The FBI pops up a lot in discussions, but few people really know what the FBI does, the dangers and tasks involved, or the people who do the job. To help remedy this issue, the World Affairs Council brought in former FBI Agent (and Counterintelligence expert) James Conway, who offered an insightful, interesting, and engaging discussion on numerous law-enforcement and intelligence related topics.
During the networking session, we had a chance to meet a number of friendly professionals, who took us in. It was a very welcoming experience, and we are grateful for everyone’s friendliness–and this was especially true of Mr. Conway, who spent a very generous amount of time with us.
The formal program began with remarks by WAC Director of Advancement Sandija Bayot…
She also introduced Ronan O’Malley and James Conway…
…and then turned the microphone over to Ronan, who moderated the event.
Mr. Conway is a former FBI Special Agent who built a distinguished career focused on national security and counterterrorism. Over his years of service, he investigated high-profile cases, collaborated with law enforcement agencies across the world, and developed expertise in intelligence operations. He described many of his operations–including as counterintelligence expert in Mexico City–in an animated fashion.
After retiring from the FBI, Mr. Conway transitioned into public speaking, teaching, and consulting–sharing his deep knowledge of security strategy and crisis response with organizations and communities nationwide.
Throughout the discussion, Mr. Conway touched on policies and shifts in leadership in the FBI, providing a wonderful history of the relationship between the last ten presidents and the CIA–relationships that have not always been close.
He also discussed operations in Houston, Galveston, and New York, particularly with organized crime. The stories were fascinating, but they also illuminated the painstaking care that FBI professionals take with their cases. On a darker note, Conway expressed concern that politics has crept–or been pushed–int0 the agency, and that professionalism could erode, if such politics-creep continues.
It was apparent that this prospect caused Conway pain, but he reiterated his optimism and confidence in the United States people and government, a wonderful way to close a wonderful event.
They had delicious Tex-Mex and Coastal Mexican cuisine. Their service was excellent. After some great conversation about the event, we concluded our day with some unique and flavorful desserts.
We had a wonderful time and will definitely be attending more World Affairs Council events throughout the year with the hope of seeing James Conway and more fascinating speakers in the future.
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but they can also be a flier’s best friend. I learned this while volunteering as a K9 decoy at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and it was truly one of the coolest experience I’ve had!
This program is part of TSA’s Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) initiative. It’s designed to enhance passenger safety by using canine assisted detection to help prevent the unauthorized entry of explosive materials into airports. These highly trained K9 teams and their handlers work together in real-world environments to detect potential threats before they happen. Volunteers like me help create realistic scenarios that prepare these teams for the real thing.
Before beginning, I received a safety briefing which covered everything I needed to know. Volunteers are given instructions on what to wear, what not to do, and how to behave. The idea is to look and act like a real airline passenger. All details regarding the type, placement, and quantity of training aids used during training are classified information.
My job is easy! Blend in like any other traveler. The day was divided into three training phases:
First, I walked through the security lane as if I were preparing to go through TSA screening;
Then, I meandered through the terminal hallways and blend in with big groups of people.
Finally, I sat in the boarding gate waiting area as passengers do before a flight.
Throughout each phase, the K9 teams used their sense of smell to detect any concealed training aids. When a dog identified a training aid, they would signal their trainer/handler that something was amiss.
The dogs were rewarded with their favorite toys to reinforce positive behavior.
But it’s not just the dogs having training, the handlers are learning too. They practice interpreting their dog’s signals and ensure their K9 stays focused and well-behaved in the airport. Many of these dogs begin training around one year old and continue working until they retire. Recently, a K9 retired at 11 years old!
This experience gave me a new appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping travelers safe. The K9 teams and their handlers are highly skilled, and it was inspiring to see them in action.
Although the volunteerism was just a small action on my part, there is a sense of pride that comes with contributing to the safety of our airports and airlines, while also learning more about our security systems in practice. It is, in short, a perfect education for a student wanting to go into a law-enforcement career!
