Sam Houston Austin Interns Recognized on the House Floor

Every two years, the LEAP Center at SHSU places 6-12 interns in the Texas Legislature.  This year, 11 SHSU students were placed in offices:

• Brittany Gibson: Texas Association of Counties
• Jezel Luna: Rep. Rick Miller (R)
• Maggie Denena: Rep. Will Metcalf (R)
• Mackenzie Smith: Rep. Four Price (R)
• Anne Jamarik: Rep. Trent Ashby (R)
• Ilexus Williams: Rep. Mando Martinez (D)
• Karen Tinajero: Rep. Mando Martinez (D)
• Jordan Davis: Rep. Chris Turner (D)
• Yvana Kepnga: Rep. Eric Johnson (D)
• Peyton Reed: Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D)
• Monica Dike: Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D)

The students learned much this session, with many of them carrying multiple bills through to the Governor’s signature.  On Friday, with help from intern Maggie Denena…

…Representative Will Metcalf…

…Rep. Chris Turner, Rep. Four Price, Rep. Trent Ashby, and Rep. Jim Murphy recognized the interns from the House floor.

The recognition capped a successful session….

…that some 20 more SHSU students and alumni working in the legislature, probably a record number.  Additional students worked in the executive branches near the Capitol.  Intriguingly, this cohort are all 32 or younger, suggesting that there will be quite a future presence for SHSU in the executive and legislative branches of government.

Author: mikeyawn

Mike Yawn teaches at Sam Houston State University. In the past few years, he has taught courses on Politics & Film, Public Policy, the Presidency, Media & Politics, Congress, Statistics, Research & Writing, Field Research, and Public Opinion. He has published academic papers in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Social Security Quarterly, Film & History, American Politics Review, and contributed a chapter to the textbook Politics and Film. He also contributes columns, news analysis, and news stories to newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, Huron Daily Tribune, Laredo Morning Times, Beaumont Enterprise, Connecticut Post, and Midland Reporter Telegram. Yawn is also active in his local community, serving on the board of directors of the local YMCA and Friends of the Wynne. Previously, he served on the Huntsville's Promise and Stan Musial World Series Boards of Directors. In 2007-2008, Yawn was one of eight scholars across the nation named as a Carnegie Civic Engagement Scholar by the Carnegie Foundation. View all posts by mikeyawn