Current Fellows

Celil Akgobek | UT Dallas
Office of U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13)

Celil Akgobek is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in political science. During his undergraduate career, he worked as a first-level patent advisor and helped patent technological devices and innovations while simultaneously starting his clothing business. On campus, Akgobek served as the secretary of the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, a teaching assistant in the Department of Neuroscience, and the speaker of the Dialogue Society, where he helped to build bridges between people from different communities, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Aside from his campus involvement, Akgobek volunteers as a life mentor for several high school students. After graduation, Akgobek plans to attend law school and participate in federal policymaking.

Giulianna Alcantarapalai | UT El Paso
National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

Giulianna Alcantarapalai is a junior at The University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in political science with a minor in creative writing. On campus, Alcantarapalai has been actively involved in IGNITE at UTEP, where she served as the organization’s secretary and vice president. She also interned at the Offices of State Representative Lina Ortega (HD-77) and U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16), reaffirming her passion for public service and immigration. After graduation, Alcantarapalai plans to pursue a master’s degree in political science and attend law school. She hopes to one day become an immigration lawyer and run for public office, focused on reforming the nation’s current immigration laws.

Ahmed Baban | UT Austin
Arnold & Porter

Ahmed Baban is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, triple majoring in government, history, and international relations and global studies (IRG) with minors in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies. On campus, Baban served on the IRG Council’s Professional Development Committee and conducted research with the Global Disinformation Lab’s Tearline Project. Baban was previously a Clements Center Undergraduate Fellow in national security and a Strauss Center Cybersecurity Clinic Fellow. He also studied abroad in the War Studies Department at King’s College London. After graduation, Baban hopes to pursue a career in foreign policy or national security.

Tracy Baker | UT Austin
National Archives

Tracy Baker is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a minor in business. She participated in the J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellowship, where she developed a dataset to analyze the integrity of corporate press statements. On campus, Baker was an active Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity member and a research assistant for several professors in the Department of Government. Off campus, she gained practical real estate consulting experience and interned at a personal injury law firm. After graduation, Baker plans to attend law school and pursue a career in the federal court system.

Mark Baskharoun | UT Dallas
Consumer Voice

Mark Baskharoun is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in public health. Passionate about healthcare, he worked as an emergency room scribe and volunteered with Medical City Dallas and Merit Hospice to serve his local community. On campus, he worked as a research assistant on a preclinical model of vagus nerve stimulation at the Texas Biomedical Device Center. He also served as the Texas community service chair of Orthodox Christian Campus Ministries and participated in his Partners in Health (PIH) Engage chapter’s healthcare policy advocacy committee. Passionate about teaching, he was a physics tutor and the head of the outreach team for the student-led Mini Medical School program, which enables DFW high schoolers to learn more about medical school topics. After graduation, Baskharoun plans to attend medical school.

Allen Brown-Zubillaga | UT San Antonio
O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center

Allen Brown-Zubillaga is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in sociology with a focus on addiction studies. He was the recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. On campus, Brown-Zubillaga has served as vice president, scholarship advisor, and co-founder of the Non-Traditional Students Organization, treasurer for the campus chapter of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Honors Society of Sociology, and member of the UTSA McNair Program, where he was a research assistant at the PRIDE Family Studies Lab under Dr. Shelby Scott. Brown-Zubillaga’s community involvement includes internships as a City of San Antonio Ambassador for the Department of Health and Human Services: Social Analysis and METRICs Division, a social work intern with the SAM Ministries Family Shelter, and a volunteer with Fiesta Youth and the Pride Center of San Antonio. In his free time, Brown-Zubillaga provided outreach for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, leading classes on scholarship attainment at local community colleges. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in addiction policy and epidemiology.

Farhan Buvvaji | UT Austin
U.S. Senate Banking Committee Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Farhan Buvvaji is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in government and economics with a minor in Arabic. On campus, he was a J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellow and a writer for the Undergraduate Law Journal. He has also worked at the Texas State Capitol for State Representative Philip Cortez (HD-117), in the District Office of State Representative Mihaela Plesa (HD-70), and at the Bureau of International Narcotics for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Buvvaji plans to attend law school to further explore constitutional or international law.

