archer Fellows
Ty Andrews | UT Dallas
Ty Andrews, a junior studying political science at The University of Texas at Dallas, is president-elect Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. He is also Vice President of the John Marshall Pre-Law Society and works as a bankruptcy case manager at The Law Offices of Coats and Todd. Ty contributes to the Innocence Project of Texas, helping wrongly convicted inmates get a second chance. In D.C., he will be working on the Death Penalty Moratorium Implementation Project with the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities. Ty enjoys reading political philosophy in his free time and is an avid juggler. Ty intends to pursue a law degree upon completion of his bachelors. 
Alison-Leigh Beatty | UT Dallas
Alison Beatty is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, where she majors in International Political Economy. She studied abroad for a year in Germany and her dedication to the language flourishes on campus, where she is president of The German Club. With at least working proficiency in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese, she plans to use her linguistic talents assisting with foreign affairs and international relations. She is thrilled to continue her studies in Washington, D.C. Alison developed and continues to run an on-campus recycling program that has diverted hundreds of pounds of reusable material from landfills. Alison is interning at the U.S. Department of State. 
Lindsay Bernsen | UT Dallas
Lindsay Bernsen is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in International Political Economy. During the fall of 2010, she studied China and Southeast Asia in Hong Kong. She gleaned policy experience through campaign and congressional internships with U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX03) and employed applied advocacy as a Mock Trial attorney, student opinion publication Ombudsman, and Model U.N. delegate. Lindsay assisted Dr. Lloyd J. Dumas with his research on fallibility and dangerous technology and has earned her rent money judging debate tournaments, instructing a children’s technology camp, and leading tram tours at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. As a member of Sustenants, a sustainable development club, she helped organize Texas Recycles Day. After graduate school, she plans to craft and analyze international development and technology policy. This spring, Lindsay is interning at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. 
Amy Bingham | UT Austin
Amy Bingham is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin studying journalism and government. She was the campus beat reporter for The Daily Texan where she covered everything from UT’s environmental initiatives to Student Government scandals. After writing for the Texan, Amy represented her fellow journalism student in the Communication Council. She was the Administrative Director for Net Impact, an organization that promotes sustainable business practices and green initiatives around the community. During the spring of 2010 Amy studied European politics in Seville, Spain where she fell in love with Spanish gardens and napolitanas. 
Laura Bloomer | UT Austin
Laura Bloomer is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government and Spanish/Hispanic Studies. During the first two years at UT, she interned for State Representative Donna Howard, eventually taking a semester off to work full-time during the 81st legislative session. Last year, she led four after-school Girl Scout troops at a low-income elementary school, and she has served as a reading mentor for two groups of 6th graders through programs with Austin Partners in Education. Additionally, Laura studied abroad in Spain and Argentina. After graduation she plans to become a Peace Corps volunteer, hopefully teaching English in sub-Saharan Africa. Her long-term goal is to help eliminate the disparity in educational opportunity that exists in the United States. 
Heba Dafashy | UT Austin
Heba Dafashy is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in the Plan II Honor Program with an interdisciplinary concentration in Human Rights and Social Justice. Serving as Co-president to the Amnesty International UT chapter, Heba has worked on various initiatives to raise awareness on human rights issues on campus. She has also been an active member in other campus organizations such as the Senate of College Councils, Texas Lonestars and the Coptic Students of Texas. With an interest in law and public policy, Heba has completed internships with the Law Office of Sophia Mafrige and also with United States Congressman Pete Olson. Her passion for public service and humanitarian development was instilled after traveling on a summer Coptic Mission trip to Nigeria in 2010. Upon graduating from UT, Heba plans to pursue a career in human rights and international development. 
