Criminal Justice – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

The Final Day of the Texas Tribune Festival

Although our time at the Texas Tribune Festival was coming to an end, LEAP students finished out the week strong! The last day featured a wide array of panels, including Texas Health on the Line, Free Markets, Free Ideas: Austin and Heterodox Thinking, and much more. From Congressmen to new culinary experiences for us all, the last day of The Texas Tribune Festival was one to remember.

Our Time with Our Representative

By Kayla Fleming

Our last day at the festival was off to a strong start as LEAP students got to meet Congressman Pete Sessions. Editor-in-Chief at The Waco Bridge, J.B. Smith asked questions ranging from Sessions’ childhood and involvement with Baylor University to water policy and future growth. Sessions was born, raised, and resides in Waco, Texas. He has been representing District 17 in Congress since 2021. He attributed a lot of the rise of Waco over the years to President George W. Bush moving near there. He mentioned the success of infrastructure and his plans for clean water in the future.

Sessions gave a glowing review of Baylor University, highlighting its rise in research. He mentioned how Baylor has been conducting research on the long-term effects on soldiers in different environments, particularly extreme environments. He explained how he is trying to make sure the military will receive any information that he can get to them revolving around it.

Clean water is a large priority for Sessions. He said that in the past, the need for clean water was urgent, but never like it is now. “Water isn’t just for drinking anymore,” he said, citing agriculture, data centers, and industrial demands that strain clean water access.

In the final quarter of the session, Representative Sessions answered audience questions. With each question, it was very clear how much he genuinely cared about his constituents. He said he loves to answer people’s questions and will usually stay as long as he can to do so.

At the end of the event, we had the opportunity to take a selfie with him! After the photo, he informed us that he was at the homecoming football game and took a video with us for President White. He made it a point to shake each of our hands, a gesture that left a lasting impression on us. He was funny, personable, and a well-rounded, likable person. It was my favorite session of the day, and a highlight for the rest of our group.

Optimism and Advocacy with Congressman Michael McCaul

By Ruthie Passmore

Following Representative Pete Sessions, the second session kicked off with U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, who offered a look back at his twenty-two years in Congress. Gabby Birenbaum, the Washington Correspondent for The Texas Tribune, led the conversation with questions about his career. For most of us, this was the highlight of our day. There was a wide variety of topics that were discussed: from his work in childhood cancer to his opinion on the future of Congress.

Advocacy took center stage early in the conversation as he discussed his impactful work with the Childhood Cancer Caucus, a group he co-founded in the U.S. House of Representatives, to raise pediatric cancer awareness. It works together to spread awareness for pediatric cancer. He began answering by stating that he and his wife worked together on the idea of providing a voice in D.C. for the children with cancer. He also mentioned that he hosts the annual Childhood Cancer Summit to spread awareness for advocates, survivors, and healthcare professionals.

When asked what gives him hope for the future of Congress, he highlighted his optimism as the primary reason. He grounded this perspective by noting how the Founding Fathers got America right in the beginning, by securing independence and drafting the Constitution. He believes that those same principles are still achievable today. Looking ahead, he emphasized that true legislation cannot be effective without bipartisan collaboration to pass meaningful legislation. He stressed the importance of working for the American people, rather than your ego or political party. I liked the fact that he mentioned that he was an optimist, and I believe that is a valuable trait that has assisted him in his time in Congress.

At the end, we were all able to meet and talk to Congressman McCaul. I had the opportunity to ask him what he considered to be the most rewarding moment of his two-decade career in Congress. His response caught me by surprise as he said that it was when Grimes County secured the agreement with SpaceX, which will bring about more job opportunities to his district. Before heading to our next event, we got to take a photo with him!

The lessons he learned from his twenty-two years in Congress were interesting and insightful. They will certainly help us prepare for our own future and the future of the country.

The Second Space Race

By Victoria Reich

After the morning sessions and a flavorful lunch, a couple of us decided to go to ‘The New Space Age’ featuring speakers Abraham Loeb, the director of The Galileo Project and a professor at Harvard University, and Eric Berger, a Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica with Matt Ewalt moderating the panel.

Abraham Loeb and Eric Berger began by giving an overview of the political state regarding space exploration and how nations are now in what they called “the second space race.” It is specifically for nations to not only get back to the moon but also create a sustainable and consistent presence. It was then followed by explaining how competition is a good motivator for making advancements to science. I found their view of this situation very intriguing and how it was significant enough to give it the title “the second space race”.

The panelists also spoke about how a lot of the current space initiatives are led by the private sector, such as SpaceX, and how government-run programs such as NASA have taken a backseat due to obstacles including funding cuts and budget issues.

Furthermore, Abraham Loeb advocated that space exploration should be a priority and proposed a $1 trillion budget, to expedite space exploration for the scientific discovery of what exists beyond our now very limited understanding.

This session, although not related to most main political issues at this time, still covered a very real and relevant topic to Texas politics. It gave LEAP students a chance to understand the relationship between government-run programs, the private sector, and much more. This information, along with the rest of the panels, will better prepare us for future internships, jobs, and help make us more well-rounded individuals.

Panels to Palates

By Isis Hollis

Though the Texas Tribune Festival came to an end, our food adventures were far from over.

Skipjack Oyster offered most of us many new experiences (especially Ryan, who tried five new foods)! We started out with appetizers including the Kennebec Chips & Salmon Dip, consisting of hot smoked salmon, chive and Boursin. It had a rich, creamy, and complex flavor, which paired well with the salt of the chips. We also had Guacapoke: a mix of ahi tuna, guacamole, sesame seeds, and wonton chips. Along with both dips, we also shared the Brisket Burnt Ends, which provided a perfect sweet and savory blend.

Before our entrées, we, of course, had to try oysters. For Ruthie, Ryan, and me, it was a new but slightly intimidating food. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the well-balanced notes between salty and succulent.

