Fall 2026 PPIP Cohort
Dane Adams
Federal Agency
About Dane
Dane Adams is a Master of Urban Planning student with a concentration in housing policy and economic development. Originally from Mabank, Texas, he developed an early interest in the relationship between local government, community development, and public policy, which has shaped both his academic and professional pursuits.
Throughout his early career, Dane has gained experience across state and local government. He began his public service career as an intern in the district offices of State Senator Bob Hall. In this role, he was able to work alongside local governmental institutions on public affairs and constituent casework. Later, he served as an intern in the Budget and Policy Division of the Office of the Governor of Texas, where he worked on issues related to housing, economic development, transportation, municipal governance, and state budgeting during the 89th Legislative Session. Most recently, he served as a Long-Range Planning Intern with the City of College Station, contributing to housing affordability and social vulnerability initiatives.
Beyond his professional experience, Dane is interested in urban planning in the context of American development patterns. While a member of Texas A&M’s Association of Student Planners, he has focused on local planning projects to promote sustainable growth, transportation accessibility, and improved quality of life. Through his work in planning and public service, Dane strives to strengthen communities through collaborative governance and policy.
Mathew Aldalu
Office of Senator Ted Cruz
About Mathew
Mathew Aldalu is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in May 2026. Originally from Houston, Texas, he is a First-Generation Regent Scholar and a recipient of the Century Scholar and President Achievement Scholar awards. Mathew’s academic work centers on public affairs, with specific interests in foreign policy, constitutional law, and civil rights.
At Texas A&M, Mathew developed a strong interest in law, government, and public policy through his coursework. His academic interests center on foreign policy, constitutional law, and civil rights, with a particular interest in how legal and governmental institutions shape public policy and individual liberties. Outside of the classroom, he worked as an operations associate at a car dealership, where he sold and financed vehicles while saving to support his move to Washington, D.C. Through this role, he developed strong communication, problem-solving, and client-service skills while balancing the responsibilities of work and academics. In his free time, he enjoys playing pickleball, which has remained a consistent part of his routine.
Mathew’s experiences have shaped his commitment to pursuing a career in public service. He plans to attend law school following his time in D.C. and build a career in the nation’s capital, working in environments where law and policy intersect. Through his internship with the Office of Senator Ted Cruz, he aims to gain direct exposure to the policymaking process and continue developing the foundation for a future in law and public service.
Orleane Alima
Office of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia
About Orleane
Orleane Alima is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and is an aspiring physician from Rosenberg, Texas. As the daughter of two public servants from Cameroon, she developed a strong commitment to service at an early age while recognizing the barriers that can prevent marginalized communities from accessing essential resources and opportunities. This perspective sparked her interest in public policy and its role in creating meaningful change.
While maintaining an honors GPA, Orleane was actively involved in numerous campus organizations, including the Texas A&M Century Singers, Biomedical Sciences Association, Texas A&M Taekwondo Team, and African Student Association and Dance Team. Most notably, she served as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for six semesters, supporting more than 1,500 students across history and biology courses. During her final year, she was promoted to SI Mentor, where she supervised and supported a team of SI Leaders while continuing to teach and mentor students.
In addition to her academic involvement, Orleane has worked as a Student Nurse Assistant at Camp Longhorn for the past four years, strengthening her communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills in fast-paced environments. Having been admitted to the Texas A&M Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine through the Aggies-to-Medicine Early Assurance Program as a sophomore, she was also selected as a workshop presenter at the 35th Annual MSC Student Conference on Latinx Affairs (SCOLA), where she shared guidance on the medical school application process.
This fall, Orleane is interning with the Office of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia in Washington, D.C. Orleane is working on gaining a deeper understanding of government processes and policymaking while developing the skills necessary to navigate public service and advocacy effectively. She continues to explore how policy can improve outcomes for underserved communities.
Tara Arnold
Bose Public Affairs Group
About Tara
Tara Arnold is a native of Westlake Village, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, and a junior at Texas A&M University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with minors in Philosophy and Communication and a Pre-Law Certificate. As a member of the University Honors Program, Tara has maintained a 4.0 GPA while developing a strong interest in public policy, government institutions, and strategic communications.