Jada Cartwright | SFASU
Office of U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty (OH-3)

Jada Cartwright is a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in criminal justice with a minor in political science. Cartwright is originally from Lockhart, Texas, where she received her high school diploma from Cornerstone Christian Schools Online. Cartwright has extensive leadership and public service experience, from serving her small-town community to becoming SFA's 88th student body president. She is unafraid to take on new leadership roles and advocate for minority groups. Cartwright recently served as a congressional intern to U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (TX-17), where she learned the true definition of public service and dedication to constituency-based issues. After graduation, Cartwright plans to attend law school with a focus on civil rights practice. She aims to advocate for justice and equality in her future career and one day serve the federal government as a special agent focusing on human or drug trafficking investigations.

Avinash Chivakula | UT Dallas
Consumer Federation of America / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Avinash Chivakula is a junior honors student at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in finance with a minor in international political economy. Driven by his experiences working with marginalized communities undergoing economic hardships, Chivakula focuses on macroeconomic systems and their impact on wealth inequality, critical care access, and consumer protections. On campus, he has held roles on the Model United Nations executive board, cofounded and coordinated logistics for the Global Health Case Competition, and served as a UT Dallas Student Government senator. His off-campus pursuits include working as a macroeconomic researcher at Phillips-Marburg University in Germany, a zoning research consultant for the City of Dallas, and studying abroad at Emlyon Business School in France. He has also interned at the District Office of U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (TX-26) and was a venture capital analyst at Blossom Street Ventures. After graduation, Chivakula aims to pursue a career in corporate finance and consulting, with future aspirations in macroeconomic policy reform and corporate regulation.

Zade Creel | UT Dallas
U.S. House of Representatives - Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

Zade Creel is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in criminology. On campus, he has been involved in the John Marshall Pre-Law Society, the Criminology Undergraduate Student Association, and the UT Dallas Men’s Rugby Club. Off campus, he volunteered with the Genesis Benefit to support the Genesis Women’s Shelter, studied communication and international law policies in Lugano, Switzerland, and worked for the City of Allen, Texas. Following graduation, Creel plans to attend law school with practice interests in criminal and human rights law.

Arantza de Jesus Soto | UT El Paso
Office of U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16)

Arantza de Jesus Soto is a senior and first-generation college student at The University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in political science with a minor in women and gender studies. On campus, she served as vice president for two organizations, Texas Rising and IGNITE at UTEP, participated in the Law School Preparation Institute, and was an active member of other policy-related student organizations. Off campus, de Jesus was a Loretto Justice Fellow, an intern for Estrella del Paso, and an elected mentee for the El Paso Women’s Bar Association’s Mentors in Law and Equality program. In her spare time, she has volunteered with various shelters and attended educational workshops to expand her knowledge. Having the opportunity to see and experience different immigration issues in Mexico and the United States has led her to pursue a career in law and become an immigration attorney to help those in need.

Casper Dirkx | SFASU
Office of U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)

Casper Dirkx is a senior international student at Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in political science with a minor in French. On campus, Dirkx served as vice president of the tennis club, vice president of the World Politics Club, and international ambassador for SFA’s International Office. He also competed on the university’s Model European Union team. Off campus, he has administrative work experience at Tabata Europe, a diving equipment firm. Dirkx is passionate about foreign policy and is excited to learn more about the federal policymaking process in the United States. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in political science in the Netherlands to pursue his dream of working at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the European Union to enhance the transatlantic relationship.

Isabella “Bella” Feistauer | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30)

Isabella “Bella” Feistauer is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in government and economics. She has served in UT Student Government as a Longhorn legislative aide, a College of Liberal Arts representative, and a university-wide representative while serving two terms as the chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Off campus, Feistauer worked in the Texas House of Representatives during the 88th Legislative Session as a communications intern for the Office of State Representative Mihaela Plesa (HD-70). She continued her work in public policy as a communications and digital intern for the Texas Democratic Party. Feistauer is especially passionate about equitable education for all, civil rights advocacy, and women’s rights. Colleagues and friends have described her as outgoing, driven, and compassionate.