The LEAP Center is always looking for new ways to offer opportunities for SHSU students, and this fall, the Center has partnered with the FBI to offer a “Collegiate Academy.” The program, which takes place on Wednesday, November 12, offers up to 50 students an exposure to the FBI, its operations, its investigations, and potential careers with the agency.
Hosted by the FBI’s Houston field office, the program will offer (1) an FBI career panel, (2) a deep dive into art-related crime, and (3) live demonstrations. This unique opportunity is designed to offer transparent views of the FBI’s work, encourage an understanding of its mission, and potentially recruit students for careers in the FBI. It is one of many FBI-focused programs offered by SHSU’s LEAP Center.
LEAP Students Meet With FBI Agent Christopher Combs
Students from all majors are eligible to apply, but it is a competitive process. Only students with a 3.0 GPA (cumulative and SHSU) will be considered, and the FBI only considers students who are legally in the United States. Both SHSU and the FBI are involved in the selection process, with an SHSU committee selecting on various criteria (GPA, involvement in LEAP programs, career goals, organizational activities), and the FBI running background checks on students for clearances. Students should submit a professional resume using the model offered by Career Success Center and LEAP (which can be found at the bottom of this page) and submitting it while filling out the application.
LEAP Students Hear From FBI Director Christopher Wray
Students who apply to the program should have a good faith belief that they can be free from class and work obligations on Wednesday, November 12. Professor Yawn will send a note requesting an excused absence on behalf of accepted students, but it is the Professor’s discretion to decide whether to accept such an absence and whether to allow makeup work.
Pre-Law Society Students Hear From Former FBI Asst Director Frank Figliuzzi
The LEAP Center will rent a bus and provide transportation, with a departure time between 7:00am-7:15am. The program lasts from 9am-Noon, followed by a lunch. Students will likely be back at SHSU’s campus by 4pm.
Students needing more information should contact Professor Mike Yawn. The deadline to apply is October 24, but earlier submissions will be given preference. To apply to the program, fill out the linked form.
Real Time Crime Centers, bomb diffusion, robot dogs, and so much more! Today the LEAP Center had the opportunity to work with Blaine Pyles and Darren Parker from the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Bomb Squad to present the latest technology in emergency response: Spot, the robotic dog.
The LEAP Ambassadors and I, along with fellows students, enjoyed lunch with Mr. Parker and Mr. Pyles before the presentation. There, we learned about Parker’s time at SHSU, the use of high-pressure water cannons to set off bombs, and the use of Spot in crisis negotiations.
After the engaging lunch, we made our way to the presentation room, drawing interested stares from students and allowing Spot to make robotic friends.
And after being greet by one of our volunteers, Bailey Hopkins…
….Professor Mike Yawn gave a short introduction to the full house at the Future of Emergency Response presentation.
The introduction educated us on the use of Real Time Crime Centers as being good methods for actively recording and catching suspects of crimes. Information on the function of ALPR’s (Automatic License Plate Readers) was also shared. We learned how they assist in the processing of license plates, allowing officers to easily find those with warrants.
With that closing, it was time for Spot to have the “Spot” light.
He, along with his “handlers,” Mr. Parker and Mr. Pyles, provided an overview of his capabilities, which includes: picking up objects; dragging objects; “seeing” through cameras, which are transmitted to apps for the handlers to see; and even setting off combustible devices through the shooting of projectiles.
There was an audible reaction when Spot entered the room, and after permission to photograph was obtained, students took advantage of their phones. Spot did a series of pet tricks: pushups, a dance, a 360, sitting, and he even played dead.
Spot was also able to demonstrate his door-opening abilities, and he picked up a student’s backpack, giving us a glimpse of how he might operate in a crisis situation.
Mr. Pyles and Mr. Parker also discussed how Spot can assist with chemical emergencies: he can be equipped with a chemical reader, providing evidence of the levels of toxins in an environment.
Overall, the experience was a fun and educational way to learn all the different ways technology is transforming all aspects of law enforcement, and I even had a chance to control Spot at the end!
