Instructor: Emily Bhandari, MPAff, MSSW
The principal objective of the course was to build skills and offer opportunities to practice what is needed to become an effective civic leader, including: as an everyday citizen; as an organization leader; or as an elected or appointed official.
Students heard from active professionals about their career journeys and receive personalized feedback reports on their own leadership strengths.
Students increased their knowledge and skills about public leadership and feel more confident in their ability to engage in civic life.
SPRING 2026 REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Open to any undergraduate or graduate student at UT-Austin.
Undergraduates: PA 355 Unique #: 63070
Graduates: PA 388K Unique #: 63275
Spring 2026 Speakers
Alison Mohr Boleware
Former Director of Policy at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and adjunct professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work
Peter Clark
Communications Director, Texans Care for Children and Adjunct Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Marjorie Clifton
Published author, speaker and media commentator, appearing multiple times a week on CNN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, PBS and global radio
Mark Strama
Director, Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life and former Texas State Representative (2005-2013)
Talia Stroud
Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and the School of Journalism and Media. Director, Center for Media Engagement, Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin
Trent Thurman
Assistant Dean & Director of Executive Education; Assistant Professor of Practice; Director, Executive Master's in Public Leadership
Spring 2024 Speakers
The Honorable Sherri Greenberg
Former Texas State Representative
Assistant Dean, The LBJ School of Public Affairs
Christina Tzintzun Ramirez
President of NextGen America
Adjunct Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs
Larry Schooler
Former City of Austin Manager for Public Engagement and Assistant Professor of Practice, Moody College of Communication
Evan Smith
Founder and Former CEO, The Texas Tribune and Professor of Practice, The LBJ School of Public Affairs
