The Bill Archer Fellowship Program was established by The University of Texas System in conjunction with former U.S. Representative Bill Archer as a way to bring highly motivated and accomplished students Texas to Washington, D.C. to participate in varied internships and take part in classes focusing on policy, history, and advocacy. Our students work with organizations such as the United Nations Information Centre, the US Department of State, many offices within the White House and on the Hill, with federal agencies, and with non-profit organizations. Our selection process is rigorous, and aims to bring only the best representatives from throughout Texas.
Contact
Assistant Dean for Special Programs, Director for UTSA Top Scholar Program, Terry Scholars Coordinator at UTSA, Archer Fellowship Campus Coordinator, Citymester Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Practice
Honors College
The Archer Fellowship Program
The Archer Fellowship Program provides undergraduate students from across The University of Texas System with a unique opportunity to live, learn, and intern in our nation’s capital during the fall or spring semester. While in Washington, D.C., students earn in-residence UT San Antonio credit for their coursework and gain hands-on work experience in an internship. By living together in luxury condominiums near Capitol Hill, Archer Fellows build lasting friendships and professional connections with each other. The Archer Fellowship Program can be tailored to students’ own personal and intellectual interests.
Emily Seddighzadeh '24
With passions that lie at the intersection of environmental issues, law, and social justice, the Archer Fellowship Program was a perfect fit for Emily Seddighzadeh ’24. During her fellowship, the geography and environmental sustainability major interned as a research assistant with the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., her senior year. Following her Archer fellowship and graduation from UTSA, Emily moved back to capitol after landing a job as a legal analyst with a boutique law firm in D.C.
Eligibility
The Archer Fellowship Program is available to undergraduate students of all majors and areas of study, and we welcome a diverse array of student interests and backgrounds. Students do not need to be members fo the Honors College to be a part of the Archer Fellowship.
Students must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater at The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Previous work or internship experience
- Campus involvement and/or community leadership experience
- Applicant must be pursuing a University of Texas System bachelor’s degree
If selected for the Archer Fellowship Program, students must meet the following requirements by the beginning of the semester they will be in Washington, D.C.:
- Junior or senior status by years and hours (first and second-year students are not eligible)
- Twenty-four hours of in-residence credit completed at The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Completion of political science core curriculum requirements (POL 1013 and either POL 1133 or POL 1213 or their equivalents)
Courses
Archer Fellows take courses taught by faculty from UT Austin, UT Dallas, and policy experts from the Washington, D.C., community. Students earn 15 hours of upper-division course credit, including six hours of course credit for their internship experience.
- HON 3513: Policymaking Process
- HON 3523: The Politics of National Memory
- HON 3533: Advocacy and Politics
- HON 4936: Honors Internship
Students are strongly encouraged to consult their academic advisor to learn how these classes will fit into their degree plans. Because the courses are considered in-residence, graduating seniors may participate in the program during their final semester.
Internship
All Archer Fellows participate in a full-time internship that aligns with their academic and professional goals. Archer Fellows are responsible for researching and applying for internships, while Archer Center staff provides guidance and assistance throughout the process. The Archer Center has a vast network of connections in a variety of fields in the nation’s capital, and Archer Fellows have developed a fantastic reputation as high quality interns.
While many internships in Washington, D.C., offer financial compensation (e.g. stipends, hourly pay, etc.), some opportunities remain unpaid. For that reason, students should not expect to earn an income while in D.C. Visit archercenter.org for a non-exhaustive list of potential internship sites.
Program Costs and Scholarships
The 2022-2023 Archer Fellowship Program fee is $4,900, and is subject to change in future years. This fee does not cover housing or other expenses. Archer Fellows pay a program fee in lieu of UT San Antonio tuition, and most financial resources currently used on their home campus can apply to the Archer Fellowship Program costs. Students are encouraged to visit archercenter.org/funding-your-fellowship.html for more information on program expenses.
Generous scholarships are available to help Archer Fellows fund their semester in Washington, D.C. The Honors College at UTSA ensures that all fixed costs, including programing fees and housing, are covered for all Archer Fellows from UTSA. We do not want financial concerns to keep you from applying to be an Archer Fellow.
Applicant Advising
Prospective Archer Fellows can meet with their campus coordinator to learn more about the program and receive feedback on their application materials. Students are also welcome to contact the Archer Center with questions.
Contact Information
Kristi Meyer
Campus Coordinator at UT San Antonio
kristi.meyer@utsa.edu
The Archer Center
For program details, please visit the Archer Fellowship website a www.archercenter.org.
Archer Fellow Alumni Ambassadors
Taylor Helmcamp
Email: thelmcamp@hotmail.com
Major: Global Affairs
Minors: Russian and Linguistics
Archer Internship: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Office of Policy and Global Issues
Post-Graduate: Dual J.D. (law school) /M.A. (Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies) candidate at the University of Texas
Karla Madrigal
Email: Karlamadrigal18@gmail.com
Major: Biology
Archer Internship: The Melanoma Research Foundation
Post-Graduate: Currently enrolled at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Opportunities within the Honors College
The Honors College offers students the opportunity to participate in a number of different programs to further expand knowledge, especially in the realms of professional development, leadership development, and public service. Special programs are fully integrated into the Honors College curriculum, making credit transfer simple and ensuring that students are working toward Honors requirements.
