Spring 2022 Archer Fellows
Gaurav Agrawal | UT Austin
The John W. Kluge Center at the U.S. Library of Congress Gaurav Agrawal is a senior in the Liberal Arts Honors program at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in health and society with a minor in business and certificates in pre-health professions and Spanish for pre-health professions. Agrawal maintains diverse interests ranging from languages and music to scientific research and health law and policy. On campus, he was co-founder and co-president of Bee Kind, a non-profit devoted to serving the greater Austin community through community gardens. He has also presided over the UT Austin Liberal Arts Honors Music Ensemble. As part of his undergraduate thesis, Agrawal conducted legal research about the effects of utilization review procedures between HMOs and health insurance plans on health outcomes. Off campus, Agrawal has worked as a volunteer, medical assistant, and research assistant in a variety of settings such as memory care centers, pediatric clinics, and research labs. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in medicine and health advocacy. 
Miriam "Mimi" Aguirre| UT El Paso
Office of U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16) Miriam "Mimi"" Aguirre is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in organizational and corporate communication with a minor in general business. As a military child, Aguirre has lived in many different places, but El Paso has always been her home. This love for El Paso inspired Aguirre to uplift the UTEP and El Paso community by serving as president of the UTEP Student Alumni Association, a traffic court justice under the Student Government Association, and a peer leader working in freshman seminar courses. Aguirre also volunteers her time as a high school debate judge. After graduation, she intends to pursue law school. 
Temi Ajibola | UT Austin
Albright Stonebridge Group Temi Ajibola is a senior double majoring in international relations & global studies and government with a minor in French studies at The University of Texas at Austin. On campus, she is a Brumley NextGen Undergraduate Scholar, member of the Feminist Geography Collective, and served as associate director of campaigns for the Texas Undergraduate Research Journal. Ajibola is passionate about research, specifically in international crimes and foreign affairs in African countries. Off campus, she has interned at the Texas Public Employees Association and Texas Conference of Urban Counties where she researched social issues affecting Texan residents. After graduation, Ajibola hopes to pursue a dual degree in law and global policy and eventually become a law professor. 
Yahia Al-Qudah | UT Rio Grande Valley
Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development Yahia Al-Qudah is a junior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. On campus, Al-Qudah has been actively involved in the Student Government Association as a senator, chair of the senate, and most recently served as student vice president. He was also the vice president of voting for the Civic Engagement Alliance to increase voter registration and voter turnout in the Rio Grande Valley. As president for the American Medical Student Association, Al-Qudah worked to promote health advocacy and education, application enhancement for premedical students, and volunteering opportunities. He enjoys volunteering at Valley Baptist Medical Center and hosting engineering camps for upcoming high school students. Upon graduation, Al-Qudah plans to attend medical school and eventually establish a health advocacy think tank in the Rio Grande Valley. 
Sophia Andritsos | UT El Paso
U.S. Department of Justice Sophia Andritsos is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso majoring in economics with a minor in legal reasoning. On campus, she has served as a Texas Civic Ambassador, Business College Council representative, president of the Regional Economic Development Association, and member of the Law School Preparation Institute. She worked for the UTEP Center for Community Engagement, leading university-sponsored voter engagement programming during the 2020 election. She has previously interned for Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign and a local employment law firm that represents workers. Upon graduation, Andritsos plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney advocating for employment and economic equity for women. 
Forough Askarirad | UT San Antonio
CAIR Coalition Forough Askarirad is a senior and Terry Scholar at The University of Texas at San Antonio double majoring in psychology and global affairs. Askarirad has created a mental health awareness initiative on campus called Mental Health Day through her student organization, studied abroad in Italy, and has been awarded numerous accolades for her achievements. Askarirad is involved with the community of San Antonio and has interned with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) and twice with the City of San Antonio’s immigration liaison. After graduation, she plans to attend law school in pursuit of becoming an immigration lawyer. 