Our entrees came out shortly after! Three of us got the Lobster Avocado Salad, which I found to be sweet and fresh. I enjoyed the avocado sauce, and the roe gave it a bright touch! Roe was another one of the foods that was new to some of us. Ryan and Kayla split the Linguine and Clams, in which the creamy sauce was a perfect complement to the brine of the clams.

For dessert, per our server’s recommendation, we went with Key lime pie and Red Velvet Bread Pudding. The Red Velvet Bread Pudding was rich and warm, which paired well with the cream cheese ice cream on top. The table’s favorite was the Key lime pie with its sharp and tangy lime! The crust and meringue paired with the filling to create a dessert that was bright in both texture and flavor.

Skipjack was a great way to end the Texas Tribune Festival and develop more adventurous palates. Although our time in Austin is nearing an end, we can’t wait for what awaits us.

Surveying the Policy Landscape: Day 2 of the TTF

After a thrilling first day at the Texas Tribune Festival, LEAP students were excited for more. Day two promised interesting panels, a trip to the LBJ Presidential Library, the Texas Capitol and a chance to broaden our culinary horizons.

A look into the Texas Republican Agenda

By Ruthie Passmore

To start the day, several of us went to see “The Texas Republican Agenda.” The panel consisted of Texas State Representatives Daniel Alders of House District 6, Jeff Leach of House District 67, and Mitch Little of House District 65, with Renzo Downey serving as the moderator. As a group, the representatives emphasized core Republican values while maintaining respectful dialogue with audience members holding differing views, of which there were many.

One key focus was on property taxes, and the possibility of a “tax-swap” was raised, with sales taxes replacing property taxes. While the concept was received positively in principle, it would require major restructuring.

Another fascinating question was what other ways Republicans are looking into helping with health care (and general life) affordability. Representative Alders noted his service on the Texas House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability, emphasizing the committee’s focus on developing policy solutions that offer more relief options for Texans.

Representative Little responded by stating that the less the government spends, the more money there remains for citizens.

Representative Leach particularly impressed me by handling questions with poise. When asked about committee chairs within the 2027 legislation, he replied by acknowledging his constituents. He expressed that voters are not asking about committee chairs; they are asking about property taxes, education, and affordability for all Texans.

At the end of the discussion, the audience had the chance to ask questions, and many expressed displeasure at the Republican agenda. The panelists were polite, but they remained firm in their priorities for the next session.

We were able to take a picture with all three panelists and have a meaningful exchange with Representative Alders. He stated that it has become harder for people of opposite parties to have productive conversations because of how polarized we are. (As a side note, the students who attended had different views on politics, and we managed to discuss the issues of the day without rancor.)

Along with other students, I enjoyed getting the opportunity to talk with Representative Alders. For some of us, this was our favorite panel of the day, and incredibly informative.

Both Sides of the Aisle

By Victoria Reich

LEAP students had the pleasure of attending ‘Legislature on Both Sides’ with Representative Ann Johnson of Houston, Representative Eddie Morales of Eagle Pass, Representative Shelby Slawson of Stephenville, and Representative Cody Vasut of Angleton, with Cassi Schredder moderating.

The panel started by briefly explaining how the legislative session runs and introducing the speakers. The representatives discussed how the dynamics might change should Democrats see a significant increase in numbers following the November election. Cassi Schredder brought up public-school funding and reform, a hot topic on both sides, as well as property taxes. It was nice to hear both parties discuss their differing plans while remaining respectful of the other side. I was surprised to see just how much the opposing sides agreed on key baseline issues. It was clear each representative wanted to do what they thought was best for their constituents.

Representative Johnson pointed out that having to spend money each session to make property taxes more affordable is not a sustainable solution and stated that a fundamental change in Texas is necessary. Representative Slawson conversely mentioned changing the appraisal cap when property taxes were brought up, explaining that this could help fix the concerns related to property taxes, affordability, and local governments’ budgets. Representative Vasut advocated for tighter restrictions on tax breaks for data centers, including making them ineligible for sales-tax exemptions or abatements.

After hearing questions from Schredder, the panel answered audience questions. Balancing thorough answers and strict time restraints was a challenge, but one the Representatives handled with ease.

The panel especially emphasized the importance of working across party lines. Members of the other party are not the enemy; ultimately, everyone is there to serve the people of Texas. I appreciated the panelists’ point that collaboration is essential not only for getting things done, but also for developing the strongest possible solutions for the state.

Three Perspectives on the Future of Higher Education in Texas

By Mike Yawn

At the Texas Tribune Festival, Texas Tribune reporter Sneha Dey moderated a discussion about the changing landscape of higher education in Texas. The panel featured Harrison Keller, president of the University of North Texas; Mike Flores, chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District; and Sondra Barringer, a professor of higher education at Southern Methodist University. Their comments offered three perspectives on what colleges and universities should accomplish—and how they should demonstrate their value.

Keller emphasized the connection between higher education and economic opportunity. He argued that universities had a responsibility to ensure that students developed skills that translated into good jobs and a positive economic return on their education. At UNT, he said, programs had been evaluated based on student demand, employer demand, institutional costs, and “time to value.” He also stressed that universities needed to work more closely with community colleges and employers as workforce needs and technology changed.

Flores focused on access, student success, and economic mobility. He described community colleges as essential partners in developing the workforce Texas needed and highlighted investments in academic advising, tutoring, basic-needs assistance, and career and technical education. He viewed Texas’ outcomes-based funding model as an important way to support institutions in helping students succeed.

Barringer offered a broader institutional perspective. She agreed that workforce preparation and student outcomes mattered, but emphasized that universities also contributed through research, public service, and solving problems in their communities. She raised concerns about the unintended consequences of funding formulas and political mandates, particularly for academic programs, research, faculty recruitment, and academic freedom.

Taken together, the panelists portrayed higher education as an institution facing competing demands, with some of the most challenging demands being political in origin: demonstrating economic value while maintaining its broader responsibilities to students, communities, research, and society.

