
The tenth cohort of graduate students in the LBJ School of Public Affairs's unique and accelerated DC Concentration have completed their first semester of coursework in Austin and they'll be in Washington before we know it.
While in DC, these Master of Public Affairs and Master of Global Policy Studies students take evening coursework as well as their required, simultaneous six-month (June–December 2025) Policy Apprenticeship at a public or private policy organization throughout the city, before graduating early in December 2025.
As the students search for Policy Apprenticeship placements, they need your help. Below is more information on each of the 2025 LBJ DC Fellows. If your organization might be interested in hosting an LBJ DC Fellow, or you would like to speak to a student about their interests, please contact the LBJ Washington Center via email for more information. Please note: preliminary interest on your or a referred organization's part does not imply a commitment to hire.

Veronica Alcantar
Policy Area Interests: Civil rights, Latino educational outcomes, Native American/Indigenous affairs and representation
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Executive or legislative branch

Abdullah Alsawfta
Policy Area Interests: National security, intelligence, diplomacy
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: FBI or other organization that will broaden his experience within the intelligence sector

Yu Ting Chen
Policy interests: Taiwan-China security studies, maritime strategy, Indo-Pacific affairs
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Think tank or nonprofit organization

Omar Gamboa
Policy Interests: Public perception of public schools, special education reform, higher education, tax policy
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congress, a research institute, or an education-based advocacy organization

Sarah Gawron
Policy interests: Diplomacy, national security, and international development
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional committee or personal office, or an international development organization

Mara Luz Gomez
Policy Interests: Transportation, infrastructure
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Nonprofit, think-tank, or federal government

Audrey Harris
Policy Interests: Government accountability, environmental policy, public finance
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Organization where she can apply her research and analysis skills to projects that prioritize equitable economic opportunities, sustainable development, and strengthening democratic institutions through transparency and accountability

Megan Hart
Policy Interests: Reproductive health policy, healthcare access, family policy
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional office or the Department of Health and Human Services

Raj Kishore
Policy Interests: Taxpayer service, tax audits, criminal tax investigations, and revenue generation
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Public or private entity focused on fiscal policy, tax law, and revenue generation

Minh Ly
Policy Interests: US-Sino security/relations, US-East Asia diplomatic development, US intelligence analysis
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Department of State or an independent international think tank

Nitish Mirchandani
Policy Interests: Asia-Pacific security, diplomatic relations with South Asia, South Asian finances
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Executive or legislative entity, think tank, or consulting firm

Serin Mubarak
Policy Interests: Economic development, international development, AI policy, tech sector
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: International organization or consulting firm

Sofia Odom
Policy interests: Tax, budget, anti-trust, labor and corporate regulatory compliance.
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional office or committee

Mia Paone
Policy Interests: Policy communications, financial services and economic policy, tax policy
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Capitol Hill or government relations organization

Benjamin Taulli
Policy Interests: Climate change, decarbonization strategies
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Organization focused on growing private or public sector decarbonization strategies

Victor To
Policy Interests: Federalism, intergovernmental relations, democracy, national security, diplomacy
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congress or executive branch agency

Madison Wallace
Policy Interests: Education, women’s rights, civil rights
Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Education-focused non-profit or Capitol Hill