Shree Balaji | UT Austin
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Shree Balaji is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in management information systems. On campus, she has served as a product lead for Texas Convergent, student ambassador for the Office of Admissions, and was the president of the Research Student Advisory Council. Off campus, she has interned for two years with Goldman Sachs, served as a Teach For America ambassador, and actively volunteered with the Collin County Teen Court. After graduating, Balaji plans to attend law school. 
Jeremiah Baldwin | UT Austin
U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform Jeremiah Baldwin is a junior in the Liberal Arts Honors program at The University of Texas at Austin triple majoring in government, rhetoric and writing, and African and African Diaspora studies with minors in educational psychology and queer studies. To further understand the field of civil rights advocacy, Baldwin is pursuing a certificate in human rights and social justice in the Bridging Disciplines Program. On campus, Baldwin was a university-wide representative for the 115th Student Government Assembly, the director of operations for the Multicultural Engagement Center’s Afrikan American Affairs agency, a competitor on the Texas Speech Team, and a campus tour guide. Off campus, he has interned for Judge Inna Klein in Texas’ 214th District Court and for the 180 Group, Inc. at their Minnesota office. Upon graduation, Baldwin plans to pursue a dual law and doctoral degree to help ensure the protection of each person’s civil rights under the law. 
Katherine Birch | UT Austin
Foreign Policy Research Institute Katherine Birch is a Brumley NextGen Undergraduate Scholar and senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in international relations and global studies and Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. On campus, she has contributed to several research initiatives with the Department of Government and the Global (Dis)Information Lab on projects relating to Russian disinformation campaigns; she has also served as president of Students for Central and Eastern Europe, a student organization dedicated to engaging UT Austin students with ongoing social and political rights issues within these regions. Off campus, Birch interned with the Institute of International Relations Prague. After graduation, Birch will spend her summer in Warsaw, Poland, examining contemporary security issues faced by the United States' Central and Eastern European allies and learning about the region's history of democratization at Collegium Civitas. Upon her return, she plans to attend graduate school to focus her advanced studies on cybersecurity policy and the intersection of technology and democracy. 
Neelam Bohra | UT Austin
POLITICO Neelam Bohra is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in journalism and government. She has interned at media outlets including The Texas Tribune and CNN Digital while also serving in multiple positions at her campus newspaper, The Daily Texan, most recently as associate news editor. On campus, Bohra is the public relations director for Texas Orange Jackets and served as the president of the UT Asian American Journalists Association. After graduation, she plans to pursue print and digital news reporting on national politics and its human impact. 
Sara Brennan | UT Dallas
Arc Initiatives Sara Brennan is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas double majoring in finance and economics with a minor in political science. She has served as student government president, chief financial officer for her Kappa Alpha Theta chapter, and was a founding officer of her campus chapter of Deeds Not Words, a progressive youth activist organization. Brennan has interned in the Texas State Legislature for Senator Chris Turner (TX-101) and mobilized Austin voters as a campaign fellow with Eddie Rodriguez for State Senate. Most recently, she interned for JP Morgan as a global finance and business management analyst in the New York metro. After graduation, Brennan intends to attend graduate school and advocate for economic justice in her career. 
Yi-Wen “Cassie” Chen | UT Austin
Movement Labs / American Bar Association Yi-Wen “Cassie” Chen is a student at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in government with a minor in Chinese. On campus, she has served as secretary for the Minority Women Pursuing Law student organization. Off campus, she fought for the rights of blue-collar workers at the Equal Justice Center, a non-profit law firm, and interned for Judge Aurora Martinez Jones in Travis County. Chen has also worked for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor under the U.S. Department of State to help fulfill their mission of fighting against authoritarianism and upholding individual rights and freedoms. After graduation, Chen plans to attend law school to specialize in human rights law and dedicate her career to public service. 
Ethan Collins | UT Tyler
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Ethan Collins is a junior at The University of Texas at Tyler double majoring in finance and economics with a minor in mathematics. On campus, he has served as a senator representing juniors in the Student Government Association and has worked for the Honors Program as an office assistant. After graduation, Collins plans to attend law school at The University of Texas at Austin and practice business law. He grew up in a small town and was very involved in community activities; he plans on giving back to his community after beginning his career in law. 