Old School: Lamar Alexander

One of the more refreshing sessions was with Lamar Alexander, former Governor and Senator of Tennessee, and also former Secretary of Education. Now 86, Alexander is still sharp, and he discussed his career working with ten Presidents (!).

He said nice things about many of those presidents from both sides of the aisle, and he noted that you don’t have to be moderate to work with people with different belief systems. He worked with President Obama, while not agreeing with many items on his policy agenda. But, he noted, there are always things that overlap, and members of both parties should be willing to work on those things.

During Q&A, Alexander also indicated he would not vote for Ken Paxton, observed that Obama might have been the smartest President he worked with, suggested that President George W. Bush was the most “normal” President he worked with, and expressed his greatest satisfaction as having a long career in politics and leaving with his “integrity and family intact.”

From Teacher to President: The LBJ Library

By Ryan Snow

Following our exciting day of compelling panels, we had the oppurtunity of learning about President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) at the LBJ Presidential Library. Our journey through the library started with LBJ: An Introduction: a 10-minute film about LBJ, including his life before his presidency, the start of it and how he shaped the world during it.

LBJ started in his early life as a teacher in Cotulla, Texas, a rural Hispanic town. This led LBJ to focus on feeding the poor and increasing access to education. Unfortunately, even after all the successes LBJ had in his presidency, such as his Great Society plan and civil rights improvements, he believed they would be overshadowed by the failures in Vietnam. Throughout the museum, LBJ was continuously expressing his guilt over the Vietnam War and conveying how he felt trapped.

The library had a multitude of interactive activities, including listening to a wax LBJ recite humorous stories…

…while also getting “The Johnson Treatment” from a life-sized poster of him.

LBJ, like many presidents before him, had secret recording devices in the White House phones allowing us to listen to conversations with senators, representatives, and other important figures. During his time in office there were over 640 hours of recorded conversations between him and others.

We also got to see unique artifacts of Texas history on display, such as the oldest known photograph at the Alamo and Sam Houston’s Inaugural Address as President on October 22, 1836.

The library also included an exhibit dedicated to JFK’s assassination and LBJ in office after such dramatic events. Although LBJ stepped up and enacted life-changing policies, he always expressed his sorrow for JFK. “I wish to God there was something that I could do, and I want to tell you that we were grieving with you.”

Lyndon B. Johnson was described as compassionate, relentless, persuasive, collaborative, and practical. Visiting his library has taught us how to never give up, and that no matter how much you do, there is still much to be done. LBJ served as an inspiration we can take with us into our personal and professional lives.

Texas Capitol Tour

Students recently had the opportunity to explore one of Texas’s most iconic landmarks during a tour of the Texas Capitol led by LEAP Center Professor Mike Yawn. The tour offered students a closer look at the building’s architecture, artwork, and fascinating stories from Texas history.

Professor Yawn highlighted the portraits of Texas governors, using them to share stories about some of the state’s most colorful political figures. Students learned about Pappy O’Daniel, Ma Richardson, John Connally, and, of course, Sam Houston.

The tour also featured several important works of art, including the dramatic painting depicting the Surrender of Santa Anna following the Battle of San Jacinto…

…and a portrait of legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett. Students viewed Elizabet Ney’s statues of Texas heroes Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, gaining a better appreciation for both the figures and the artist who portrayed them.

Even the Capitol’s smallest details provided opportunities for discovery. Professor Yawn pointed out hinges bearing the Texas seal and door knobs decorated with the famous Texas star.

Although the TX Senate was closed, we did have a chance to see the House of Representatives, which included a portrait of Sam Houston.

Students also learned about the Capitol’s massive expansion, which ultimately tripled the size of the original building, offering much more office space, albeit underground.

And with this exploration of the Capitol and its extension, we worked up a hunger, prompting us to turn toward Fresa’s to satisfy.

Dinner at Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon

By Brittlyn Jackson

After the Capitol tour, we headed to Fresa’s Chicken Al Carbon to unwind and enjoy some delicious Mexican cuisine. With three locations throughout Austin, we visited the South First Street location, where we enjoyed our meal in Fresa’s outdoor dining area.

We kicked off our dining experience with four appetizers: the Mexican Street Corn, Totally Loaded Queso, Classic Guacamole, and Guacamole Especial. Both guacamole dishes were delightfully fresh and creamy, served with chips that were a perfect combination of salt and crisp. The Loaded Queso had a light kick and was filled with black beans, guacamole, chorizo, pico de gallo, salsa bruja, and, of course queso. My personal favorite appetizer was the Mexican Street Corn, which was tangy and topped with plenty of fresh lime juice.

After sharing the appetizers, we moved on to our main course, which offered a diverse range of dishes. There was Ahi Tuna Tostada, a colorful dish featuring raw tuna, cucumber pico, cabbage, avocado, chipotle mayo, pickled shallot, and chile crisp. Many of us got the more popular option, the El Rey tacos. They featured slow-cooked beef brisket, cabbage, pickled jalapenos, chipotle mayo, cilantro, and fire-roasted red salsa, served on flour tortillas.

Fresca’s options did not stop there, featuring bols, wraps, and more. The Primo Bol was a wonderful, savory choice. It had agave-lime chicken, sweet potato, black lentils, lacinato kale, avocado, pickled apple, and a tart lemon vinaigrette. The apples added a fresh flavor to the dish, and the sweet potatoes created a nice contrast between the sweet and sour flavors, providing a perfect blend.

We ended our evening with a light debate on some of the panels we attended, and the issues discussed by the speakers throughout the day. The Texas Tribune Festival provoked insightful conversations and furthered our political understanding. LEAP students had a wonderful time and are ready for more!

Big Topics at the Texas Tribune Festival

Written By Isis Hollis, Ruthie Passmore, Brittlyn Jackson and Ryan Snow

This weekend, LEAP students had the opportunity to attend the Texas Tribune Festival 2026. Filled with exciting panels, a lunch at the Capitol, and a new cultural experience, we enjoyed a strong start to the Festival.

We got to see interesting sessions in the morning, including hearing from Representative Gina Hinajosa, author H.W. Brands, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, journalist Tom Rosenstiel, and Austin City Councilmember Mike Siegel.

Capitol Grill Lunch and Workshop

The real highlights of the day began when we had lunch with two of Representative Wharton’s staff at the State Capitol: Legislative Director Madi Hawkins and Policy Analyst (and SHAIP Alum) Makenna McDaniel, who gave us an overview of how a legislative office works and tips for pursuing internships in the Capitol.

Makenna talked about the importance of being prepared for internships by using the interviews to learn more about the job and its duties, and then becoming better at those duties.

Both Madi and Makenna stressed that, as with any internship, it can open many doors for future careers and emphasize the importance of flexibility and reputation.

While we were discussing professionalism in the unique workplace of the legislature, we also enjoyed food from Capitol Grill. With burgers, lasagna, and burrito bowls, the menu was as diverse as our government!

Madi expressed that the chain of command in a legislative office is key to handling issues properly. Even simple tasks such as answering the phone may require anyone in the office to answer an impromptu question. They noted that it is never bad to ask questions as it can help prevent future mistakes and show initiative.

Overall, we had a productive talk that left us feeling informed and prepared for any potential job. Though we did not have a lot of time, we all learned an array of valuable skills.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt

Following the lunch at the Capitol, we got the opportunity to hear from the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, in a one-on-one interview with Jim Geraghty, the Senior Political Correspondent of The National Review.

Throughout the session, I noticed that Governor Stitt was very composed and at ease as he answered all the questions.

He began by talking about how he has now been governor of Oklahoma for eight years, and he is ready to go back to his original profession (financial advisor/CEO), emphasizing his beliefs that politics was never meant to be a career. He advocated public service as a temporary duty, emphasizing that leaders should eventually return to private life and live under the policies they enacted.

Towards the middle of the session, he mentioned the National Governors Association (NGA), initiated by Teddy Roosevelt. Stitt explained that he was invited to the NGA meeting in 2026 but declined until all governors were invited. I liked that he was intentionally making an effort for all states to attend, even those in opposing political parties.

By the end, Stitt was facing audience questions about his time as governor, from the highlights to the controversies, and everything in between. His prison policies were uniquely interesting to me as a criminal justice major.

He stated that when he became governor, there was severe prison overcrowding, so when his term began, he closed four prisons. He knew the overcrowding came from the policies in place, and not the people of Oklahoma. Through closing these prisons, he has put money back into taxpayers’ pockets.

He also mentioned that inmates struggle to succeed outside of prison because they lack certain paperwork, making it difficult to obtain a job. Therefore, he introduced the Sarah Stitt Act, named after his wife; this bill was made to improve workforce readiness in prison. Six months before an inmate is released from prison, the Department of Corrections is required to assist individuals in acquiring identification cards.

For those of us who went to his panel, it was widely considered to be the most enjoyable. Governor Stitt was a commanding presence while remaining relaxed and personable—traits that LEAP students hope to emulate.

One-on-One With James Talarico

Following Governor Stitt, we attended an equally enjoyable session with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico.

Matthew Watkins started the session by discussing recent polling numbers, showing Representative Talarico consistently ahead of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Watkins continued by asking questions that led Talarico to discuss his campaign, beliefs, and what it will take to create change in Texas.

A major point Representative Talarico pushed was building a movement that is bigger than a politician or political party. He spoke about many issues ranging from university funding to AI. Watkins brought up Ken Paxton’s ad calling Talarico a socialist, and Talarico explained he considers himself a capitalist, supporting free enterprise, free markets, competition, and economic growth. He elaborated on his ideas to bring back the kind of capitalism that existed in the 1950s and 1960s, when he believes the working class was stronger. He described his position by saying he is “fighting for OG capitalism,” a phrase that made the audience chuckle.

The last 15 minutes consisted of Representative Talarico answering questions from the audience. One great question was asked by Victoria Reich, a LEAP student, about raising the minimum wage and how it could affect small business owners.

He closed with a very optimistic message to voters, saying that he hopes the people of Texas will recognize that they deserve better and that, by coming together, they can take on what he believes is a corrupt system.

A Taste of Ethiopia

Following the hope-filled ending to Talarico’s session, LEAP students were excited to try new things and ready to broaden our horizons. There was no better place to do this than dinner at Taste of Ethiopia II, as it was all of the students’ first time trying Ethiopian food!

Upon entering, we were greeted by a warm and welcoming staff, including Miriam, who was our primary server. She helped walk us through the Ethiopian dining experience while keeping us entertained. We started off by enjoying appetizers, including beef, lentil, and spinach sambusas. The sambusas were crunchy stuffed pockets filled with different bases and spices. The lentil sambusa was the group’s favorite. There was also zimamojat (a spicy collard greens dip with cottage cheese) and minchet abish (a red chili sauce with lean meat), both served with slices of flatbread.

For our entrees, they were all served atop injera (a spongy and light crepe-like bread). Some of our favorites were Doro Wot and Alicha Siga Wot. Doro Wot is a traditional chicken thigh and drumstick dish, served on the bone in a hot red stew with berbere (a flavorful spice mixture). The chicken was rich in flavor and complemented the stew well. The Alicha Siga Wot is a beef tip dish that is a staple of Ethiopia. The dish was surprisingly sweet and had a green turmeric stew with jalapenos and onions.

Combining our delightful dinner experience with the thought-provoking panels at the Texas Tribune Festival made for a fantastic first day in Austin. Ready for whatever comes our way, we are excited for the days ahead!

The Best of Salt Lake City: A LEAP Perspective

By Mike Yawn

The LEAP Center follows a rigorous process in planning trips, ensuring maximum learning, fun, and reward. The trips are scheduled such that the conferences take priority, while supplementary activities enhance learning, knowledge of others’ cultures, and the expansion of professional networks–with fun sprinkled in.

When things go well, the students take ownership of this process, and this was one of the many happy outcomes of this trip. After a year-long moratorium on LEAP travel, the students prepared well for the trip (taking a photography course and watching a documentary on one of the conference’s keynote speakers), maintained a good attitude despite long days and little sleep, and stayed up-to-date with the blogs and photo editing.

In light of the above and with a little reflection, they offered their favorites of the trip:

Conference Sessions:

This had the least consensus, probably because there was much to like and the students attended different sessions.

Probably the favorite was the “policy tour,” in which the students had a chance to deep-dive into a policy area–including a tour–led by experts. For Isis, Allie, and Jacob, this was the crisis center, in which the students learned of techniques to allow social workers to take over many of the processes involving low-level criminal conduct by people struggling with mental illness. For Robin and Olivia, the tour explored water issues in the West and one of the things Utah is doing to combat shortages, while also involving a wetlands tour on an airboat.

The students also enjoyed “Getting the Right Response,” which also involved crisis response by mental health and law-enforcement personnel. They also enjoyed meeting the keynote speakers, particularly Elizabeth Smart and Evy Poumpouras.

Restaurants:

Central by Saffron Valley was on all five students’ “best-of” lists, and it was the top choice for four of the students.

The food was, in every way, excellent, and amid all the appetizers and entrees, there was not a bad (or even so-so) choice.

Caputo’s was a strong second. appearing on four of the students’ choices. Their sandwiches were impressive–all tasty–and their shop selection was excellent. We wish we could have stayed longer and tried their food classes. Rounding out the top three was Plates and Palates, which had great service and sandwiches in Bountiful, UT.

Coffee:

For coffee, “Ten” ranked first. We had two visits there, and both times, the staff were pleasant, responsive, and helpful, and their coffee was excellent. Also top-notch was the Honeysuckle Coffee Co, which has great service, coffee, and pastries. King’s Peak was perhaps a distant third, while still recommendable. Their coffee is good, while their pastries and service are not up to “Ten’s” standards. On a trip of this nature, coffee shops are much sampled, and we went to the above shops on two occasions. In addition, we went to “The People’s Coffee,” which was adequate, and we also visited “Roots” and “Publik”, although we declined to try their coffee when the baristas indicated that it wasn’t fresh–and didn’t offer to make a fresh cup.

Non-Conference Activities

Beyond the conference, there was even less consensus on the most rewarding activities. Some thought Park City was the most interesting…

…the Capitol Tour had a lot of support, with a majority of the students believing that Utah’s Capitol was, overall, more polished, cohesive, and interesting than the Texas Capitol.

The students also enjoyed the trip through the Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway, where the temperatures were twenty-five degrees cooler than Salt Lake City, the scenery was beautiful, and there was an adventure around every corner.

Advisor’s Wrapup

This was the first trip where the students managed to organize their time and energy in such a way as to finish their blogs on time, edit all their photos, and post on social media daily. Olivia McCaughan did a great job facilitating the many tasks that go into making the trip work; Allie did a great job editing the blogs; Jacob and Allie took the lead on editing photos, but everyone edited some photos; and Robin and Isis proved versatile, editing photos, writing blogs, compiling lists, asking questions.

The result was a broad-based learning trip, with leadership lessons built in. The students explored other cities’ downtowns, city halls, and libraries; met numerous legislators and policy experts, promoting their leadership and potentially helping to prepare them for the Austin Internship Program; toured two Museums and one educational center; heard the Tabernacle Choir, one of the ten best choirs in the world; sat in on numerous policy sessions; took thousands of photos; saw numerous animal species for the first time; and managed to complete a 2.5 mile round-trip hike–with a 1,000 foot elevation gain–all in six days!

The students’ teamwork was impressive and effective, with student leadership helping to maintain morale, ensure logistical efficiency, and meet all deadlines, which, in turn, helped make this an excellent trip!

Voices of Resilience: Closing the Conference with Purpose

Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, and Allie Plunk

Throughout the conference, LEAP Ambassadors have had the opportunity to learn about policy from esteemed legislators and guest speakers, but on our last day, we got to experience a much more personal session, hearing from activist Elizabeth Smart, the CSG Justice Center on mental health, and attending the closing dinner.

Elizabeth Smart

Before we heard from today’s remarkable keynote speaker, there were a few mentions and introductions from Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) and Chair-Prospect Senator Löki Tobin (AK). Together, they previewed next year’s CSG West meeting, which will be taking place in Alaska! Following a short “sizzle reel” for the state, Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) introduced Elizabeth Smart.

Smart was abducted from her bedroom at the age of 14 and survived nine months in captivity before being rescued. Though it was law enforcement that put her captors behind bars, there would be no story to tell had it not been for her resilience. It was incredibly inspiring to hear her story, and how she pushed through the darkness around her by focusing on positivity. Even though terrible things were happening to her, she reminded herself constantly throughout her abduction that things could always be worse. It was this strategy, as well as remembering the unconditional love of her family, that kept her going.

Smart also touched on the incredible difficulty she had finding value within herself during and following her captivity. Because she hadn’t been taught the difference between consensual sex and rape, she felt like she had done something horrible. It took her a long time to be able to rationalize that she hadn’t been the one to do anything wrong. I appreciated her candor and that she made it clear that recovery after something so terrifying was a long process.

Now an advocate for safety and sexual assault victims, Smart has used what happened to her for as much good as she can. This resilience and compassion is something we all admired. She was an incredible speaker, and we felt honored to have been able to listen to her.

CSG Justice Center

Following Elizabeth Smart’s moving speech, we attended a session on the CSG Justice Center, and their approach to mental health advocacy. Ernest Stevens, former San Antonio police officer and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member, current Managing Director of Behavioral Health at the CSG Justice Center, Madeleine Dardeau, CSG Justice Center State Initiatives Program Director, and Leanne Huff, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Act specialist, had a panel discussion about the implementation and development of MCOTs, as well as CIT Trainings and help line 988.

The key point was the pressing need for more CIT trained teams to go out and address people with mental health problems. Stevens stated that if you send an untrained officer to deal with mental health crises “there will always be a gun.” Many people struggling with mental health have been shot or killed by officers unable to deal with their problems, and this is exactly what the CSG Criminal Justice center is trying to stop. At the core of this session was a statistic: officers spend only 8 hours learning about mediation techniques, which is something they are supposed to use every day, as opposed to a whopping 20 hours learning to use a gun, which many officers only discharge a few times.

Another factor in this issue is the stigmatization of mental health problems. If we can make people unafraid to get the help they need, then we won’t have as many suicides or overdoses. This issue is becoming something that is particularly close to a few of our hearts, and we hope that in the future we can be a part of the solution.

Dinner

We ended the conference with fun in a closing dinner hosted at the Natural History Museum of Utah, which was just as beautiful of a venue as it was informative. After ascending the stairs, we were greeted with a wall of fossils, crystals, flora, and taxidermy that stretched from floor to ceiling, immediately captivating several Ambassadors.

The dinner also featured a local band, by the name of The Bombshell Flowers. A high-energy indie rock group, their layered harmonies added a relaxed, yet tasteful atmosphere.

For dinner, we had tri-tip steak, cauliflower, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and salad, followed by desserts of fruit tarts and banana pudding.

While the dinner was good, it was the museum that was truly memorable. We spent a lot of time exploring the exhibits, each highlighting an important aspect of Utah’s natural history. We even discovered that Allie is likely descended from the Allosaurus, which is where she gets her t-rex nature!

As we left, we managed to grab a shot of the breathtaking views from the museum terrace.

From dinosaurs to rock formations to earthquakes, Utah’s Natural History Museum was a wonderful place to close out the conference.

Conclusion

Our final conference day left us with a lot to think about, looking at the world through new eyes. We all admired the incredible work people like Elizabeth Smart and the CSG Criminal Justice Center are doing for those struggling with mental health and sexual assault.

Quantum Computing, the Great Salt Lake, and Innovation in Criminal Justice: Another Day at the CSG West

Written By: Isis Hollis, Robin Houghton, Allie Plunk, and Jacob Wessels

LEAP Ambassadors had a wonderful second day at the Council of State Governments Western Legislative Conference! We enjoyed learning about Quantum Computing, the West’s take on the upcoming Olympics, Policy tours, and a visit to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple Visitors Center.

Quantum Computing

Though a daunting subject, we attended a conference session on the implications and impacts of Quantum Computing, hosted by Senator Catherine Blakespear (CA) and Representative Justin Wilmeth (AZ).

With a series of presentations by Rohan Basu Roy, Professor at the University of Utah; Pratik Soni, Professor at the University of Utah; Chris Spitzer, of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory; and Ben Eikey, of the Levin Center, we were amazed to learn about the quickly approaching 2030 deadline for the official implementation of Quantum.

This astounding software will significantly cut down the production time for molecule simulators used in drug manufacturing, risk analysis for things like finance, and even enhanced AI. However, as Professor Soni stated, Quantum also comes with significant risk to national security and could potentially widen the employment gap. In order to resolve this conflict, speakers suggested training programs for teachers and students as young as elementary school to introduce Quantum so that we can raise a generation of young people properly equipped to handle the technology.

The tone of the session was one of preparation: Quantum is coming to the West, and it’s up to the legislators to build a safety net to keep things from going downhill. Quantum Computing is a somewhat new concept to the Ambassadors, though one that got us thinking about our own futures and how Quantum might affect our careers in law.

The Power of Sports

Following our crash course in Quantum, we were off to lunch! Before the keynote speech began, Chair Senator Todd Weiler (UT) presented the Bettye Fahrenkamp Award to Senator Ron Winters (UT) for his outstanding leadership.

After the awards, we learned about the value of sports from Kelsey Berg, who is currently leading government relations for the Utah 2034 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games…

…and Chris Mazdzer, Olympian and Paralympic activist, and moderator Senator Todd Wieler (UT).

Following the incredible success of the 2002 Winter Olympics hosted in Utah– one of the only Olympic games in which the host country made a profit– the state is thrilled to host the 2034 Winter Games.

However, the benefits of Olympic sports are not only financial. The speakers testified to the incredible cultural unification that happens when people from across the globe unite in the name of sports, citing the overwhelmingly positive reaction from visitors to the World Cup.

Even as someone who has never been particularly athletic, I found this connection inspiring, and I look forward to being a part of the host country for another worldwide sporting event.

Huntsman Crisis Center

The LEAP Ambassadors had the opportunity to attend post-lunch policy tours to witness the effects of legislation in action.

Isis, Allie, and Jacob attended a tour of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and Crisis Center of Utah. The institute is leading the way for many significant improvements in behavioral health by focusing on creating a welcoming environment for its patients through a variety of methods, including referring to those whom they treat not as patients, but as guests. The architecture of the building helps achieve this as well by being intentional with every aspect, all the way down to the lighting, which is timed to the body’s circadian rhythm!

Representative Steve Eliason and Operations Manager Kevin Curtis shared how they have made an impact through collaborating with local police departments and hospitals to keep those facing mental challenges out of prisons and instead getting the care they need. Their work has helped many people with rehabilitation after facing a crisis while creating a more accepting community for those who may have mental problems. The session informed us on the resources available for nearly every demographic to seek care, along with ways legislators can help push for destigmatizing mental health treatment.

The tour created a lot to think about for the Ambassadors, but it brought along with it a newfound interest in psychology and the treatment of the mentally ill.

The Great Salt Lake

Robin, Olivia, and Professor Yawn chose to attend the policy tour on Water and the Future of the West. On the bus ride there, we learned about water usage in Utah. Utah Water Ways, led by Executive Director Tage Flint, is behind a campaign called “Slow the Flow.”

