Civic Engagement – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

A Capitol Day in Austin

It was a busy time. Sandwiched between finals and SHSU move-out day, we took a quick trip to Austin to attend a conference and visit the capitol building, where some of us would like to intern in the spring of 2027. We made the most of it.

While Jacob and Zackery had visited the capitol building, it was Kayla’s first time. But for all of us, we had a chance to learn more, armed with information from Professor Yawn’s oft-given tours.

We learned that all the hinges on doors in the TX capitol have the State Seal on them, and that they are eight-by-eight, weighing around seven pounds…

…and that even the door knobs are photogenic.

We stopped by the Treasurer’s Office, which has been restored to its early 1900s look, and has many artifacts in the space.

We also went to the Rotunda, where one individual was enthusiastically exercising his free speech rights (which endured our entire tour of almost two hours)…

The Rotunda also displays 47 of Texas’s 48 Governors, with only Abbott missing. (Governor Abbott will not have his portrait done until he leaves office.) We picked out some of the more notable ones, including Governor Bush, who of course, went on to be President…

…and, of course, we found Sam Houston’s portrait.

With each new governor, every portrait has to be moved over one spot, all the way up the rotunda…

We also learned more about Elizabet Ney and her sculptures, while also exploring the House and Senate, giving us a chance to see some of the more picturesque scenes from the statehouse and giving us a chance to practice some photography.

We also explored the ground floor, where we saw the Medal of Honor display which seemed sort of lonely…

…the extension…

…where we saw the capitol dome through a skylight, and a bust of SHSU alum Gib Lewis, former Speaker of the TX House.

It was an educational morning, with lessons on the legislature and the capitol’s many connections to SHSU and Sam Houston the man.

Skipjack Oyster

Nestled in downtown Austin is Skipjack Oyster, about which our advisor spoke highly. Striking a balance between high-end and casual and relaxed coastal-inspired decor with lively energy, it was an escape from the busy pace of the capitol.

For appetizers, we tried some Oysters, including samples from six different locations across the United States and Canada, ranging from salty and briny to sweet to acidic, giving us a sense of how much variation can occur from the same food item!

We also tried the Salmon dip, which is smoked and adorned with chives and boursin, a creamy French cheese flavored with herbs. This made the perfect dip for chips that were delicious–indeed, we ran out of chips before we ran out of dip!

For the main entrees, Jacob and Zackery–who share a brain, apparently–ordered the Redfish, which offered a nice mixture of mild seafood flavor, supplemented by a tangy green tomato relish.

Kayla enjoyed the Seafood Tagliatelle, which featured clams, shrimp, mussels, herbs, white wine, and tomatoes. The sauce was perfect, well-seasoned, and complemented the different types of seafood.

This was, in turn, complemented by the Lobster Mac and Cheese, which was both large and scrumptious, offering a grated cheese and healthy portions of lobster.

Of course, we capped off the dinner with dessert, consisting of a banana cream pie and bread pudding, with the former winning votes as favorite.

In just a few hours, we were able to enjoy key elements of Austin: the capitol, its politics, policy, and tourism scenes, and the food, which is always a delight and sometimes the highlight!

Fun in the Sun at the CASA Kids Expo

Written by Kayla Fleming

It’s often said that the strength of a community is found in the opportunities it creates for its people—especially its youth. Building on that idea, CASA of Walker County hosted their 3rd annual Kids Expo, bringing together organizations, families, and volunteers for a day centered around connection, learning and supporting youth.

The event was organized by Laura Green, Director of Development for CASA of Walker County. Situated in the parking lot and grounds of Huntsville Church of Christ, organizations from across the community set up tents, activities, food, and entertainment, while mascots such as the Chick-fil-A Cow, the EASCO Duck, and HEB Buddy roamed the grounds.

Central to everything were a series of featured programs, beginning with a heart-melting puppet show. Families could enjoy the synchronized dances of the Huntsville ISD Drill Team, the tumbles and flips from the Pocket Aces Cheer Company, the curated styles of the Buck & Bo Fashion show and the swirling bright colors of the Ballet Folklorico.

Informational booths included emergency services, the City of Huntsville’s Parks & Recreation (Good to see you Michelle and Joseph!), the ever-present Rob Hipp, Huntsville Memorial Hospital (good to see you Brian Goldgar!), one of our favorite bakeries (Yolk and On Bakery), Cenikor (good to see you salvador Favela!), Sam Houston State University (Good to see you Courtney Chastine!), rock wall climbing, food options, and many more.