Austin Gardner | UT Austin
U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means

Austin Gardner is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a certificate in German. On campus, he has worked as a tutor for student-athletes, a teaching assistant for the Liberal Arts Honors program, and a research assistant with the Texas German Dialect Project. In the summer of 2023, he studied abroad in Southern Germany, gaining firsthand knowledge of German politics and government. The following summer, he interned with the Texas Transportation Institute as a research assistant to quantify transit agencies’ investments in low-income neighborhoods. Gardner later worked at Lilly & Company, a national political fundraising and campaign firm, during the 2024 presidential election season. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career that combines his interests in campaigns and public policy.

Abbad Hoda | UT Dallas
Alliance for Health Policy

Abbad Hoda is a junior National Merit Scholar at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in healthcare studies with a minor in public health. Passionate about medicine, Hoda has served as a University Emergency Medical Response EMT, a clinical research associate, and a UT Southwestern volunteer. As chair of the UT Dallas Student Government’s Residential Affairs Committee, he worked to improve health resources for students living on campus. He has proudly represented his university as a student ambassador and a team leader for the Freshman Transition Programs. Committed to public health, Hoda researched racial disparities in healthcare and organized awareness campaigns for skin cancer and domestic abuse in his community. After graduation, he aspires to be a physician and champion policies for a healthier society.

Serena Karim | UT Arlington
American Nurses Association

Serena Karim is a senior honors student at The University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in nursing with minors in history, medical humanities and bioethics, and political science. Karim’s interest in advocacy stems from bioethics research, which she uses as a vehicle to share patient stories with academic, medical, and political audiences. On campus, she served as vice president of UT Arlington’s Nursing Students’ Association, director of events for Mavericks for Medical Humanities, and treasurer of the Honors College Council. Additionally, she coauthored a research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reporting the rise of unclaimed bodies as cadavers in Texas medical schools. Off campus, Karim expanded her bioethics skillset as a student of the Hastings Center and a research intern at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. After graduation, she hopes to become a critical care nurse, serve on community ethics committees, and pursue a dual D.N.P./Ph.D. degree.

Sneha Kesavan | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-5)

Sneha Kesavan is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in neuroscience and Plan II Honors with a minor in healthcare reform and innovation. On campus, she founded Students Demand Action, a gun violence prevention advocacy organization. She has been a research assistant in the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab for four years. She also served as the Alpha Phi Sigma Pre-Health Honors Society president and interned with the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, where her passion for public policy and civic engagement flourished. After graduation, Kesavan plans to attend medical school with a career focus in public health activism and healthcare equity.

Natasha Kokkodil | UT Dallas
U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Natasha Kokkodil is a senior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in political science. On campus, she served as a UT Dallas Student Government senator in the Diversity and Belonging Committee, the co-president of the civic engagement group Texas Rising, an advocacy lead for the gun sense group, Students Demand Action, and the co-president of the refugee education group Paper Airplanes. She participates actively in many other organizations and finds value in enriching her campus environment. Her prior research experience includes serving as the youth engagement liaison for the AAPI civic engagement group Asian Texans for Justice, where she conducted research and built project recommendations that addressed the barriers and areas of development for AAPI youth voters. Kokkodil is imbued with a passion to advocate for those around her. As an Archer Fellow, she hopes to acquire a sharper perspective on domestic and international power structures in the policy arena, transfer skills to the many organizations she spearheads, and launch her career as an aspiring attorney focusing on human rights and employment law.

Akanksha Kumar | UT Dallas
Office of U.S. Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13)

Akanksha Kumar is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in finance with a minor in business analytics. On campus, she was a peer mentor for the Davidson Management Honors Program and participated in the Financial Leadership Association, where she won first place in the Securities Analysis Competition. Off campus, Kumar studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she found her passion for international business and finance practices and policies. She has also completed various financial internships, including financial analysis and tax preparation. After graduation, Kumar is driven to pursue a career in consulting for the public sector while staying engaged in economic and social policies.