Thank you to Mr. Pyles and Mr. Parker for sharing such amazing technology with us all!
There are times when the fields of political science and criminal justice intersect. Today was the case for such an event when Professor Mike Yawn, the director of SHSU’s LEAP Center, was asked to present to the High School Criminal Justice Instructor Training (HSCJIT) Conference held annually on SHSU’s campus and sponsored by the University’s excellent College of Criminal Justice and organized by the wonderful Doris Pratt.
Designed for high-school teachers in the fields of criminal justice, law enforcement, and forensic science, the conference features presentations by experts in myriad disciplines, including: criminal investigations, victimology, forensic DNA, cybercrime, forensic psychology, corrections, and serial murder.
Indeed, Yawn’s session came on the heels of Dr. Mitchel Roth…
…who discussed his research on serial murderers…
…and, following a 15 minute break, Yawn discussed the interdisciplinary use of technology, with an emphasis on first responders.
Covering topics such as smart businesses, smart health devices, smart cities, and Real Time Response Centers, Yawn presented for approximately half-an hour to the 40-plus educators present.
The audience was polite and managed to stay awake (!) during Yawn’s presentation, which involved how technology can be used across major sectors of contemporary life. From ALPRs tracking our vehicles’ movements to the facial recognition of animals so that lost pets can be found.
The teachers really came alive, however, when the Arson and Explosive Squad of the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office came out to describe their jobs. The “bomb squad,” as they typically known, are licensed police officers–Darren Parker and Blaine Pyles–who specialize in explosives and arson.
Their work can take them to political events, where much explosive-sweeping is required, to large sporting events, to hostage situations and, of course, arson.
They have various equipment to assist with this, including separate robotic assistants, battering rams, state-of-the-art communications, drones, and more. The robotics were the hit of the show…
…but so were the bomb technicians, Parker and Pyles, who approach their job in the spirit of service, with courage, compassion, and competence, qualities on display throughout their presentation.
Indeed, following the event, many of the educators, Professor Yawn, and Parker and Pyles discussed future opportunities for collaboration–a way to benefit the public, higher education, and K-12, a win-win-win.
Many thanks to the College of Criminal Justice (and Ms. Doris Pratt), Darren Parker and Blaine Pyles, and the many high-school educators–all of whom are shaping the next generation of leaders.
The LEAP Center would like to thank LEAP Ambassadors Michelle Moya and Olivia Discon, who stepped up for this event; LEAP Center student worker Gabila Flores, who helped with photos and the blog; and volunteers Bailey Hopkins, Jacob Wessels, and Sofia Soto.
LEAP Ambassadors enjoy learning in the classroom, a fact made evident by a collective 3.81 GPA. But the special part of the program is the learning outside of the classroom, where we work to expand our professional networks, learn new information, and venture outside our comfort zones. Such outcomes were on full display at the World Affairs Council‘s “Inside the CIA” event featuring Michael Ard.
A former CIA Analyst now teaching international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, Ard took us on a far-ranging tour of the CIA and the world in a discussion facilitated by everyone’s favorite moderator, Ronan O’Malley.
The CIA oversees 11 centers and undertakes, according to Ard, four major activities:
Analysis
Collection
Covert Action
Counterintelligence
Obviously, these actions involve sensitive operations, and Ard noted that this can lead to conflict with the rest of the world, the Congress, and, most notably, the President. The President relies heavily on the CIA, and when operations do not go well, it can lead to negative consequences for the Chief Executive, which can, in turn, lead to strained relationships. Nixon, in particular, was distrustful, a fact punctuated by Ard, when he quoted Nixon: “What are those clowns in Langley doing? Reading the newspaper?”
But it wasn’t just Nixon: JFK felt burned after The Bay of Pigs disaster in Cuba; Congress was disillusioned during the Church Hearings in the 1970s, when many of the CIA’s activities came to light; and George W. Bush, according to Ard, was sorely disappointed in the CIA’s investigation into Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq.
