Maymester in D.C.

Effective Advocacy for Influencing Federal Policymaking

Instructor: Emily Bhandari 
Open to: All currently enrolled UT students and non-degree seeking professionals

Dates: May 12-16, 2025

Democracy functions best when policymakers receive information on the likely impacts of proposed policy.  Located in Washington D.C., students will learn effective advocacy strategies and skills directly from active professionals. 

Students will be able to develop an advocacy plan; frame an issue and present a cause to stakeholders; lead education campaigns; motivate decision-makers; recognize allies; and identify threats to success. Students will hear from elected officials, legislative staff, interest group leaders, lobbyists, communication professionals, and think tank representatives. 

Students will increase their knowledge about advocating in Washington D.C. and improve their skills around developing an effective advocacy plan.

Maymester in D.C. News

Maymester scholars photo

Announcing our 2025 Maymester in D.C. Scholarship Recipients!

Jan. 30, 2025
The Patman Center is excited to announce our 2025 Maymester scholarship recipients! The Patman Center Maymester is taking place May 12th - 16th in Washington D.C. The course, titled Effective Advocacy for Influencing Federal Policymaking, provides students the opportunity to learn directly from political professionals working in D.C. The Patman Center's $3,000 scholarships are awarded to five select students who can use the money to pay for transportation and hotel accommodations while in D.C.
Photo of LBJ students standing in front of the American Flag

Students Go To Washington D.C. To Study Federal Policymaking

June 6, 2024
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.
Maymester headshots

Maymester in D.C. Scholarships Given to Four LBJ Students

Feb. 7, 2024
Four students were awarded full scholarships to attend the Maymester in D.C. Learn more about who they are in the news article.

Travel and Accomodations

All travel, overnight accommodations, and transportation while in Washington D.C. are the responsibility of the students participating. No travel or hotels will be pre-arranged. The professor will connect students signed up for the course in December and will encourage them to work together to find shared housing to lower costs in D.C.

Scholarships

Four, $3,000 scholarships will be given to UT students interested in attending the Maymester in D.C. The scholarship can be used for program fees including travel to D.C., hotel accommodations, and transportation while participating in the course.

Scholarship Application Information

Submission Deadline: December 9, 2024

* Students will be notified about our scholarship decision in January, prior to the final add/drop registration period.

To apply for a scholarship, please send an email to LBJPatmanCenter@austin.utexas.edu with the following:

Subject Line: Maymester Scholarship Application

Include in Email Message Body

  • Name
  • UT EID
  • Program (MPAff, MGPS etc.)
  • Year (first or second)
  • Academic Transcript: Do you consent to OSAA releasing your academic information to the Patman Center? Please write either: 
    • (Yes) I consent to OSAA releasing my academic information. With consent, we will work with OSAA to get your transcript.
    • (No) I do not consent to OSAA releasing my academic information. 

Please include the following attachments:

  • Resume
  • Personal Statement: No more than 1-2 pages Why do you want to attend this Maymester in D.C.? What has motivated you to pursue public service? How will you use this experience to further your career?
  • Financial Need Statement: No more than 1-2 paragraphs Please offer an overview of how this financial award will support you. Would you be able to participate in the Maymester in D.C. without financial support? If so, why or why not.

Spring 2024 Speakers:

Viquar Ahmad

Viquar Ahmad, Special Assistant to President Biden and Chief U.S. Financial Officer

David Berteau

David Berteau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Professional Services Council 

Matthew cornelius

Matthew Cornelius, Managing Director, Federal Industry at Workday 

Steve Eichenauer

Steve Eichenauer, Partner, Public Strategies Washington, Inc. 

Rachel Hoff

Rachel Hoff, Policy Director, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute 

Rachel Hoff

Melissa Lazarin, Senior Program Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Sean Mason

Sean Mason, Deputy Director, Texas Office of State-Federal Relations

Ali McGuigan

Ali McGuigan, Manager of Government Relations, National Grid

Tony Pipa

Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development, Center for Sustainable Development, The Brookings Institution

Bill Shute

Bill Shute, Executive Director, LBJ Washington Center

jillian smith

Jillian Smith, Legislative Assistant, Congressman Lloyd Doggett

Zoe Swarzenski

Zoe Swarzenski, Project Manager, The Brookings Institution

Gretchen Tietje

Gretchen Tietje, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State

Marcus Towns

Marcus Towns, Director of Member Services and Coalitions, Committee on Foreign Affairs at U.S. House of Representatives

David Weinberg

David Weinberg, Staff Director, Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee

JoDee Winteroff

JoDee Winteroff, Senior Vice President, Policy and Political Affairs, The Human Rights Campaign 

Taryn Woody

Taryn Woody, Professional Staff Member, United States House Armed Services Committee