Spring 2015 Archer Fellows
Kelsey Aubrey | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Education Kelsey Aubrey is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Plan II Honors and rhetoric and writing. While at UT Austin, Kelsey interned with State Senator Eddie Lucio, cycled from Austin to Alaska as a member of the 2013 Texas 4000 team, and mentored students at KIPP: Austin Public Schools. Kelsey will intern with the Chief of Staff’s team in the Department of Education this spring. After her semester as an Archer Fellow, Kelsey will continue to pursue her interest in education as a Teach For America corps member teaching secondary English in Washington, D.C. 
Shantanu Banerjee | UT Austin
U.S. Department of the Treasury Shantanu studies economics and government at The University of Texas at Austin. While working full time for the U.S. Treasury, he will also be working part time for the Department of State. His interests concern entitlement programs such as Medicare/Medicaid as well as the rise of China, and what it means for the U.S. To better understand this question he spent last summer studying abroad in Beijing. He is also a rider for the Texas 4000 team. In 2016, after raising money for research he will bike 4500 miles from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK to promote seeking a cure for cancer. 
Beau Baumann | UT Austin
Office of the Speaker of the House Beau Baumann is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin studying government, with a particular interest in law and Congress. Beau has held multiple internships, most recently with the Office of Congressman Michael McCaul. He’s held leadership positions with the Texas Kappa Chapter of Phi Delta Theta and the Interfraternity Council. Having excelled academically, Beau has received Dean’s List honors multiple semesters. After graduating, Beau plans to pursue degrees in law and public policy. He will be interning in the Office of Speaker John Boehner and looks forward to gaining the professional experience afforded him by his internship. 
Marlee Burns | UT Austin
The White House, The White House Fellows Office Marlee Burns is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin and is majoring in Plan II Honors, international relations and Middle Eastern studies. She is interested in Turkish studies, and speaks Turkish. Additionally, in her spare time she is passionate about education reform and education issues. She runs a mentoring program at KIPP Austin, and tutors with Austin Partners in Education. Before becoming an Archer Fellow, she spent the summer in Turkey with a critical language scholarship, and taught with Breakthrough Austin. Marlee would like to pursue a career in international education. 
Christine DeMyers | UT San Antonio
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Christine DeMyers is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, pursuing a degree in anthropology. She is interested in anthropological research that can positively influence environmental justice. At UTSA, she has served as the President of the student organization Roadrunners for Renewable Resources, Vice Chair of the Green Fund Committee, and is currently the campus representative for the Clinton Global Initiative University. This past summer, Christine participated in a research project on climate change and food security at the Smithsonian Institution. This spring, she will intern at the Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research program. 
Robby Dube | UT Dallas
U.S. House Judiciary Committee Robert Dube is a junior majoring in historical studies and political science at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is a member of the Collegium V Honors College, as well as a former officer of the Chi Phi Fraternity and the founder of several on campus organizations. Beyond UT Dallas, Robert has worked on the political campaign of Greg Abbott, spent his summers counseling kids at Camp Lone Star, and plans to pursue a career in law and politics. Robert will be interning with the House Judiciary Committee this spring. 
Marisa Durham | UT Dallas
EMILY's List Marisa Durham is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas pursuing her bachelor’s in political science. She has worked with various organizations like the Texas College Democrats, College Democrats of America and served as the President of the UTD Democrats. Recently, she worked as an intern for the Wendy Davis campaign and a field organizer for a local state representative campaign. This semester, she also served as a research assistant for a project on asylum and immigration. During the spring semester she will intern at EMILY’s List, and hopes to progress the amount of women active in politics. 
Heather Dyer | UT Austin
The White House, Office of the Vice President Heather Dyer is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in government. Heather worked for Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte for two years where she focused on political communications, public education, and expanding Van de Putte’s social media presence. She was the Senate Representative for the Moody College of Communication and concentrated on improving the academic lives of students at UT Austin. Heather plans on attending law school after graduation in May and hopes to one day run for public office. 
Blake Eaton | UT Dallas
Supreme Court of the United States Blake Eaton is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science. He is a member of the John Marshall Pre-Law Society and has competed at the national level on the UT Dallas Moot Court team. Blake is passionate about criminal justice policy and has interned with the San Diego Office of the Alternate Public Defender and the Innocence Project of Texas. On campus, Blake also works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, helping students to succeed in historically difficult courses and used to serve as a staff writer for the UT Dallas website. 
Mariam El-Rayes | UT Arlington
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mariam El-Rayes is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington studying political science and sociology. Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, painting, and exploring new places around the world. Mariam also enjoys long conversations about politics, history, human rights, and astronomy. 