Nandita Kumar | UT Dallas
United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia / U.S. Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

Nandita Kumar is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in public policy with a minor in public health and on the pre-law track. On campus, she served as chair of the UT Dallas Student Government’s Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Committee, competed on the Moot Court team, and founded the Global Health Case Competition. She was also a research associate with CERASAV, a nonprofit organization that aids survivors of acid violence, and an undergraduate researcher at the Institute for Urban Policy Research. As a volunteer with local education, mutual aid, and reproductive justice organizations, Kumar’s passion for creating healthier and stronger communities has driven her commitment to public service, which she hopes to continue after graduation through a legal career at the intersection of health justice and human rights.

Nathan Lyons | SFASU
Office of U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (TX-17)

Nathan Lyons is a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in political science with a minor in mathematics. On campus, Lyons has served as the student body president and student body vice president for the SFA Student Government Association and was a member of the UT System Student Advisory Council. Lyons has also worked at multiple campus offices and interned at the Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation. Lyons has been a member of the SFA World Politics Club, Model European Union, and Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Honor Society. After graduation, Lyons plans to pursue a master’s degree in national intelligence.

Lennon Maldonado | UT San Antonio
DCEFF: Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital

Lennon Maldonado is a junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in environmental science. While pursuing his first undergraduate degree in digital video production, Maldonado interned with Texas Public Radio and subsequently acted as a media educator at a PBS member station. These experiences led him to serve as a programmer for the San Antonio Film Festival through the city’s Ambassador Summer Internship Program. Maldonado is interested in a multidisciplinary approach to science communication and aims to use his media experience and science education to investigate environmental issues.

Alisa Model | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Attorney

Alisa Model is a junior National Merit Scholar at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in political science. On campus, she co-founded and served as vice president of Crissa’s Community Outreach, which spreads awareness about domestic violence. Model also served as chair of the UT Dallas Student Government’s Green Initiative Committee, worked in the Office of Sustainability, and was a competitor on UT Dallas’ nationally ranked Moot Court team. Off campus, she interned with the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center as a survivor advocate. Her international experiences include studying abroad in Lugano, Switzerland, and Madrid, Spain. After graduation, Model plans to attend law school.

Emily Nejad | UT Austin
Strobe Talbott Center at the Brookings Institution

Emily Nejad is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in international relations and global studies with minors in history and international business and a certificate in security studies. On campus, she served as vice president of operations for TEDxUTAustin, one of the largest TEDx chapters in Texas. She has also been involved with the International Affairs Society and Students Expanding American Literacy. Off campus, Nejad worked as a legislative intern at the Office of State Senator César Blanco (SD-29) and as a legal intern at the Civil Rights Division of the Bexar County District Attorney's Office. She spent the past summer studying European politics and security in Budapest, Hungary. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in foreign policy.

Tasmuna Omar | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Senator Ed Markey (MA)

Tasmuna Omar is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a minor in informatics and sociology. As a UT Impact Scholar, she contributed to campus life as the philanthropy director for the Bengali Student Association, an undergraduate research intern in the government department, a member of the Food Security Agency in the UT Student Government, and a financial wellness peer mentor with Texas Financial Wellness. Omar’s professional experience includes internships with the Collin County Democratic Party and UT Dallas’s Office of Facilities Management and Sustainability. After graduation, she aims to pursue social justice advocacy through policy analysis, nonprofit work, and U.S. diplomatic relations.

Katy Osthoff | UT Tyler
The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress

Katy Osthoff is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler, majoring in history with a minor in political science. Off campus, Osthoff gained experience as a docent at the Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Museum and as a law clerk at Richards Penn Bonner LLP in Jacksonville, Texas, which practices personal injury, family, civil, probate, and estate planning law. On campus, Osthoff has been involved in The University of Texas at Tyler’s Phi Alpha Theta chapter and the Honors College. After graduation, Osthoff plans to attend law school.

