On the Road to Washington, D.C.: 2026 Maymester in D.C. Scholarship Recipients

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 from San Marcos, Texas, and is a first-year master’s student in Educational Leadership and Policy through the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Her involvement in student leadership positions at Texas A&M University earned her the prestigious Buck Weirus Spirit Award and sparked a growing interest in student development within higher education.

Currently, Jillian serves as a graduate assistant in Hazing Prevention and Safety Education through UT’s Dean of Students Office. In this role, she works at the intersection of student safety, institutional policy, and campus culture—an experience that has deepened her interest in how policy can positively shape student life and outcomes on college campuses.

“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 born-and-raised Texan from Denton, Texas. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from the University of North Texas before joining the United States Army, where he served as an Infantry Officer with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. During his service, Ben worked alongside soldiers from a wide range of backgrounds, an experience that reinforced his desire to advocate for inclusive and effective public policy.

Ben is currently pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and expects to graduate in Fall 2026. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, he enjoys making barbecue, traveling with his wife, and hiking with their dog, Buddy. He hopes to build a career in city management, applying advocacy skills to better serve local communities.

“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 from Eagle Pass, Texas, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. His professional focus is state-level politics and legislation, and he brings extensive experience from senior policy and management roles within the Texas Legislature.

Juan has served as a clerk and manager for the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee under Senator John Whitmire and later managed a broad legislative portfolio for Texas Senate District 29 under Senator Cesar Blanco, balancing rural policy priorities with the needs of El Paso communities. Most recently, he has represented nearly 1.2 million active and retired Texas educators as a Governmental Affairs Specialist for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, overseeing legislative developments related to pension administration, investment policy, and health insurance programs.

“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 Masters degrees in Global Policy Studies and Asian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Building on undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and Psychology, his research focuses on the intersection of human rights and environmental policy and the interactions between Russia, India, and China. Nicholas has spent considerable time honing language skills in Russian, Hindi, and Mandarin to enhance this research, including studying with immersive summer programs at the Middlebury Davis School of Russian and the American Institute of Indian Studies.

“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!