Sam Houston State University – Page 48 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Lunch with the Chancellor: Texas State University Systems Recognizes System Interns

by Yvette Mendoza

We can think of no better way for the Sam Houston State University interns to conclude the 88th legislative session–with a delightful lunch hosted by the Chancellor of the Texas State University System, Brian McCall. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for the SHAIP interns to connect with other legislative interns in the System and reflect on how TSUS played a significant role in our internship experience.

The O. Henry Hall, located in the heart of downtown Austin is where TSUS is located. Although it is not the first time we had visited this historic building, we were again impressed by its stunning architecture and historic halls. The warm welcome from TSUS Chancellor McCall and Vice-Chancellor Sean Cunningham further added to the fantastic experience.

Lunch was flawlessly organized, allowing us to enjoy our meal while connecting with the Texas State University legislative interest. Learning about how TSU runs its legislative internship program and hearing about the future plans after the session ends was an enlightening experience. It was interesting to note that a majority of the interns were either graduating this semester from Texas State or Sam Houston, with many planning to pursue a master’s degree at the Lyndon B Johson School of Public Affairs or attending law school.

The lunch provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on the entirety of the session and how TSUS played a crucial role in making it a memorable experience. Looking back on the various event that TSUS hosted, such as the unforgettable performance of Dwight Yoakam that featured a special tribute to the Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan.

In addition, we realized how much we have grown and learned since the first lunch we had with the TSUS team.

The lunch concluded with all of the interns expressing our gratitude and appreciation for TSUS’s consistent support. We felt honored to represent TSUS at the Texas State Capitol, and the internship would not have been as successful without the support of TSUS.

On behalf of the LEAP Ambassadors and SHAIP, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for TSUS’s unwavering support and assistance in our growth as students who are part of the magnificent Texas State University System.

Ashlyn Explores Austin

When exploring the hidden gems of Austin, Texas, one may be led downtown to the home, which happens to double as a museum, of William Sydney Porter, otherwise known as O. Henry- a prominent author famously known for his short stories such as “The Gift of Magi.”

Mr. Porter’s home is a Queen Anne-style cottage built in the mid-1890s. Amazingly, much of the original furniture is still preserved there for the public to see! The house is covered in vintage wallpaper, giving each room a different feel than the next, contrasting with most modern homes today. Interestingly, when the home was donated to the city for historic preservation, it was moved from its original location in a middle-class neighborhood to its prime location today.

Although this was Mr. Porter’s home, it was not where he constructed his famous short stories. He did most of his writing in prison for a felony of embezzlement, which he committed while working at the First National Bank. During his three years in prison, Mr. Porter wrote around 380 short stories that were published after his release, which launched his writing career, established him as an author, and later led to him becoming the famous author we regard him as today. Due to negative connotations attached to convicted felons, Mr. Porter began using his pen name, O. Henry, to prevent people disregarding his work due to serving time in prison.

The story of Mr. Porter’s past and aspiring short story author was fascinating to learn about while visiting the museum! However, the museum touched not just on Mr. Porter’s most talked about life, such as his ascent as an author; it also touched on more intimate parts that the average fan might not know. For example, Mr. Porter had a passion for music. The museum had a handwritten sheet of music titled “Main Street,” with the original notes and lyrics that he wrote on display. During his time in Austin, one could find him writing sheet music for piano, acting in the Austin Musical Union, or playing in a string instrument band, the Hill City Quartette.

I always find a little memento of Sam Houston in every museum I visit. For instance, this museum’s connection to Sam Houston was an old desk that Mr. Porter used during his time in Austin. The desk belonged to his great uncle, Adolphus Sterne, who was good friends with Sam Houston. This is one reason Mr. Porter valued this desk so much was because of the rich history behind it.

During his life, Mr. Porter was a man of many trades as he was an aspiring writer to support his family. He worked as a pharmacist, a bookkeeper, and a drafter to make ends meet. When he worked at a local drugstore, he was found to be excellent at sketching his customers. This led him to work at the Texas General Land Office for about four years, where he was tasked with drawing maps of Texas counties. He started working at the First National Bank to provide more financial support for his family, which led to his embezzlement and, ultimately, to his arrest.