Lauryn Davis | UT Austin
Smithsonian National Zoological Park Lauryn Davis is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in ecology, evolution, and behavior biology with a minor in African and African Diaspora studies. Davis has always had a strong interest in education, the environment, and social justice—these interests led her to politics and with a desire to influence environmental policy. On campus, Davis has volunteered with J.J. Pickle Research UT Biodiversity Collections, and she is a member of the Half-Pint Prairie team. Off campus, she has held internships at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Austin Wildlife Rescue. After graduation, Davis plans to pursue a career in environmental law and continue to advocate for women and minorities. 
Roger Davis-Jahnel | UT Dallas
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Roger Davis-Jahnel is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science. On campus, he has held officer positions with various organizations including the Chi Phi Fraternity, UT Dallas Terry Scholars Organization, and Texas Collegiate DECA. In addition to on-campus commitments, Davis-Jahnel is also an active member of his community. He volunteers at the Achievement Center of Texas, a center for special needs children and adults, and has helped to run many successful blood drives. After graduation, Davis-Jahnel hopes to attend law school and continue to give back to his community. 
Elizabeth Eversole | UT Austin
Maverick Consulting Elizabeth Eversole is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in biochemistry. She has volunteered with various healthcare organizations, including Dell Children's Medical Center and The Dell Medical School COVID-19 Contact Tracing Team. These experiences strengthened her commitment to mitigating health disparities through service. Eversole is particularly interested in the legislature's role in shaping healthcare policies and is pursuing a certificate in social inequality, health, and policy through the Bridging Disciplines Program. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in medicine and remain involved in healthcare policy. 
Caleb Fick | UT Dallas
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Caleb Fick is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in political science. On campus, he is a competitor for the Moot Court team and has served on the executive committee for the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College. He is particularly interested in guaranteeing access to government and law and has worked as an enumerator for the U.S. Census Bureau. Fick looks forward to continuing to work towards engagement in Washington, D.C. After graduation, he intends to pursue a master’s degree in political science before attending law school. 
Jacob Fridakis | UT Austin
Search for Common Ground Jacob Fridakis is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in European studies and government with a minor in Russian. His interest in public policy and international affairs stems from his experiences living in four states and two continents. On campus, Fridakis is a J.J. Pickle Research Fellow and has served as a campus tour guide for the Office of Admissions. Off campus, he has interned in the New York State Assembly, the Herjavec Group, and the Associated Press during the 2020 election. In his spare time, he enjoys bicycling and running. After graduation, Fridakis hopes to pursue a career in public policy and international affairs. 
Holland Frieling | UT Austin
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Holland Frieling is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in physics and Plan II Honors. On campus, she is heavily involved with the Department of Physics; she has conducted experimental condensed matter research in the Markert Magnetism and Superconductivity group since the spring of her freshman year and has held an officer role for the Gender Minorities in Physics student organization. After graduation, Frieling intends to pursue a doctorate in physics, specifically working to improve the efficiency of solar cells. 
Anat Fuksman | UT Dallas
Alliance for Health Policy Anat Fuksman is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in biochemistry with minors in neuroscience and psychology. Hailing from Israel from a family of Soviet Jews, she was forced to reckon with and witness conflict and inequality taking place from a young age. As such, she aspires to live a life and career dedicated to giving back and promoting equality and understanding—this informs her outlook on medicine and healthcare policy. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Fuksman began working on campus with Comets HELP and the Brain Exercise Initiative to help elderly people who were suffering from isolation. She also served as the Jewish Holiday Chair for Hillel. Off campus, Fuksman has volunteered as a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line, where she helped individuals going through mental health crises and connected them to resources. Through her work as a scribe at an emergency room, she noticed many of the downfalls of the healthcare system and became interested in healthcare policy. After graduation, Fuksman plans to attend medical school and use her experiences to help make the healthcare system more efficient, accessible, and equitable to better serve the people. 
