Front: Kelly Nguyen, Nekane Diaz Lopez, Rawan Barazi, Laisha Ramirez, Kailey DeLorenzo

Back: Madison Rainwater, Ferah-Chukwu Odili, Kylie Nichols, Panagiotis Georgantas, Hector Doratt

Rawan Barazi 
U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35)

Rawan Barazi is a junior majoring in English and political science and minoring in leadership studies. She gained experience through the Syrian American Club of Houston, teaching English as a second language to recent immigrants and the local Syrian community. Her campus activities include the UH Honors College’s Honors Speech and Debate team, Pre-Law Society and Minority Women Pursuing Law. Through the Hobby School, Rawan worked as a Civic Houston Intern in the district office of Texas state Rep. Mary Ann Perez, where she engaged with constituents and strengthened the community. The UH Honors College student plans to pursue a Juris Doctorate following her undergraduate education to work on immigration policy.

Kailey DeLorenzo (‘25)  
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-37)

Kailey DeLorenzo graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with minors in phronesis, political science and psychology in the fall of 2025. She gained campaign experience interning for Amanda Edwards during the candidate’s mayoral and congressional campaigns, attending fundraising events and city council meetings, and conducting outreach. Through the Honors College Mentorship program, Kailey studied the Supreme Court's evolving interpretation of the Constitution, focusing on women’s reproductive rights. On campus, she served as vice president of standards for the Houston Panhellenic Council and vice president of member education for Delta Gamma. Kailey also founded the Liberal Studies Student Association and volunteers with the Lighthouse of Houston, supporting activities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and building understanding around the issues they face.

Nekane Diaz Lopez 
U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30)

Nekane Diaz is a senior majoring in public policy with a minor in legal studies. She has experience in government, legal and academic settings, including serving as a research assistant to deepen her understanding of policy analysis and interning with the office of City of Houston Councilmember Twila Carter through the Civic Houston Internship Program. In the summer of 2025, she served as a Harris Fellow in the office of Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. In the fall, she supported public access initiatives at the Harris County Attorney’s Office Law Library. Nekane also worked as a legal interpreter for families navigating compensation cases, earned a paralegal certificate and traveled to Spain to broaden her outlook. Passionate about housing, homelessness and other complex issues, Nekane plans to attend law school to advance social justice through the intersection of law and policy.

Hector Doratt  
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20)

Hector Doratt is a senior majoring in political science with a minor in phronesis. As a member of the UH Honors College Speech and Debate team, he developed a passion for research, advocacy and expanding access to civic education. Hector completed research on Antebellum America through the UH Honors faculty research assistantship and contributed to the Lyceum Initiative, exploring the role of American institutions. Beyond campus, he designs and leads courses for students in elementary and middle school to build public speaking confidence and critical thinking skills. Through the Civic Houston Internship Program, Hector worked with Harris County Justice of the Peace Judge Steven Duble. In the summer of 2025, Hector interned with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, learning about the misdemeanor marijuana diversion program and deepening his commitment to justice and equitable access to information.

Panagiotis Georgantas (‘25)
U.S. Representative Marc Veasey (TX-33)

Panagiotis Georgantas graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a minor in nutrition in the fall of 2025. He recently interned with Houston City Councilmember Joaquin Martínez, assisting with policy research, drafting memos and attending council meetings and city events as a Civic Houston Intern. Before transferring to UH, Panos studied at Houston Community College, where he served as the secretary of the philosophy club and developed a passion for fitness and personal training. His background includes work as a kitchen manager and chef, as well as competing as an amateur Muay Thai fighter. Panos plans to combine his interests in health and policy to create initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being, aiming to help individuals live healthier lives through sustainable solutions.

Kelly Nguyễn 
U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

Kelly Nguyễn is a junior majoring in political science with minors in medicine and society and health. In the spring of 2025, Kelly was a Civic Houston Intern in the district office of Texas state Rep. Christina Morales, focusing on constituent engagement and outreach. She also worked as a policy research intern at the Empire Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit think tank, where she analyzed New York health care policy and hospital cost transparency. Most recently, Kelly served as a legal intern with the Texas Innocence Network at the UH Law Center, reviewing innocence claims to support those who are wrongfully convicted. A first-generation college student, Kelly teaches debate at the Harris County Jail and serves as a Texas Civic Ambassador through the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life.

Kylie Nichols 
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand  (NY)

Kylie Nichols is a junior majoring in political science with a minor in law, values and policy. A first-generation college student, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service through volunteer work with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, supporting outreach for families affected by cancer and healthcare disparities. Through the Civic Houston Internship Program, Kylie gained experience with a government and political affairs firm, where she provided strategic communications and policy support, examined media trends and authored ordinance recommendations on local e-scooter regulation. Her combined experience in nonprofit service, policy research and communications reflects her dedication to advancing informed and effective public service.

Ferah-Chukwu Odili 
U.S. Reprentative Julie Johnson  (TX-32)

Ferah-Chukwu Odili is a UH Honors College senior majoring in political science with minors in national security studies and legal studies. She volunteers as a Partnerships for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees Houston mentor, supporting refugee youth with cultural orientation and college readiness. On campus, Ferah is a peer mentor helping first-year Honors College students navigate their transition into university life. Ferah began her policy experience through the Civic Houston Internship Program in the district office of Texas state Sen. Borris Miles, focusing on housing equity, and the district office of U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, assisting with constituent services. She joined the Austin office of Sen. Miles as a Hobby Fellow during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, staffing the Senate nominations and criminal justice committees.

Madison Rainwater  
U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34)

Madison Rainwater is a senior majoring in political science with a minor in public leadership. Her passion for service began as a daycare teacher, shaping her interest in education and health policy. On campus, Madison served as a Cougar Involvement Ambassador at the Center for Student Involvement and founded LUNAR, a student organization promoting literacy among Houston-area children. Through the Civic Houston Internship Program, she interned with the Transportation Advocacy Group, conducting policy research and supporting events. She was selected as a 2025-2026 member of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a national network for emerging leaders in public service. Madison also interned with Abogado Ruiz Law Firm, gaining experience in legal advocacy. She plans to pursue graduate education to advance policies in public education and child welfare.

Laisha Ramirez (‘25) 
U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

Laisha Ramirez earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in the fall of 2025. A first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about immigration and health care reform. Laisha interned with BakerRipley’s Immigration and Citizenship Services, gaining experience in case preparation and management. She also served twice as a Civic Houston Intern, working in the district offices of U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia and Texas state Sen. Carol Alvarado, where she assisted constituents with casework and connected them to community resources. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to public service and her goal of addressing community needs through policy solutions.