The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs is dedicated to supporting experiential learning opportunities for UT Austin students who demonstrate excellence in civic leadership. Through financial support for internships with elected and appointed government officials, The Patman Center gives students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in public service, explore the realities of policymaking, and build the foundational skills and relationships that can shape their future careers.
We are excited to introduce our two summer Patman Scholars, Ishan Kanaskar and Seth Rogers. Both scholars were inspired by formative experiences as young people to pursue careers in policymaking and public service and are now gaining firsthand experience through immersive, hands-on learning. Their interests span issues ranging from religious freedom and national security to the inner workings of government institutions, and they bring distinct experiences, perspectives, and a shared commitment to public service to the work they undertake. Through their summer experiences, Ishan and Seth are gaining a deeper understanding of how government works—and how they can help shape its future.
Seth Rogers
Internship: Office of U.S House Representative Ronny L. Jackson (R)
Seth Rogers is a second-year Master of Public Affairs candidate, and a member of the Federal Policy D.C. Concentration. He focuses on constitutional politics and national security. Before school, Seth served as an infantryman in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. His experience there inspires much of his policy work. He currently serves as a Defense Policy Fellow in the office of Congressman Ronny Jackson, where he supports the defense staff with national security policy work. For the remainder of his D.C. fellowship, he intends to continue working on Capitol Hill.
'Being a Patman Scholar means to me that my school is truly committed to my professional development, and I am deeply honored to have this investment in me."
Ishan Kanaskar
Internship: Office of Texas Representative Salman Bhojani (D)
Ishan Kanaskar is a third-year student studying Government and Plan II Honors, with a National Security and International Business minor. He currently serves as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives for State Representative Salman Bhojani, supporting policy research and constituent services with a focus on religious freedom advocacy. On campus, Ishan is a fellow with the Center for Law & Democracy and is involved in UT Student Government and Texas Blazers.
'I am honored to be named a Patman Scholar and look forward to serving others through thoughtful, effective public leadership
The Patman Center extends its sincere congratulations to our summer cohort of Scholars for their dedication to service-minded leadership and their commitment to strengthening their communities through meaningful action. By investing in emerging leaders like Ishan and Seth, we help cultivate a thoughtful, engaged, and effective generation of civic leaders who will shape the future of Texas and beyond.
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Iliana Flores-DuMond
Iliana is a proud UT Alumna who earned a bachelor's in Government at the university. After graduating she pursued a career in civic education, working with K-12 students from across the state to educate about the structure of government and the role youth play in engaging as citizens in their communities. As the Program Coordinator for YMCA Texas Youth and Government she helped to recruit and train volunteers, plan events for over 1,300 young Texans, and provide supports to educators across the state working to build the next generation of civic leaders. Along similar lines, she is now putting her experience in the civic education arena into practice as The Patman Center program coordinator.