LEAP brought together 14 of the volunteers, all positioned in the Kid’s Zone, where many of the games and activities for children were housed.

There was a mini-train, run by our Laura Green’s very own Glenngineer; a foam party by the playground in the back; three bouncy-houses for different ages; face painting; archery and a photobooth. Towards the back, there was a petting zoo offering miniature pony rides and families the chance to interact with animals such as bunnies, pigs, ducks, a llama, goats, and a tortoise. Elliot’s Jewelers sponsored a Balloon Artist and a “sketches to sparkle” Jewelry design contest for the ages 5-12.

And while we were at it, Professor Yawn decided to climb the firetruck ladder…

…for some aerial shots.

To end this wonderful event, CASA did drawings for four bicycles, making some families very happy.

As the day wrapped up, the volunteers posed for a group photo, with the train as a backdrop, and we all got our first ride on a train!

We and many of the other volunteers helped take down the event, moving chairs and tables and such, and we were able to call it a day’s work. And while volunteering involves work, it was also a lot of fun, made even more satisfying by knowing that many families had a good time at an event that is rapidly becoming a Huntsville tradition.

Balancing AI Innovation and Safety: Key Insights from WAC–Houston

Written by Jacob Wessels

LEAP Students gathered for an World Affairs Council oxford style debate at Rice university yesterday. To tackle a question that’s becoming harder to ignore in today’s world: should democratic nations prioritize AI capability over AI safety? The event brought together policymakers, tech experts, and investors for a lively discussion that felt less like a lecture and more like a real look at where the world is heading.

The evening started with a quick introduction to the panel, but it wasn’t just a list of dry credentials, this was a broad list of expertise! On one end, you had Representative Giovanni Capriglione, who brought the weight of a lawmaker who has actually written Texas’s AI frameworks. Then there was Mario Rodriguez, whose experience operating Sophia the Robot moved the conversation from “what if” to the reality of humanoid engineering.

Instead of debating a “future” version of AI, Brad Groux spoke from the perspective of someone building cloud-based AI for organizations right now, while George Ploss, a Marine veteran and Oracle director reframed the tech as a critical piece of national security and the defense industrial base.

The pro-capability side framed AI as an urgent geopolitical race. One speaker argued that democratic nations cannot afford to slow innovation, emphasizing that AI is already defending critical infrastructure such as power grids and financial systems. In their view, prioritizing safety through heavy restrictions risks ceding technological leadership to authoritarian regimes. The argument was straightforward: in a world of rapid advancement, falling behind is more dangerous than moving too fast.

They also highlighted some of the benefits AI is delivering right now such as early cancer detection and more access to education, pointing out that slowing development isn’t just cautious; it could delay life saving breakthroughs and prolong existing inequalities. Their main message was that democratic values, combined with existing legal frameworks, are enough to guide responsible innovation without stifling progress.

On the other side, the safety-focused speakers challenged the very framing of the debate. Rather than a race, they described AI as a strategic system more comparable to nuclear technology than consumer software. Drawing on lessons from Cold War deterrence, they argued that unchecked capability without control creates instability, not strength. In this view, safety isn’t a barrier to progress, it’s what makes progress sustainable.

They pointed to real-world risks, including simulations where AI systems behaved unpredictably, as evidence that reliability and oversight must come first. Without embedded safeguards, even the most advanced systems could become liabilities. One speaker emphasized that democracies should not try to “win” by mimicking less accountable regimes, warning that doing so would undermine the very values that give them legitimacy and global influence.

What really stuck with me from the safety side was their focus on trust. They argued that long term leadership depends not just on what a nation can build, but on whether allies and citizens trust those systems. In a world shaped by alliances like NATO, credibility and shared values may matter as much as raw technological power.

The audience Q&A added another layer to the discussion, with individuals–including Robin and Mikaela–asking practical and philosophical questions.

What made the debate especially engaging was how much common ground existed beneath the disagreement. Both sides acknowledged the importance of innovation and the inevitability of AI’s growth. The real divide was about sequencing and emphasis: should capability lead with safety following, or should safety be built in from the start?

Like many World Affairs Council events, the debate didn’t aim to deliver a definitive answer. Instead, it encouraged critical thinking and deeper engagement. As AI continues to evolve, the question raised that evening will only become more urgent: how do we balance the drive to innovate with the responsibility to protect?