Mikson Ehimika | UT Pan American
Miki Ehimika is a senior political science major at the University of Texas Pan American. During his time on campus, he has served as the President of the department's Political Science Association and also undertook various officer duties in the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor society, UTPA's Club Soccer team, and Students for Peace. With a strong interest in policy advocacy, Miki organized voter education drives as a student committee member of the Civic Engagement Group and has visited the Texas Legislature to advocate for increased graduate school funding for the UT System. Following his internship in Washington, Miki plans to obtain his J.D, which he believes will aid him in his aspiration to become a public servant at both the state and local level. 
Omar Ellaboudy | UT Austin
A senior at the University of Texas at Austin, Omar Ellaboudy is majoring in Government and Middle Eastern studies while pursing a certificate in the Business Foundations Program. He has lived abroad on stints in Cairo, Egypt and more recently Jubail, Saudi Arabia where he interned during the summer of 2009 with Jubail Zen Tech, a trading company involved in the sale of petro chemicals. Omar was an integral part of a senatorial campaign as a fellow for former Texas Comptroller John Sharp while also working with Stanley-Garrison & Associates, a political consulting firm based in Austin. During his time at UT, he has been active on campus and in the community as a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national political science honors fraternity, and Gamma Beta Phi, a national honor and service organization. His interests lie in the field of foreign policy as it pertains to the geo-political nature of the Middle East. 
Allison Finder | UT San Antonio
As a member of the Honors College at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Allison is a senior majoring in Communication with an emphasis in social interaction and a minor in Business Administration. Throughout her academic career, Allison has been actively involved on campus serving as an executive board member for the Public Relations Student Society of America and as a student committee leader for UTSA’s Quality Enhancement Plan. She has also served as the Director of Unity PR, UTSA’s premier student-run public relations firm, assisting local non-profit organizations with their public relations efforts. Allison has also worked as a supplemental instruction leader for UTSA’s Department of Economics and has helped organize civic engagement initiatives to aid the San Antonio Food Bank. 
Stevin George | UT Dallas
Stevin George is a junior majoring in Political Science at the University of Texas at Dallas, a member of the Collegium V honors society, and a lifelong disciple of U2. He has been listed among the Top Ten State Speakers by the Texas Undergraduate Moot Court Association, interned with the U.S. District Court for Northern Texas and the campaign of State Representative Robert J. Miklos, directed a Pulp Fiction remake, and extensively studied Unitary Executive Theory. He founded Onomatopoeia, a student-run improv society modeled off Improv Everywhere. He donates one Sunday monthly to service at an inner-city homeless shelter. Stevin is interested in the intellectual nexus between constitutionalism and self-identity and plans to pursue law school after graduation. 
Lynda Gonzalez | UT Austin
Lynda Gonzalez is a journalism student in her third year at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, she is an International Studies student in the Bridging Disciplines program focusing on human rights and cultures. She has a background in serving the Latino community on campus, in Austin, and in her home town of Kerrville, Texas. An officer on the boards of Longhorn League of United Latin American Citizens and UT Hispanic Journalists, Lynda documents and participates in numerous civil rights and community service events. She helped co-found two organizations in Kerrville that aim to educate Latino parents to help prevent juvenile delinquency. During her summers, Lynda works as the Waterfront Activity Leader and Head Lifeguard at Texas Lions Camp for disabled children. 
Pardeis Heidari | UT San Antonio
Pardeis Heidari is a senior at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is currently majoring in Political Science and minoring in Legal Studies and Mathematics. During her time at UTSA, she spearheaded the Green Fund which will generate nearly one million dollars in funds for sustainability efforts. She also served as president of Mu Alpha Tau and Academic Affairs Chair in the Student Government Association. She is currently working on finishing her thesis entitled "Political Participation and the Crisis Voter" and upon graduation plans on attending law school and will intern at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. 
Aya Hosch | UT Arlington
Aya Hosch is a junior at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Philosophy and Linguistics. Her academic interests lie in foreign policy and international development. Aya is a Liberal Arts Senator in UTA's Student Congress and a past Public Relations Officer at the Honors College Society. Aya has interned with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson where she has conducted research for Congressional staff on business disparities and urban transportation. In 2008, Aya was an active volunteer in the Obama presidential campaign conducting Latino, Youth and Faith outreach. Aya has worked on campus as a History, English and Political Science tutor and as an environmental advocate for a non profit organization. Aya enjoys learning about different cultures and has traveled extensively in the Middle East, Europe and South America and will be interning at American Abroad Media. 
