The LBJ School recognized student achievements on Friday, April 26, with an awards ceremony and reception. Twenty-five recognitions were awarded for academic accomplishments such as outstanding research and values like leadership and community engagement.
"LBJ students have accomplished much," said JR DeShazo, dean of the LBJ School, during the ceremony. "Your dedication, passion and hard work are truly commendable, and you serve as shining examples of excellence within our LBJ School community."
The LBJ School announced the following awards at Award Night:
- Emmette S. Redford Award for Outstanding Original Research
- The Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
- The LBJ Community Engagement Award
- The LBJ Presidential Trailblazer Award
- Graduate Public Affairs Council's Top Professor Award
In addition, the school recognized the academic achievements of students who have completed Dean’s Certificates in:
- Data Science and Policy Analysis
- State and Local Finance
- Cities and Urban Affairs
Below are the 23-24 honorees:
THE EMMETTE S. REDFORD AWARD
Since 1976, the Emmette S. Redford Award has been awarded to a member of the graduating class for outstanding original research in the form of a professional report or other original work that is of practical significance to policymakers or that develops insights and ideas that increase understanding of the public policy process. A childhood friend of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Emmette Redford taught at The University of Texas at Austin for 40 years before joining the LBJ School as one of the school’s five original faculty members.
Today’s award goes to the students behind the Policy Research Project: Residential Demand Response in Texas for the real-world client Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
A group of 5 LBJ students, led by Professor Steven Pedigo, explored the policies, market structures and conditions that enable energy providers to operate successful residential demand response programs in Texas.
Those five students are:
- Isabella Peterson
- Zach Kisor
- Alexis Brooke Phelps
- Manuela Figueroa-Casas, and
- Farnaz Seddighzadeh
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARD
Each year since 2022, the LBJ School honors one student with the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award to recognize the outstanding contributions graduate teaching assistants make to our learning environment. The recipient of this award demonstrates critical self-reflection on teaching effectiveness and innovation in teaching methods and offers examples of commitment to student learning.
The 2023-24 recipient is Darla Torres.
The following awards are a series of new, student-developed awards. These awards were specially created by LBJ students to recognize leaders and illustrate values within the student body.
LBJ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to serving the community through active participation in community service events. The recipient of this award has consistently volunteered their time and efforts to make a positive impact on the community, embodying the values of public service championed by the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Their commitment to community engagement serves as an inspiration to their peers and reflects the school's mission of fostering leaders who are dedicated to the betterment of society.
The inaugural award goes to Manuela Figueroa-Casas.
LBJ PRESIDENTIAL TRAILBLAZER AWARD
This award celebrates the student who embodies the highest degree of school spirit and demonstrates outstanding commitment to the values and mission of the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
The recipient of this award exemplifies leadership, innovation, and dedication in their academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. They inspire others with their passion for public service and their willingness to challenge the status quo in pursuit of positive change. Through their actions, they blaze a trail for future generations of public affairs leaders, leaving a lasting impact on the school community.
The inaugural award goes to Claire Kimberlin.
GRADUATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL'S TOP PROFESSOR AWARD
This award recognizes a professor who has shown exemplary dedication to their student’s academic and professional growth, as well as a commitment to the values of public affairs education. The recipient of this award is selected based on their effectiveness in teaching, mentorship, and contributions to the field of public policy and administration. They inspire and challenge their students to think critically, engage with complex issues, and develop innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. Their impact extends beyond the classroom, shaping the next generation of public affairs leaders and contributing to the overall excellence of the school.
This year’s winner is Professor Michael Dennis.
CERTIFICATE RECOGNITION
The Dean's Certificate program gives students an opportunity to earn an additional credential by exploring in-depth policy areas that are increasingly critical in the public affairs arena. The program combines academic knowledge, analytical skills and practical application to help give students a leg up.
Dean’s Certificate in Data Science and Policy Analysis
- Guadalupe S Cantu
- Litzy Chavero
- Manuela Figueroa-Casas
- Isabel Keddy-Hector
- Clay Parker
- Isabella Peterson
- Hannah Claire Reyes
- Rania Sohail
- Darla Torres
- Mary White
Dean’s Certificate in State and Local Finance
- Jose Silva
- Miguel Martinez
- Matthew Zachary
- Zach Kisor
Dean’s Certificate in Cities and Urban Affairs
- Matthew Zachary
- Michael Young
The LBJ School extends a warm congratulations to all this year’s honorees!