Their organization is unique: it is set up as a non-profit, but it is funded in part by the Utah Legislature and in part by community/corporate partners, with a goal of reducing per capita water consumption by almost a third in the next twenty-five years.

Part of this goal is to save the Great Salt Lake.

The Lake has been subsiding in the past several decades, a particularly trouble phenomenon because it offers a unique ecosystem, providing a home for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

As the tour began, we boarded an airboat, and, accompanied by Nevada Legislator Natha Anderson and our guide, Carter…

…we spent a wonderful couple of hours exploring the Utah wetlands, seeing birds, insects, and other wildlife critical to the wetland ecosystem.

Seeing the wetlands in person reminded all of us of the importance of water conservation, especially in Utah, the second-driest state in the country.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple

Following the Policy tours, LEAP ambassadors headed out to explore the historic Temple Square for a tour of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Salt Lake City Temple Visitors Center. Though not allowed in the Temple itself without a Temple Recommend from the LDS Church, we were soon immersed in the history, culture, and beliefs of the Church.

Our first stop was to take a picture with Thorvaldsen’s Christus, an 11-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ that has a unique connection to Huntsville. Home to a full-scale bronze replica of the same statue (which can be found in historic Oakwood Cemetery), Huntsville possesses the only full-sized replica of Christus in the state of Texas.

We then were led through five rooms of a replica temple: the foyer, the baptistry, the celestial room, the instruction room, and the sealing room, each of which are copies of real temple rooms.

The most interesting room to me was the baptistry, which features a large bath resting on the backs of twelve life-sized oxen that symbolize the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The baptistry is also located on the temple’s lowest level to represent the symbolic burial and resurrection associated with baptism. Members of the Church perform baptisms there on behalf of their deceased ancestors who did not have an opportunity to convert, though their ancestors still must choose to accept the baptism.

After the tour, we were taken to the Tabernacle to listen to the Grammy, Emmy, Peabody, and Mother Teresa award-winning Tabernacle Choir perform.

Many of the ambassadors were deeply moved by the experience, and we all understood why it is considered one of the ten greatest choirs in the world.

Overall, we enjoyed our visit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The experience gave us a greater appreciation for the culture, history, and beliefs of many of the people who call Salt Lake City home.

Central by Saffron Valley

Hungry after our longest conference day, we stopped in to Central by Saffron Valley for a meal that would have made the James Beard Foundation proud. Actually, it must have made the Foundation proud, because the chef, Lavanya Mahate, was nominated for a James Beard award in 2024.

The restaurant is an homage to the “golden age of India’s train travel,” and it is themed accordingly. The tables are labeled by platform, there is a “railroad crossing” sign in a corner, there is a faux train compartment wallpaper in parts of the restaurant, and some of the dishes are served in the tins used on Indian train travel.

The theme is appropriate, in that the meals come from different regions of India: curries from across the country; chicken tikka dosa from “southbound parts”; and a dessert menu featuring “sweet departures.”

We opted to eat family style, with some naan, chicken tikka kebabs, samosas, fish and chips (a nod to India’s one-time status as a British colony, and a sop to Olivia), Nawabi lamb biryani; the ever-reliable Old Delhi Butter Chicken (from the ever predictable Jacob Wessels); and for dessert, chai creme brulee, gulab juman cheesecake, and Indian ice cream.

Everything we had was at least good, and several of the dishes being excellent: the chicken tikka and butter chicken standing out as exceptionally tender; the samosas as a spice-filled specialty; the ice cream as tasty and inventive.

Owner Mahate told the Deseret News that she wanted to make “Indian food more accessible,” and she seems to be doing just that, providing excellent food to the Salt Lake City community. The entire meal was delicious, and it was an enjoyable evening with friends while extending the LEAP Center’s ethnic-themed meals during this trip– a nod to Salt Lake City’s history of attracting immigrants who contribute in many ways, not the least of which is adding to the culinary culture of the community.

Conclusion

Each session and policy tour demonstrated that effective leadership requires curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to understand perspectives different from our own. As we look ahead to our final day at the conference, we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from legislators, policy experts, and community leaders from across the West.

Twenty-Four Hours With LEAP

People often ask, “What do LEAP students do?” It’s difficult to answer, because LEAP students do many things, and many of the things they do differ day-to-day–as a recent twenty-four-hour period demonstrates.

Misery can be Fun (if you are a movie goer!)

With finals over and the summer session not quite underway, LEAP students opted for a little fun, with some popular culture and historic knowledge thrown in. Thus, we went to River Oaks Theatre to see “Misery,” a 1990 film directed by Rob Reiner, written by the great William Goldman, and starring Kathy Bates and James Caan and, of course, based on a book by Stephen King.

This trip was motivated in part by the desire for a fun group activity, but it also ties in to our upcoming visit to The Alley Theatre to see “Misery.” As a very pleasant surprise, we ran into the stars of the play at the theatre! Chris Hutchison and Elizabeth Bunch were there to see the film in advance of their play version (begins at the end of this month!) and also to do a post-screening discussion of the movie and play.

It was a nice night-cap to a fun and, at times, frightening movie, which seemed to be universally enjoyed by the students, and a nice tool to amp-up the anticipation of our June 12 attendance at the Alley.

Chris Hutchison, Elizabeth Bunch, Ashley Winstead, and Keaton Patterson Discuss “Misery”

Commissioners Court Can Also Be Fun (if you aren’t a Commissioner!)

We were able to get back to Huntsville before it was too late, which was a good thing because we had a fairly early morning scheduled. LEAP students regularly volunteer at the Senior Center, and with May being “Older Americans Month,” the Walker County Commissioners Court prepared a proclamation recognizing “Older Americans” and the Walker County Senior Center.