Sarah Gibbens | UT San Antonio
The Podesta Group Sarah Gibbens is an honors student at The University of Texas at San Antonio studying English and political science. She is the Editor-in-Chief for UTSA’s independent student newspaper, The Paisano, and an intern for local San Antonio online paper, The Rivard Report. Gibbens has also been active in local politics as the UTSA Young Democrats Vice President, Bexar County Young Democrats Secretary as well as a volunteer with numerous local campaigns. When not working, she enjoys creative writing, and her favorite author is Sandra Cisneros. 
Daniel Grube | UT Austin
Center for American Progress Daniel Grube is a fourth year Plan II Honors and government major with a minor in Arabic at The University of Texas at Austin. Daniel’s interests lie in multilateral affairs and security, which he had the chance to study in Germany and the Western Balkans. On campus, Daniel is involved in numerous organizations including Model United Nations, the A Cappella group: The Ransom Notes, and the Tejas Club, serving as the Vice President this past semester. This spring, Daniel will be interning for the Center for American Progress in the National Security program focusing on the Middle East. 
Evelyn Head | UT San Antonio
Al Arabiya News Evelyn Head is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in communication and minoring in film studies. At UTSA, Evelyn is an active member of the Rising Roadrunners, an organization that assists the undergraduate admissions office at UTSA. With an interest in news media, Evelyn has interned for KSAT 12 News, a local TV station in San Antonio, as well as the UT Health Science Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences as a communication intern. Upon graduation in May 2015, Evelyn will pursue a career in broadcast journalism. 
Alfredo Hickman | UT San Antonio
Center for Strategic and International Studies Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, Alfredo Hickman graduated from Tom C. Clark High School in 2003, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his time in the Marine Corps, Alfredo deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After being honorably discharged from active duty in 2007, Alfredo returned to San Antonio and worked as a Defense Department contractor. In 2012, Alfredo deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2013, Alfredo returned to San Antonio and re-enrolled at The University of Texas at San Antonio where he is majoring in Political Science. 
Suchi Jhaveri | UT Pan American
U.S. Agency for International Development Shuchita Jhaveri is a graduating senior at The University of Texas - Pan American with a double major in pre-med biology and English, and a double minor in chemistry and honors studies. Ultimately, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts. In high school, Shuchita was conditionally accepted to Baylor College of Medicine where she will begin her medical degree in July. Additionally, Shuchita has three years of research experience, defended her undergraduate honors thesis in medicinal biochemistry, and studied abroad in four countries. Through her internship, she hopes to learn about healthcare policy and advocacy. 
Shalaka Joshi | UT Austin
American Enterprise Institute Shalaka Joshi is a junior in The University of Texas at Austin’s Plan II Honors Program who is studying government. Having lived abroad and travelled over the years, Shalaka is interested in foreign policy. Shalaka plans to go to graduate school to study public policy and international relations after finishing her undergraduate education at UT Austin. Shalaka has interned for a Texas State Senator and for the nationally recognized non-profit Project Vote Smart in the past. Shalaka is a classically trained singer who performs in her hometown and at UT Austin with Hum A Cappella, the university’s premier South Asian a cappella team. 
Patrick Kelly | UT Arlington
Akin Gump, LLP Patrick is a senior majoring in political science and minoring in economics at The University of Texas at Arlington. He has previously interned with the City of Arlington’s Office of the Mayor and is extremely active in leadership roles on campus including Vice President of the Student Body, Parliamentarian of Student Congress and Sergeant-at-Arms for his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He is very interested in pursuing both law and public service and is looking forward to learning more about various policy areas through his internship with one of the nation’s preeminent law firms, Akin Gump. 
Curtlyn Kramer | UT Dallas
The Brookings Institution Curtlyn Kramer is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in public affairs. Curtlyn is a National Merit Scholar and member of the Collegium V Honors Program as well as Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society. During her time at the UT Dallas, Curtlyn has interned with Care Highway International, Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as working as a volunteer grant writer for the Center for STEM Education and Research. After her internship at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Effective Public Management, she hopes to continue her career in D.C. 
Daniel Liaou | UT Austin
Center for American Progress Daniel Liaou is a third-year Health Science Scholar studying biology at The University of Texas at Austin. He is particularly interested in health policy and exploring ideas concerning how healthcare can be more accessibly, efficiently, and sustainably delivered. Daniel has explored healthcare through biomedical research at UT Austin and the NIEHS, as well as helping enroll individuals on the insurance marketplace with Insure Central Texas. He has also researched the Affordable Care Act implementation in Texas through the Center for Health and Social Policy. In the spring of 2015, Daniel will be interning with the Health Policy Team at the Center for American Progress. 
