Rebecca "Becca" Bauman
World Affairs Councils of America
ABOUT REBECCA
Rebecca “Becca” Bauman, a military child, was born in San Antonio, Texas, but has lived most of her life overseas in Japan and Hong Kong. She had a small break back in the United States in Minot, North Dakota, before returning to Japan to go to high school. She is a recent graduate with a B.A. in English and a double minor in Chinese and International Comparative Cultural Studies. As of August 2024, she has achieved her Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs with an emphasis in Diplomacy from the Bush School of Government & Public Service. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in international affairs and have a career in public service. Becca’s upbringing overseas and her participation in HMCA in 2019 are what fueled her passion for international affairs and foreign policy. She has interned twice at the Museum of the American G.I., a local nonprofit in College Station. Becca has also worked three consecutive years part-time at the Texas A&M University Libraries as a student, earning The Hamill Foundation Student Worker Opportunity Award for the 2023-2024 academic year. Becca is looking forward to living in Washington, D.C., and interning at the World Affairs Councils of America.
Elena Briggs
Office of Southeast Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce
ABOUT ELENA
Elena Briggs graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2024 with a degree in International Studies Honors: Commerce, a degree in History, and a minor in Chinese. She is originally from Seattle, Washington, but greatly enjoyed her time in Texas! While at A&M, Elena was very involved on campus. She participated in research through the Economic Statecraft Program at the Bush School, served on leadership for her freshman leadership organization, and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta, where she served as the chapter’s Chaplain, Historian, and on the Standards Council. Passionate about foreign policy and international relations, Elena studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a summer and also seized the opportunity to participate in A&M’s flagship study abroad trip to Antarctica! Elena’s experiences through Texas A&M, both in and out of College Station, have supplemented her academic interest in foreign policy and have propelled her to seek enriching, globally-focused work in the future. This fall, Elena will be interning with the Office of Southeast Asia at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is ecstatic about this opportunity, and excited to learn from this experience.
Gavin Dealy
Office of Congressman Michael McCaul
ABOUT GAVIN
Gavin Dealy, a proud fourth-generation Aggie, is in his junior year at Texas A&M University majoring in environmental geoscience. Planning to go to law school following his May 2026 graduation, Gavin is pursuing a certificate in pre-law philosophy to further the legal knowledge he has gained from interning at Riddle and Butts, LLP. At Texas A&M, Gavin is a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity where he served as Philanthropy Chair for the spring 2024 semester, raising money for the Live Like Lou Foundation. He has gained valuable experience working in various jobs such as a plant nursery, a security guard, and at the International Ocean Discovery Program on campus, where he collaborates with scientists all over the world to supply ocean core samples for various research projects. Gavin has long been fascinated by the application of law in everyday life and is excited to witness first-hand how the U.S. government creates these laws. He hopes that interning with Congressman Michael McCaul in Washington, D.C., will expose him to the vital skills to be a knowledgeable lawyer and further his knowledge in the field of politics.
Ariana Garcia
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation
ABOUT ARIANA
Ariana Garcia is a first-generation Aggie who has developed a passion for law and public policy during her time here at Texas A&M. She recently graduated as a history major with a Legal History Certificate from Texas A&M, which has shaped what her plans are after college. She wishes to pursue a legal degree following her internship this fall with the Department of Transportation in the Office of Inspector General. Ariana’s time at Texas A&M has been marked by her extracurricular activities. During her time here, she was involved in the Freshmen Leadership Organization, PREP, Mexican Student Association, and Aggie Minority Women in Law. Her interest in public policy was especially shaped by her previous internship with the DPAA, Defense POW/Accounting Agency, whose mission focused on the recovery of unaccounted-for defense personnel. Eager to learn, Ariana is excited about her internship in Washington, D.C., and the valuable skills that she will learn to further her future career.
