Alumni Spotlights and Events

Natural leader Laura Huffman nurtures the Nature Conservancy

Q&A with LBJ graduate Johnie Jones, a rising leader in agriculture policy

Johnie Jones graduated from the LBJ School in 2011 and was hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) where he works on strategic partnerships for the department. Recently profiled by The Pacific Standard in their "30 Thinkers Under 30" series, Johnie has distinguished himself as a rising leader in the federal agriculture policy arena. In this Q&A, Johnie discusses some of the greatest policy challenges currently facing our nation, as well as other activities taking place at USDA.

Joe Weber (MPAff '87), Texas A&M executive and retired Marine general, to lead TxDOT

Joe Weber, Texas A&M’s vice president of student affairs and a retired three-star Marine general, will be the new executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Global conservationist Niyanta Spelman (MPAff '94) is keeping the planet green through the Rainforest Partnership

Niyanta Spelman (MPAff '94) (Photo by

Johnie Jones (MPAff '11): The 30 top thinkers under 30: The aspiring congressman who wants to bring healthy food to everyone

In 2011, Johnie Jones was about to graduate from the University of Texas’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. When he heard that Kathleen Merrigan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, was slated to be the commencement speaker, he asked the school’s dean, Robert

Bullet train failed once, but it’s back

Steven Polunsky (MPAff '83(, the research and planning director for the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority, told The Texas Tribune (republished by the New York Times) that the project had significant support in urban areas.

Sarah Eckhardt (MPAff '98) leads, Andy Brown concedes in Travis County judge race

With all of the non-provisional ballots tallied, Sarah Eckhardt was poised to win the Democratic nomination for Travis County judge.

Fernandez (MPAff '01) to lead Westside's rebirth

As important as it has been for

Legacy of giving back: Class of '82 comes together to create fellowship endowment

Doug Brookman remembers driving with trepidation the long road from the mountains of New Mexico to the rolling hills of Austin to start his first semester at the LBJ School. In 1980, he had been out of school for a few years and had reservations about graduate school and whether this program was the right fit. For Brookman, like many students, returning to school was a gamble.

Osborne evaluates Texas home visiting program for Texas HHSC

Increased federal investments in early childhood programs have opened up many new opportunities for