Ishani Pain | UT Dallas
The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress

Ishani Pain is a senior Collegium V Honors student at The University of Texas at Dallas, double majoring in psychology and child learning and development with a minor in political science. On campus, she served as vice president of Women Pursuing Law and worked in the Couples’ Daily Lives Lab. Off campus, she interned at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. She also volunteered on a land restoration project at Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve after getting her Master Naturalist certification. She enjoys baking, painting, and exploring new places with her friends in her free time.

Nikolas Parker | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7)

Nikolas Parker is a junior Liberal Arts Honors student at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in government and youth and community studies. On campus, Parker served as vice chair of the Texas Blazers, a mentoring program for Eastside Early College High School. He was also a member of the UT Student Government and served as co-chair of the Liberal Arts Honors Student Council for the past two years. Motivated by his experiences growing up around the prison system and interning at children’s advocacy groups, Parker is passionate about educational equity and children’s advocacy. After graduation, he plans to attend law school and get his master’s degree in public policy to fight for juvenile justice.

Alayna Parlevliet | UT Austin
U.S. Department of State

Alayna Parlevliet is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Plan II Honors and international relations and global studies. She was previously a Normandy Scholar and is a Clements Center Undergraduate Fellow. On campus, Parlevliet was an editor for numerous journals, conducted research for the Innovations for Peace and Development Lab, and volunteered as a tutor for refugee students. Parlevliet has also worked as a research intern for the Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and as a near peer at the Clark Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies. After graduation, Parlevliet is interested in pursuing a doctoral degree and working in Eastern European international relations.

LeeAnn Patterson | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of Justice, Offices of the U.S. Attorney and the Solicitor General

LeeAnn Patterson is a junior Collegium V Honors student at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in political science with a minor in economics. On campus, she served as secretary of the UTD College Democrats, working to mobilize young voters through voter registration and connecting students with local campaigns. She also served as the logistics coordinator for Women Pursuing Law, one of the major pre-law organizations on campus. Patterson was also a competitor with the Moot Court team and participated in the Innocence Project of Texas seminar to review case files. Off campus, Patterson interned with the 68th District Court of Texas. She has also studied abroad at Philipps-Universität Marburg in Marburg, Germany, taking courses focused on Middle Eastern studies, specifically in economics and conflict evaluation. After graduating, Patterson plans to attend law school.

Soren Peters | UT Tyler
Federal Internship

Soren Peters is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler, majoring in history with a minor in political science. On campus, he has been elected to roles in all three branches of the Student Government Association and worked as a college readiness coach for high school students. As a member of the Honors College, he has been elected to represent his cohort in the Logos Student Senate. In addition, Peters interned in the District Office of U.S. Representative August Pfluger (TX-11). After attending law school, Peters plans to obtain a federal clerkship and continue his commitment to national unity through public service.

Enrique Pineda Sanchez | UT El Paso
Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia - Criminal Law Internship Program

Enrique Pineda Sanchez is a junior at The University of Texas at El Paso, double majoring in philosophy and psychology. Born in Juarez, Chihuahua, he is focused on reducing inequalities and increasing access to opportunities in the legal system. On campus, he conducted research with the Latino Alcohol and Health Disparities Research Center and the Department of Philosophy. He also served as president of the El Paso Mock Trial Association. Off campus, he interned with the Capital Murder Unit and the Mental Health Advocacy and Litigation Unit with the El Paso Public Defenders. After graduation, he aspires to attend law school and become a public defender.

Andrew Rodriguez | UT El Paso
Institute of World Politics

Andrew Rodriguez is a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in sociology with a minor in legal reasoning. On campus, Rodriguez competed on the National Speech and Debate circuit, participated in the Law School Preparation Institute, and founded the Pick Productions film club. He previously worked as a political science tutor for student-athletes and was a legal intern at El Paso’s Public Defender’s Office. After graduation, Rodriguez plans to attend law school and pursue a career in media regulation.

