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Hobby Fellows 2021

2021 Hobby Fellows graphic 

 

christian

Christian Aguirre is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a dual degree in political science and public relations.

In 2017, Christian volunteered with United We Dream, where he advocated for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers through various campaigns while gaining canvassing and organizing experience.

On campus, Christian has been involved in the Metropolitan Volunteer Program and Impact Living Learning Community.  He has also served as an assistant director of marketing for the Homecoming Board and Frontier Fiesta.

Christian first gained experience through the Civic Houston Internship Program in spring 2019 working in Mayor Sylvester Turner's Office of Communication.  He also interned in the City of Houston's Complete Communities Initiative.

Christian is working in the office of Senator Carol Alvarado

 

mary

Mary Brewer is a junior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in business administration.

Mary gained experience as Vice President for the College Democrats and as a Leadership Academy Fellow for the Harris County Democratic Party in 2018, focusing on voter outreach and campaigning for candidates.

She was later selected as a recipient of the Ethics and Public Policy scholarship offered by the Hobby School.  In this role, she worked with Mayor Sylvester Turner's Office of Education.  She worked on issues relating to early childhood education, public education, and providing job and enrichment opportunities for vulnerable youth.

Mary is working in the office of Representative Donna Howard.

 

faye

Faye Geremia is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in philosophy.

Previously, Faye volunteered as a debate judge at schools within Fort Bend and Harris County to mentor and judge students in several events and topics.  These include the Lincoln-Douglass Debate, public forums, congressional debates, and extemporaneous speaking.

Faye has extensive experience in a variety of roles.  She volunteered for Mayor Sylvester Turner's reelection campaign as a deputy field organizer, and also on congressional campaigns for Sima Ladjevardian and Lizzie Fletcher.  Also, she participated in the Civic Houston Internship Program in fall 2020, working in the Harris County Clerk's Office.

Faye is working in the office of Representative Gene Wu.

 

philip

Phillip Gutierrez is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science and a minor in management.

Prior to his selection as a Hobby Fellow, Phillip volunteered extensively with a number of organizations.  These roles have included coaching soccer in Meyer Park, emergency relief role after Hurricane Harvey through St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church, and food distribution work in Houston.

Phillip has gained experience through the Civic Houston Internship Program in the offices of the City of Houston's Finance Department as well as Council Member Sallie Alcorn.  

Philip is working in the office of Senator Borris Miles.

 

wasiq

Wasiq Javed is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in leadership studies.

On campus, Wasiq has been engaged in numerous efforts.  He has served as a Senator in the Student Government Association, as well as competing with the UH CoogSlam Poetry team, who placed 4th in the nation at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Tournament.

Wasiq formerly served on the Mayor's Commission Against Gun Violence, as well as interning with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Raj Salhotra's campaign for city council, and Battleground Texas.  Through the Civic Houston Internship Program, Wasiq interned with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Wasiq is working in the office of Representative Armando Walle.

 

matthew

Matthew Lair is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in law, values, and policy.

In fall 2018, Matthew volunteered for candidates at the federal and local levels in the midterm elections.  He later interned for his local congressman and Arizona Senator Martha McSally in Washington DC.

Matthew participated in the Civic Houston Internship Program in fall 2020, continuing his time in Washington DC with a political consulting firm.  In this role, he created and implemented campaign and fundraising strategies to help candidates and political action committees accomplish their goals.

Matthew is working in the office of Representative Dan Huberty.

 

miguel

Miguel Macias is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in business administration.

Selected as a 2020 Leland Fellow, Miguel gained experience in the office of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez.  In this role, he was able to attend briefings and panels on immigration, affordable housing, and veterans' affairs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Miguel served as an English/Spanish call screener for Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, and was able to help prioritize questions from constituents to be addressed by the Congresswoman and her team.

Miguel is working in the office of Senator John Whitmire.

 

michael

Mike Negreros is a senior at the University of Houston pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in national security studies.

Mike served in the US Army for over four years as a Human Resource Specialist, serving a battalion of 416 soldiers.  In this role, he developed critical skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking and problem solving.

Mike has volunteer experience with BakerRipley, where he helped organize food distribution.  He also volunteered with Fisher House to assist in record keeping for families receiving medical care on military bases.  Through the Civic Houston Internship Program, Mike gained experience in State Representative Jon Rosenthal's office during the fall 2020 semester.

Mike is working in the office of Representative Jon Rosenthal.