City Fellows – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

City Fellows Interns Showcase a Summer of Growth Through Final Presentations

After a summer of serving local government and nonprofit organizations throughout the Huntsville community, interns in the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics (LEAP) at Sam Houston State University concluded the City Fellows Internship Program by presenting their experiences to supervisors, mentors, and fellow interns.

The presentations highlighted not only the projects each student completed, but also the personal and professional growth that occurred throughout the semester. Participating interns included Elizabeth Werts (Fort Bend District Clerk’s office)…

…Brittlyn Jackson (Huntsville Main Street)…

…Estrella Morales-Garcia (Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center)…

…Tania Ramirez (Huntsville Parks and Leisure)…

…Allie Plunk (who completed internships with both The Altom Group and Old Town Theatre)…

…and Christine James (SAAFE House).

The event was well attended by many of the students’ supervisors and community partners, demonstrating the strong relationships that make the City Fellows program successful. Among those in attendance were Kristy Wheeler and Penny Joiner from Huntsville Parks and Leisure; Amanda Sewell and Olivia McCaughan from Main Street Huntsville; Angela Robinson from the Wynne Home Arts and Visitor Center; Tracy Stoudt and Colleen Garza from SAAFE House; and Marshall Altom of The Altom Group. Also attending were Brian Beasley, Assistant City Manager for the City of Huntsville, and Sandra Rodriguez, Human Resources Coordinator for the City.

Each presentation focused on a significant project completed during the internship. Indeed, this is one key aspect of the City Fellows program: the internships are project based. For Tania Ramirez in Parks, for example, that included coming up with activities for the City’s July 4th celebration and its accompanying parade (where the Parks department one the Spirit Award). The students also discussed the challenges encountered and the lessons learned along the way. Several students admitted they were initially nervous about speaking before an audience, with nearly half acknowledging that public presentations pushed them well outside their comfort zones. By the end of the program, however, each intern confidently shared the accomplishments of the summer and reflected on the skills they had developed.

Many of the students discussed overcoming personal limitations, whether it was learning unfamiliar office software, adapting to a professional workplace, or building confidence in communicating with coworkers and the public. Their stories illustrated that internships provide far more than workplace experience—they foster resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence.

One theme echoed by every presenter was a newfound appreciation for local government and community organizations. Whether engaging in the day-to-day work of the organization or through one of the City Fellows’ tours, the interns gained a better understanding of how many moving parts exist in local government and how each component has to have dedicated staff behind their mission.

It was, of course, icing on the cake to have many of those dedicated staff in the room while the presentations were being conducted, and the LEAP Center remains grateful to the City of Huntsville, SAAFE House, The Altom Group, the Old Town Theatre, and the Fort Bend County Clerk’s Office for providing students with rich opportunities.

City Fellows Interns Tour the Huntsville Fire Department

by Michelle Moya

As part of the City Fellows Internship Program, we are continually exploring the inner workings of Huntsville. Our latest adventure took us to the heart of the city’s safety net: the Huntsville Fire Department, where we got an exclusive tour of the facility, led by Chief Greg Mathis.

The tour began in the lobby, where we were greeted by an impressive piece of history—a restored 1927 Huntsville fire truck. Chief Mathis regaled us with tales of the truck’s features and its rich history.

Macey and I even took a picture on the fire truck, joking that we were “officially” part of the fire department now.

Among the artifacts on display, Chief Mathis highlighted a particularly interesting item—a black-ball lottery device. This relic from the past determined whether someone would last as a volunteer firefighter. The process was simple yet harsh: firefighters would vote by placing either a white ball (yes) or black ball (no) in the container.

We then headed to Chief Mathis’ office, a treasure trove of knowledge where we learned the most about the department’s operations. Among his office testaments of pride, we got to see his impressive coin collection, which includes challenge coins from various of his experiences. These coins recognize achievements and build team spirit in the fire department.

He also emphasized that his job extends beyond fighting fires; it also involves securing grants, managing budgets, and ensuring his team can serve the community while staying safe.

We also noted the three hats from his career journey (including one that showed just how dirty the job gets).

Then we explored the residential area of the department, noting a unique feature—the “petrified wood” used in the television design is the same as the fireplace in the Josey Boy Scout Lodge. We also saw the “watch room,” which serves as the department’s nerve center, monitoring all alarms and operations.

As we learned more about the watch room, Chief Mathis emphasized the crucial role that volunteers play in the Huntsville Fire Department. Volunteers undergo rigorous training and are equipped to respond to emergencies alongside career firefighters.

The living quarters were equally impressive, with bunk rooms featuring sliding barn doors and four closets each. They also have access to a private gym with equipment like a rowing machine, treadmill, and Jacobs Ladder.

Finally, we arrived at the apparatus bay, where the fire trucks are stored—representing the traditional perception of a fire department.