For LEAP, the evening carried an extra layer of significance beyond the debate itself. This was Michelle’s final event with us, and having her there to lead the way one last time made the night feel like the end of an era. It was a reminder that while we spent so much time discussing the “inevitable” growth of technology helping us better our world, it’s actually the people and the mentors we work with who help us become better versions of ourselves.

Walking out of the O’conner building, I couldn’t shake the idea that the tech is actually the easy part. The hard part is the governance. We aren’t just building faster tools; we’re deciding who or what gets to stay in the driver’s seat of our society!

Bridging Academia and Real-World Experience at SHSU

In our four years at Sam Houston State University, we have had many opportunities to attend conferences. And, perhaps unusually, we have also had the opportunity to present at conferences, and one of those opportunities arose late this semester–two weeks prior to our graduation!

Our presentation, alongside Dean Lyons and Associate Dean Boisvert, was to highlight the many ways that SHSU, the College of Criminal Justice, and the LEAP Center help bridge the gap between academia and the “real-world.”

While the Deans ably handled high-level things such as state mandates, trends in higher education, and challenges faced across the educational industry, we offered an overview of some of the ways that this curricular “bridge” has helped us participate in and transition to the workplace.

This included discussions of things we experience in the classroom, such as police simulations; internship opportunities we have had in and outside of our fields of study; travel opportunities we have enjoyed; and the community service in which we have engaged. This approach was taken to demonstrate that, in a world where a career lattice (rather than career ladder) is likely, it’s important to have broad and well-rounded skills rather than narrow and inflexible skills.

It was a pleasure to have this opportunity–and especially together–as we approach our graduation. As fellow Criminal Justice majors with an assortment of minors, and as former SHAIP interns, and as students very active in the LEAP program, it was a pleasure to share some of our experiences with Dean Lyons and Associate Dean Danielle Boisvert…

…in front of many of the leading professionals in the correctional-legal field.

Becker Brings Humor, Inspiration to SHSU

Written by Allie Plunk

Starting off an insightful day with George H.W. Bush’s post-presidency chief of
Staff, Jean Becker, we met at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences building here on campus for a book talk and signing!

Though some of us had attended a previous event on her book tour, everyone was enthralled by Becker’s charismatic and engaging discussion of her newest book, Don’t Tell the President, co-authored by Tom Collamore. We listened eagerly as she discussed accounts of several of the stories of advance workers– the people who make sure that events go as planned– across presidencies from Lyndon B. Johnson to Barack Obama.

After several humorous anecdotes about the less-than-elegant side to life while working for the White House (like getting peed on at a phone booth while talking to her boss)…

…Becker closed on a more somber note. She reminded us that Americans have to pull together to make progress, and she highlighted the way that–despite their differences–Presidents Bush and Clinton worked together to raise funds for hurricane relief and that President Obama stopped in to Houston, days before President Bush’s death, to thank him for his service to the country.

This serves as a reminder of what our future both as a people and as a country, should look like: putting aside differences and helping each other where we can.

Following the book talk, Becker generously agreed to sign copies of her new book! Students lined up eagerly, discussing the fascinating stories she had shared. We were all very excited and grateful to have had her with us at Sam Houston once again.

Chamber After Hours Showcases Senior Center’s Vital Programs

LEAP students were back at the Senior Center, but this time it was for the Chamber’s Business After Hours, highlighting the good work of Stacey Loll and her staff.

And LEAP students were not alone, as some forty community members attended, including Representative Trey Wharton, Mayor Russell Humphrey, Chamber President Jason Brandolini, and, of course, the Senior Center’s Board members.

Visitors not only had a chance to see the physical space of the Senior Center, but also to tour it, enjoy the food provided by the non-profit (cooked by the wonderful chef, Rafael), and learn more about the program’s vital mission.

This mission includes providing an activity space within the facility, where seniors come on a daily basis for lunch, bingo, and companionship. A second leg of the mission is food delivery, with more than a hundred meals delivered each (week) day to food-insecure residents. And, third, the Center provides transportation to key sustenance and civic activities, such as voting, shopping, and medical visits.

With only two full-time staff members, the organization is heavily reliant on volunteers, many of whom handle the delivery of meals. As Director Loll noted, “You only have to deliver once, and when you do, you will know why we deliver meals and the extent to which our community needs this service.”