Ana Gou
Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn
ABOUT ANA
Ana Gou is a senior at Texas A&M University from Spring, Texas. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in communications. Ana serves with AmeriCorps in Bryan, Texas, while simultaneously working as an English Second Language intern and teacher to provide services such as English classes free of cost to promote the well-being of immigrants in the local Brazos Valley community. In the summer of 2023, Ana worked at a non-profit in Seville, Spain, where she interviewed children from developing countries and drafted press releases. She later went on to live in Cordoba, Spain, during a six-month independent study abroad in fall 2023 where she studied culture and linguistics. In her free time, she volunteers at the Brazos Valley Food Bank and with Texas A&M Disability Services. Ana has been heavily involved in student leadership as a sophomore counselor in the Freshman Leadership Organization FLAKE and as the social media director of Students for a Democratic Society, with whom she has had the privilege of attending national political conventions. Ana has dedicated her career to making a difference in others’ lives through her direct involvement in her community and can’t wait to make an even bigger impact in Washington, D.C., working on policy. This fall, Ana will be interning in the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
Lillian Hale
Office of Congressman Wesley Hunt
ABOUT LILLIAN
Lillian Hale is a recent Graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in political science from Decatur, Texas. She was previously a member of Aggie Sisters for Christ and the Pre-Law Society at Texas A&M University. Within these organizations, Lillian worked as a public servant through various philanthropies and community service activities including Hope Pregnancy Center and BUILD TAMU. Being from a small rural town north of Fort Worth, Lillian understands the importance of small business owners and the impact they have on their local communities; because of this Lillian wants to work to help her local business owners in whatever way she can. Lillian’s future includes moving back to Austin to work in the Texas 89th Legislative Session before attending Law school and earning a J.D. Dual degree in Public Administration. This program will allow her to get insightful learning experiences on the policy-making process and procedures that will help her in achieving her future endeavors. This fall, Lillian looks forward to moving to Washington, D.C., and representing Texas A&M University.
Gabrielle "Ellie" Hall
Office of Congressman Nathaniel Moran
ABOUT ELLIE
Gabrielle "Ellie" Hall, a senior at Texas A&M University from Fort Worth, Texas, is currently pursuing a degree in economics with a minor in business. Studying within the field of economics has inspired her passion for developing and implementing policies that serve their constituents efficiently and effectively. Outside of the classroom, Ellie has played an active role in her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. In the former, she has served as both Transfer Chair and Academic Resource Chair to help facilitate community building and academic commitment within the sorority, respectively. To give back to the university, Ellie has served as a Hullabaloo U Peer Mentor, advising incoming freshmen on available campus resources, study skills, and opportunities, as well as mentoring them through their first semester in college. Serving in these roles along with working as a front desk agent with the Valencia Hotel Group in College Station, has emphasized the importance of being a listener, a problem solver, and an advocate for others. With a strong commitment to public service and a passion for justice, Ellie looks forward to continuing her journey in Washington, D.C., in the Office of Congressman Nathanial Moran.
Faryal Jabbar
Office of Congressman Al Green
ABOUT FARYAL
Faryal Jabbar recently graduated in May 2024 with a degree in allied health and a minor in gender & health from Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M, Faryal distinguished herself through various leadership roles, including President of Texas A&M’s Asian Presidents’ Council, Co-Executive Director of the LEAD Conference, and Outreach and Service Officer for Texas A&M’s Global Public Health Brigades chapter. She was actively engaged in peer mentorship on campus, a student research scholar, and an ambassador for Texas A&M’s Women and Gender Studies Department. A passion for community organizing, event planning, minority affairs, and health policy was strengthened through her campus experiences. Additionally, volunteering at CHI St. Joseph Hospitals and competing in Rice University’s Health Policy Hackathon inspired her to pursue a career as a physician and health policy advocate. Faryal hopes to be able to advocate for patient needs in government and advise healthcare policy. This fall, she will be interning with the Office of Congressman Al Green where she plans to contribute her skills and knowledge to further her goals in healthcare policy and advocacy.