Speaking of which, during Q&A, the audience asked whether the Bush Administration put pressure on the CIA to find what it wanted to find: WMD. Ard said, “No.”
He encouraged the audience to read the Silberman-Robb report, noting that the biggest problem in Iraq was that Hussein wanted some countries (his regional enemies) to believe he had WMD, and he wanted us to believe he didn’t. This caused him to act with much furtiveness, which was then interpreted as guilty behavior. It wasn’t correct, he noted, but it was a reasonable conclusion.
Ard was also asked whether any movies get the CIA right. The former analyst noted he doesn’t watch a lot of movies, and he was generally dismissive (“they’re movies”), but he noted that “Argo” had the right feel, and “The Sum of All Fears” captured some of the banter among analysts.
Following the event, Dr. Ard put on his professorial hat, and spoke to us as students for a while.
Even as he noted the challenges associated with recent budget cuts, he was encouraging, prompting us to dream big, take opportunities, and to be assertive in putting our goals into action.
When you wake up in Boston, and you need to be at a conference in Providence, Rhode Island, there is some driving to do. Fortunately, there are some things to see in between the two cities, and LEAP specializes in exploiting targets of opportunity.
To tackle an early morning with history, some human energy is required. This came in the form of a rare stop at a chain: Dunkin’ Donuts. But not just any Dunkin’ Donuts–the first-ever Dunkin’, which was founded in Quincy, MA, in 1950. Originally, it was “Open Kettle,” but the owner, William Rosenberg, noticed that his customers often dunked the donuts (5 cents) in the coffee (10 cents), and a new brand was born. It was this history–the 75th anniversary of which is being celebrated this year–that prompted LEAP to break its no-chain guideline.
Quincy, MA is known as “The Birthplace of Presidents.” Indeed, the town meets the plural requirement because both John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, were born there. If you are feeling generous, you could also allow Quincy to claim John Hancock, who is most famous for signing the Declaration of Independence, but who also served as President of the Continental Congress.
But the city’s most defensible claim is being the home of the two Adamses, and their both homes are side-by-side in a residential area. John Adams’ birth home dates from 1735, although some of the lumber used to make the house dates back to the 1670s, apparently recycled from another structure. John Quincy Adams was born next door in a home that dates back to 1717. John Quincy, however, did not arrive there until 1767, when he was born on July 11. The family would live in this house until 1783.
Interestingly, the property consists of 11 structures in all, one of which was built on order from John Quincy Adams’ will, which funded the construction of a stone library. This library, completed in 1870 and made of stone to prevent fire, holds Adams’ 14,000 books (in twelve languages).
Feeling suitably dispirited about our own reading habits, we moseyed south to what Trip Advisor raters ranked as the “most disappointing attraction in the United States”: Plymouth Rock. Trip Advisor clickers aren’t known for their taste, but they have a point. The rock is a small boulder that sits on the shore of Plymouth Bay. It is caged off.
It’s a disappointing rock, but in fairness, it has been treated poorly over the years, and it probably feels a bit vengeful. Across the centuries, it was painted with the numerals “1620”. When that proved unsuitable, someone decided to chip the numerals 1620 into the rock itself. People have stolen fragments from it, reducing it in size. At another point, town leaders decided to move the rock, and in doing so they broke it. Part of it was buried, which is probably the best thing for it in terms of safety. The rock is now approximately a third of the size it was originally, or so it is believed, but who knows?
Learning from Legislators
For our first day at the CSG East Conference, we split up so that we could learn directly on those topics most relevant to us, but also learn from each other in after-the-fact debriefings.
One of the key topics we explored was education, and the importance of early childhood education in children’s later development. Panelists Caroline O’Neal (CEO, Reading Assist), CT Representative Kate Farrar, Quebec Assemblywoman Marie-Belle Gendron, and RI Senator Hanna Gallo shared their experiences fighting for education for all pre-k children.
