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Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Category: Civic Engagement

Diversifying Perspectives and Learning Leadership

by Olivia Discon

This week, thanks to SHSU’s Luzi Espinoza and Dr. Rachel Valle, we had the privilege to attend the Diversity First Conference & Training, held from April 24th to April 27th. The virtual conference consisted of several presentations from professionals who are committed to improving diversity in the workplace and the conversations surrounding how to responsibly and effectively have these conversations.


There were many courses and workshops on the conduct of an inclusive professional environment, such as Leading With Emotional Intelligence, Anti-Racism 101, and Cultural Competence. Many of these courses emphasized the concepts of allyship, inclusivity, and understanding of other cultures. As students entering the professional domain, we will need a full understanding of the value of diverse voices are and how they contribute to efficient, innovative, and welcoming spaces.

While we thoroughly enjoyed all of the presentations we watched, we particularly enjoyed Empathy 101 by Dr. Aires Davis, and Ally-ship DEI Measurements by Al Sullivan. Both sessions stressed the importance of self awareness and listening to others. They were engaging and initiated thought-provoking discussions throughout their presentations.

On Wednesday morning, we joined Professor Mike Yawn, Stephanie Fors, and Sarah-Hope Carter for a group session regarding microaggressions in the workplace.

Led by Al Sullivan, the course gave an in-depth explanation of what a microaggression may look like and how to respond to one.

In order to make effective change outside of identification, Sullivan provided a feedback model for conversations amongst professional peers. We appreciate the acknowledgement that micro-aggressions, while unintentional, are a natural response from our personal biases; and it is only through a conscious effort to unlearn them that we are able to transcend discriminatory behavior. 

We are very grateful to have the opportunity to attend the Diversity First Conference. Through the courses, we have learned (and unlearned) practices to ensure an inclusive environment in the professional scope. Many thanks to Dr. Valle and Ms. Espinoza and SHSU for this opportunity!

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, LawTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, SHSU Student Activities, SHSU Student AffairsLeave a comment on Diversifying Perspectives and Learning Leadership

Around the World with CIA Director Bill Burns

By Olivia Discon

Following LEAP’s visit last week to the Bush School of Government and Public Service, where current FBI Director Christopher Wray spoke on current affairs, we returned to hear the Director of the CIA, Bill Burns, speak on his perspective on international matters and his efforts in transforming the CIA to meet the constantly shifting challenges in the 21st century. 

Bill Burns has a distinguished career in foreign service, having worked for over three decades in the US Department of State. He has served in various diplomatic posts around the world, including as Ambassador to Russia, Jordan, and NATO. Appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021, Bill Burns is highly regarded as an expert in foreign policy and national security.

Hundreds of people gathered in the auditorium of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. The audience was filled with students, veterans, A&M alumni, Bush School faculty and staff, and CIA operatives. Former CIA Intelligence Officer (and current Bush School faculty) Greg Vogle was an able moderator, not only creating an open dialogue for candid conversations, but also able to guide the audience into a deeper understanding of CIA operations and their importance.

And, we caught a glimpse of former Chief of Counterintelligence at CIA and Professor of the Practice Emeritus at The Bush School, Jim Olson. 

Bill Burns spoke at large about the tensions with other international superpowers, Russia and China, and the key components of the threats to the United States. In a world of ever-evolving technology, the precedents to combat cybersecurity threats are also constantly changing. The CIA is rising to meet these challenges and others by creating new missions centers (one for technology, one with a focus on China, improving private sector partnerships, and attempting to address some of the supply-chain and other global issues affecting us all. He also invited those with a call to public service, a sense of patriotism, to consider the CIA–a career and a family. 

To recapitulate: With the support of the United States and other allies, Ukraine has shown Russia that they do not possess the means of strength to dominate NATO, let alone a small neighboring country; For China, that same war has shown the potential consequences of economic sanctions and the strength of international institutions, such as the UN, in resolving conflicts. (China, which has faced its own territorial disputes with neighboring countries, may be increasingly concerned about the potential for similar conflicts to escalate into full-scale wars.) While Burns did not sugarcoat the severity of these issues, he did provide a tone of considerable experience, most likely the greatest form of comfort in matters such as these. 

The weight of the international threats facing the United States was palpable, but so was the reassurance that comes from hearing from a man of such distinguished experience. Despite the severity of the issues discussed, Burns’ tone was one of calm and measured consideration. It was a reminder that, even in a world of constant change and shifting threats, there are those who possess the wisdom and experience to help guide us through the challenges ahead, those who are patriots, who do quality work. As the event came to a close, the audience left with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of international affairs and the importance of continued engagement and dialogue in order to ensure our nation’s safety and security.

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 27, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Law, PoliticsTags Bush School TAMU, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State UniversityLeave a comment on Around the World with CIA Director Bill Burns

Texas’s Newest Attorney: Victoria McClendon

Victoria McClendon attended law school in Pennsylvania (Duquesne Law), but her score on the Universal Bar Exam afforded her the opportunity to practice in 40-plus states, and she chose Texas. Following graduation from law school, passing the bar exam, and completing her “character and fitness” paperwork, McClendon asked Judge David Moorman to swear her in, officially marking her passage to full attorney.

With a small crowd of family, friends, a LEAP Ambassador, and Judge Tracy Sorensen on hand, Judge Moorman read the oath to Victoria, who managed to repeat perfectly.

What followed was a slew of photos and many words of encouragement from Judge Moorman. Congratulations Victoria and good luck with the Bruman Law Group!

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 23, 2023April 23, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, LawTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, District Court, Judge David Moorman, Sam Houston State UniversityLeave a comment on Texas’s Newest Attorney: Victoria McClendon

Former Attorney General and Law School Dean, Alberto Gonzales, Speaks to LEAP Students

Sam Houston State University students were given the opportunity to meet Alberto Gonzales, former Attorney General and White House Counsel for President George W. Bush, thanks to Col. David Yebra, who brings in Gonzales each year as part of a leadership program.

The program began with a video providing an overview of Gonzales’s life and career, which Gonzales then elaborated on in person.

Several themes struck a chord, including Gonzales’s background–his parents, for example, had almost no formal education, a point that resonated with several of our students. Judge Gonzales also passionately described the need for capable people to fill public service jobs. He noted that as a law-school dean, he not only looked for students who would be successful for private firms, but also emerge as leaders in the public sector.

Interestingly, we paused our discussion with Judge Gonzales for him to do an interview with a Canadian broadcasting company; Gonzales was in high demand: former President Trump had just been indicted, and people wanted the former AG’s opinion.

Students asked several questions, ranging from what he took from his upbringing (Michelle C.) to whether Laura Bush was as a sweet as she seemed to be (Sarah-Hope C.).

Judge Gonzales gave Pre-Law students also offered advice to students hoping to go to law school, from what to include on personal statements, the best application strategies, and a bit of information about Belmont Law, where Gonzales serves as Dean.

As thanks for joining us, Professor Yawn gave a copy of High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic. Interestingly, the movie, High Noon, has been screened more times than any other film in the White House.

Judge Gonzales was also so kind as to sign a copy of his book True Faith and Allegiance for Samantha Whittaker, a freshman and aspiring attorney.

The event was inspirational and educational, and we offer many thanks to both Col. Yebra and Judge Gonzales for spending time with us.

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 17, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, LawTags Alberto Gonzales, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP, LEAP Ambassadors, Sam Houston State UniversityLeave a comment on Former Attorney General and Law School Dean, Alberto Gonzales, Speaks to LEAP Students

A Hoppy, Happy Day: Easter Egg Hunting at the Wynne Home

Every year since 2010, the LEAP Ambassadors have assisted the Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center with their annual Easter Egg Hunt. This year, the hunt was ably led by Wynne Home Program Coordinator Angela Robinson–along with Wynne Home Director Sarah Faulkner and Wynne Home Admin Peyton Conley–with an assist by LEAP Ambassadors, Pre-Law Society Members, Nancy Gaertner, and the ever-present Lois Stehlik and Nancy Ormsby.

There was all sorts of fun on hand: ring tosses, bean-bag tosses, velcro darts, duck-matching, sidewalk chalking, arts and crafts, a selfie station, bubbles, lunch, jump ropes, and, of course, a hunt for Easter eggs. Also, the actual Easter Bunny showed up.

One crew of volunteers arrived at 9am, helping to hide the eggs and set up games.

Another crew arrived at 10am, putting the finishing touches on the games, and preparing for the inevitable early arrivers.