Zaib Khan | UT Austin
Zaib Khan is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin. Along with a degree in Biology, she is also completing an interdisciplinary certificate in Social Inequalities, Health and Policy. Through her BDP program, she designed and completed an independent study focusing on the sources and effects of disparities in health care among different races in the United States. To learn more about the health field, she has also interned with Seton Family of Hospitals in Medical Ethics. As part of UT’s “Health Care in Mexico” program, Zaib has studied abroad and interned at Hospital Civil in Guadalajara, Guadalajara. On campus, Zaib has been an active member of Muslim Students Association and Habitat for Humanity. To continue to build her experience and learn more about the intricacies of health care, Zaib will be interning with the Alliance for Health Reform in Washington, D.C. 
Jennifer Killingley | UT Tyler
Jennifer is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler. She is majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Relations and is a member of the political science honor society Phi Sigma Alpha. During her undergraduate career, she has participated in the National Collegiate Model United Nations conference in New York City as a member of the UNICEF council. She has also enjoyed being a part of the student tour group VIP and serving as a new student orientation leader. In addition to her work experience, she has pursued her interests in community service and education by volunteering at the Literacy Council of East Texas as a tutor. Jennifer is interning at the Department of Education. 
Katie Kinder | UT Austin
Katie Kinder is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Anthropology. She is also pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate in International Studies through the Bridging Disciplines Program. While in Austin, Katie has held several internships including working for Texas State Representative Patrick M. Rose and Rylo Consulting, a political consulting firm. She was also a volunteer with the Bill White for Governor Campaign. During the summers, Katie interned with an international metal recycling company and traveled internationally representing the company’s business interests. Katie is an active member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity, and is currently serving the fraternity as Parliamentarian. While in Washington, D.C., Katie will intern with Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX). |
Emily Lichtenheld | UT Dallas
Emily Lichtenheld is in her third-year at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is seeking a degree in Economics as well as a degree in International Political Economy with a focus on Latin American studies and a minor in Political Science. At UT Dallas Emily serves as a Student Ambassador to the President’s Office and in the 2009-2010 school year she was the Academic Affairs Chair of Student Government. Emily has studied abroad in Argentina, where she participated in an immersion program, and Peru, where she conducted independent research. Emily is also highly active in the Dallas community where she volunteers regularly and serves as an intern at the Human Rights Initiative. Emily is interning at the White House in the Office of Cabinet Affairs. 
Taylor Lustig | UT Austin
A junior at the University of Texas at Austin, Taylor Lustig is double majoring in Government and Psychology with a certificate in Business Foundations. She spent her past summer living in Cambodia where she volunteered at a children’s school and studied history, culture, and the nature of the country’s developing government. As an active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, she serves on the executive board and as the philanthropy chair. Taylor’s passion for social justice work has led her to intern this spring at Half in Ten with the Center for American Progress, an anti-poverty campaign to cut U.S. poverty in half in ten years. 
Melissa Macaya | UT Austin
Melissa Macaya is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Latin American Studies Honors and Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Government and working towards a BDP in International Studies. After moving from Venezuela to the United States in 2004 due to the political turmoil, she discovered her passion for journalism and Latin American affairs. At UT, Melissa serves as the Spanish editor of the Student Journal of Latin American Studies and has interned at the Teresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies and at two online publications one of which included the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. She has taken active leadership roles on campus spearheading volunteer activities for the Latino community as Vice-President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and organizing a mentorship program as Vice-President of the UT National Association of Hispanic Journalists Chapter. While in D.C., Melissa will intern at the Washington Office on Latin Affairs (WOLA) and CNN Espanol. 