One inspirational thing you can take from the legacy of the life of Sydney Porter is that every event in his life led to the next, and in the end, that is what got him to where he needed to be successful. This helps give me some perspective that not every bump in the road must be bad; it can be all about what you make of it.

Covering the World with Ioan Grillo (and the World Affairs Council)

By Michelle Cardenas

LEAP students enjoyed another amazing World Affairs Council event, this one featuring author and journalist: Ioan Grillo. During this event, SHSU students and alumni had the opportunity to learn about Grillo and his most recent book titled “Blood, Gun, Money”.

Specializing in crime and drug cartels in Mexico, Grillo delivered an informative and thought-provoking run-down of the drug war the United States is currently battling.

After a brief introduction by Jahan Jafarpour…

…Ioan Grillo and moderator Ronan O’Malley took the stage. The conversation began with a striking question about the fentanyl crisis and its effect on Americans. Grillo explained how fentanyl is one of the deadliest synthetic drugs on the market, and how its potency can be fatal at minuscule doses. Due to its cheap production costs and easy transportation across the border, fentanyl has become extremely accessible and profitable.

Grillo went on to explain how America is experiencing a revolution of illegal drugs that’s killing thousands of people. He compares the current drug revolution to the crack epidemic that took place in the late 1980’s. According to Grillo’s data, the number of current overdoses on Fentanyl is 21 times higher than the number of overdoses on record for 1988, the peak of the crack epidemic. He then discussed the multi-faceted conditions that allow such a crisis, such as corruption in Mexican officials and the strong presence of organized crime.

Ioan Grillo spent much of time discussing the Mexican cartel and its impact on civilians and the United States. A concerning point in this discussion was the amount of heavy weaponry transported to Mexico from the United States. According to Grillo, many gun traffickers have easy access to weapons here in the United States, which they purchase without a paper trail. Due to the violence and cartel wars that have erupted, the journalist mentioned the possibility of naming the different Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. However, many issues could arise, one of which is the justification of asylum on the border. He concluded by assuring us that the war on drugs and violence is just now beginning, and that the only way to stop this war is government involvement and strict policies.

The conversation then moved on to a Q&A session, where many interesting topics were discussed. Olivia, a fellow LEAP Ambassador, asked a question about the media’s role in raising awareness of drug crises.

We each then had the pleasure to speak to Ioan Grillo after the event and get our books signed…

…as well as learn a little more about his approach to reaching a resolution to end this drug epidemic we are witnessing.

To fit the theme of tonight’s event and the region primarily discussed, we headed to Ninfa’s; a restaurant specializing in Mexican cuisine. We all enjoyed traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos al pastor, mole, and enchiladas de carnitas. Everyone was extremely satisfied with their dishes and enjoyed their flavorful entrees.

This was a great opportunity to get to know SHSU alumni (Victoria McClendon-Leggett and Bianca Saldierna), meet with new students who haven’t done many LEAP events, as well as learn more about the pressing issues affecting our country’s health.

Time in Austin with President White

Jessica Cuevas and Morgan Robertson

As the 88^th legislative session is winding down, I hope I can speak for all SHAIP Interns when I say that I think we’ve gotten the hang of the “Texas Lege”!

And this knowledge came in handy this week when we had the privilege of having lunch with President Alisa White, Dr. McCartney Johnson, and SHSU (and LEAP) alum Ms. Christina Gonzalez.

We were welcomed with open arms and hugs by Dr. White, Dr. Johnson, and Christina, and we filled our plates with yummy tacos from Chuy’s.

Dr. White began by asking us three questions related to our experiences at the Capitol. (1) What most surprised us? (2) What has been the most challenging? (3) What has been the most rewarding? In the time it took us to answer the questions, Dr. White wove in her own advice and thoughts from her experiences.

Although we are all in different offices, many of our experiences have been similar. For many of us, one challenging aspect has been how to interact with concerned or upset constituents. Such interactions force us to think on our feet, be responsive, and to de-escalate what can be stressful situations. Dr. White and Dr. Johnson noted that such interactions will likely be present in all occupations–including Higher Education!.