Nicolas Gonzalez | UT Austin
TechNet Nicolas Gonzalez is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in Plan II Honors and government. His time at UT Austin has been marked by mentorship and civic engagement, and after directing the Longhorn Legislative Aides of UT Student Government, he went on to become the organization’s administrative director. He has conducted research on the U.S. Supreme Court’s treatment of civil rights cases and worked as a college application tutor in KIPP Charter Schools. After graduation, Gonzalez intends to pursue law school and work to incentivize business in his hometown of El Paso, TX. 
Emily Green | UT San Antonio
American Bar Association Emily Green is a Top Scholar and junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio double majoring in history and global affairs. Off campus, she has interned with The Printing Museum in Houston, Texas, where she created interpretation and education materials for exhibitions and K-12 groups. She has also worked with the San Antonio community through the Volunteer Organization Involving Community, Education, and Service (V.O.I.C.E.S.) as membership chair and vice president. In 2020, she was a United Nations Millennium Fellow. After graduation, Green plans to pursue a career in law and civil rights advocacy. 
Gayle Haven | UT Austin
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Gayle Haven is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in political communication studies with a minor in social work. Haven has a passion for being involved in her Austin community and her campus community. Haven served as a dedicated officer for the International Association of Business Communicators student charter. She was also a member of the Minority Women Pursuing Law organization and a member of the Council of Equity. She has worked for many non-profit organizations around the Austin area, including BookSpring and Art Spark Texas. She has also worked as a mentor for the Moody College of Communication Success Scholar program. During the recent presidential election, she volunteered her time with the League of Women Voters, a nationally recognized non-partisan organization. As a UT Austin student, she hopes to diversify her cultural awareness and knowledge through her personal experiences. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a legal career. She hopes to become a public defender and work for underrepresented individuals in struggling communities. |
Dorothy Isgur | UT Austin
Alliance for Community Health Plans Dorothy Isgur is senior in the Liberal Arts Honors program at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in sociology with a minor in history and emphasis in Jewish and Middle Eastern studies. On campus, she recently served as president of Texas Hillel. Off campus, Isgur worked as a legislative aide for Texas Representative Eddie Rodriguez (TX-51) during the 87th Legislative Session. After graduation, she plans to earn a dual degree in law and public policy. 
Isaac James | UT Austin
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Isaac James is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in government and Plan II Honors with a minor in LGBTQ studies. On campus, he served as vice president of the Senate of College Councils, chief justice of the Student Government Supreme Court, director of the Queer and Trans Student Alliance, and editor-in-chief of the Texas Undergraduate Law Review. To further his interest in LGBTQIA-inclusive education policy, James sits on the GLSEN Austin Board of Directors, pursued internships with the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus and Equality Texas, and was a Victory Congressional Intern with U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18). After graduation, he plans to attend law school and pursue a career at the intersections of law, education policy, and LGBTQIA+ rights. 
Zara Kabir | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of Justice Zara Kabir is a junior and honors student at The University of Texas at Dallas double majoring in marketing with a minor in political science. On campus, she co-founded the Women Pursuing Law student organization and has played an active role in the Muslim Student Association. In her free time, Kabir runs her social-impact clothing business, Orenda Change, writes her Muslim-romance book, Kismet, and shares her love for Korean and Turkish dramas on Tik Tok, where she has over 22,000 followers. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and later go into politics. 
Abby Kassal | UT San Antonio
The Heritage Foundation Abby Kassal is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio double majoring in politics and law and criminal justice. She has competed as a student-athlete for UT San Antonio's Division I women's soccer program for the duration of her time as a student. Off campus, Kassal has served as president of OneGoal, an organization dedicated to providing children in underdeveloped communities with sports equipment. On campus, she is an honors student and member of the Pi Sigma Alpha chapter. In her spare time, Kassal has created her own small business as a freelance entrepreneur artist. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in criminal law. 
Cindy Ledat |UT Arlington
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Cindy Ledat is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington majoring in interdisciplinary studies with minors in political science, diversity studies, social justice & social welfare, and leadership studies. Ledat is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness/accessibility and eliminating the systemic inequities in marginalized communities. On campus, she served as vice president of the Mavericks with Disabilities student organization and received an Undergraduate Research Fellowship to study the role of community advocates in bridging the gap between African American communities and mental healthcare services. After completing her honors degree, she plans to attend graduate school to receive a dual master’s degree in public policy and social work and pursue a career in social policy analytics. 