Ana Martinez | UT El Paso
Ana Martinez is a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso, double majoring in Political Science and English Literature. While at the University of Texas at El Paso, Ana has been involved in numerous organizations, including being a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, selected Student Ambassador for the university, and Senator–at–Large for Student Government Association. This year will mark Ana’s second year as an elected Senator-at–Large for the Student Government Association. Ana has also worked for the El Paso Independent School District as second grade tutor and with the El Paso City Council as a legislative assistant to City Council Representative Robert O’Rourke. 
Daniella Martinez | UT Austin
A senior at The University of Texas at Austin, Daniella is majoring in Advertising and has received her Business Foundations Certificate. While at UT, Daniella has served on the Executive Boards of The Senate of College Councils and her own college's council, Communication Council. Her work in these organizations is primarily focused on representing the student voice in academic affairs on campus. She is also a member of Orange Jackets, a female organization where members serve as the official hosts of UT. Off campus, Daniella has interned at a law firm and at the Texas State Capitol and will intern at the American Advertising Federation this spring. 
Jessica Mendez | UT San Antonio
Jessica Mendez, a senior at UTSA, transferred from the Alamo Community College District. An Interdisciplinary Studies Major with Minors in Political Science and Legal Studies, Jessica is currently working on a thesis examining litigation loses and education reform. She received the Ray Coleman Jr. Award of Excellence upon completion of UTSA’s Institute for Law and Public Affairs’ Summer Law School Preparation Academy. She is a member of UTSA’s nationally top-ranking policy debate team and a founding member of UTSA’s Multi-Campus Labor Student Syndicate. She hopes to attend law school in the Fall of 2012 and work in policy reform on issues regarding civil rights and social justice. 
Alex Mendiola | UT Pan American
Mario “Alex” Mendiola is a senior pursuing his degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Texas-Pan American. Alex has served as President of the Students for Peace organization and Social Chair of the Pre-Law Society. He has also participated in legal-based study programs such as the Law School Preparation Institute and the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholar program at the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock, Arkansas. Alex has interned with Texas Rural Legal Aid and worked for Target, Power Pro Construction Company, and Re-max. He also volunteers for the Salvation Army, frequently traveling to Mexico to provide food and perform music for children in orphanages. Alex plans to continue his education in law school with a special interest in property/real estate. 
Elizabeth Organ | UT Dallas
Elizabeth Organ is a junior at the University of Texas at Dallas working towards a Bachelors of Science in Economics and minors in Political Science and Finance. She is a Eugene McDermott Scholar, a member of the Collegium V honor society, and a leader and participant in various organizations on campus, including A Modest Proposal (the student opinion publication), Model United Nations, and Student Ambassadors (which works with the office of the president to host events for both alumni and students). She has studied abroad in Brazil for a semester and Argentina for a month. She also interned for a political campaign consulting firm, the Magnolia Group, during her first two years at UT Dallas. 
Andrew Previc | UT Dallas
Andrew Previc is a sophomore at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science. In addition to his classes, Andrew is a research assistant at the Urban Policy Center and a volunteer for Representative Carol Kent in House District 102. On campus, Andrew serves as the chair of the sustainability committee on student government and works to bring eco-friendly ideas and projects to campus. He is a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and also writes for the student opinion newspaper. Andrew spent the past summer in Buenos Aires where he studied Spanish and human rights. He is also studying Chinese and hopes to travel to China the summer before his senior year. 
Mireya Ramirez | UT Permian Basin
Mireya Ramirez is a senior at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin pursuing a degree in both Political Science and Psychology. Mireya served as president of the university’s chapter of the Texas College Democrats during her junior year and has worked on various political campaigns throughout her college career. Mireya is currently the president of the Psi-Chi International Psychology Honor Society and the UTPB psychology club. She is currently working on a senior psychology research project studying hate crimes, bias, and prejudice against Muslim-Americans. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and focus on international law and human rights. 
