News

The Patman Center is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Summer in Oxford Fellowships. Through a partnership with the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy at the University of Missouri and Oxford University’s Rothermere American Institute, UT Austin students will participate in a four-week study-away program at Oxford University in July 2026.

The Patman Center continues to prepare students for impactful roles in public service through its course, Skills for Civic Leadership. Designed to equip students with the tools needed to lead as engaged citizens, organizational leaders, and future public officials, the course emphasizes both practical skill-building and personal development. Through direct engagement with practitioners, interactive workshops, and structured reflection, students leave the course with not only a stronger understanding of public leadership—but also the confidence to actively step into it.

The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs is proud to announce the 2026 Spring Patman Scholars. This fellowship supports UT Austin students who demonstrate exceptional promise as future civic leaders by providing financial assistance for internships directly with elected or appointed government officials.

The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Maymester in Washington, D.C. Scholarships. These scholarships support UT students participating in the May-term course "Effective Advocacy for Influencing Federal Policymaking", an immersive academic experience that places students directly in the heart of federal policymaking in the nation's capital.

As The Patman Center concludes another productive semester, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the breadth of work accomplished and the momentum built across the UT-Austin campus. Guided by its mission to cultivate civic leaders, strengthen democratic participation, and expand hands-on learning opportunities, The Center experienced strong growth in attendance, broadened its bipartisan programming, fostered meaningful civic dialogue, and deepened student involvement.

On November 11, 2025, the Patman Center brought together students, alumni, faculty, and friends to celebrate a year of growth and accomplishment at its annual Leadership Symposium.

The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Research Award for Advancing Democracy. This annual award honors outstanding student scholarship that deepens our understanding of democratic systems, promotes civic engagement, and drives public service.

At the close of the 2024-2025 academic year, The Patman Center proudly reflects on a year of growth, innovation, and impact.

From May 12 - May 16, The Patman Center hosted a May-term course for students entitled "Effective Advocacy for Influencing Federal Policymaking," in Washington, D.C. Students learned directly from elected officials, legislative staffers, and lobbyists from both sides of the partisan aisles.

Each year, The Patman Center selects six graduate students who show exemplary promise to become civic leaders, to receive a scholarship that supports experiential learning opportunities. Six of the chosen Patman scholars interned in the 89th Texas Legislature and spoke about their experience.