2018 LBJ DC Fellow
Elaina Stephenson received her Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration) at the LBJ School. She graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in political science and a minor in communication. Contemplating law school, Elaina spent two years working as a paralegal for Baker Botts in Austin, where she was active in complex, commercial litigation and assisted attorneys with legal research and trial preparation. Though she enjoyed the rigorous atmosphere of litigation, the fulfilling work of her pro bono cases inspired a transition to public policy. Elaina’s work seeking political asylum for a transgender person from Honduras incited a passion for refugee and immigration policy. She serves currently as a direct-service volunteer for Caritas, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help impoverished communities achieve greater self-sufficiency. A member of its Refugee Resettlement Division, Elaina is assisting a newly resettled Afghani family with English training and community acclimation.
2018 Policy Apprenticeship: Human Rights First, Veterans for American Ideals
Policy Interests: Refugee, Asylum, and Immigration Policy