For Amor, the most surprising element of the internship was how much discretion she is given in her office. Because offices work with a minimum number of staff members, each member has to be capable of–and be trusted to–make good decisions. Amor, for example, frequently attends meetings, writes up talking points, and briefs the staff on legislation. In many ways, this reflects all of our experiences: our offices treat us as staff members and, in some offices, they even treat us like family!

Christina, who served as a LEAP Ambassador and a SHAIP intern–and who has much experience in the political worlds–expressed the importance of networking and ensuring that we establish connections. She stressed that the most important things in the legislature are (1) your work ethic and (2) your reputation.

The lunch concluded with Dr. White gifting us with AWESOME SHSU personalized tumblers!

As we descended from the tenth floor, hearts, and minds full, we walked back into the Capitol ready to take on the last 30 days of session. Sincere thank you to Dr. Johnson for organizing a great lunch, Christina for hosting, and Dr. White for her vibrant energy and curiosity!

Closing out the Semester with Pre-Law

By McKenna Nonnenmann

For the last meeting of the 22-23 school year, the Pre-Law Society members had a lot of fun in-store. We put our knowledge and luck to the test and showed our true competitive sides. This week we held a crossword competition regarding our law history and vocabulary. Whoever won would receive $250 scholarships!

The air was tense as we rushed to see who would complete the puzzle first. Questions included: Who is the current Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court? What is a first-year law student called? Which test is required to get into law school?

We all laughed as we guessed on how to spell certain words, and picked our brains for answers. Caleb Carrig, Rylee Smith, Jessica Hernandez, and Natalie Bradford prevailed and each won a scholarship. The puzzle was fun, but showed that we all have a lot left to learn! We should also probably practice our spelling. We even held a drawing for the members for another chance to win another scholarship. Chistina Biello and Cinthia Villarreal won, how lucky!

As it was the last meeting of the 22-23 year, we had to bid our seniors goodbye. Five of our members, Jacelin Daniel, Jessica Hernandez, Daniela Hernandez and Jesus Ayala received their chords to wear with pride as they walk the stage to graduation. We wish them all well as they move forward on their law school path.

As a final note, we also created a planning committee for the fall, when we hope to have a major speaker come in, as well as an attorney, law-school deans, and an activity of our own!

Clinical Psychology Program Offers Unique Courtroom Simulation

Sam Houston State University professionals in the fields of Law and Forensic Psychology joined together to present an experiential learning experience for Clinical Psychology Ph.D. students enrolled in the Forensic Assessment course taught by Dr. Mary Alice Conroy, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training. In this unique collaboration, Ph.D. students practiced presenting their professional opinions as expert witnesses in a simulated hearing to determine the competency of a criminal defendant to stand trial. Dr. Gene Roberts, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Student Legal and Mediation Services Center, cross-examined the student expert witnesses.

At the first simulated hearing, Hannah Benemann testified as the forensic expert, while fellow Ph.D. student Hadley McCartin conducted the direct examination. Ms. Benemann began her testimony by explaining the legal standard to determine competency to stand trial. She provided details from her expert report to explain her findings regarding the defendant’s competency. During his cross-examination, Dr. Roberts asked intense questions of the expert in order to provide the Trier of Fact, the Judge, with the most accurate information to make a determination of competency to stand trial.

The process continued with the second simulated hearing in which Alison Concannon was the expert witness and Inneke Vargas handled the direct exam. At the last hearing, the expert witness was Kennedy Anderson, and Sarah Hernandez asked the questions on direct exam. The other three students in the Forensics Psychology course, Brianna Davis, Kayla Spenard, and Aislinn Tansey, will participate in a future simulated hearing.

Dr. Roberts has assisted in this learning experience for the past ten years. At these simulated hearings, Dr. Roberts changes his cross-examination approach for each student so that the entire class is exposed to a gamut of questioning strategies. By both showcasing different techniques to cross-examine an expert witness and providing incisive feedback and advice to each of the Forensic Psychology Ph.D. students, Dr. Roberts hopes to provide the students an idea of what they will experience as an expert witness in forensic psychology.

Many thanks to Dr. Gene Roberts and Dr. Conroy for allowing LEAP students to observe this unique and innovative academic exercise!

Diversifying Perspectives and Learning Leadership

by Olivia Discon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Around the World with CIA Director Bill Burns

By Olivia Discon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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