Certainly the drivers at the event echoed this sentiment, sharing stories with us about their experiences and the community’s needs. Moreover, they also spoke of the benefits they receive by helping. Volunteerism, as we have also learned through our own experiences at the Senior Center, isn’t just the volunteers giving to the community–it’s the impact that volunteerism has on the volunteers.

Speaking for ourselves, we certainly felt the impact, and after a bit of assistance to the staff and board with take-down, we left the Senior Center with the warm glow that comes from being part of a community that cares about others.

For those who would like to donate to the Senior Center, follow this link.

Ambassador Rahul Chhabra speaks on India’s Global Leadership

Written by Kayla Fleming

Thursday, April 9th, was an exciting day for LEAP students. We traveled to the Asia Society Texas Center to hear Ambassador Rahul Chhabra speak on India’s place in global leadership, hosted by the World Affairs Council. The event provided new learning opportunities and deeper insight into the world’s largest democracy, India.

Following a warm welcome from Matthew Fuller, the director of Business and Politics at the Asia Society Texas and CEO of the World Affairs Council, Maryanne Maldonado introduced Ambassador Chhabra, setting the stage for a lively and informative discussion moderated by Chief Programs Officer Ronan O’Malley.

Ambassador Chhabra was the perfect blend of entertaining and educational. He discussed India’s rise on the global stage and its relations with other countries. He also highlighted the “economic miracle” of India’s GDP growth, especially in comparison to China, as well as the U.S.

Ambassador Chhabra began by reflecting on India’s early years, following their independence from Britain at the end of the Second World War. He mentioned India’s first choice of ally was the United States, but they refused to be overly tied into diplomatic entanglements as a developing country.

This independent spirit was exemplified by the concept of “nonalignment” and India’s continuous choice to forge its own pathway rather than strictly aligning with the West, China, or Russia. He attributed this concept to “India’s economic miracle.” Ambassador Chhabra mentioned India’s choice to expand into the IT sector instead of manufacturing, which was the proven path to development that China underwent.

Another key topic Ambassador Chhabra explored was the significance of the “123 agreement,” which reversed the previous sanctions on nuclear trade with India. Under George W. Bush, India and U.S. relations increased significantly as India was the only country with which the United States had an arrangement like this. He attributed a large portion of this success to the Indian-American population and their unwavering support.

Nearing the end of the event, O’Malley opened the floor to questions, and Ambassador Chhabra answered multiple questions from the audience regarding India’s global strategy and international partnership.

Listening to his vast experiences and India’s point of view over the last several decades was particularly interesting, and left the audience pondering the effects of American policies on the rest of the world, for better or worse. After the event finished, Ambassador Chhabra was kind enough to take a photo with LEAP students, providing a memorable end to an insightful day.

Mortar & Pestle Brings Joy and Jean Becker

Written by Isis Hollis

It is only fitting to have a book talk in a book shop, and Huntsville is fortunate to have one of the best downtown bookstores in the state: Mortar & Pestle. Filled with books, wine, coffee, and art…

…this “Third Place” was soon filled with people and a charismatic and humorous speaker and, before long, a room full of laughs.

We learned about the travails of Bob Dole, who made an impromptu visit to highlight economic development, only to find himself keeping company with characters dressed as Woody Woodpecker, Frankenstein, Charlie Chaplin, and Mae West–not the look you want when you’ve just fired three campaign officials. Headlines the next day read, “Bob Dole Shakes up Campaign Staff.”

Senator Bob Dole during the Florida Primary at the construction site of Universal City. Photo by Dennis Brack

Of course, it wasn’t all laughs. There were also discussions of events such as attempted presidential assassinations, disaster relief, and 9-11. Irrespective of the anecdote, Becker related tales in the book with passion, intelligence, and a bit of mischief.

The result was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in a wonderfully enjoyable venue.

Following the event, attendees bought books, had them signed, and stayed around to enjoy each other’s company.

LEAP Students, Kara Froelich, Carl Pittman (owners of Mortar and Pestle), and Jean Becker then indulged in a meal at Sam’s Table, where we were able to ask deeper questions after the much fulfilling day. Becker revealed more about the process behind wrangling people together to write essays for her book, discussed the busy schedule of a book tour, and extolled the virtues of a downtown bookstore such as Mortar & Pestle.

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