Thank you to the 2018 Leland Fellows Sponsors.

Front: Santiago Franco, Yusuf Bavi, Ayesha Muzzafar, Sara Alhalabi, Irina Alejandro, Jessica Ruland, Dina Hamadi
Back: Jaeson Freitas, Apolinar Abonza, Troy Allen

Apolinar Abonza graduated with honors from the University of Houston in fall 2017 before participating in the Leland Fellows program. His major was political science with a minor in Mexican American studies. Apolinar first gained experience as an intern in Congressman Gene Green’s office in fall 2016 through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP). He also interned in the office of Council Member Dwight Boykins in spring 2017 and State Representative Jessica Farrar’s office in fall 2017 through CHIP.

As a Leland Fellow, Apolinar worked for Congressman Henry Cuellar, who represents Texas’ 28th Congressional District, which includes Laredo. He researched assignments for the legislative team, specifically on the issues of immigration, trade, and agriculture. He also assisted with the logistics of planning one of the biggest receptions on Capitol Hill, Laredo Day.

Irina Alejandro was a senior at the University of Houston double majoring in political science and liberal studies. Irina first gained government experience as an intern in the City of Houston Controller’s Office through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in spring 2017. She went on to work for State Senator Sylvia Garcia in fall 2017 through CHIP.

As a Leland Fellow, Irina worked for Congressman Joaquin Castro, who represents Texas’ 20th Congressional District in San Antonio. Her primary responsibilities included legislative research and constituent communications. She worked as part of the congressman’s team on the Foreign Affairs Committee, which solidified her engagement in international affairs. She was also able to share the history of our nation’s capital with constituents from her hometown by leading dozens of tours of the U.S. Capitol.

Sara Alhalabi was a junior in University of Houston majoring in political science. She gained government experience through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program as an intern for State Representative Carol Alvarado’s office in fall 2015 while also working on Sylvester Turner’s campaign for mayor. Sara continued as a CHIP intern for State Senator Boris Miles in fall.

As a Leland Fellow, Sara worked for Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District in Dallas. Her primary responsibilities included writing reports, attending briefings, and constituent communication. Specifically, Sara researched autonomous vehicles and their effects on the driving job market. She learned the effects of autonomous vehicles and their projected growth in the years to come, researching how they will change situations for those who drive for a living. Sara also staffed Congresswoman Johnson and gained valuable first-hand experience of seeing our leaders at work.

Troy Allen graduated from the University of Houston in fall 2017 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in economics. Troy first gained government experience working on the Sylvester Turner campaign for Houston Mayor in fall 2015 and then in the Texas House of Representatives for Representative Trent Ashby in summer 2016. In fall 2016, Troy worked as an intern for Houston City Councilman Jerry Davis through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program. Through the Hobby Fellows program, he went on to work the 85th legislative session for Representative Jim Murphy.

As a Leland Fellow, Troy worked for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Texas’ 18th congressional district in Houston. His primary responsibilities included legislative research and constituent communications. He worked to ensure constituents were able to connect with the office in phone, in person, and via email. Troy worked closely with the communications staff to craft floor statements, press releases, and other digital media pieces.

Yusuf Bavi graduated from the University of Houston in fall 2017 with a bachelor of arts degree, double majoring in political science and history with a minor in Arab studies. Yusuf first gained government experience as an intern in the Mayor’s Office of Education Initiatives in spring 2017 and State Representative Gene Wu in fall 2017 through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program.

As a Leland Fellow, Yusuf worked in the office of Congress Marc Veasey, who represents Texas’ 33rd congressional district in Fort Worth. His primary duties were conducting legislative research, constituent correspondence, and greeting office visitors. Research topics included immigration, animal rights, health care and others needed to formulate responses to constituent concerns. He also assisted with media communications, conducting calls to local media organizations in Tarrant County to draw attention to Congressman Veasey’s monthly activity reports.

Santiago Franco graduated from the University of Houston in fall 2017 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in history, law, values and policy. Santiago first obtained government experience through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in the office of Council Member Ellen Cohen in spring 2017 and in the office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis in fall 2017.

As a Leland Fellow, Santiago worked for Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, who represents Texas’ 15th congressional district, which includes McAllen. His primary responsibilities include transcribing and drafting response letters in both English and Spanish, communicating constituent concerns to office staff, and digitally filing all incoming phone calls. He also assisted in organizing a religious summit, worked with veteran organizations to obtain support for a bill, and conducted numerous tours of the U.S. Capitol for constituents visiting D.C.

Jaeson Freitas graduated from the University of Houston in fall 2017 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in law, values, and policy. Jaeson first obtained government experience in Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s district office before working in State Representative Garnet Coleman’s office through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in fall 2017.

As a Leland Fellow, Jaeson worked for Congressman Filemon Vela, who represents Texas’ 34th Congressional District, which includes Brownsville. His primary responsibilities included constituent relations and assisting staffers with projects. These projects included entering mass quantities of constituent correspondence supporting DREAMers (students protected by the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act) and leading groups of constituents on tours of the U.S. Capitol. He also fulfilled constituent requests for flags that flew over the Capitol, a task he took great pride in completing.

Dina Hamadi was a senior at the University of Houston pursuing double degrees in political science and Middle Eastern studies with recognition as a Houston Scholar. Dina first gained government experience working in the Mayor’s Office of Education Initiatives through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in spring 2017.

As a Leland Fellow, Dina worked for Congressman Al Green who represents Texas’ 9th congressional district in Houston. Her responsibilities varied from constituent communication to legislative research. Dina's research was primarily focused on the death penalty, sex traffic, and immigration. She enjoyed exposure to issues involving the Middle East during her time working for Congressman Green, including attending a speech by the Palestine Liberation Organization’s ambassador Husam Zomlot, who she was able to meet and received an invitation to visit their embassy.

Ayesha Muzaffar was a senior at the University of Houston majoring in political science with a minor in Phronesis. Ayesha first gained government experience as a precinct chair and election judge in Fort Bend County and later as an intern in the City of Houston’s Administrative and Regulatory Affairs Department through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in spring 2017.

As a Leland Fellow, Ayesha worked for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represents Texas’ 18th Congressional District in Houston. Her primary responsibilities included legislative aid and research, press assignments, drafting various memos and statements for the Congresswoman, and constituent communications. Ayesha had the opportunity to work closely on prison and gun reforms bills on behalf of the Congresswoman. She was also given the responsibility to staff the Congresswoman and grasp an understanding on how the House of Representatives functions and cooperates to achieve their goals.

Jessica Ruland graduated from the University of Houston in fall 2017 with a bachelor of arts in political science with a minor in sociology. She first gained government experience as an intern in the office of Council Member Michael Kubosh through the Hobby School of Public Affairs’ Civic Houston Internship Program in fall 2017.

As a Leland Fellow, Jessica worked for Congressman Gene Green, who represents the 29th district i Houston. Her primary responsibilities included legislative research and constituent communications. In particular, her research ranged from various issues including energy and the environment to immigration and healthcare in order to provide constituents responses to their concerns. She also completed research on issues to help provide Congressman Green with floor statements to deliver to the Speaker of the House. Additionally, she was able to share the history of our nation’s capital with constituents from her hometown by leading dozens of Capitol tours.