The arts and craft tables were a hit, perhaps because they were the first tables that visitors saw.

Kids also found the dart game fun, and this proved one of the more demanding volunteer positions, inasmuch as our volunteer (Daniela) was constantly in pursuit of errant “darts.”

Generally speaking, the kids were not great at the duck matching game, which is a kind of mobile “memory.” In this game, ducks float around in a pool of water, and each has a number on the bottom. Contestants should lift one at a time, trying to find a match. Even a good memory may not suffice, because while the contestant is searching, previously uncovered ducks have floated to new locations in the tub. Desiree did a great job ensuring the kids had fun, even when they didn’t understand.

The lunch was a big hit. Hungers apparently developed over the two-hour event, and everyone was able to get a hot dog (or two), chips, a cookie, and water (or Capri Sun).

The highlight, though, was the Easter Egg Hunt. This year, however, there were actually two hunts. We had the primary hunt at 12:10pm, with the Wynne Home grounds divided into sections for younger and older children. The most dangerous spot on the Wynne Home grounds is the space between children and an Easter egg when the hunt is on.

At 12:45pm, we had another hunt in yet another section of the grounds. For this one, young children (6 and under) had a 1-minute head start on the older children, giving them the chance to garner as many eggs.

In all, participants scooped up or otherwise collected some 2,500 eggs!

Although the official festivities ended at 1pm, many stayed to enjoy the ambience and games.

It was another fun and successful event put on by the Wynne Home, and the LEAP Center was happy to assist!


The LEAP Center would like to thank Jocelyn Vazquez, Desiree Rosales, Daniela Luna, Olivia Discon, Michelle Cardenas, Morgan Robertson, Nancy Ormsby, Lois Stehlik, and Nancy Gaertner for volunteering on a Saturday morning to help the community!

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 5, 2023April 5, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, VolunteeringTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, Easter, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, Wynne HomeLeave a comment on A Hoppy, Happy Day: Easter Egg Hunting at the Wynne Home

Within the Walls: NASSR Prison Tour

By Olivia Discon

As part of the three-day conference for the North American Society for the Study of Romanticism, Cynthia Boyd and I joined Sarie Fuller, Dr. Audrey Murfin, SHSU graduate students, and Professor Doran Larson on a tour of the Walls Unit of Huntsville. Our tour had a uniquely symbolic start, as we witnessed a person now free from their incarceration be released from the very doors we were about to enter.

After stepping through the golden gates (actually Bronze doors), Assistant Warden Castleberry led us through the historic East Wing of the prison; three stories of old holding cells, ceilings cast with a thick layer of precious copper, and even some commissioned items awaiting delivery from the prison’s craft shop. We all gazed in wonder at the structure, while learning of the prison’s past. This wing of the Huntsville Unit hosts a myriad of infamy: inspiring films like The Life of David Gale and A Perfect World, as well as personalities such as Clyde Barrow, Chief Satanta and John Wesley Hardin spending time in the prison. What surprised me personally was in plain sight: an unassuming, painted-over dent in the wall was once the entrance to the old Death Row, where Old Sparky was famously housed.

We were then taken to the Death Row Chamber, where we were briefly informed of the process of one being condemned to execution. This part of the tour was exceedingly sobering (and profound) to all in attendance. Entering the green painted execution chamber, we gathered around the leather-strapped gurney to discuss the intricate rules and legislative oversight that goes into such an important operation. Touching up the paint, replacing broken equipment, and permitting those presiding over the execution requires approval from the legislature to ensure proper conditions for each incarcerated person are being met.

Having the opportunity to visit the most frequented execution chamber in the United States was both demanding and captivating for everyone who went on the tour. As conversations on carceral reform continue in both the NASSR Conference and our current legislative session, this firsthand experience was necessary and humbling.

Many thanks to Professor Yawn and former TDCJ Director Wayne Scott for organizing this tour!

Author mikeyawnPosted on April 2, 2023April 2, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, PoliticsTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, CHSS, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, NASSR 2023 SHSU, Sam Houston State UniversityLeave a comment on Within the Walls: NASSR Prison Tour

Chats with Kats: Media Career Edition

The Student Alumni Association and the College of Arts and Media hosted a wonderful program featuring three alumni at SHSU: Chris Tritico (moderator), Mia Gradney, and Morgan Chesky. Tritico, an attorney by trade and training, also appears regularly in various television and radio programs, making him the perfect moderator…

…for Gradney (Evening News Anchor for KHOU 11)…

…and Chesky (News Correspondent, NBC).

