Six students from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) have been selected to participate in The Archer Fellowship Program, an esteemed initiative managed by the University of Texas System that offers immersive exposure to the intricacies of public policy and governance. This competitive program integrates rigorous academic coursework with hands-on professional internships, designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in federal policy-making and public service. The Archer Fellowship provides a unique platform for scholars to engage directly with the complexities of legislative and regulatory processes at the federal level, fostering a multidisciplinary understanding that bridges theory and practice.
Participants in the fellowship spend a semester—fall, spring, or summer—at The Archer Center located on the UT System campus in Washington, D.C. Here, fellows live and collaborate closely with peers drawn from 14 different UT System institutions, creating a diverse intellectual environment conducive to dynamic policy discourse. The curriculum is crafted by UT System faculty and experts in public policy, blending classroom learning with experiential components that include attending congressional hearings, participating in policy briefings, and contributing to advocacy strategies.
The Archer Fellowship’s structure is meticulously designed to align students’ internships with their unique academic backgrounds and professional ambitions. Through these internships, fellows gain firsthand experience working with federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and policy research centers. This immersion equips students with the skills and knowledge required to influence policy decisions effectively, understand the legislative environment, and navigate the complexities inherent in government processes. The program also offers extensive networking opportunities with influential policymakers and thought leaders, which can build bridges to future career pathways.
Bobbie Brown, director of advanced placement at UTA’s Honors College, emphasizes the profound transformative effect the fellowship has on participating students. According to Brown, the program offers unrivaled access to the centers of power where public policy is formulated, enabling students to observe and influence the multifaceted layers of governance. The fellowship cultivates a robust professional network while promoting personal growth, expanding students’ perspectives on public service and the responsibilities it entails.
Among the current cohort, Destiny Aladeyelu represents a compelling example of the program’s impact. A graduate student in public health with aspirations toward law, Aladeyelu has found the Archer Fellowship instrumental in reinforcing her career trajectory toward integrating health policy and legal frameworks. Her internship with Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative aimed at nurturing leadership in young women globally, places her at the crossroads of international advocacy, policy implementation, and grassroots mobilization. Aladeyelu’s experience underscores how interdisciplinary approaches in the fellowship reveal new avenues for addressing complex societal challenges.
Similarly, senior nursing major Serena Karim’s engagement with the American Nurses Association (ANA) demonstrates the program’s capacity to embed students in pivotal roles within advocacy and legislative influence. Karim’s hands-on involvement with lobbyists on Capitol Hill exposed her to the nuanced strategies involved in shaping health care policy, including regulatory comment submission and policy impact research. This exposure has deepened her appreciation for nurses as vital contributors to public policy dialogue, illuminating how scientific understanding and clinical expertise translate into legislative advocacy.
Economic data analytics master’s student Daniela Pedraja further exemplifies the fellowship’s interdisciplinary reach. Her internship at The John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress afforded her the rare opportunity to participate in policy research at one of the nation’s premier intellectual hubs. Pedraja’s interests in economic disparities and income inequality highlight the essential role that rigorous data analysis and evidence-based policy evaluation play in crafting solutions to persistent socioeconomic issues. The fellowship nurtures her capacity to translate quantitative insights into actionable policy recommendations that address systemic inequities.
The program also embraces the perspectives of graduate student Ariana Hernandez, a communications major focused on media framing and advocacy. Hernandez’s coursework at historically significant sites in Washington, D.C., enriches her understanding of how national policy intersects with gender equity. Her intellectual engagement with policy affecting women at the national level positions her to dissect the mechanisms by which policy narratives are constructed and contested. Hernandez’s reflections point to the importance of comprehensive policy literacy combined with strategic communication skills in influencing public discourse.
A notable component in the Archer Fellowship is its encouragement for students to actively push beyond their comfort zones and embrace the spectrum of opportunities available. As Hernandez advises future fellows, active participation in events, extensive networking, and openness to new experiences catalyze the profound personal and professional growth that defines the fellowship. This call to action encapsulates the program’s ethos of producing not just skilled policy practitioners but well-rounded leaders equipped to innovate in government and public service.
In addition to individual student experiences, the UTA Archer Fellows program stands as a testament to the University of Texas at Arlington’s commitment to research excellence and civic engagement. Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, UTA is a Carnegie R1 research institution noted for its prolific impact on both local and national scales. Housing over 41,000 students, UTA is the second-largest university within the UT System, offering extensive degree programs and positioning itself as a catalyst for regional economic growth. The Archer Fellowship complements this academic ecosystem by fostering policy-oriented scholarship and applied learning.
UTA’s role in the Archer Fellowship represents a convergence of academic rigor and practical policy engagement, underscoring the university’s dedication to student access, success, and meaningful societal contributions. The university’s network of 280,000 alumni and its significant economic footprint highlight the broader influence of educational opportunities like the Archer Fellowship. Such programs empower students to transform academic insights into tangible impacts on governance and social progress.
The diverse backgrounds and career aspirations of the 2024-2025 UTA Archer Fellows reflect the interdisciplinary nature of modern public policy challenges. Political science, social work, nursing, data analytics, communications, and public health converge within this cohort, illustrating the multifaceted expertise required to address complex policy landscapes. Collectively, these students represent a microcosm of the next generation of public policy innovators poised to navigate and shape the future of federal governance and advocacy.
In summary, The Archer Fellowship Program offers a transformative platform at the intersection of education, policy, and professional development. By embedding students within the dynamic environment of Washington, D.C., and coupling experiential internships with high-caliber academic instruction, the program cultivates versatile leaders capable of influencing the contours of public policy at multiple scales. UTA’s participation in this initiative affirms its role as a pivotal institution in shaping policy-minded scholars who are ready to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex political and social world.
Subject of Research: Public Policy Education and Experiential Learning
Article Title: University of Texas at Arlington Students Gain Transformative Policy Experience Through Archer Fellowship Program
News Publication Date: 2025
Web References:
- The Archer Fellowship Program: https://www.uta.edu/archerfellows/undergraduates.php
- The Archer Center: https://www.archercenter.org/
- UT System institutions: https://www.utsystem.edu/institutions
- UTA News Release: https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2025/05/20/prestigious-research-award-goes-to-23-uta-scholars
- John W. Kluge Center Internship Info: https://www.loc.gov/programs/john-w-kluge-center/about-this-program/
Image Credits: University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Keywords: Public policy, Government, Education policy, Fiscal policy, Food policy, Health care policy, Monetary policy, Science policy, Economics research, Public health, Social issues, Legislation