Mark-Joseph León | UT San Antonio
International Indian Treaty Council / Water Protector Legal Collective Mark-Joseph León is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in global affairs with a minor in politics and law. He has served as both the marshall of recruitment and president of the Pre-Law Association, a copyeditor and contributing member to The Paisano, and a member of the Model UN Society, Global Intelligence Association, Philosophy Club, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), and Osgood Center for International Studies. In 2020, he was named a Millennium Fellow by the United Nations Academic Impact initiative and Millennium Campus Network. León is a community activist and participates in organizing efforts for the Democratic Socialists of America and Texas Organizing Project. After graduation, he plans to earn master’s degrees in political theory and economics before attending law school. 
Christopher Lira | UT Rio Grande Valley
Office of U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar Christopher Lira is a senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in psychology with a minor in legal studies. The son of Mexican immigrants, Lira has had a strong interest in the law and how it interacts with society. Off campus, he has worked as a volunteer at the Brownsville Municipal Court in the youth assistance program and recently interned with the Texas State Legislature for State Representative Eddie Lucio III (TX-27). After graduation, Lira hopes to obtain a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin, work as an assistant district attorney, and one day run for public office. 
Oscar Armando Lopez III | UT Austin
White House Office on Environmental Quality Oscar Armando Lopez III is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in government and business honors. He was named a 2019 Google Public Policy Fellow where he worked with Public Knowledge and the National Hispanic Media Coalition on issues concerning broadband access, data privacy, and the future of artificial intelligence. In 2020, Lopez worked as a Policy Fellow with Next Century Cities where he researched the effects of the digital divide on low-income and minority communities. Later that year, he worked as a product management intern with San Antonio-based company Irys. On campus, Lopez has served as the first Honduran American speaker of the Student Government Assembly and previously served as a member of the Student Services Budget Committee, which is tasked with voting on the proposed allocation of the $41 million student services budget used to fund university departments and initiatives. He is a recipient of the Texas Exes President’s Leadership Award and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. A native of Laredo, Texas, Lopez is proud to be from the U.S.-Mexico border. 
Shyam Madhani | UT Austin
The Brookings Institution Shyam Madhani is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin triple majoring in Plan II Honors, government, and communication and leadership. On campus, he was a research fellow with the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, a Brumley NextGen Undergraduate Scholar, a coordinator for PlanTutoring, and a vocalist in the UT Chamber Singers. Off campus, Madhani was a water policy analyst at the Center for Water Security and Cooperation and marketing intern for the World Affairs Council of DFW. After graduation, he plans to earn a dual degree in public policy and law. 
Paolo Martinez | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Senator Edward Markey (MA) Paolo Martinez is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in government and history with a certificate in public policy. He is involved in the Tejas Club and Longhorn EMS as an emergency medical technician. Off campus, he serves as an emergency room technician at Family Hospital Systems and teaching assistant for Lifestart EMT Academy. After graduation, Martinez plans to take some time off to continue working in the emergency room full time before going to law school. 
Esther Mathew | UT Dallas
HealthHIV / Alliance for Health Policy Esther Mathew is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in child development. She is passionate about improving health outcomes for women and children; she is the founder and president of The Period Project at UT Dallas, an organization that fights for menstrual equity. She has testified in support of ending the tampon tax bill in Texas and is a member of the Birth Equity Collaborative in Tarrant County. Throughout college, Mathew worked part-time as a children’s ministry intern with Bedford First United Methodist Church. After graduation, Mathew plans to attend medical school to attain her MD and master’s degree in public health in hopes of working as an OB-GYN. 
Vikti Mehta | UT San Antonio
Generation Hope / Office of U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20) Vikti Mehta is a junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in finance with a concentration in investment management. During her time in the Top Scholar Program, she has identified passions for business, public policy, and civic engagement. She has interned for the UT San Antonio Small Business Development Center and Fidelity Investments to gain real-world experience with finance in different communities. She was also a peer mentor for first-year students and is vice president of the Global Business Brigades where she teaches ESL and financial literacy lessons to the San Antonio refugee population. This summer she will be working with Ernst & Young as a technology risk consulting intern. After graduation, Mehta plans to work in the professional services industry and pursue a master’s degree in business administration. 
