LBJ School Announcements

UT researchers aim to get one step further in helping reduce falls and depression among homebound older adults

Namkee Choi from UT School of Social Work is principal investigator and LBJ health economist Todd Olmstead serves as a co-investigator. 

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older (

LBJ School health economist studies programs designed to promote addiction recovery

Todd Olmstead will serve as co-principal investigator and co-investigator on two NIH grants totaling $15M

With colleagues from the University of Massachusetts, Todd Olmstead from The University of Texas at Austin LBJ

Class of 2022: Chelsi Chang chosen as student speaker

It is the Graduate Public Affair Council's pleasure to announce that Chelsi Chang will be our LBJ School Class of 2021 Student Commencement Speaker! Chelsi will be sharing the stage with Ambassador Vilma Martinez, who has been named our Commencement Keynote Speaker.

CONNECT Program Manager Alyssa Studer recognized with Outstanding Staff Award

Alyssa Studer, Program Manager for the CONNECT program, received the Outstanding Staff Award from the President's Office. The award recognizes non-teaching UT Austin employees who have made outstanding contributions to the continuing success of the university. Alyssa received the award due to her outstanding service to the CONNECT program, which Alyssa has managed since its beginning in Spring 2019. 

65 women leaders comprise LBJ Women's Campaign School incoming class

Today, the LBJ Women's Campaign School announced the 65 women who will form its third incoming class. The LBJ Women's Campaign School is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral program that trains women who want to run for elected office or become campaign managers, regardless of political party. The program brings together top political experts from across the nation to lead an immersive training program on topics including media relations, public speaking, fundraising, grassroots organizing and more. The program kicks off in Austin on April 29-30, with monthly virtual through November. Through the eight-month program, these women will gain an insider network, professional mentorship, and the skills they need to win.

Peniel Joseph on LBJ's Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

A statement from the inaugural associate dean for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion: It is truly an honor to serve as the LBJ School of Public Affairs' inaugural Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). My interest in issues of equity, inclusion and anti-racism are deeply personal. As the proud son of Haitian immigrants, I grew up in a multiracial New York City during the 1980s. My mother worked at Mount Sinai Hospital as a member of Local 1199 union, and I was fortunate to encounter the city's racial, religious, ethnic and ideological diversity at an early age. These experiences, I would later find out, were made possible in part by President Lyndon Johnson's commitment to equity and inclusion through Great Society legislation that transformed the nation's demographics.

LBJ School establishes Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI), names leadership

The LBJ School has identified justice as an institutional priority and renamed its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). Leading civil rights scholar Dr. Peniel Joseph and community leader Estevan Delgado have been named inaugural associate dean and director for JEDI, respectively.

New criminal justice policy lab to focus on correctional oversight and improved conditions in prisons and jails nationwide

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin has established a new national policy resource center working to ensure the safe and humane treatment of people in custody and cultivate the next generation of justice policy leaders. The Prison and Jail Innovation Lab (PJIL) serves as a bridge between academic research, practical experience and policy on pressing matters related to independent correctional oversight and conditions of confinement.

LBJ School welcomes first Latino student organization

Today, on Dia De Los Muertos, a collection of Latino voices announced the formation of Unidos — the LBJ School's first Latino organization. Unidos is proud to be sponsored by Dr. Angela Valenzuela, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. The founding of this organization reflects a growing Latino population among the school's more than 300 students.

Strauss and Clements announce the launch of the Asia Policy Program

The Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Clements Center for National Security are pleased to announce the launch of a new joint program at The University of Texas at Austin: the Asia Policy Program.