Meet the 10th Cohort of LBJ DC Fellows

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

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

Adriel Bustillos 

Policy Interests: Workforce development, labor, economic development, capitalistic regulations

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Management consulting firm

Full Bio

Yu Ting Chen 

Policy interests: Taiwan-China security studies, maritime strategy, Indo-Pacific affairs

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Think tank or nonprofit organization

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

Sarah Gawron 

Policy interests: Diplomacy, national security, and international development

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional committee or personal office, or an international development organization

Full Bio

Mara Luz Gomez 

Policy Interests: Transportation, infrastructure

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Nonprofit, think-tank, or federal government

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

Megan Hart 

Policy Interests: Reproductive health policy, healthcare access, family policy 

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional office or the Department of Health and Human Services

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

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

Full Bio

Serin Mubarak 

Policy Interests: Economic development, international development, AI policy, tech sector

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: International organization or consulting firm

Full Bio

Sofia Odom 

Policy interests: Tax, budget, anti-trust, labor and corporate regulatory compliance.

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congressional office or committee

Full Bio

Mia Paone 

Policy Interests: Policy communications, financial services and economic policy, tax policy

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Capitol Hill or government relations organization

Full Bio

Benjamin Taulli 

Policy Interests: Climate change, decarbonization strategies

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Organization focused on growing private or public sector decarbonization strategies

Full Bio

Victor To 

Policy Interests: Federalism, intergovernmental relations, democracy, national security, diplomacy

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Congress or executive branch agency

Full Bio

Madison Wallace 

Policy Interests: Education, women’s rights, civil rights

Policy Apprenticeship Goal: Education-focused non-profit or Capitol Hill

Full Bio