Liza Liberman | UT Dallas
Supreme Court of the United States Liza Liberman is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science and minoring in criminology. At UT Dallas, Liza has served as Student Government President and Political Science Club President. She has also been actively involved in the community by volunteering with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and interning at the Dallas County Public Defender's Office. Upon graduation in May 2015, Liza plans to attend law school. |
Courtney May | UT Austin
Lewis-Burke Associates Courtney May is a third year student at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors and government, as well as minoring in business and violin performance. In addition to her studies, Courtney has served on her university’s Student Government, completed the Texas Governor’s Fellowship Program, and remains active in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. She is particularly passionate about foreign policy, having spent the summer studying U.S.-China relations in Beijing, and education. Courtney is excited to intern with Lewis-Burke Associates this spring and plans to pursue a law degree following graduation. 
Michael McGraw | UT Austin
American Enterprise Institute Michael McGraw is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in marketing and Business Honors. He has previously interned at Texas Instruments in Dallas as a marketing associate and served as an Orientation Advisor in Austin. On campus, he works as a photographer for The Daily Texan. After graduation, he will pursue a career in marketing and data analysis. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, watching sports, and trying new restaurants with friends. This spring he will work at the American Enterprise Institute in online communications. 
Guy McGunegle | UT El Paso
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Guy McGunegle is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso studying political science. He has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in the courtroom through the UTEP LSPI Program and has interned with the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid Society. Guy has held offices as a Senator-at-Large for the UTEP Student Government Association, a Vice-President for Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and other leadership positions. As a native El Pasoan, he enjoys watching television, socializing with friends, and reading nonfiction. Upon graduation, he hopes to attend law school. 
Emily Niewiarowski | UT Dallas
The White House, Council of Economic Advisors Emily Niewiarowski is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in neuroscience and minoring in political science. She is a Eugene McDermott Scholar and a member of the Collegium V Honors Program. On campus, Emily is a Student Ambassador and an active member of Delta Delta Delta, having served as both Academic Chair and Correspondence Chair. This past summer, she interned at Texas Scottish Right Hospital for Children in the Movement Science Lab and volunteered as a camp counselor at Camp Summit. After graduation, Emily plans to pursue degrees in medicine and public health. 
Alexandra Noll | UT Dallas
U.S. State Department, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement Alexandra “Alex” Noll is a junior majoring in political science at The University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Terry Scholar and a member of the Collegium V Honors Program. She is an active participant in the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, and served as Vice President during the 2013-2014 year. She has volunteered with the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty since 2012, and has interned with the Innocence Project of Texas. She has competed with UTD’s mock trial and moot court teams, and has earned several individual performance awards. She plans to attend law school after graduation. 
Mashal Noor | UT Dallas
The White House, Office of Digital Strategy Mashal Noor is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in emerging media and communication, while also pursuing minor in Political Science and Visual Arts. She is a Eugene McDermott Scholar and a member of the Collegium V Honors Program. Her interests include media journalism, video production, social media marketing, and photography. She works in the Office of the President as a Student Ambassador and has served as an officer for the Muslim Students Association at UTD. Mashal loves to travel all over the world and can’t wait to spend a semester in Washington, D.C. 
Max Patterson | UT Austin
Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) Max is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in history. During the Fall 2014 semester, he served as President of the University Democrats, director of Hook the Vote, and registered the most new voters in Travis County of all voter deputy registrars. While at UT Austin he worked on a number of local, state, and federal campaigns, including Congressman Lloyd Doggett and State Representative Celia Israel’s re-election campaigns and the “Keep Austin Affordable” housing bond campaign. 
Luis Carlos Perez | UT Pan American
Representative Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) Luis Carlos Perez is a senior at The University of Texas - Pan American and will graduate with honors, attaining a double major in finance and biology. He will begin medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in July 2015 and is interested in being politically active while practicing medicine. Luis has studied abroad for three terms and has interests ranging from playing instruments and cooking culturally diverse foods to financially advising family and friends. He has conducted biochemistry research for three years and has served on the Student Health Advisory Board, the Honors Council, and the Cost of Education Committee. 
Curtis Powell | UT San Antonio
Curtis Powell is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in economics. Curtis is pursuing Highest Honors and Leadership Honors through UTSA's Honors College. Curtis has conducted research on intergenerational mobility through his honors thesis, and is a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow, participating in the fellowship at The University of Michigan. 
Shruthi Prabhu | UT Austin
IMGE Shruthi Prabhu is a second-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors with a double concentration in microbiology and infectious diseases and government. A student with worldly interests, she has provided her services from campaigns in Austin all the way to charity hospitals in India. She is also fluent in Tamil and English, proficient in French, competent in Hindi, and learning Korean and Italian. She plans on pursuing a law degree after graduation and hopes to one day work for a private practice, serving the community internationally. She is looking forward to interning with IMGE, a digital political and corporate consulting firm. 
