Adriel Bustillos (MPAff ’26) graduates next month from the LBJ School of Public Affairs with a Master of Public Affairs, building on a commitment to public service that began in fourth grade.
Bustillos recalls watching Wendy Davis run for governor as the moment that sparked his curiosity about politics and the role public service can play in shaping people’s lives. What began as a moment of inspiration grew into a deeper passion over time, particularly around how representation shapes policymaking and outcomes.
“It matters who is in the room. For me, that means making space for people who look like me in public service, because without representative public servants, we will never get the best policymaking or execution.”
Bustillos earned his undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at Austin in Government and Management. Though he once expected to head to Washington, D.C. after graduation, his experience at UT reshaped that path. Working and studying in Austin, so close to the state Capitol, helped him see new opportunities to grow his career without leaving the state.
At the LBJ School, Bustillos credits several professors and programs with shaping both his academic direction and professional growth. Dr. Sergio García-Ríos helped him see himself as a future scholar in Latino politics, while Professor Amy Leff strengthened his writing and communication skills and supported his broader professional development. Professor Carey O’Connor expanded his understanding of workforce development and labor policy, and the Patman Scholars Program provided opportunities to work in the Texas House of Representatives.
After graduation, Bustillos will serve as Director of Operations and Senior Research Fellow with MASBA–School Board Members for Latino Equity. He will remain in Austin while working remotely, supporting programs that expand educational opportunities for Latino students nationwide while continuing his research on technology governance, democracy, and education.
“LBJ taught me that the work I want to do cannot be disconnected from the people most affected by public decisions, and that is something I will carry with me long after graduation.”
For current and future students, Bustillos encourages embracing the range of experiences in the classroom and not letting self-doubt take over. He noted that students arrive with different backgrounds and levels of experience, but all bring something valuable to the conversation.
“One of the best parts of the program is that you are learning alongside people from so many different stages of life. Some come straight from undergrad, others come back after years in the workforce, and all of us bring something different into the classroom.”
As Bustillos joins the LBJ School’s Class of 2026 at the May 9 commencement ceremony, he closes out an important chapter. Surrounded by the community that shaped his time at LBJ, he leaves with the Know-How to change the world.
Learn more about the LBJ School's Master of Public Affairs and the LBJ School's 2026 commencement.