There was not a lot of ideological diversity on the panel, and as might be expected, there was a lot of agreement. All panelists agreed that the early years, when brain development is occurring most rapidly, are the most important. Living in a healthy, vocabulary-rich environment helps children reach their potential.
What was less clear was how to achieve healthy, vocabulary-rich environments for all children. Some states rely on home visits, where social workers (often health care professionals) visit the homes and provide resources to the parents, if requested. The panel was generally in agreement that Pre-K professionals should be paid the same amount and given the same respect as K-12 teachers, although little evidence was discussed to indicate that this would increase outcomes.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Representative Farrar mentioned the “Sparkler” app which parents can download and learn about developmental milestones from the ages of two months to five years. Not only does the app offer activities that can help families achieve those milestones, it also provides informational resources to parents when a child is underachieving.
Such an app is cheaper than most options, although it like many government programs, works best when families are motivated and educated. While the entire set of programs discussed are expensive, the panelists continued their unanimity in agreeing that the “cost of doing nothing,” which includes greater costs of government services and prisons, is prohibitive. And this made for a nice segue to our next session.
Criminal Justice Challenges for Youth
by Michelle Moya
One of LEAP’s core missions is cultivating well-informed professionals who can advance in their roles while gaining practical knowledge directly applicable to their work. Attending the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference exemplified this mission, providing me with valuable insights that will strengthen my work for State Representative Trey Wharton and knowledge I look forward to bringing back to Texas.
On the first day of the conference, our second session was the roundtable on Emerging Criminal and Youth Justice Challenges in the Eastern Region. The discussion featured legislators from Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island–including Representative Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, whom we had met in an earlier session…
…as well as policy analysts from New Jersey and Texas and advocates from organizations such as Casey Family Programs.
The roundtable discussion was guided by three central questions. The first asked legislators to share their most pressing challenges. New Hampshire identified the fentanyl epidemic as its greatest concern, fueling homelessness and repeated system involvement without sustainable solutions. Maryland reported rising juvenile crime rates and overcrowded facilities, disproportionately affecting minority communities. Maine emphasized inadequate behavioral health services that leave youth in correctional facilities when what they truly need is treatment. Rhode Island lawmakers described this pattern as the “criminalization door,” where children with mental health needs must go through law enforcement before receiving help, creating trauma and leaving permanent records for youth who need care, not punishment.
The second question focused on effective approaches that have been implemented in their designated states. Maryland automatically assigns public defenders to juveniles upon arrest and has a comprehensive expungement system. Rhode Island cleared more than 40,000 records through automated expungement–both efficiently and under budget. While New Hampshire strengthened constitutional privacy protections by limiting surveillance data retention to 48 hours. Some states have also adopted juvenile hearing boards as diversion alternatives and replaced school resource officers with social workers. A shared belief was shared among many: legislation alone is not enough. Effective advocacy requires direct community engagement through measures like police ride-along and town halls. One interesting example was provided, where three police officers dispatched to address a seven-year-old who hit a teacher, an incident that could be resolved only by calling the child’s grandmother. It underscored how normal childhood behavior is increasingly treated as criminal.
Another significant concern was how media coverage and public perception often overshadow data in shaping policy. Legislators noted that sensational, negative stories drive public opinion, creating fear-based narratives that are difficult to counter, even when crime rates are declining. This makes it challenging to pass reforms supported by evidence but misaligned with public perception.
As someone working for a state legislator, I found the interstate exchange of ideas particularly valuable.
Learning how other states confront shared challenges not only provided insights that could inform Texas policy development but also broadened my perspective on issues in our state.
Housing Development Through State-Municipal Cooperation
by Olivia Discon
The housing panel at the Eastern Regional Conference brought together leaders in community development from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut to talk about how states can work with cities and towns to expand affordable housing. Noah Kazis from the University of Michigan set the stage, and then Chris Kluchman, Colleen Velez, and David Kooris walked through what their states are doing.