Isabella Jacobs
Texas A&M University System Office of Federal Relations
ABOUT ISABELLA
Isabella Jacobs is a recent graduate from Texas A&M University, with a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health and a minor in Latino/a Mexican American Studies. Isabella is passionate about healthcare and immigration policy, especially increased access to care and resources for minority populations. These passions became apparent to her over time as a volunteer at CHI Saint Joseph Hospital and on a few long-term mission trips to Costa Rica. Through her role as a hospital volunteer, Isabella developed the desire to learn Spanish and become an advocate for those who are unable to speak English by finding ways to increase language translation resources. From trips to Costa Rica and working alongside people in underserved communities, Isabella wants to learn more about community health development. Therefore, Isabella is looking to pursue a master’s degree in public health to work in a nonprofit organization with similar passions and interests. Eager to continue exploring these passions, Isabella is looking forward to her internship experience in Washington, D.C., to further shape her future professional career.
Andrea Juarez Prado
Federal Agency
ABOUT ANDREA
Andrea Juarez Prado, born and raised in Venezuela, is a recent graduate from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a concentration in communication and media. Transferred from Lone Star College - Tomball in 2022, Andrea attributes much of her personal and academic development to her time at their honors college. On campus, Andrea was deeply involved in various organizations and initiatives. She served as a member of the INTS Department Honors, Maggies, and held the position of Chief of Staff in the SGA Diversity Commission. She also participated in SEC in DC, where she advocated for issues pertaining to higher education within Texas A&M University and different initiatives such as financial literacy, students experiencing homelessness, and post-secondary food insecurity. Additionally, she contributed as Vice-Chair and Executive in the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness and held the role of Secretary in the Venezuelan Student Association. Outside of campus, Andrea dedicated her time as a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brazos Valley, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to the community of Bryan/College Station. Her passion for global issues led her to intern last summer with the Spanish Red Cross in Sevilla, Spain, where she worked closely with refugees and attorneys in their International Protection and Refugees program. Her research background, particularly in human trafficking, child labor, and immigration, as a Humanities Collaboratory Research Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University, underscores her dedication to social justice. Additionally, Andrea joined the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) in 2022 as an intern and then served as the Programs and Development Associate until May 2024. Transitioning to Washington, D.C., Andrea aims to continue her advocacy and contribute to meaningful policy changes.
Keyanush "Scott" Khamesi
Office of Congressman Michael McCaul
ABOUT SCOTT
Scott Khamesi is majoring in political science with a minor in economics with plans to pursue international affairs following his graduation in fall 2025. Following his enlistment in the Texas Army National Guard as an intelligence analyst in August 2020, Scott resumed his educational journey as a transfer student at Texas A&M University, while simultaneously continuing his military career in the National Guard. The experiences he gained during his time as a signals analyst led Scott to deepen his interest in the world of international relations and discover his passion for American foreign policy. Because of his long-standing passion, Scott has pursued language studies in Persian-Farsi at the Defense Language Institute and intends to achieve a minor in Arabic at Texas A&M. After completing his master's, he intends to begin his career in international affairs at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Officer program. He is excited to be interning with the Office of Congressman Michael McCaul this fall.
Ty Pargmann
Office of Congressman Keith Self
ABOUT TY
Ty Pargmann, a resident of Adkins, Texas, recently graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2024, majoring in history with a minor in classics. During his time at A&M, Ty was an active member of the St. Mary’s Community, assisting with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Program there. Ty is an avid student of history and is fascinated by politics. This fascination helped to persuade him to pursue an internship in public policy, and he hopes that it may be the first step in a life-long commitment to public service. While interning with the Office of Congressman Keith Self, he hopes to obtain a better understanding of the legislative process and help promote conservative principles and policies at the national level.
