LBJ Washington Center graduates DC Fellows class of 2018

Published:
December 6, 2018
The LBJ DC Fellows class of 2018 at their commencement on Dec. 8, 2018
The LBJ DC Fellows class of 2018 at their commencement on Dec. 8. Left to right: Laura Santos (MPAff), Elaina Stephenson (MPAff), Sam Wojcicki (MPAff), Kimberly Schuster (MGPS), Caleb Seibert (MPAff), Nina Guidice (MPAff), Roman Pagle (MGPS), Chad Michaels (MPAff), Melanie Levine (MPAff), Justin Thompson (MPAff), Kelley Lane (MPAff) and Audrey Brandl (MPAff).

(Photo by Ralph Alswang)


"I greet you as the shapers of American society." —Lyndon B. Johnson

The LBJ Washington Center hosted the third LBJ School of Public Affairs DC Concentration graduation ceremony in Washington, DC on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. LBJ School Dean Angela Evans and LBJ Washington Center Executive Director Tom O'Donnell presented remarks during an intimate ceremony for family and friends.

"These savvy and sophisticated women and men are true leaders and are fulfilling LBJ's wish that his school produce both 'thinkers' and 'doers,'" O'Donnell told the crowd assembled to support the newly minted masters of public affairs and masters of global policy studies.

LBJ Washington Center Executive Director Tom O'Donnell welcomes family and friends at the commencement for the 2018 class of LBJ DC Fellows
Tom O'Donnell, executive director of the LBJ Washington Center, welcomes the crowd of family and friends at the commencement for the 2018 class of LBJ DC Fellows on Dec. 8. (Photo by Ralph Alswang)


"It is my tremendous honor to celebrate the LBJ School DC 2018 graduates," said Dean Evans. "It is you and your generation that will shape the policy world in the years to come. For that alone, we have good reason to be hopeful. I wish you well — seek out the adventure of public policy and change the world."

In her keynote address, LBJ School Professor and leading immigration expert Victoria deFrancesco Soto advised the graduates to beware of the challenges and pitfalls of the policy world, and to always keep in mind their purpose in the work.

"Finding a balance isn't going to be easy in our hyper-polarized environment," she said. "This is what will be the greatest challenge you face. ... I want you to commit to cross-partisan/cross-tribal conversations. Interactions with 'them.'"

Dean Angela Evans with Professors Victoria deFrancesco Soto and Kate Weaver at the 2018 DC graduation
LBJ School Dean Angela Evans with Professors Victoria deFrancesco Soto and Kate Weaver at the graduation for the LBJ DC Fellows Class of 2018 graduation on Dec. 8. (Photo by Ralph Alswang)


In her LBJ DC Fellow Address, Nina Guidice (MPAff '18) struck a tone of hope in looking toward the future. "Here's why I'm optimistic: we are in possession of the beautiful burden of opportunity," she told her fellow graduates. "Be bold in making a way where first there was none. Be bold in rising to leadership, in making life better for your neighbor and for those you’ve never met. Be bold in bringing up those who will come after you."

Nina Guidice (MPAff '18) delivers the LBJ DC Fellow Address on Dec. 8
Nina Guidice (MPAff '18) delivers the LBJ DC Fellow Address at her graduation on Dec. 8, 2018. (Photo by Ralph Alswang)


In the DC Concentration, the LBJ DC Fellows completed an accelerated program of study and work that required them to spend two consecutive semesters studying in Austin before moving to Washington, DC for two additional consecutive semesters. During their DC sequence, they took classes while at the same time working for 32 hours per week in Policy Apprenticeships at leading public and private policy organizations around the nation's capital.

LBJ DC Fellows Elaina Stephenson, Caleb Seibert and Kimberly Schuster at their graduation
LBJ DC Fellows Elaina Stephenson, Caleb Seibert and Kimberly Schuster listen to remarks at their graduation on Dec. 8, 2018. (Photo by Ralph Alswang)


LBJ DC Fellows Justin Thompson, Melanie Levine and Elaina Stephenson during their graduation
Justin Thompson, Melanie Levine and Elaina Stephenson, members of the newest class of LBJ DC graduates, during their graduation on Dec. 8. (Photo by Ralph Alswang)

 

 

The graduates:

Audrey Brandl

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: Aspen Institute — National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development

Nina Guidice

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: Dcode — Accelerator Program / Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration — Government Affairs Division

Kelley Lane

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: Office of Management and Budget — Office of Performance and Personnel Policy

Melanie Levine

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: World Cocoa Foundation — Worldwide Programs

Chad Michaels

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: The Livingston Group — Government Relations, Public Affairs and Advocacy

Roman Pable

Master of Global Policy Studies

Policy Apprenticeship: Atlantic Council — Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security / Office of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives — Legislative Research

Laura Santos

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: U.S. House Budget Committee (Minority) — Office of the Staff Director

Kimberly Schuster

Master of Global Policy Studies

Policy Apprenticeship: Center for Strategic and International Studies — Russia and Eurasian Program

Caleb Seibert

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: American Enterprise Institute — Poverty Studies / Human Dignity Project

Elaina Stephenson

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: Human Rights First / Veterans for American Ideals

Justin Thompson

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: Data Quality Campaign — Policy and Advocacy (Education)

Sam Wojcicki

Master of Public Affairs

Policy Apprenticeship: U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) — Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition