The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement at the LBJ School of Public Affairs 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 $10,000 fellowships are awarded and funded by The Patman Center, providing financial support for students selected to take part in this immersive academic experience.
This competitive Patman Center fellowship enables students to immerse themselves in Oxford’s academic traditions while studying history, public policy, and democratic governance alongside world-class faculty. Scholars will live and dine at Corpus Christi College, access Oxford’s libraries and museums, and participate in experiential, place-based learning that connects theory with real-world political and historical inquiry.
We are proud to announce this year’s Summer in Oxford Fellows are:
Lucy Schulz
Lucy Schulz is from Austin, Texas and is a Civics Honors major in the School of Civic Leadership with a minor in National Security and International Business, Class of 2028. She currently serves as a research and strategy assistant focusing on international governance and human rights, where she conducts historical and policy analysis to support active global policy initiatives. She is also a fellow at UT’s Clements National Security Center. Her academic work includes a senior thesis examining the geopolitical and economic consequences of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Outside of class, Lucy enjoys traveling, wake surfing, and reading.
“This Patman Scholarship represents an opportunity to deepen my formation as a thinker and leader within a tradition that takes ideas seriously and expects them to bear moral weight. Studying at Oxford allows me to engage enduring questions of power, responsibility, and human dignity at the highest level, alongside scholars committed to truth and service.”
Becca Alonso
Becca Alonso was born and raised in Austin, Texas and is a first-year Master of Public Affairs student at the LBJ School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Women and Gender Studies and Latin American Studies from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Prior to LBJ, Becca worked at Foundation Communities as a Senior Outreach and Communications Coordinator. She currently leads on-campus civic engagement efforts through her work at the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, where she serves as an advisor to the largest nonpartisan civic student organization in Texas.
“The Patman Fellowship gives me the opportunity to study democracy and policymaking in a global context to further my skills as a public servant. I am so grateful to be able to learn in an academically rich environment, shaping how I approach policy and civic engagement at LBJ and beyond.”
Mikayla Martin
Mikayla Martin is from Taylor, Texas and is majoring in Government, Rhetoric, and Sociology, with an expected graduation in Spring 2027. At UT, she serves as a Teaching Fellow for the Liberal Arts Honors Program, a writing consultant at the University Writing Center, and the Service and Philanthropy Director for her student organization. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring new coffee shops around Austin.
“This fellowship allows me to explore my interests and propel my academic journey to places I once never thought imaginable. I am beyond excited for the experiences and opportunities awaiting me, thanks to the Patman Center.”
Cameron Samuels
Cameron Samuels (they/them) is the co-founder and Executive Director of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a movement amplifying youth leadership in policymaking. Through SEAT, Cameron has led grassroots efforts opposing anti-LGBTQ+ mandates, introduced legislation elevating student rights, partnered with the Biden-Harris Administration, and testified before the U.S. Senate on book bans. Originally from Katy, Texas and a graduate of Brandeis University, Cameron is a Class of 2027 Master of Public Affairs student at the LBJ School.
“Studying democracy at Oxford will be an opportunity to zoom out beyond the United States so I can bring this experience back home with new perspectives. Thinking globally is about embracing curiosity, breaking echo chambers, and opening doors to new possibilities for our shared democratic future.”
Mandee Logsdon
Mandee Logsdon is from Cincinnati, Ohio and is pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work with a specialization in Administration and Policy Practice, with an expected graduation of May 2027. Her work focuses on global social work, policy, and community-based practice. At UT, Mandee has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the President’s Award for Global Learning–India program and as Communications and Research Lead for the Projects with Underserved Communities–India 2026 team. She is also an intern with Transformative Youth Justice, a board member with OutYouth, and a recipient of both the Earl Maxwell Scholars Program and the Andrew and Stacey Cernicky Endowed Scholarship.
“As a first-generation college and graduate student, this opportunity at Oxford represents a deliberate step toward intergenerational change. This fellowship will expand my global perspective to inform more responsible and human-centered policy creation.”
William He
William He is a first-year student from Frisco, Texas, double-majoring in Government and History with an expected graduation in May 2029. A Jefferson Scholar, William founded Dream for America at age 16, building a national nonprofit that has raised $650,000, mobilized more than 1,200 volunteers across all 50 states, and generated over one billion social media views to promote civic engagement. He has also served as a U.S. Senate Page, senior class president, and was the youngest organization leader invited to attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
“Oxford offers something I can’t get anywhere else — the chance to study the foundations of democracy where centuries of debate have shaped the modern political world. This fellowship will deepen my curiosity and strengthen the knowledge behind the work I hope to devote my life to.”
Suzi Blake
Suzi Blake is originally from North Texas and will graduate in May 2026 with a Master’s in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School, where she focuses on Security Studies. She has worked on domestic and international security issues, including U.S. energy security and research on conflict and extremism in the Sahel.
“At Oxford, I am eager to learn from world-class scholars and study how policy decisions address global security challenges. This experience will broaden my expertise and shape my work after graduation.”
Shane Birdwell
Shane Birdwell was born on Carswell Air Force Base in Tarrant County and grew up across Texas’s major metropolitan areas. He is completing a Master of Public Affairs at UT, after earning a BA in Government from UT Austin in 2013. Shane has held leadership roles in Texas politics for over a decade, including serving as Chief of Staff in both the Texas House and Texas Senate. He and his wife Estefania live in Spicewood, Texas with their newborn son.
“The Patman Fellowship allows me to study at Oxford while deepening my education in a country tied to my family’s roots. This experience will shape me into a more thoughtful policy leader with a global perspective.”
Ella Babic
Ella Babic is a junior Plan II Honors and Government major from Boerne, Texas. She has interned with the Office of Governor Greg Abbott, HillCo Partners, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Congressman Pete Sessions, and served as a Legislative Aide during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. She is also a J.J. Pickle Undergraduate Research Fellow and a Jefferson Scholar.
“The Patman Center Summer in Oxford Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity to pursue truth alongside devoted peers at a university steeped in history and intellectual refinement.”
Bianca Talamantes
Bianca Talamantes is from El Paso, Texas (the Lower Valley) and is a junior at The University of Texas at Austin double-majoring in Government and Sociology, with a minor in Economics and a certificate in Business Spanish. She expects to graduate in Spring 2027 and is a first-generation Impact Scholar. After graduation, Bianca plans to attend law school and pursue work at the intersection of law, public policy, and community advocacy, with a focus on education. Last summer, she participated in the International Board of Advisors (IBA) Global Leadership Experience and is excited to apply what she learned last Summer in Oxford.
“This scholarship was the reason I allowed myself to dream that me going to Oxford could actually be a reality. It also proves to my community that places like Oxford aren’t closed off to us and that we belong there too.”
The Patman Center congratulates this remarkable cohort for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to public service. Their experiences at Oxford will prepare them to engage deeply with democratic ideas and bring new perspectives back to the University of Texas and the communities they serve.
Learn more about our Summer in Oxford program.
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Anjali Gladson
Anjali Gladson is a proud UT Austin alumna, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Government with minors in National Security & International Business and Arabic. During her time at UT, she was actively involved in student programming, outreach, and research, including serving as a Senior Student Associate for the Intelligence Studies Project, contributing to research on peacekeeping and disinformation, and being selected for competitive fellowships with the Clements Center for National Security and the Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Now, in her role at the Patman Center, she supports programming, student engagement, and outreach efforts to help cultivate the next generation of public leaders.