Category: Politics

Reflections from the Capitol: A Day of Service, History, and Perspective in Austin

by Olivia Discon

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol and share a few reflections from my term as student regent. I was invited by the Governor’s Appointments Office to speak to the newly appointed student regents, which was a real honor—and a full-circle moment I didn’t take lightly. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and my time in Austin.

One of the biggest highlights of the day was being invited to the Governor’s Mansion. After a quick security check by DPS, I had the chance to tour one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Texas. The Greek Revival-style mansion was designed by Abner Cook—who, interestingly, also supervised the construction of the Walls Unit in Huntsville. That connection alone was enough to trigger my compulsive need to tie Sam Houston into everything.

Photo Courtesy of The Office of Governor Greg Abbott

I’ll admit I was a little photo-shy walking through the mansion, but that didn’t stop a few photos from happening. To my surprise, I got to greet Governor Abbott again and take a quick photo with him—inside his house, no less. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Being appointed as a student regent during my undergrad was an incredible opportunity, and I’ve felt supported at every level of my college experience. That support made moments like this possible.

As we made our way through the mansion, we passed through rooms filled with stunning 18th-century furniture—and, of course, nods to Sam Houston in almost every one. They even have a room named after him. Seeing this more glamorous side of Houston’s life, and then comparing it to his final years at the Steamboat House in Huntsville, was oddly moving. He was so committed to his principles that he gave up comfort for conviction. It’s just one of the reasons Huntsville has such a strange charm to me. Somehow, all roads in Texas lead back to it.

Even though the Governor’s Mansion is a historic landmark, it’s still a lived-in space. Just outside the window, we caught a glimpse of the Abbott family’s three golden retrievers playing in the yard. The timing of the visit couldn’t have been better—it was a great reminder of how historic homes can still be part of everyday life, thanks to organizations like the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion.

Photo Courtesy of SHSU LEAP Center, 2016

Later that afternoon, I joined Chris Covo, a former student regent for the Texas State University System, and Luke Shwartz, who was recently appointed student regent for the UT System (congrats again, Luke!). We sat down with Brent Connett for a moderated conversation about the role, what surprised us, and what advice we’d offer.

For me, the biggest takeaway was this: being a good representative can open more doors than you might expect. Investing in your professionalism, doing your research, and showing up prepared—not because you’ve “made it,” but because you’re serious about learning—goes a long way. When you present yourself as someone competent and curious, people take notice. You get to be in the room for real conversations and real opportunities.

After the panel, I stopped by to see my good friend Michelle Cardenas, who was deep in the legislative trenches as session wrapped up. She took a much-needed breather and walked me through the Governor’s Reception Hall. Watching her in action, compared to where we started—back when we walked into the Capitol for the first time with LEAP—was surreal. We’re in completely different places now, but there’s something meaningful about knowing LEAP brought us both here.

Electric Gravy
For dinner, I continued on my sappy tirade by joining Cinthia Villarreal and Michelle Cardenas at an Indian fusion restaurant—Electric Gravy.

It’s been getting a lot of local attention, including a recommendation from former LEAP Ambassador Saara Maknojia.

We started with the curry queso (which was excellent), and then I had the chicken tinga curry, Cinthia got the chicken masala, and Michelle went with the pork vindaloo. All of it was solid—definitely a fun place worth checking out.

Mount Bonnell
To wrap up the day, I visited Mount Bonnell for a great view of Lady Bird Lake. It ended up being the perfect spot to close out a long day—quiet, scenic, and full of the kind of quirky passersby you can only find in Austin.

The sun didn’t set until about 8:30 p.m., but once it started going down, it dropped fast.

I might be wrong, but I think this was the first time I ever intentionally watched a sunset. It was a nice experience!

Brazil Culinary Passport

by Olivia Discon

We stamped our passports once again—this time for Brazil—at the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston’s Global Young Professionals “Culinary Passport” series. Held at Tourão Brazilian Churrascaria, this experience gave us the chance to explore Brazilian food and learn more about the country’s growing role in clean energy.

For about half of our group, it was the first time at a Brazilian steakhouse. We were joined by Dr. Elise Herrmann and Dr. Jamile Forcelini, both professors at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Hermann recently completed our Citizenship Prep course (and just this week, earned her citizenship!), and it was great to have her with us for an evening that touched on both international culture and policy.