On campus, Tara is involved in the Pre-Law Society, Fish Camp, and the Honors Student Council, where she has served as Treasurer and Logistics Chair of Academics.
Tara has gained experience in government and political communications through an internship with the White House Office of Presidential Speechwriting, an internship with U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, and her work on Congressman David Valadao’s congressional campaign. Through these opportunities, she assisted with constituent correspondence, policy research, and public messaging while gaining firsthand exposure to the relationship between elected officials and the communities they serve. Her campaign experience further strengthened her understanding of voter outreach, grassroots engagement, and the role communication plays in the political process.
Passionate about political communications and education policy, Tara is particularly interested in how public policy is communicated, implemented, and understood by the public. This fall, she is interning with Bose Public Affairs Group in Washington, D.C. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in public affairs and public policy, helping connect effective governance with meaningful public engagement.
Daisy Cason
Twenty-First Century Group
About Daisy
Daisy Cason recently graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a minor in American Politics and Policy. Her interest in public policy grew from seeing how decisions made far from a hospital room can profoundly shape the experiences of the people inside it. After witnessing the effects of impersonal systems on individuals simply seeking care, she became interested in how policy can help create healthcare systems that are both effective and humane.
During her time at Texas A&M, Daisy explored the ethical, legal, and political questions that shape public institutions and public decision-making. Her studies strengthened her skills in research, writing, and analysis while encouraging her to think critically about how governments address complex social challenges. In addition to her academic work, she gained experience as a legal assistant, where she saw firsthand how laws, regulations, and public institutions affect people’s lives. Daisy is particularly interested in healthcare policy and the challenge of creating systems that are both effective and responsive to the needs of the people they serve. She believes good policy requires more than good intentions; she believes it requires thoughtful analysis, practical solutions, and a willingness to listen to the people most affected by those decisions.
Through her internship with the Twenty-First Century Group, Daisy hopes to build a career in public policy and public service. Outside of her academic and professional interests, she enjoys reading contemporary fiction and biographies, watching documentaries, and occasionally falling down a rabbit hole about postwar American and Japanese relations for much longer than anyone intended.
Megan Fallon
Office of Congressman Keith Self
About Megan
Megan Fallon recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Originally from Cork, Ireland, she is interested in the intersection of economics, public policy, and national security. Her academic and personal interests in economic policy and international affairs have shaped both her educational and professional goals.
Throughout her time at Texas A&M, Megan has gained professional experience working with the Office of the Texas Governor, where she developed a passion for public policy. She has also worked with a defense contractor, with the opportunity to experience both the public and private sectors. Through these roles, she has developed strong analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the policy and economic issues that impact communities across the United States and beyond.
Megan is particularly interested in the defense and technology sectors and the innovation taking place within them. She is also passionate about international affairs and foreign investment within economic development. This fall, she is interning with the Office of Congressman Keith Self. Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career that combines her interests in economics, technology, defense, and public service.
Shashan Fernando
Federal Agency
About Shashan
Shashan Fernando is a recent political science graduate of Texas A&M University, originally from College Station, Texas. His interest in public policy took shape through a combination of academic work and hands-on political experience, including serving as the Media and Communications Director for a congressional campaign, where he managed messaging strategy and public communications across a competitive race.
On campus, Shashan served as President of the Texas A&M Philosophy Club, where he led discussions and organized events exploring ethics, political theory, and the foundations of democratic thought. That intellectual grounding, combined with his passion for writing and his ongoing work on essays at the intersection of political philosophy and American public life, has shaped both his academic path and his approach to policy.
This fall, Shashan is interning in Washington, D.C., where he is deepening his understanding of how federal institutions translate policy ideas into practice and building experience at the intersection of research and political communications.
Alyssa Gonzalez
U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Southeast Asia
About Alyssa
Alyssa Gonzalez is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs in May 2026. Originally from McAllen, Texas, a border community along the U.S.-Mexico border, Alyssa developed a deep interest in bilateral relations and foreign policy. Witnessing firsthand the impact of policy decisions on her community fostered her commitment to humane and effective diplomacy. This fall, Alyssa is interning with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Southeast Asia, where she is gaining firsthand experience in the field of international affairs.
