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.
Each year, the Patman Center awards four $3,000 scholarships to help offset travel, lodging, and transportation costs for students enrolled in the course. Held in Washington, D.C., the Maymester allows students to learn advocacy strategies firsthand from elected officials, legislative staff, lobbyists, interest group leaders, communications professionals, and think tank representatives across the political spectrum.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Jillian Sánchez
Jillian Sánchez is a first-year master’s student in Educational Leadership and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. A recipient of the Buck Weirus Spirit Award at Texas A&M, she now serves as a graduate assistant in Hazing Prevention and Safety Education through UT’s Dean of Students Office, focusing on the intersection of student safety, institutional policy, and campus culture.
“I am truly honored to receive this scholarship to attend the Maymester in D.C. It will allow me the opportunity to obtain first-hand experience in how advocacy influences educational decision-making and the impact it has on student outcomes.”
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson is a Master of Public Affairs student at the LBJ School and a former U.S. Army Infantry Officer with the 10th Mountain Division. Originally from Denton, Texas, he previously earned degrees in Political Science and History from the University of North Texas and plans to pursue a career in city management.
“I do not see a better opportunity to learn and to watch policymaking at its highest level. This experience will allow me to grow in my career in city management. Building connections, analyzing different policy outcomes, and developing advocacy plans are all integral parts of successful city management, and all aspects I would be able to see in person with this course.”
Juan Negrete
Juan Negrete is a second-year Master of Public Affairs student with extensive experience in the Texas Legislature. He has served in senior policy and management roles in the Texas Senate and currently works as a Governmental Affairs Specialist for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, focusing on pension, investment, and health policy.
“Participation in the D.C. Maymester will improve my long-term effectiveness in public service by providing me with direct access to federal policymaking and key lawmakers in the federal policy field.”
Nicholas Marshall
Nicholas Marshall is pursuing dual master’s degrees in Global Policy Studies and Asian Studies at UT Austin. His research explores human rights, environmental policy, and geopolitical dynamics among Russia, India, and China, supported by advanced language study in Russian, Hindi, and Mandarin.
“I am grateful to receive this award. The ability to fully experience this Maymester and the federal advocacy skills I learn in D.C. will enable me to translate my research expertise into practical contexts for my future career.”
The Patman Center congratulates this year’s scholarship recipients for their dedication to public service and civic leadership. Their diverse academic backgrounds and professional experiences reflect the Center’s mission to prepare students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in democratic institutions and advocacy at all levels of government.
Students will visit with legislative professionals from institutions such as:
- Bipartisan Policy Center
- CATO Institute
- American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
- Brookings Institution
- House Committee for Armed Services Republicans
- Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
....and more!
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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 undergraduate years, she was deeply involved in student programming, outreach, and research—most notably as Senior Student Associate for the Intelligence Studies Project, where she led event coordination and communications to connect students with opportunities in national security. She also contributed to research on peacekeeping and disinformation and was selected for competitive fellowships with the Clements Center for National Security and the Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Having benefited greatly from mentorship during her own time as a student, Anjali is eager to help Patman Center students build the same transformative connections that shaped her academic and professional journey. In her role, she coordinates programming, student engagement initiatives, and outreach efforts to advance the Center’s mission of cultivating bipartisan public leaders.