A RC H E R CENTER S P OT L I G H T
Q&A
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he Archer Center in Washington, D.C. was established in 2001 by former Congressman Bill Archer, in partnership with UT Austin and the UT System Office of Federal Relations, as a way to give students an experience in leadership and noble public service. Since 2001, undergraduate and graduate students of the UT System have participated in a semester or summer-long experiential learning program. Undergraduate students participate in the Undergraduate Fellowship Program and graduate students participate in the Graduate Program in Public Policy.
Andrés Gallardo, doctoral student in Demography
Andrés Gallardo participated in the Archer Graduate Program in Public Policy during the summer of 2016 in Washington D.C. Andrés will complete his degree with his dissertation, “Energy Consumption Patterns and Demography: A Path to Designing Public Policy Programs.” What was your first impression of Washington, D.C.? It was my first time in D.C. It was beautiful, clean, and D.C. has that big city feel. It feels majestic in a way. So many people are bright and intellectual and I got a view of how non-profits worked. What was your first assignment? Where did you intern? I interned at the Population Institute. Altogether there were eight interns there. I worked directly under the CEO. I was researching the effects of population, aging, and economic growth. The CEO was in the process of writing a book on population changes, and I helped him with his research. How did the Archer program enhance your skills and academic experiences? As an Archer fellow, I was able to enhance my skills in research and learn how it is applied in the real world. I got a feel for how policy making works. Nonprofits can influence public opinion. After my time in D.C., I knew this is what I wanted to do. I want to go into policy making. Why do you feel that it is important for UTSA to be part of the Archer experience?
14 IMPACT |
Archer Center Graduate Fellows n
Jeremiah Rivera, MPA Summer 2017 Excelencia in Education Jorge Villarreal, II, MPA Summer 2016 The Institute for Policy Studies
The Archer program opens students up to new experiences. It’s important, especially, for students from the Rio Grande Valley. I think they are less exposed, and they have an opportunity to learn more about government and public service.
What are your career goals after you graduate from the demography program? I am interested in working as a policy analyst. I feel the Archer program has given me the tools I need to apply knowledge in the field of public policy and offer new approaches to current issues.
Undergraduate Fellowship (2017-2018) n
Sara Attia (Criminal Justice) Jamilyn Keeton (Public Administration) Ian May (Criminal Justice)