Next month, as the LBJ School’s Class of 2026 gathers for commencement, Serin Mubarak (MGPS-DC ‘25) will return to the Forty Acres to walk the stage with her classmates. After completing her Master of Global Policy Studies degree in December 2025 through the LBJ Washington Center in D.C., she returns to Austin for a moment that brings her whole journey full circle.
For Mubarak, the LBJ School stood out because it connects policy theory with real-world impact.
“The LBJ School's reputation for producing policy leaders who operate at the intersection of real-world impact and rigorous analysis made it the clear choice.”
That combination of academic rigor and practical experience led her to the Global Policy Studies program and the accelerated D.C. program, where she could live, work, and study in the environments where policy is shaped.
Before joining LBJ, Mubarak earned her undergraduate degree in International Relations at Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala. That experience gave her a strong academic foundation and a direct understanding of the challenges developing countries face in keeping pace with rapid change. This led her to pursue a career in public service, where she worked as a diplomat to foster economic development in Guatemala. That perspective drove her interest in pursuing policy work on a global scale.
A key part of Mubarak’s experience at LBJ was mentorship, especially from Professor Amy Leff, who helped her refine her policy writing and communication skills and connected her with professionals working in AI policy. This support played a significant role in shaping her career path.
“LBJ prepared me in more ways than I expected. The DC concentration specifically was transformative, it placed me in the heart of policy work, gave me access to practitioners, and forced me to think about policy not just theoretically but operationally.”
Since graduating in December, Mubarak has been living in Virginia and working as a Senior Marketing Project Manager at Highspring. She’s applying the same communication and project management skills she developed at LBJ in a fast-paced professional environment.
With commencement approaching, the milestone carries added significance. As a first-generation college student and the daughter of immigrants, walking the stage represents far more than completing a degree.
“It feels like a ‘pinch me’ moment and one that carries a lot of meaning beyond just myself. As a first-generation college student and the daughter of immigrants, this milestone represents so much more than a degree. My parents left everything behind to build a life that would make moments like this possible, and getting to walk across that stage knowing they'll be there to witness it is very special.”
Looking back, Mubarak encourages current and future students to take full advantage of their surroundings, whether in Austin or D.C., and to actively engage with the opportunities available rather than simply observe them.
“Lean into the city you're in. Whether you're in Austin or D.C., the LBJ School places you in environments where history and policy are happening around you, so take advantage of that.”
With graduation right around the corner, Mubarak looks forward to celebrating with family and friends, marking the close of one chapter and the start of the next.
Learn more about the LBJ Washington Center and the LBJ School's 2026 commencement.