During her time at Texas A&M, Alyssa worked as a Writing Tutor for student-athletes, helping her develop communication and interpersonal skills. She was also involved in a variety of student organizations, ranging from a sophomore leadership organization to community and faith-based organizations at her church. Eager to strengthen her cross-cultural communication skills, Alyssa studied Mandarin Chinese and completed a study abroad program in Taiwan. She brought these experiences back to campus by serving as an officer for the Chinese Language and Cultural Club. Her time in Taiwan sparked a particular regional interest in East Asia, especially in China and cross-strait relations. She hopes to one day turn this interest into a career in foreign policy.
Hester Huynh
U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources
About Hester
Hester Huynh is a junior environmental studies major from Houston, Texas. As a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Gulf Scholar, she conducted research on nutrient distribution in the Gulf, deepening her understanding of Gulf ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Growing up in Houston, often recognized as the “Energy Capital of the World,” inspired her interest in environmental and energy policy. After graduation, she plans to earn a J.D. and pursue a career in environmental law, striving for solutions at the intersection of economic development and the conservation of our nation’s natural resources while advocating for the health of vulnerable communities.
On campus, Hester has served in a leadership role with Aggie Minority Women in Law, where she supported students preparing for law school, and worked with the Office of Sustainability & Campus Engagement to promote sustainability through campus-wide events and educational workshops. She also served as an Undergraduate Research Scholar at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, where she conducted qualitative research in Greece, examining how AI data center resource consumption affects the legacy sector of agriculture. Beyond the university, she has gained hands-on experience with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Passionate about environmental education, community engagement, and public service, Hester is committed to advancing sustainable policies and learning about public policy throughout her internship with the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington, D.C.
Thomas Lucey
National Hispanic Health Foundation
About Thomas
Thomas Lucey is from Austin, Texas, and has recently earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Texas A&M University. He previously earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from Austin Community College and plans to attend nursing school to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.
Thomas has gained experience in healthcare and disability services through roles as a Personal Care Attendant at Texas A&M University, a Direct Support Professional at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and an Emergency Medical Technician with American Medical Response. These experiences strengthened his interest in improving healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with disabilities and other underserved populations.
Outside of academics, Thomas is an Eagle Scout and has mentored younger Scouts through leadership positions in Scouting. His interests include public health policy, emergency preparedness, disability advocacy, and healthcare access. Through his internship with the National Hispanic Health Foundation, Thomas is gaining firsthand experience in the policymaking process and exploring how policy can improve the health and well-being of communities across the country.
Derek Murphy Jr.
BGR Group
About Derek
Derek Murphy Jr. is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a minor in Philosophy, and a Pre-Law Certificate in May 2026. A first-generation Aggie from Texarkana, Texas. Derek’s interest in public service began at Texas Boys State, a program he has now been a part of for four years, and one he credits with shaping his career path.
At Texas A&M, Derek served on staff for Freshman Leaders Establishing Excellence (FLEX), spent two years as a Fish Camp counselor mentoring incoming students, earning the Fish Camp Michael Schmidt Award in recognition of his leadership and service. He also participated as a delegate in the MSC Abbott Family Leadership Conference and worked at the Center for Teaching Excellence, where he contributed to the Aggie Core Values Oral History Project, an initiative supporting Texas A&M’s 150th anniversary through interviews and research on leadership and institutional culture and core values.
Derek gained firsthand experience in local government as an intern in the City Manager’s Office for the City of Texarkana, where he supported grant research, city council operations, and community development initiatives. That experience deepened his interest in state and local policy and confirmed his desire to pursue a career in public service.
Derek is currently a clerk with BGR Group in Washington, D.C. Once his time in Washington concludes, he plans to attend law school with the goal of building a career at the intersection of public policy and community impact. He is particularly interested in how legal frameworks can expand opportunities and strengthen communities. Outside of his professional interests, Derek enjoys golfing, cooking, and attending Bible study with friends. Currently, he is training for the DC half marathon.