During dinner, we heard from two speakers involved in the energy sector: Fernando C. Hernandez, who founded the Society for Low Carbon Technologies…

…and Taís Soares, who works in business development at Vallourec.

Their focus, through moderation by Eli Quezeda, was on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)—a process that removes carbon dioxide from the air or from industrial sources and stores it underground to keep it from entering the atmosphere.

One of the main ideas they touched on was being part of “Track 1.5”: a policy and technology goal aimed at keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C, which is seen as a critical threshold to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

To hit that goal, they emphasized the need for both policy and private-sector innovation to move fast, which is where projects like Brazil’s carbon storage law come in.

Their innovative carbon capture methodology is actually quite interesting: emissions are captured from factories or plants, compressed, and then injected into rock formations deep underground where they can stay for centuries. It’s not a silver bullet, but paired with other strategies, it can make a real difference. The speakers explained that these technologies are already being used and expanded in places like Brazil, which is becoming a global leader in this space.

 Although some of the science went over our heads, it was a good reminder that global issues depend on people from many backgrounds and countries working together–while also having the chance to interact and enjoy great food.

As always, we’re grateful to the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston for putting together events that are both fun and informative. And we’re glad to keep expanding our knowledge (and our palates) one country at a time.

Book Talk with Lise Olsen: The Scientist and the Serial Killer

Michelle Cardenas

Even with the busiest time of the legislative session in full swing, the LEAP Ambassadors always find ways to stay engaged and keep learning. After a long day at the Capitol, we made our way to BookPeople in downtown Austin for an author event featuring Lise Olsen and her latest true crime book, The Scientist and the Serial Killer.

As true crime fans and students focused on criminal justice and pre-law, this event was right up our alley. Lise Olsen, known for her investigative reporting and current work with the Texas Observer, has spent her career uncovering the truth behind long-forgotten crimes. The conversation was moderated by Michelle Pitcher, one of Olsen’s colleagues who also covers criminal justice topics.

The book centers around Dean Corll (Nicknamed Candy Man), a Houston serial killer responsible for the abduction and murder of over 27 teenage boys in the 1970s. Despite the scale of the crimes, police negligence allowed Corll to operate undetected for years. After the crimes were uncovered, the investigation was shockingly mishandled. The Houston Police Department sent inmates with trash bags and shovels to dig up remains from a boat shed where the victims were buried—no forensic experts, no proper evidence collection, and very little communication with the victims’ families.

That’s where the heart of the book lies. Olsen reported on the findings and the work of Sharon Derrick, a forensic anthropologist who became deeply invested in identifying the unnamed victims. Derrick took on the challenge of reexamining the case, believing at first it might be simple but she quickly realized she was wrong. Many of the families were gone, DNA matches were limited, and records were scarce. Still, Derrick worked to connect the dots, uncovering overlooked evidence, personal items, and even previously unidentified remains. Olsen followed and reported on this journey, often reaching out to families herself to gather clues and piece together the victims’ stories along the way.

Pitcher asked Olsen about how she was able to capture not just the investigation but also the social and institutional failings of the time.

The book dives into what policing looked like in 1970s Houston: limited resources, no communication systems, and almost no understanding of serial killer patterns. Authorities often dismissed missing teens as runaways or troublemakers, even blaming parents. There were rumors that some had fled to avoid the draft. And the juvenile crime division? It consisted of officers who would write a one-page report/description and move on.

Olsen interviewed hundreds of people—friends, family members, investigators—and gave space for those who had been grieving in silence for decades. Her mission wasn’t to glorify a serial killer, but to give voice to the nameless victims and to honor the hard work of investigators still trying to bring justice and closure. The book is haunting, especially as a Houston native who’s grown up hearing stories about the Candy Man.

After the talk, we got the chance to chat with Ms. Olsen for a bit about criminal justice and let her know how much we enjoyed the event. It was a great way to end the night—getting to meet someone who’s doing meaningful work and hearing firsthand how much time and care goes into telling these stories. We snapped a quick selfie and left BookPeople feeling a little more curious, a little more inspired, and definitely glad we made the time to go.