Alumni Spotlights and Events

Cesar Martinez Espinosa headshot against burnt orange background

Alumni Spotlight: Cesar Espinosa Martinez (MPAff '05 and PhD 2013)

Sept. 13, 2023

Since earning both a master’s degree and PhD from the LBJ School, Cesar Espinosa Martinez’s career has spanned national security, resilience and business strategy. A few years ago, he founded his own venture, Intelligence Mill, to provide businesses and organizations data-driven research, insights and solutions. Recently, he orchestrated a successful statewide tour fostering cross-border collaborations and talent pipelines, leaving an important mark in both Mexican and U.S. business spheres. Here, he and his wife tell us more about his time at the LBJ School.

3 LBJ alumni headshots against burnt orange background

LBJ alumni lead in healthcare, financial justice and global security: 2023 LBJ School Outstanding Alumni Awards

Sept. 6, 2023

Alumni leaders in healthcare, financial justice and global security have been chosen for this year’s outstanding alumni awards.

Ian Pugh

Alumni Spotlight: Ian Pugh (Master of Public Affairs '22)

July 7, 2023

Alumnus Ian Pugh (MPAff '22) recently earned himself the lead for climate initiatives as a program analyst within The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of The Secretary (OST). The OST oversees the formulation of national transportation policy and promotes intermodal transportation. Other responsibilities range from negotiation and implementation of international transportation agreements, assuring the fitness of U.S. airlines, enforcing airline consumer protection regulations, issuance of regulations to prevent alcohol and illegal drug misuse in transportation systems, and preparing transportation legislation.

Matthew Randazzo

Alumni Spotlight: Matthew Randazzo (Master of Public Affairs ’03)

June 2, 2023

LBJ alum Matthew Randazzo (MPAff '03) was recently named Greater Cincinnati Foundation's next president and CEO. As the leader of the 35th largest U.S. community foundation, Randazzo will lead the way to implement initiatives that address community needs with a focus on affordable housing, economic mobility, and education.

Deborah Cartwright

Alumni Spotlight: Deborah Cartwright (Master of Public Affairs ’76)

May 25, 2023

Deborah Cartwright said her time at the LBJ School was "better than undergraduate and law schools." Among her many memories in the program was having a picnic with Lady Bird Johnson at the ranch on the Pedernales River where they discussed President Johnson's vision for the school and what Lady Bird wanted the students to learn from the experience.

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

May 11, 2023

Philip Gurley graduated from the LBJ School with a master's in global policy in 2022. He currently works at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago and caught up with his alma mater to reflect on his time at the school.

Geoff Carlisle

Alumni Spotlight: Geoff Carlisle (Master of Public Affairs ‘23)

May 6, 2023

Geoff Carlisle was an eighth-grade science and sex education teacher for 12 years, both in Mississippi and Texas. He found himself consistently frustrated by policies that were out of touch with the realities of classroom teaching and clearly not informed by individuals with teaching experience.

Joellen Austin

Alumni Spotlight: Joellen M. Austin (Master of Public Affairs ' 89)

April 28, 2023

Joellen M. Austin is an experienced executive with 16 years in the senior executive service and 33 years at the National Institutes of Health. In her time after the LBJ School, she's demonstrated a record of success working in the federal government and research sector with direct provision of administrative operations, IT, budget, ethics, contracting, grants, human resources, labor and employee relations.

LBJ School of Public Affairs student hero image

LBJ School of Public Affairs ranks in USNWR 2024 Top 10 best graduate schools

April 25, 2023
The LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas ranked in the U.S. News & World (USNW) Report’s “Top 10” overall programs for the sixth consecutive year. The new ranking places the LBJ School in the top 3.7 percent of all public policy schools in the nation.
Alan Thomas

Alumni Spotlight: Alan Thomas (Master of Public Affairs '94)

April 19, 2023

Alan Thomas (MPAff '94) specialized in national security at the LBJ School before he became a federal political appointee. Thomas ultimately became an operating executive with more than 25 years of delivering mission-critical programs, championing large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and building deep functional expertise in acquisition and procurement. Thomas is currently the chief solutions officer at Leadership Connect, a vital service in relationship-building for policymakers and public sector professionals nationwide.

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