Isha Rojanala | UT Dallas
U.S. Department of State

Isha Rojanala is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in public policy. On campus, she served on the executive board of the American Women’s Medical Association and was an emergency medical technician and field training officer for the University Emergency Medical Response, a nonprofit organization. In addition to these roles, she has conducted and presented her research on infant-directed vocalizations at the Undergraduate Research Scholar Awards poster session. After graduation, Rojanala aims to attend medical school with a focus on advocating for equitable healthcare policy.

Amy Salazar-Molina | UT San Antonio
Office of U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20)

Amy Salazar-Molina is a senior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in global affairs. On campus, she has served as a Model United Nations Society member and has competed in multiple Model UN conferences at the local and national levels. Additionally, Salazar has participated in study abroad programs in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, where she focused her studies on global order and international institutions. In addition to her passion for international relations, Salazar enjoys traveling and learning new languages. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and work in international law and diplomacy.

Karisa Scott | UT San Antonio
Office of U.S. Representative Julie Johnson (TX-32)

Karisa Scott is a junior honors student at The University of Texas at San Antonio, double majoring in neuroscience and medical humanities with a pre-med concentration. On campus, she was able to integrate her scientific acumen with a deep understanding of the social and ethical dimensions of medicine. This interdisciplinary approach gave her a holistic perspective for tackling complex healthcare challenges facing providers and patients. On campus, she worked in the Department of Sociology and Demography, reading and grading for a multitude of courses, fostering academic excellence, and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue. She obtained her emergency medical technician license as a high school student, working with authorities and correctional officers to deliver essential healthcare services to diverse communities, notably the elderly and prison populations. Her experiences on the frontlines of healthcare instilled a profound sense of empathy and a firsthand understanding of the barriers facing quality care. Upon graduation, she plans to attend medical school, where she aims to cultivate her skills as a healthcare provider and advocate for at-risk populations, exploring the dynamics of access to healthcare and its impacts on quality of life.

Lei-Sea Sky | UT Arlington
DC Mayor's Office of Deaf, DeafBlind, & Hard of Hearing

Lei-Sea Sky is a senior at The University of Texas at Arlington, pursuing a dual degree in social work and political science with minors in diversity studies, law and legal studies, localization and translation, and ASL and Deaf studies. On campus, Sky was a member of the MavTHAT ASL Club and the Student Association of Macro Social Work Club. She has also served as an American Sign Language tutor, an IDEA Fellow, a Deaf student mentor, and a student ambassador for the School of Social Work. Outside of academic pursuits, Sky is very involved with her family and enjoys many Deaf events. After graduation, Sky intends to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

Abigail Smith | UT Tyler
Al Jazeera News - Fault Lines

Abigail Smith is a senior at The University of Texas at Tyler, majoring in mass communication with a minor in political science. She holds an interest in journalism and public relations. On campus, she served as an orientation leader and a staff writer for her college news organization. She also interned with The University of Texas at Tyler marketing team, where she focused on social media marketing. Off campus, Smith interned with Alzheimer’s Alliance and 14Forty Marketing and Consulting, where she helped organizations expand community engagement. After graduation, Smith plans to pursue a career in political journalism and public relations.

Hope Stanley | UT Austin
Woodberry Associates

Hope Stanley is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Plan II Honors and government. On campus, she served as the director of new members and the co-chair of the retention committee for her sorority, Delta Gamma. Off campus, Stanley worked for Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC as a policy analyst intern, where she compiled campaign finance reports, engaged in voter polling statistical analysis, and conducted extensive policy research. After graduation, Stanley aspires to attend law school and pursue a career in constitutional law. She is passionate about child advocacy and public policy and hopes to use her legal and political knowledge to advocate for progress and reform in the foster care system.

Alekya Tanikella | UT Dallas
National Institutes of Health Department of Neurology

Alekya Tanikella is a junior at The University of Texas at Dallas, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. On campus, Tanikella conducted research at the Sirsi Lab and served as treasurer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, vice president of the Red Cross Club, and co-founder and vice president of Project Sunshine. She interned at the Center for Children and Families, providing free developmental screenings to underserved families. Through the Boise Mayor’s Youth Climate Council, she advanced environmental action, sparking her interest in policy. After graduation, Tanikella hopes to use healthcare policy to improve lives in the medical field.

