Alumni Spotlight: Phil Gurley (Master of Global Policy ’22)

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Published:
May 11, 2023
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Hometown: Cabin John, Maryland
Policy Focus: International Development
Current Title and Employer: Community Involvement Coordinator – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

What inspired you to pursue a degree in public policy/attend the LBJ School? 
To work directly with academics and practitioners that directly influence and progress policy. I want to improve the lives of others through community engagement and smart policy.

Tell us about your experience at the LBJ School.
I loved my time at LBJ. Whether being challenged by professors and peers or stepping outside of policy with courses at the School of Law or Department of Anthropology, I developed as a person and intertwined my life and career goals. I made lifelong friends and connections and am proud to be a Longhorn.

Tell us about your professional journey after you left the LBJ School.
After graduating from LBJ, I started working in the public affairs office for EPA Region 5 in Chicago.

What is one skill you learned at the LBJ School that you still use in your professional career today?
Communication skills. The ability to explain complex topics to a general audience. Also, feeling comfortable having difficult conversations with people experiencing hardship and with folks who may have different worldviews.

What advice would you give current students as they prepare to graduate and go out into the policy arena?
Challenge yourself. Don’t settle. You can be a changemaker.

What was your most treasured memory from your time at the LBJ School?
The crisis simulation was exciting and a great bonding opportunity with peers. Also, the LBJ football tailgates!

Editor's note: During the crisis simulation, students role-play a set of global actors in a simulation of an international crisis, offering hands-on experience in negotiation, teamwork and crisis management. This is a one-credit course.

Which LBJ School faculty member(s) influenced you the most and why?
Dr. Eaton. He has a desire to help each individual student achieve their goals. His focus on the environment and Latin America helped me expand my research into Mexico, where I spent months living and working directly with state and federal agencies.

What are your future plans or aspirations?
To create a cleaner environment for future generations.

The Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the LBJ School will fund research and student fellowships focused on sustainable agriculture, eliminating hunger, resilient energy, sustainable water, and natural disaster recovery to benefit rural and farm communities. Named in honor of Willie Nelson, the fund celebrates his legacy and numerous contributions over his lifetime, including Willie’s longtime leadership of Farm Aid. Learn more: bit.ly/lbjwillienelson

As an alumnus undertaking world-changing research and pursuits that align with the endowment impact areas, please tell us your thoughts.
Rural communities are often forgotten in the fight for a cleaner environment. But, these communities are often disproportionately impacted by natural disasters, pollution, and climate change. With the EPA, I work in many rural areas, giving a voice to communities facing legacy pollution, and impacted by disasters.

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