Anjitha Nair | UT Austin
U.S. Department of Commerce Anjitha Nair is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in computer science with a certificate in public policy. On campus, she has served as the deputy chief of staff and outreach director of Student Government, a board member of the University Unions, and a freshmen mentor in the Department of Computer Science. Nair has sought to bring more people of her generation into the political process as TX Votes’ senior digital committee chair, a Texas Civic Ambassador, and an intern at the Austin Tech Alliance and Campus Vote Project. She has also worked in the technology and financial sector as an intern at Ericsson and DTCC. After graduation, Nair plans to attend business school and pursue a career in public service to ensure that the economic benefits and opportunities of technological innovation are felt across America. 
Bella Ngo | UT Dallas
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Bella Ngo is a senior in the Davidson Management Honors Program at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in information technology and systems and pursuing a USCA sales certification. She is a first-generation college student. As a leader of the Office of Student Volunteerism, Ngo has mobilized school-sponsored initiatives to support nonprofits in social issues since her freshman year. As an IBM intern, she has spent the past two summers learning about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud. After graduation, Ngo hopes to combine both her experiences to explore a career that utilizes technology for good through public and private efforts. 
Carlos Repetto-Ayala | UT Rio Grande Valley
White House Office on Environmental Quality Carlos Repetto-Ayala is a first-generation college student and senior at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley double majoring in environmental science and political science. On campus, he has worked as an academic tutor at the UTRGV Mathematics and Science Academy, where he tutored biology, economics, and government. He enjoys volunteering with the South Padre Island Native Plant Center and with his former Boy Scout troop. After graduation, Repetto-Ayala aims to further combine his experiences in environmental and political sciences by pursuing a career in environmental policy and sustainability. 
Austin Rios | UT Dallas
National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors Austin Rios is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in biochemistry with a minor in psychology. He is a proud product of the Summer Health Professions Education Program at UTHealth Houston, the Pre-Medical Enrichment Program at UCLA, and the Summer Internship Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With first-hand knowledge of the barriers to accessing healthcare, he is committed to help reduce health disparities. After graduation, Rios plans to attend medical school and continue to work in under-resourced communities. For fun, he is a clarinetist, dog-lover, and horror movie fanatic. 
Ahana Samat | UT Dallas
American Enterprise Institute Ahana Samat is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in economics with a minor in psychology. Samat is an avid blogger on the topic of financial and economic confidence and its intersection with gender and has experience volunteering with financial literacy non-profits. Additionally, her writing skills have been strengthened through her experience as a copywriter. As an Academic Excellence Scholar with gained expertise in macroeconomics as a Supplemental Instruction leader and an interest in behavioral economics, Samat plans to pursue a master’s degree in economics after graduation. 
Mara Sherry | UT Austin
U.S. Department of State Mara Sherry is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in international relations and global studies. On campus, she is actively involved in the Liberal Arts Honors program and the University Catholic Center. Sherry also served as a counselor for Texas Exes’ Camp Texas and spent the last year as a research apprentice and Signature Course undergraduate assistant in the Department of Sociology. She recently completed an internship with the Department of Family and Protective Services’ Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Division. After graduation, Sherry plans to pursue a career in public service and has an interest in human rights law. 
Jillian Smith | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) Jillian Smith is a Forty Acres Scholar and senior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in government and history with a minor in Arabic and certificate in Liberal Arts Honors. She is a J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellow and Normandy Scholar. Smith served as a vice president on the University Panhellenic Council Executive Board for two years and worked as a Writing Fellow for the Liberal Arts Honors program. Off campus, Smith interned with the Texas Democratic Party, Office of Austin Councilmember Alison Alter (District 10), MJ Hegar for Texas campaign, and the Office of State Representative Erin Zwiener (TX-45). After graduation, Smith hopes to help craft environmental protection policy. 