This was a good opportunity to teach the students about local government, the difference between a “consent agenda” and a “statutory agenda”, and why the County Judge–who is not a judge in any traditional sense–is called “Judge.”

The program was brief and pleasant, with LEAP students standing alongside Senior Center Board members and the Executive Director, Stacy Loll, for a photo. For the students, it was a positive introduction to local government, and it was a chance for the students to meet the Commissioners Court, some of them for the first time!

Trials Can Be Interesting (if you aren’t the defendant!)

The Commissioners Court meeting was brief, which was convenient because the students had the opportunity to stop by the District Court and watch the first day of trial in the case of The State of Texas v. Kenneth Eugene Giddens. The defendant was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of retaliation/obstruction.

All the students were able to stay for the voir dire, which was fascinating. Malori Martin was at her best, relating with the potential jury, discussing the law, and providing an effective overview of the prosecution’s view of the case. For the defense, Rane Riley was also effective, offering different graphics to explain the defense’s view of “reasonable doubt,” while also reminding the potential jurors that family conflict are common, suggesting perhaps, that not all such conflicts need to lead to criminal justice outcomes.

Mikaela Baires was able to return and watch the trial for the whole day, which provided her with some unique opportunities…

Brittlyn Jackson headed for lunch; Professor Yawn had to get to KBTX to do an interview;

…Nataly Elizondo headed to the Senior Center, where she often volunteers.

LEAP is Fun and Interesting (most of the time!)

In less than a full day, LEAP students made the most of their unique opportunities, engaging with popular culture–literary, cinematic, and theatric–participating in local government and volunteerism, and watching their criminal justice system at work.

In many ways this day will be different from the days to come, which includes participating in the Lions Club’s “Flag Project,” a tour of Huntsville, and a World Affairs Council event. But each of these days will bring new learning opportunities, high-quality civic engagement, and enjoyable community building–all of which form the core of the LEAP experience.

SHSU’s Pre-Law Insights: Constitutional Law and More from the Texas Bar Association

One of the virtues of attending SHSU is its pre-law program, which offers a robust pre-law society, a legal studies minor, many law-related courses, and numerous extra-curricular activities. And so it was that on the last day of finals, three pre-law society members attended the Texas Bar Association’s training on “Litigating the Constitution” at the Texas Law Center near the Texas capitol building.

20 Years of Changes in Constitutional Law

The first session was appropriate for the early morning inasmuch as it was led by the energetic Chad Baruch. In 30 minutes, Baruch covered gun control, religious freedoms, the takings clause, student speech, abortion, judicial deference, affirmative action, and more–and he managed to do this while addressing major changes across all these topics.

The changes loomed larger because it was telescoped into a thirty-minute format, and while all the changes in the diverse policy areas were interesting, two areas stood out. In discussing religious freedom and, specifically, Lemon, Baruch made a comment that could have applied to the whole session:

If you are roughly my age, about 60, having taken constitutional law in college was a serious impediment to your legal education, because almost everything you learned has been overturned.

Also noteworthy were Baruch’s comments on student speech, not only because he was a high-school principal, but also because, as students, this is a topic that naturally interests us. In particular, Baruch discussed the Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. (2021), in which a student who did not make the cheerleading team posted on social media something like the following: “Fuck school fuck softball fuck cheer fuck everything.”

Notably, Baruch was wearing a t-shirt with exactly those words, an homage to the case.

He made clear his stance on this, observing that the “Court got it right,” paraphrasing the opinion as noting that, for a 17-year old student, social media was her town hall–the place in which ideas, no matter how offensive, shallow or foolish, should be offered, challenged, and debated.

The 4th Amendment, Technology, and Privacy

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation by Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Kevin Yeary, who discussed how technology and the amenities of modern society have intruded on the 4th Amendment.

Justice Yeary hit on many historically key cases, including Katz v. US (1967), before highlighting big changes in the last ten years. In Riley (2014), for example, law enforcement agencies prohibited the search of cell phones without a search warrant and in Carpenter (2018) the Court held that location data from cell phone towers also requires a search warrant, limiting the third-party doctrine.

But with Moore’s Law in full effect, technology continues to advance, and the courts are struggling to keep up. Justice Yeary mentioned that one case before the Court, Chatrie v. US, will also affect how law enforcement do their jobs, as well as, of course, how lower courts rule on similar cases. And speaking of lower Courts, Justice Yeary mentioned that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found it difficult to weigh in on these topics without clear guidance from the USSC.

A Broader View

Other valuable sessions included topics such as executive privilege, in which the Youngstown case–which we covered in Professor Yawn’s Con Law class extensively–was discussed at length.

In an interesting session on the USSC and precedent, Judge Jordan and Matthew Kolodoski, the panelists noted that, despite the headlines, the Roberts court has overturned fewer precedents than the last five courts, on average.

And while all the sessions were timely, Eric Opelia’s presentation on recent cases on voting rights was perhaps the most timely. Indeed, he mentioned that he thought that the Louisiana v. Callais (2026) case would be his late-breaking news for this presentation, given that it was decided by the Court fewer than ten days ago. The Virginia Supreme Court, however, decided in the last 24 hours that Virginia’s recent redistricting election (which passed, to the Democratic Party’s favor) was unconstitutional. This may head to the USSC, but either way, it adds uncertainty to the districts up for grabs in the 2026 mid-term elections.

We were also privileged to hear from two members of the Governor’s Staff, including Jason Bramow and Trevor Ezell, the latter of whom gave the Gregory Coleman Federalism lecture.

We also heard from Judge Farris, as well as two scholarly presentations by law professors on constitutional enumeration and originalism.

Concluding Thoughts

This was a unique way for us to supplement our constitutional law classroom experience, with presentations by practicing attorneys. That we were able to glean so much information in only one day speaks well of the presenters and organizers.

We were very grateful to attend this event, and the outgoing and incoming Presidents (Matthew Kolodoski and Judge Rossini, respectively) were very welcoming, even when they learned we were undergraduates.

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