In Massachusetts, zoning reform has been a focus since the late 1960s. At that time, only about 7 percent of the housing stock was affordable. Today it is closer to 26 percent, with much of it located in Boston suburbs. One of the biggest tools is Chapter 40B, which allows developers to bypass some local restrictions if they include affordable units. If a town has not met the 10 percent threshold for affordability, the state can override local opposition. While effective, these kinds of requirements can also create problems. Market changes can make projects unaffordable, and strict zoning rules sometimes backfire. At the same time, the state has continued to push forward with new programs. The Healey-Driscoll administration, for example, has committed $20 million to support the creation of 4,000 new units, and more than 140 communities have now adopted multifamily zoning after initially resisting it as an unfunded mandate.
New Jersey has a long legal history in this area, dating back to its 1985 Fair Housing Act. That law created the Council on Affordable Housing, which enforces each municipality’s “fair share” of affordable units based on both local and regional needs.
Municipalities must adopt 10-year fair share plans, and the state also supports nonprofit developers through training modules on zoning, placemaking, and housing models. In addition, the Department of Community Affairs provides pre-development funding to help those organizations get projects off the ground.
Connecticut’s challenge is different. With no county governments, coordination across its 169 municipalities is difficult. The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority was created in 2019 to bridge gaps, especially around funding for housing and infrastructure. It can support a wide range of projects, from wastewater and transportation to downtown redevelopment. David Kooris, who leads the authority, described it as a carrots system, but noted that sometimes the carrot can also be used as a stick (or as he described, a “frozen carrot”). He also pushed back on the common complaint that state action takes away local control, calling it a myth. In his view, stronger partnerships actually expand what local governments are able to accomplish.
Across these states, the theme was clear. Subsidized housing alone will not solve the problem, and there is no single fix. Instead, states are using a portfolio of tools: zoning reforms, infrastructure funding, training, and impact fees to make sure developers help cover the cost of new growth. Rhode Island was noted as a positive example for requiring third-party reviews, which reduces the chance of corruption, but also as a cautionary case since reluctance to expand wastewater infrastructure has slowed housing development.
Energy: Utility Bills and Grid Investment
by Olivia Discon
The session on energy tackled another issue with both technical and political challenges: how to keep power reliable and affordable while demand keeps growing. The speakers were Rep. Chris Rabb from Pennsylvania, Asim Haque from PJM Interconnection, and Michael Downey and Sonia Griffen from the Energy Futures Initiative Foundation.
Haque explained how PJM works. It does not own any power plants or transmission lines, but instead manages the flow of electricity across multiple states, coordinating reliability, market operations, and regional planning. Reliability is the constant concern. One reason is the surge in data centers, which consume the equivalent of tens of thousands of homes each. Add to that residential growth, new manufacturing, and federal environmental rules, and the grid faces a supply and demand imbalance. Coal has largely been replaced by natural gas and nuclear, and renewables are growing quickly, but integrating them without disrupting the system is a challenge.
Downey and Griffen argued that the grid will need trillions of dollars in new transmission investment over the coming decades. The federal government cannot cover those costs alone, so policymakers will have to create the right financing structures to attract private capital. They also emphasized that building high-voltage regional transmission lines is far more cost effective than simply adding more low-voltage local lines. Texas was cited as an example of a state that invested heavily in transmission in the early 2000s and is now benefiting from it. Best practices include planning 20 years into the future, updating plans every five years, setting clear cost-allocation rules, and communicating transparently so that the public understands the value of new projects.
Rep. Rabb brought the political dimension into focus. Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s largest energy producers but does not have a strong legislative framework for energy policy. He has called for a standing committee in the House dedicated to energy and has introduced a short, two-page bill that would require utilities to explain how their votes within PJM benefit ratepayers. While simple, the bill has attracted bipartisan interest because it emphasizes accountability and transparency in a system that often feels opaque. Rabb noted that skepticism about utility rates and decision-making is widespread, and greater visibility into those processes could help rebuild trust.
The session made clear that rising demand from data centers and industry is not going away, and that reliability will require proactive investment in transmission. At the same time, policymakers are grappling with how to ensure that utilities and grid operators are accountable to the public.