Samaria Taylor | UT Austin
Justice Policy Institute

Samaria Taylor is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in government and African and African diaspora studies with a certificate in leadership and ethics in law, politics, and government. On campus, Taylor was a co-founder and president of the Black Studies Experience, an executive board member of the Black Student Alliance, and an active member of the National Black Law Students Association. Off campus, Taylor has worked as an intern for the Harris County Office of Justice and Safety in the Research Analysis Division and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office’s Public Integrity Unit. Her interests include criminal justice, social justice, and policy. After graduation, Taylor plans to attend law school and pursue a graduate degree in American government to impact criminal justice policy on the national level.

Leah Tharakan | UT Austin
Girl Up, United Nations Foundation

Leah Tharakan is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in government and economics with a minor in business. On campus, she was co-director of the UT Student Government’s Governmental Relations Agency, a research fellow for the J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellowship, a professional director of Texas Women in Economics, and a writer for the Texas Undergraduate Law Journal. Off campus, Tharakan has interned with the U.S. Department of State, the Office of Texas State Representative Ryan Guillen (HD-31), and the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center, igniting her passion for legal advocacy. After graduation, Tharakan plans to attend law school and intends to pursue a career in civil rights law.

Elizabeth Tomoloju | UT Austin
U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce

Elizabeth Tomoloju is a junior Liberal Arts Honors student at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a minor in social work. She is passionate about promoting equity and inclusion through education reform, student advocacy, and research. On campus, she served as leadership and service policy director within the UT Student Government, public relations chair for the Pre-Law Division of the National Black Law Students Association, tour guide for the Office of Admissions, and policy intern for the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis. Additionally, she was involved in the J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellowship, igniting her interest in policy research. Off campus, Tomoloju studied abroad in Belfast, Ireland, as a recipient of the President’s Award for Global Learning, interned at Macmillan Learning, an education publisher, and worked as a communications associate for The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a dual degree in law and social work.

Sofia Vergel | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (GA)

Sofia Vergel is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a minor in applied economics and a certificate in environment and sustainability. Vergel is passionate about voting rights, elections, and democracy. Prior to transferring to UT Austin as a sophomore, Vergel served as the student coordinator for UT San Antonio’s chapter of Jolt Action, a civic engagement organization, following her role as vice president. She was also a member of the UT Student Government’s Government Relations Agency and the Longhorn Singers show choir. Off campus, Vergel interned with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and volunteered as an interpreter for Venezuelan asylum seekers under The University of Texas School of Law’s Mithoff Pro Bono Program. Outside her academic and professional life, Vergel enjoys singing, baking, and spending time with her loved ones. After graduation, Vergel plans to pursue a career in federal policymaking.

Joshua Whisenhunt | UT Austin
Office of U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)

Joshua Whisenhunt is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a dual degree in government and social work with a certificate in Spanish. On campus, he worked as a research assistant in the Department of Human Ecology and gained international experience through studying abroad in Spain. Passionate about child welfare and immigration, he has obtained invaluable policy experience by volunteering at immigrant shelters, where he had an opportunity to interview CBP agents, and has worked as an after-school counselor for elementary school students. After graduation, Joshua plans to attend graduate school and hopes to one day give back to his hometown of Holland, Texas.

Ellery Yates | UT Austin
Niskanen Center

Ellery Yates is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in government with a minor in business and public policy. On campus, Yates was involved in the Tau Sigma Transfer Honor Society and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and was a member of the inaugural group of Peer Assistance and Leadership Students. Professionally, Yates worked as a bartender at Cactus Cafe, a research intern at Digital Advance, and a server at the Heritage Pizza and Taproom. Off campus, Yates volunteered as a coach with her former debate team and with Ronald McDonald House Charities. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and is interested in healthcare policy.

Spring 2025 Archer Fellows