Aaryaman Singhal | UT Austin
World Resources Institute Aaryaman is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin studying in the Plan II and Business Honors programs with a concentration in information systems. He enjoys big picture thinking and plays on TUFF, UT Austin's ultimate team. Aaryaman also mentors freshmen interested in doing research and serves as a research assistant himself. A lover of ideas and creative ways to generate positive social change, Aaryaman is researching social entrepreneurship for his senior thesis. After graduation, Aaryaman plans to get a Ph.D. or begin a career working on environmental issues. 
Tonye Somiari | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of State Tonye is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science. Her past internship experience involved working at the Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law’s 50th Academy for American and International Law. Her love for people and new cultures has driven her to pursue a degree and a career in human resources in Germany upon graduation in 2017. On campus, she is involved in Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, and Delta Zeta Sorority. She is looking forward to spending a semester learning, growing, and interning in Washington, D.C. 
Rachel Sullivan | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Education Rachel Sullivan is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations and global studies. Throughout her time as an undergraduate student, she has interned in the offices of the Travis County Democratic Party, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, and Susan G. Komen. She has served as a delegate to the 2012 Texas Democratic Convention and as Vice President of her campus’s chapter of Amnesty International. As an Archer Fellow, she will intern with the Department of Education in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs. 
Ali Tejani | UT Dallas
CBS Ali Tejani is a third-year Eugene McDermott Scholar majoring in biology at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). Although Ali is a pre-medical student, he has diverse interests in policy science, journalism, video production, and photography. He has interned at the American Heart Association as an advocacy intern, and conducted research with carbon nanotubes at UTD. On campus, Ali served as the Communications Chairman in Student Government, news anchor for UTDallas TV, and Student Ambassador for alumni relations. Ali hopes to pursue a career that combines his interests in medicine, media, and policy. 
Christine Varghese | UT Dallas
U.S. Agency for International Development Christine Varghese is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in political science. She previously served as president of International Justice Mission at UT Dallas, a reporter and anchor for UTD TV, and a mentor for high school students through the Home Builders Institute C-CORE program. She has also worked as a research assistant for a pilot project on the UN CEDAW treaties and has pursued her interest in human rights through internships in Ireland and India. In her free time, Christine enjoys participating in musical theater and volunteering at Mosaic House, a local shelter. 
Noor Wadi | UT Dallas
American Bar Association Noor Wadi is a pre-law senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in interdisciplinary studies. At UTD, she immersed herself in student organizations, serving as president of Students for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Student Association, among other organizations. She pursued her passion for defending civil rights as a student of the Innocence Project of Texas, where she worked with IPOT lawyers to build cases for the wrongfully convicted and give a voice to those who lack representation. She is excited to be continuing the work of securing proper inmate representation interning with the American Bar Association Death Penalty Representation Project. 
Terry Wellington | UT Austin
U.S. Department of State Terry Wellington is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Plan II Honors with a certificate in international conflict. She is interested in researching policies and initiatives that can strengthen U.S.-Russian relations. Terry has studied Russian language at the International University in Moscow and interned at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica. On campus, Terry is a Rapoport Scholar, a member of Texas Orange Jackets, and works as a peer advisor. 
Kelsea Wilkerson | UT Austin
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Kelsea Wilkerson is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in African and African diaspora studies. During the fall semester, Kelsea got her first taste of the political world by interning at Texas House of Representatives Speaker Joe Straus’s office. At UT Austin she is an active member in the pre-law division of the National Black Law Students Association and in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Kelsea is interning with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and will be placed in the office of a U.S. Senator. After graduation, Kelsea will attend law school. 
Kenton Wilson | UT Austin
Marathon Oil A double major in philosophy and government, Kenton Wilson is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin. During his time on campus, he has actively engaged the community as a member of the Tejas Club, Texas Cowboys, and Student Government. He is excited to experience Washington this spring as an intern for the Governmental Relations department of Marathon Oil. Kenton has also previously spent time interning with Vinson & Elkins and State Representative Cecil Bell, Jr. While not preparing for law school, Kenton can be found reading up on anything and everything happening in the world of sports. 
Lucy Zhang | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Lucy Zhang is a graduating senior at The University of Texas at Austin studying public health with a concentration in biostatistics and public health informatics. She has previously interned at the Texas Department of State Health Services, with Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini, and as a 10th grade summer teacher with Breakthrough Austin. Lucy has a strong interest in health policy and will be interning at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Pandemics and Emerging Threats. |