Hilani Quinones
Office of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez
ABOUT HILANI
Hilani Quinones, a junior at Texas A&M University from Brownsville, Texas, is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a double minor in History and English, and a Legal History Certificate as an Honors student. Also, a first-generation student, Hilani is very involved in the community, demonstrating committed service as a news editor for A&M’s student paper The Battalion, and holding numerous mentoring and leadership roles on campus. Hilani has also participated in the Aggie Research Program, undertaking two research projects during her time at A&M. Her goals consist of developing a career in the federal government focusing on law to specialize in immigration, civil rights, or labor. Working in political communications and press for public officials also interests her. Her passion for public policy was further defined by her previous experience as a congressional intern for United States Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10) in his College Station office. From her time in Washington, D.C., Hilani strives to gain a dynamic perspective on how policy is executed, experience in communication-related to the political field, and develop connections with staff members to further shape her career vision and enhance her academic endeavors in public policy on the federal level.
Anna Raymer
Office of Congressman John Carter
ABOUT ANNA
Anna Raymer, a junior at Texas A&M University, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting alongside minors in economics and Spanish. Anna is from Houston, Texas, and her primary interests include global communication and education. An aspiring polyglot, Anna has spent 9 and 3 years learning Spanish and Russian, respectively. Her dedication to service and learning is evident through her experiences as a teaching assistant with the mathematics department and as a Student-Athlete Tutor at A&M’s Center for Student-Athlete Services. She also enjoys assisting with citizenship and English language learning classes as a volunteer at the Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network. Outside of academic endeavors, Anna engages in a diverse array of student organizations. She makes time to foster her love for creativity and team building through her membership on the Fade to Black dance team. She is also an active member of the International Business Association, an organization dedicated to helping exchange students transition to life in Aggieland. Anna is excited to spend the fall semester in D.C. interning with the Office of Congressman John Carter. She looks forward to learning more about important issues facing the country, the mechanisms of the legislative process, and how to make meaningful positive change.
Sarai Robinson
Federal Agency
ABOUT SARAI
Sarai Robinson is from Houston, TX, and has recently received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas A&M University. Sarai is a dedicated advocate for public service and education, with a commitment to empowering students at Texas A&M. Throughout Sarai’s undergraduate studies, she has actively enhanced the student experience and fostered a welcoming, supportive, and transformative environment for students. During her undergrad, Sarai had the pleasure of serving as the President of Aggie Minority Women in Law. After interning in Washington, D.C., Sarai plans on attending law school and eventually becoming a corporate attorney. Through the Public Policy Internship Program, she hopes to expand on the skills she’s learned from her leadership roles and hear from experienced individuals in her office.
Hailee Swalm
Office of Congressman Jake Ellzey
ABOUT HAILEE
Hailee Swalm is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Bush School of Government and Public Service. As a first-generation college student from Magnolia, Texas, Hailee developed a strong work ethic through her time balancing the demands of school and her time working at Traditions Club throughout her four years at Texas A&M. Hailee’s interests include international relations and foreign policy, which contributed to her decision to pursue an internship with the Office of Congressman Jake Ellzey. Through this internship in Washington, D.C., she hopes to gain beneficial experiences and learn more about our government’s processes that will aid her in her future endeavors and goals.
Tyiah Walker
Office of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett
ABOUT TYIAH
Tyiah Walker, a senior first-generation Aggie from Dallas, Texas, is majoring in political science at Texas A&M University with minors in communication and philosophy. She is committed to breaking generational barriers and giving back to those in need through public policy and service. While on campus, she has been involved with multiple student organizations, including the Texas A&M Pre-Law Society and Aggie Minority Women in Law. She was also a peer mentor for first-generation college students. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods. Looking to make a difference in society, Tyiah plans to attend law school and obtain her J.D. Degree in Criminal Law after graduating in May of 2025. Her policy interests include combating drugs and crime and equal rights. This fall, she will be interning with the Office of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett from Texas’ 30th congressional district. While in Washington, D.C. she hopes to gain meaningful connections and get a thorough understanding of politics and the policy-making process.