Capitol Clam-Bake
With a long day of work and learning behind us, we headed to the beautiful Rhode Island State House…
…to enjoy an evening of food, music, and mixing. The staff of the CSG put together a feast for four hundred–with clams, mussels, lobsters…
…bread, cheeses, fruit, and corn.
Oh, and hot dogs for the kiddos.
After some time, we got our plates together…
…we sat back to listen to the music.
The music was performed by young adults, a group of recent Brown graduates who prefer to sing the music of old adults. Indeed, they were originally a Beach Boys Tribute Band, and they have recently branched out to other 60s-70s groups such as the Mamas and the Papas, the Beatles, The Four Tops, and others.
They were a spirited group and, at their best, had very nice harmonies.
They also had a great attitude, and their enthusiasm spilled into the crowd, who responded well to the music. Judging by crowd reaction, the favorite of the evening was Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” which elicited much clapping, singing, and some dancing.
In these partisan times, it was good to see the Democrats and the (few) Republicans come together and bond over music.
Bipartisanship was also the theme of the night from the elected officials, who did a good job of being gracious and brief.
Senator Elgie Sims (Illinois) was particularly gracious in reminding legislators of the importance of civility–particularly in light of the shooting of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman and Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
It was a unifying way to end the remarks, and it is a good lesson for all to remember.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s not often that you can learn lessons in three separate towns in the same day. It’s even less often you can learn from a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts. But LEAP Ambassadors, with their resourcefulness (and love of coffee), found a way to learn in myriad ways, from diverse places, and from the generosity of policy experts who came together to share their knowledge.
LEAP Center interns work in various capacities, from businesses, to government offices, to non-profits, but they also learn from each other and outside the workplace. Approximately twice a month, LEAP interns–“City Fellows”–meet outside the office to enhance their internship experience. This month their outside-the-workplace experience involved a “guest lecturer” of sorts: Judge David Moorman led a tour of the District Court in the Walker County Courthouse.
The tour and discussion involved an overview of the (1) County Judge (Floor 2), (2) the County Court at Law Judge (Floor 1), (3) the Grand Jury room (Floor 3), and (4) the District Court courtroom (Floor 3). Combined with their prior tours, which included among other places/venues, the Municipal Courtroom…
…the Fellows reviewed the judicial system, going over which kinds of cases make it to a JP or Municipal Court, County Court at Law, or the District Court–the latter consisting almost exclusively of felony cases.
For some of the interns, this was just one of several meetings with Judge Moorman. The Judge has generously spoken at the Pre-Law Society meetings…
…invited LEAP Ambassadors to some of his trials, joined the students at various events they have hosted…
…and is a regular attendee at the Ambassadors’ annual 10th Court of Appeals hearings.
Victoria McClendon, who was also on hand, worked for Moorman while she was at SHSU, and after her graduation from law school, he swore her into the Texas Bar.
Indeed, when Moorman walked into the courtroom, he saw McClendon and asked, “Are you returning to school?”
More seriously, Judge Moorman discussed some of those felonies that make it to his court, while also discussing other aspects of his career: his work in a law firm; his decision to run for a judicial position; how judicial proceedings can differ in smaller and larger towns; and his time prosecuting for the Municipal Court.
This discussion also ventured into advice for young attorneys. Oddly, even as Huntsville has grown over the years, the number of attorneys in the community has declined. For those attorneys who do wish to make their mark in a community, they often take their cues from more established attorneys. But in communities with fewer attorneys, such models may be lacking. But Moorman stressed the importance of gaining respect, which is earned by being prepared, taking a work-horse rather than a show-horse approach, and looking out for the best interests of your clients.
Of course, this is good advice for almost all occupations–a fitting discussion for interns with different backgrounds, working for different agencies, all of whom are contemplating their future.
With many thanks to Judge Moorman, it was a rewarding outside-of-class / outside-of-work learning experience in which the LEAP Center specializes.
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 