The LBJ Washington Center hosted the inaugural LBJ School of Public Affairs DC Concentration graduation ceremony on Dec. 10, 2016.
LBJ School Dean Angela Evans and LBJ Washington Center Executive Director Tom O’Donnell presented remarks during the intimate ceremony for family and friends. The 2016 graduating class selected Ashley Shew to give the inaugural LBJ DC Fellow Address.
The LBJ DC Fellows received a Master of Public Affairs or Master of Global Policy Studies degree after completing an accelerated program of study and work that required them to spend two semesters (fall, spring) studying in Austin, before moving immediately to Washington, DC, for two semesters (summer, fall) to complete their studies and work simultaneously for 32 hours per week in policy apprenticeships at leading policy organizations, public and private, around the nation's capital.
LBJ DC Fellows complete an accelerated program of study and a policy apprenticeship to graduate with an MPAff or MGPS degree and real-world Washington work experience after only 18 months.
Completing the program during a U.S. presidential election year afforded the LBJ DC Fellows unique opportunities, including attending a Republican National Convention watch party at the Center, participating for an evening at the Democratic National Convention in nearby Philadelphia, and meeting with Mike McCurry, one of the bipartisan chairs of the Commission on Presidential Debates.
The 2016 LBJ DC Fellows have secured post-graduate employment in government, policy institutes and advocacy organizations. The formal grand opening of the non-partisan LBJ Washington Center in September was headlined by Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader of the House Nancy Pelosi.
2016 LBJ DC Fellows
Katherine Adams
Master of Global Policy Studies (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: Results for America, Results for All, and Human Rights Watch
Wyatt Ellertson
Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Energy & Power Subcommittee (Majority)
Leslie Golden
Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means, Health Subcommittee (Minority)
Caitlin Hone
Master of Global Policy Studies (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: Wilson Center for International Scholars, Global Women’s Leadership Initiative
Joseph Jenkins
Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: Human Rights First, Department of National Security Outreach
Aaron Milner
Master of Global Policy Studies (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Project on Prosperity and Development
Peter Sarasohn
Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: Feeding America, Government Relations Department
Ashley Shew
Master of Public Affairs (DC Concentration)
Policy Apprenticeship: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Policy Department
View more photos from the graduation ceremony.