The panel discussed traits promoting success in the workplace. This includes things such as “knowing your worth,” but also recognizing that new hires don’t typically begin at the top. High-level managerial positions typically have to be earned over time, and this requires late hours, compromises in work life, and a sometimes steep learning and growth curve.

They also discussed the most interesting stories they’ve covered, and these ranged from tragedies, such as the Uvalde shooting (Chesky) or covering hurricanes (Gradney) to more celebratory events such as national championships! Such discussions not only showed explicitly the range of skills and duties the job required, but also range of skills, character traits, and interests you should have as a human being.

The event was a hit for students, with more than 100 individuals on hand from the student body, faculty and staff, and even some community members. It was a nice uniting of academic discussions, interdepartmental collaboration, and career preparation, resulting in a highly successful event.

Author mikeyawnPosted on March 30, 2023Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, JobsTags College of Arts and Media SHSU, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, SHSU Student Alumni AssociationLeave a comment on Chats with Kats: Media Career Edition

Globalization Myths, With Dr. Shannon O’Neil

The Woodlands’ residents and various students got the opportunity to indulge in another World Affairs Council event, this one focusing on the “myths of globalization.” This event, featuring Shannon K. O’Neil, included amazing insight into regionalism and foreign relations.  

O’Neil is an expert on Latin America, foreign relations, global trade, and supply chains. Shannon O’Neil has an extensive and impressive education which includes two degrees from Yale university in international relations and Latin American studies and a PhD in Government from Harvard University. Along with her qualifications and various degrees that make her an expert in Latin America, Dr. O’Neil has resided in Mexico and Argentina.  

Following brief remarks by Sandiia Bayot, Mr. Seitz (from Cypress Creek’s Speech Team) introduced Dr. O’Neil. Moderating the event was Mr. Ray Cunningham, one of the WAC staff and a good friend to the LEAP Ambassadors. The two discuss how globalization can be confused with internationalization and development, although the terms have different implications and meanings.

Dr. O’Neil began with a personal anecdote about her hometown, Akron, Ohio, and how a city once booming internationally in the tire industry became desolate due to a lack of regional support. She compares this story to modern day trade and how weak ties with neighboring countries puts a nation at a disadvantage in world markets. 

She took us on a trip back in history by discussing post-war development and how it impacted production and trade in different regions today. Focusing on three specific regions, Asia, Europe, and North America, she discussed their different economies, trade agreements, and regional dependency.  

Dr. Shannon O’Neil spent a lot of time discussing new initiatives that are currently being worked on in the United States. She noted how the United States is actively developing and searching for ways to become less dependent on overseas production, especially in the area of semiconductors. She also discussed agreements like NAFTA and the USMCA, addressing the benefits and consequences the accords bring to our economy, dependency, and local trade.  

Something I learned from the discussion is that Laredo, Texas is the second largest (land) port in the United States. I had not anticipated an inland port to be one of the most heavily trafficked in the nation.  

The conversation then moved on to a Q&A where a lot of interesting topics were brought up by the audience such as sanctions and how they can be a weapon in international conflicts as well as the logistics of manufacturing companies to Latin America. 

As two students studying Criminal Justice, economics and globalization are not subjects at the forefront of our education. However, Dr. O’Neil made such an intricate and nuanced topic super attainable and inspired us to learn more about the subjects. We had the pleasure to speak to Dr. O’Neil after the event, get our books signed, and learn more about her and some of her opinions on development in Texas.  

Before and after the event we also had the chance to appreciate beautiful art pieces from the Glade Art Gallery. We had the chance to indulge in the art and find some pieces that resonated with us. Although extremely hard to choose “Lost in my Mind series 4” by Rebekah Molander was one of my favorites. 

Whether it’s art, the experts, or the friendly staff at World Affairs Council, we are always grateful to attend one of their events.

Author mikeyawnPosted on March 24, 2023March 28, 2023Format AsideCategories Art, Civic Engagement, PoliticsTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, World Affairs Council HoustonLeave a comment on Globalization Myths, With Dr. Shannon O’Neil

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