Charlie Saginaw | UT Austin
In May, Charlie Saginaw will graduate with Liberal Arts Honors in history and a minor in government from the University of Texas at Austin. As editorial columnists for the Daily Texan, he writes opinion pieces on local political, civil rights and environmental issues, circulating in over 25,000 printed copies. Through an undergraduate research apprenticeship, Charlie worked with Professor Laurie Green, Fellow at the Princeton Institute of Advanced Studies, where he contributed archival research to the first study of campaigns in the U.S. against hunger malnutrition and infant mortality. In 2009 he studied World War II in Europe as a Normandy Scholar. In the following two semesters he volunteered as a Business Development committee member of the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000, the longest annual charity bike ride in the world, and cycled from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK in the summer of 2010. 
Elaine Sedenberg | UT Austin
Elaine Sedenberg is a native Texan from Austin pursuing an Honors Biochemistry degree from the University of Texas at Austin. During her time as an undergraduate Elaine completed a thesis in synthetic organic chemistry and was an author on two publications. During her undergraduate career Elaine studied abroad in both Vienna, Austria and Oxford, England and completed research abroad in Strasbourg, France. This past summer she worked with a non-profit and traveled to rural Turkey for an agricultural project. She discovered her passion for science and technology policy while working at the UT Office of Technology Commercialization and was a Tisdale Fellow this past summer in Washington D.C working for the Technology CEO Council. During her free time Elaine enjoys relaxing with her fellow Orange Jackets, reading non-fiction, and trying new things. Elaine is interning at the Center for American Progress. 
Katherine Taylor | UT Austin
Katherine Taylor is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Plan II Honors and Rhetoric and Writing. She has shown her passion for politics through her internships with a lobbyist group, congressman, and political consulting firm. She also has a special interest in writing and communications exhibited by her internship as a communications assistant at Renee Trudeau and Associates and her role as a freelance writer at The Daily Texan. Katherine is most interested in utilizing writing as a tool to promote the welfare and rights of others, which she has done so far by writing grants for local non-profits supporting mental illness and liberation from domestic violence. After graduating, she hopes to earn her law degree and Master's in Public Policy so that she can work toward advocating for the rights of others. 
Christian Torres-Lopez | UT Arlington
Christian Torres-Lopez is a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. As an undergraduate, Christian has performed research on a variety of topics ranging from International Financial Reporting Standards to the economics of religion. He was named a McNair Scholar in 2010, and his research was featured at the 2010 National McNair Conference in Wisconsin. Christian is also a member of the Honors College and has served as the Honors Senator in UTA’s Student Congress. He has also interned at multiple organizations including the City of Arlington, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex. Upon graduation, Christian intends to continue his studies and pursue a Ph.D. in economics. 
Lorena Tule | UT Austin
Lorena Tule is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Government and Hispanic Studies. She is pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate in Ethics and Leadership with a focus on social justice through the Bridging Disciplines Program. She is currently and activist and lobbyist for the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM act), a bill that would help undocumented students gain a path to legalization. She is the founder of Cambiando Tu Futuro (Changing your Future), an organization that mentors and trains students and their families about their legal rights and provides information about education programs in their community. For the past six years she has served multiple positions at the local, state, and national level for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) civil rights organization. She will be interning with Excelencia a non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate higher education for Latino students. 
Amy Zainfeld | UT Austin
Amy Zainfeld is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin where she is majoring in Political Communications with a concentration in Government. She is also pursuing an interdisciplinary certificate in International Studies through the Bridging Disciplines Program. Throughout her sophomore and junior years at UT, she worked on various research projects concerning physical barriers on borders in the Middle East and Texas as a member of the TIGER lab (Terrorists, Insurgents, and Guerillas in Education and Research). She has been a part of College Young Life since her freshman year and because of her heart for student outreach, has been a volunteer Young Life leader at Cedar Park High School for over two years. While in Washington, D.C., Amy will intern for U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady. |
