Effective Advocacy for Influencing Federal Policymaking
Instructor: Emily Bhandari
Open to: All currently enrolled UT students and non-degree seeking professionals
Dates: May 13-17, 2025
Democracy functions best when policymakers receive information on the likely impacts of proposed policy. Located in Washington D.C., students learned effective advocacy strategies and skills directly from active professionals.
Students will be able to develop an advocacy plan; frame an issue and present a cause to stakeholders; lead education campaigns; motivate decision-makers; recognize allies; and identify threats to success. Students heard from elected officials, legislative staff, interest group leaders, lobbyists, communication professionals, and think tank representatives.
Students attended sessions including, "Tech's Most Powerful Advocacy Group", "The Power of Convening Thought Leaders", "Disability Rights", "Federal Advocacy", "A Perspective from The White House", and more!
"Each day, experience, and speaker bring me closer to humanity, a reminder that we are all human, trying our best to serve others in the best way we know how. I am incredibly grateful for the opporunity to share a table and a conversation with so many diverse leaders who have overcome much to get where they are today."
-Racheal Bukowski, LBJ Student
"Spending the day in Washington, D.C. as part of our class on effective federal advocacy was both humbling and affirming. It gave me the chance to meet practitioners who live at the intersection of power and purpose—and reminded me why I chose to pursue public service at this stage in my life."
-Christopher Carl Wilkins, LBJ Student
"When applying to The LBJ School, I had considered the D.C. concentration—previously moving to Austin from D.C. and loving my time there—but ultimately decided I wanted two years in Austin with full course elective opportunities. The Maymester feels like the idea medium to still learn from and experience the LBJ-DC network."
-Lela Lerner, LBJ Student
Maymester 2025 Speakers
John Cornyn
U.S. Senator (R-Texas)
The Honorable Charlie Dent
Former U.S. Representative (R-PA)
Manann Donoghoe
Senior Research Associate, The Brookings Institution
Steve Eichenauer
Partner, Public Strategies Washington, Inc.
Elliot Gerson
Executive Vice President, Policy Programs and International Partners at the Aspen Institute
Claudia Gordon
Chair of the National Council on Disability and Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile
Heather Higginbottom
Head of Research, Policy, and Insights for Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase
Parag Mehta
Former Managing Director and President, JPMC PolicyCenter, JPMorganChase
Linda Moore
CEO of TechNet and Co-Chair of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at UT-Austin
Nate Norris
Director, Legislative Affairs, American Water Works Association
The Honorable Mike Pence
Former Vice President of United States of America (R)
Dan Porterfield
President of The Aspen Institute
Cesar Prieto
Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio)
Emmy Ruiz
Former Senior Advisor to President Biden and Director of The Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Deirdre Schifeling
Chief Political and Advocacy Officer at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Bill Shute
Executive Director, LBJ Washington Center
Michele Stockwell
President of BPC Action, the policy engagement side of the Bipartisan Policy Center
Nicki Sullivan
Associate Director, Office of The President, The Brookings Institution
JoDee Winterhof
Senior Vice President, Policy and Political Affairs, The Human Rights Campaign