The LBJ School of Public Affairs is proud to announce that Mia Paone (MPAff-DC ’25) has been selected by her D.C. cohort peers as the 2025 LBJ Washington Center student commencement speaker, sending off the group at their graduation ceremony on December 6, 2025.
Paone described her excitement for her commencement speech, saying she hopes to highlight both the challenges and growth of her cohort during the accelerated program. While she is keeping the full details of her speech under wraps, she aims to celebrate the resilience, ambition, and shared experiences that have defined their 15-month journey.
“I am doing my best to prepare remarks that meet the moment of celebrating all we've accomplished and how much I and my peers have grown throughout this program.”
Originally from New Jersey, Paone first came to The University of Texas in 2020, where she earned her B.A. in Government and Sociology. After four transformative years in Austin, she knew she wanted to build a career in Washington, D.C. The LBJ School’s accelerated 15-month D.C. program offered exactly the path she hoped for, with the first half of the program in Austin and the second half immersed in D.C.
“It was clear to me then (and I’ve since experienced this to be true) that LBJ isn’t just a school where people show up for class and then go home, but a place that fosters community and really felt like home.”
During her time in D.C., Paone thrived in a setting where her policy apprenticeship and coursework directly complemented one another. She and her 17-person cohort regularly brought insights from their work across Capitol Hill, federal agencies, nonprofits, and private organizations into evening classes, creating a rich environment for collaborative learning.
Paone completed her apprenticeship with the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services (Minority Staff), serving on the communications team for Ranking Member Maxine Waters. She drafted press releases, prepared messaging for hearings and markups, compiled press clips, and supported staff on a wide range of policy issues, including affordable housing, digital assets, and monetary policy. One of her first assignments included watching Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testify before the committee. This experience gave her hands-on insight into policymaking and solidified her decision to continue working on Capitol Hill after graduation.
She credits LBJ faculty such as Dr. Marty Luby and Professor Amy Leff with equipping her with the skills she applied daily in her congressional work. Courses in public financial management, quantitative analysis, and policy communications strengthened her writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, preparing her to contribute effectively in real-world policy environments.
For Paone, the LBJ community and D.C. cohort itself was a major part of the learning experience. The accelerated program was demanding, with a rigorous semester in Austin, a cross-country move, full-time apprenticeships, night classes, and frequent networking events.
“I am so honored to have taken on these challenges with this cohort and am grateful for all I have learned from them. I'm proud to graduate alongside 16 other smart, hardworking people who I am happy to call my friends and future colleagues.”
After graduation, Paone plans to remain in Washington, D.C., pursuing a full-time role either on Capitol Hill or in a policy-focused communications position. She hopes to continue contributing to legislative efforts and advancing her policy expertise in financial services and related areas. She credits the LBJ School with giving her the knowledge, practical experience, and professional network to confidently take this next step.
“I can easily say that the impact LBJ had on me and my future career is immeasurable. The opportunities, mentorship, and community I’ve found at LBJ have shaped the person I am and the policy professional I’m becoming.”
As commencement approaches, Paone’s remarks will celebrate not only the degree her cohort has earned, but the growth, resilience, and ambition that have prepared them for their future careers in policy.
Click here to learn more about the D.C. Concentration program. Applications close May 1.