Joy Thomas (UHD), Eronn Putman, Natasha Egharevba & Resha Thomas in Austin

Samuel Dike is a senior majoring in political science at the University of Houston. Samuel is an active member of several student organizations, including Student Alumni Connection, which he serves as the chairman of the board, and as the president of the Students Government Association. Upon graduation from the University of Houston, he plans to attend law school. Samuel worked in the Houston district office of Senator Rodney Ellis.

Natasha Egharevba is a first-generation college student, earning a bachelor of science double major in psychology and political science at the University of Houston. She has government experience as a Hobby Center for Public Policy intern in the offices of Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee and State Senator Rodney Ellis. She graduated in May 2009, and foresees a law career is in her future. Natasha interned in the Austin office of State Representative Yvonne Davis.

Todd Hendricks was a senior at the University of Houston majoring in political science during the spring 2009 semester. Todd's initial public service began in the U.S. Navy on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He gained government experience as a Hobby Center for Public Policy intern in Senator Rodney Ellis's office and later worked as a Mickey Leland Congressional Intern in the D.C. office of Congressman Al Green. In addition, he held various leadership positions on campus, including treasurer and president of the University of Houston Young Democrats. Todd worked in the Houston district office of Senator Rodney Ellis, and is now working toward a graduate degree in public affairs at the LBJ School at UT.

Hannah McConn is a senior political science major at the University of Houston. In fall 2008, she became the president of Keep A Child Alive Foundation-UH Chapter, an organization committed to raising funds for HIV/AIDS victims in Africa. Hannah also serves as an ambassador for the Council on Legal Educational Opportunities. She previously interned for Senator Rodney Ellis through the University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy. She worked in the Houston district office of Senator Rodney Ellis in the spring of 2009 and plans on a career in law and public service.

Eronn Putman graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a degree in political science and a minor in African-American studies. Eronn worked as a Mickey Leland Congressional Intern in the Capitol Hill office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in 2008. After the completion of her internship working for State Representative Ellen Cohen in Austin, she worked as a district aide to Houston Council Member Jolanda Jones. Eronn is now working on her law degree at LSU.

Joy Thomas was a senior political science major at the University of Houston-Downtown during the spring 2009 semester. Joy's public service career began as a special agent with U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A native Houstonian, she has held leadership positions with various state and local police departments, and worked as a Hobby Center for Public Policy intern in the office of Houston Council Member Ron Green. Joy interned in the Austin office of State Representative Alma Allen, and is now studying law at TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Resha Thomas graduated cum laude from the University of Houston with a degree in public relations and political science. Her government and political experience is plentiful including volunteering for Tim Kaine's gubernatorial campaign in Virginia, working as a Hobby Center for Public Policy intern with Houston Council Member Melissa Noriega and as a Congressional Black Caucus intern in the Department of Justice, and recruiting students for Help Houston Vote. Resha worked in the Austin office of State Representative Jim McReynolds as a TLIP intern. Resha is now a regional director for Organizing for America.