With commencement just days away, the LBJ School of Public Affairs is celebrating the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished over the past two years. Aria Stiefelmaier (MGPS ‘26), a Master of Global Policy Studies graduate, has been selected by her classmates as this year’s student commencement speaker and will represent the Class of 2026 on May 9.
Growing up just outside of Austin, Stiefelmaier said choosing the LBJ School for her master’s degree just felt like the right fit.
“Coming to the LBJ School felt like coming home. I’ve always been interested in public service, and I knew I wanted a career where I could contribute to solving real-world policy challenges.”
She earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, where she studied political science and minored in Russian language. That experience led her to the MGPS program at LBJ, where she focused on global affairs and national security.
During her time at LBJ, Stiefelmaier built strong skills in writing, analysis, and communication. She credits faculty like Professor Paul Pope, Dr. Michael Dennis, and Dr. Stephen Slick for helping shape how she thinks and communicates about policy. She also spent time working with the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Clements Center for National Security, where she was able to apply what she studied in real-world settings.
After graduation, Stiefelmaier plans to take her passion for policy to Washington, D.C., where she hopes to continue working in the national security or energy space.
Being chosen as student commencement speaker means a great deal to her.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to be chosen by my classmates. LBJ is full of people I deeply respect and admire who have challenged me to grow, which makes this a true honor.”
As she gets ready for commencement, she is also thinking about the people who made her LBJ experience special.
“My advice would be to invest in the people around you. For me, it was the GPAC, the ‘nat sec girls’ group chat, happy hours, and the friendships built along the way that made LBJ what it is. As you graduate, those relationships don’t end. They become the network and support system you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.”
Her selection as commencement speaker reflects both her academic achievements and the respect she has earned from her peers, making her a fitting voice for the LBJ School’s Class of 2026.
Learn more about the LBJ School's Master of Global Policy Studies and the LBJ School's 2026 commencement.