Chief Mathis pointed out the physical fitness test equipment outside for the Candidate Physical Ability Test firemen have to pass. Our very strong Macey even tried her hand at the test, successfully lifting to an extent, while Jacob also gave it a go with full strength and managed to lift it off the ground!

Now, my favorite part of the tour. The multi-force wood door device they have been experimenting with lately. It’s designed to simulate various door types and jamb materials, allowing firefighters to practice different breaching techniques. Attempting it once more with Macey! After a lot of effort, she managed to get the door open!

The day showed us not just how a fire department operates but also how city services, budgeting, and management all work together. Not to mention, Macey learned just how hard it is to be a firefighter!

We are grateful to Chief Mathis and the entire Huntsville Fire Department for sharing their time and knowledge with us! We deeply appreciate all they do.

Behind the Scenes with the Huntsville Police Department

Michelle Cardenas

The City Fellows Interns and LEAP Ambassadors recently stepped into the world of local law enforcement with an exclusive tour of the Huntsville Police Department, led by the warm and welcoming Corporal Sanders, Senior Officer Craig, and Officer Jennings. With this tour, we were able to experience multiple aspects of our community and get to know the dedicated officers who work tirelessly to keep our city safe.

They began by sharing the department’s history, proudly showing us old uniforms, historic equipment, and awards that marked the walls. Right by the entrance, we even saw the shiny shovel used to break ground for this incredible facility in 2021!

Walking through the common area, I realized this space was more than just a building; the walls were filled with images and stories of Huntsville’s history. As I examined these photographs, I felt a stronger connection to the community, seeing the legacy left by the officers who served before.

As we entered the gym, Professor Yawn began egging some of us on to punch the punching bag. After some weak and pitiful punches…

…we were led to the locker rooms. We learned that these are not just practical spaces; they include areas for victims in need of privacy. From this, we understood that every aspect of the building was not only built in mind for the officers but also the community.

In the evidence room, we learned a surprising amount about handling and storing evidence. Senior Officer Craig explained the steps for bagging items with precision and gave us a look at the organized system of lockers and refrigeration units.

Moreover, one of the highlights was meeting Senior Lieutenant Curt Landrum. He explained that there are two types of cases that the detectives work on: property crimes and personal crimes. When asked how many cases they work on each year, he noted that it is in the thousands!

Next, we headed outside for a little action! Senior Officer Craig set up a mock traffic stop, and Emely bravely volunteered to be “pulled over.” As Senior Officer Craig went through her routine, she explained all the safety measures she takes, from positioning her vehicle carefully to approaching with full awareness.

Finally, we got to climb aboard the SWAT truck, affectionately known as the “Pitbull.”

It was an absolute thrill to be inside this armored vehicle, knowing it’s there to protect the officers in extreme situations.

Just being in that truck gave us all a feeling of respect for the risks these officers are prepared to take.

We left the Huntsville Police Department with much appreciation for the officers who serve our community. Thank you to Corporal Sanders, Senior Officer Craig, and Officer Jennings for a day filled with learning, laughter, and unforgettable experiences!

Simulating City Operations: A Mock City Council

As the semester draws to an end, the City Fellows–interns placed by the LEAP program–are wrapping up their internships. As part of that process, and following numerous professional development activities this semester, they took on the roles of City Council and City Directors and participated in a Mock City Council at the beautiful Wynne Home.

On hand to guide and observe were supervisors Andrea Howard (Wynne Home), Amanda Schillaci (Huntsville Main Street), Tammy Gann (Economic Development), Aron Kulhavy (City Manager), and Mac Woodward (former Councilmember and Mayor).

The process involved knowing parliamentary procedures, researching topics such as dockless scooters, park acquisitions, and municipal contracts. Participating were Cinthia Villarreal (Mayor)…

…Morgan Robertson (City Manager), Saara Maknojia (City Attorney), Macey Schank (Parks Director), Chrissy Biello (City Secretary), and Yajaira Gutierrez Marin, Emily Eoff, Michelle Cardenas, Olivia Discon, and Camilla Lopez (council).

The “process could be intimidating,” noted “Mayor” Villarreal, “but what we get from it is outweighs in importance any embarrassment or hesitation we might feel at the moment.”

Although the topics were relatively straightforward, they elicited questions such as: (1) who owns that GPS data from scooter usage and what can such data be used for?; (2) on what streets would scooters be legal?; (3) what are the downsides of designating land a “park”?; and (4) who is allowed to speak at council meetings, on what topics are they allowed to speak, and for how long?

It was, noted Biello, “quite the learning experience, offering me valuable insights into the legal nuances and special considerations essential for effective governance.”

With expert guidance from City staff, as well as a comparative perspective from those who have worked at other cities (including Madisonville, TX and Salado, TX), we were able to pass some good things for our Sim-City, learn a whole lot, see some great art, and spend time with some great people!

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