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 will hear from elected officials, legislative staff, interest group leaders, lobbyists, communication professionals, and think tank representatives.
Students will attend 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!
Maymester 2025 Speakers
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (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