This May, LBJ students visited Washington D.C. for a Maymester course at The Patman Center called “Effective Advocacy for Federal Policymaking.” The course was taught by Professor Emily Bhandari. Students had the exciting opportunity to interview speakers and visited famed governmental institutions and world class advocacy groups.
On May 13th, students arrived bright and early to the LBJ Washington Center, where they heard from Bill Shute, Executive Director of the LBJ Washington Center, on how Washington works. Next, students listened to a moderated conversation with David Berteau, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Professional Services Council (PSC). The PSC is a trade association that represents the government technology and professional services industry and works to unite government and industry in successful coalitions.
Students then travelled to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) for a conversation with Viquar Ahmad, special assistant to President Biden and Chief U.S. Financial Officer. He showed students around the EEOB and spoke about the budget and advocacy for federal spending.
Finally, students rounded out the day with a conversation with Matthew Cornelius, Managing Director of the Federal Industry at Workday, a software company geared towards human resources and finance processes. This conversation was moderated by Melanie Kepic, an LBJ student. Afterwards, students got had an opportunity to connect with one another at a welcome dinner at The Unconventional Diner. Networking with other students in the program is strongly encouraged, so that students can build long lasting relationships with each other.
On May 14th, students toured the U.S. Capitol and had the chance to speak with committee staffers. First, students met with Taryn Woody, a professional staff member of the United States House Armed Services Committee. This committee is crucial to defense operations and considers the annual defense authorization bill, which allows funding for the military. This conversation with Taryn Woody was moderated by LBJ student James Lemoine.
Students also heard from Marcus Towns, Director of Member Services and Coalitions for The Committee on Foreign Affairs at the U.S. House of Representatives. The Committee on Foreign Affairs oversees the State Department. This conversation was moderated by LBJ student Christy Beauchemin.
After lunch at the U.S. Capitol Café, LBJ student Larissa Costa moderated a conversation with Jillian Smith, legislative assistant to Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Lloyd Doggett represents Austin and is the representative for most LBJ students.
The day ended in the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Room. Students met David Weinberg, Staff Director for the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. This committee was established in 2005 to combat terrorism and deals with legislation surrounding U.S. security.
On May 15th, the focus pivoted from Congressional committees to advocacy groups and lobbying organizations. Students heard from Ali McGuigan, Manager of Government Relations at National Grid, a UK and US natural gas and electricity company. National Grid provides services for New York and Massachusetts and lobbies for energy policy changes at the federal and state levels. This conversation was moderated by LBJ student Julie Range.
Later that day, students travelled to the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute for a conversation and tour with the policy director Rachel Hoff. The Foundation and Institute are non-partisan organizations that carry on President Reagan’s legacy. The Ronald Reagan Institute is based in D.C. and runs several civic leadership initiatives, including the Reagan Institute Summit on Education, the Center for Civics, Education and Opportunity, and the Academy for Civic Education and Democracy. This conversation with Rachel Hoff was moderated by LBJ student Lacey Lewis.
Students closed out the day by visiting the offices of the Human Rights Campaign and listening to a conversation between JoDee Winteroff, Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs, and LBJ student Floridell Berry. The Human Rights Campaign is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
On May 16th, LBJ student Adah Barenburg moderated an exciting conversation with Melissa Lazarin, senior program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. Later, students attended a conversation with Steve Eichenauer, a partner in Public Strategies Washington Inc (PSW). PSW is a boutique public affairs firm that offers services in federal policy, lobbying, public affairs, and working with clients and companies abroad. This conversation was moderated by LBJ student Viktoria Beck.
Students began May 17th with a tour of the White House. Afterwards, they headed back to the LBJ Washington Center for a conversation between Sean Mason, deputy director for the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations (OSFR), and Trent Thurman, Assistant Dean for Executive Education at The LBJ School. OSFR is Texas’s advocate in Washington D.C., representing Texas state government to the president, Congress and various federal agencies Next, LBJ student Anthony Hernandez moderated a conversation with the final speaker of the Maymester, Gretchen Tietje, Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State. She spoke to students about international diplomacy and what federal advocacy looks like in foreign relations. That night, students got to take in the famous monuments during a D.C. Monuments at Night Tour, sponsored by The Patman Center.
Students ended the trip with museums and sight-seeing. They toured the National Archives and the National Museum of American History and National Portrait Gallery, followed by a closing dinner at The Commissary.
After returning home, students must submit an advocacy plan about an issue they care about. Their plan must include a main strategy for advancing their cause, address their opposition, a stakeholder analysis, an op-ed, and an elevator speech. This advocacy plan puts students’ learning on the Maymester into action and gives participants a tangible project to walk away with.
Registration for The Patman Center’s next Maymester in spring 2025 occurs this fall! Four scholarships will be available to cover costs associated with travel and accommodations while in D.C. Applications for the scholarships open in December 2024.