Aandal Sridas | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of State Aandal Sridas is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in international political economy with a minor in psychology. Over the past three years, she has interned for Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson (TX-16), the World Affairs Council of DFW, and for Illinois State Representative Sam Yingling (IL-62). On campus, Sridas is a member of Model United Nations, the Delta Zeta sorority, and she works as an English tutor. As part of the UTD fast track program, Sridas is concurrently pursuing a master’s degree in international political economy with a focus on international conflict and security and is set to graduate in May 2023. After graduation, she plans to pursue law school. 
Emma Stein | UT Austin
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, & Feld LLP Emma Stein is a junior in the Liberal Arts Honors program at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in international relations and government with a minor in French studies. She holds interests in national security, international relations, ecumenical studies, and policymaking. During her time in Austin, Emma interned at the Texas House of Representatives for Representative John Turner (TX-114). Emma also worked as a field intern for U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (GA-06) during the 2020 election cycle. On campus, Emma has served as an engagement intern for Texas Hillel, a representative on the Student Endowed Centennial Lectureship Council, and a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. After graduation, Emma hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in human rights law. She is passionate about global citizenship and is excited to learn more about political advocacy as it impacts both international and domestic communities. 
Veda Tsai | UT Dallas
Office of U.S. Representative Colin Allred (TX-32) Veda Tsai is a National Merit Scholar and senior at The University of Texas at Dallas majoring in interdisciplinary studies. She has worked with a specialty pharmaceutical business advocating for patients with rare diseases and with the CampusVote Student Fellows promoting civic engagement. On campus Tsai is a student director, Honors College Council speaker, captain of the Mock Trial team, member of the mediation team, vice president of the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honors society, and chair for the Center for Asian Studies. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and is excited to pursue a career in law or politics. 
Dezareigh Walls | UT Arlington
Office of U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (TX-33) Dezareigh Walls is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington double majoring in international business and German. On campus, she has been a member of Vandergriff Hall Council, Honors College, German Language Society, and Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity. Walls has served as Delta Delta Delta’s vice president of community relations and University Panhellenic Council delegate. Off campus, Walls has interned at Shamoun and Norman LLP, worked with the Texas Department of State Health Services, and is an AmeriCorps Alumna. She is passionate about social change and international economics. After graduation, Walls plans to pursue a law degree. 
Tony Wen | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper (DE) Tony Wen is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in political communications with a minor in business. His time in Austin has been marked by his love for politics. He recently completed an internship at Evergreen Strategy Group, a political communications firm. He previously interned for Texas Senator Royce West (TX-23) during the 87th Legislative Session, gaining a passion for voting rights, and has also worked on several campaigns. On campus, Tony writes for the Texas Undergraduate Law Journal, is a member of the Tejas Club, and has been involved in Student Government as a Longhorn Legislative Aide. After graduation, he hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in public policy and government. 
Sara Williams | UT Austin
National Association of the Deaf Sara Williams is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin majoring in public relations. She believes it takes skilled and courageous communicators to understand their audience’s needs, reach across partisan lines to take action, and enable communities by translating that policy into meaningful terms for them. Williams has a strong interest in the Deaf community. After her sophomore year of college, she moved to Los Angeles to volunteer full-time in the Deaf community for eighteen months. Through interpreting, educating, serving, and learning from these individuals, she developed a love for the processes that empower communities to truly be heard. Recently, she also worked as a communications support specialist at the Texas School for the Deaf. After graduation, Williams plans to pursue a degree in law, with a special focus in conflict resolution and ADA law. 
Andrew Zhang | UT Austin
The Texas Tribune Andrew Zhang is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double majoring in Plan II Honors and Canfield Business Honors with minors in statistics, government, and Asian American studies. On campus, Zhang is a member of the Texas Blazers, a campus service organization. He has experience reporting news at The Daily Texan, an award-winning student newspaper, where he was also an editor. Additionally, he wrote and edited stories for Afterglow ATX, UT’s music publication. After graduation, Zhang hopes to eventually attend law school or business school (or both), and work towards bettering people’s lives everywhere. |
