Students from Texas A&M University-Texarkana once again participated in the Public Service Institute at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Many students from across the A&M System, including three selected from A&M-Texarkana, attended the Institute, which is held annually at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
A&M-Texarkana Political Science majors Whitney Garrett of Maud, Texas, and Kishon Daniels of Texarkana, Texas, and Criminal Justice major Amy Stanley, of Texarkana, Arkansas, attended this year’s Bush School Institute.
The Institute gives advanced undergraduates the opportunity to participate in a variety of events designed to introduce them to the realities of graduate school in the fields of international affairs, public administration and public policy.
Students were chosen based on their academic excellence, their commitment to public service and their leadership abilities. Many of the Bush Fellows are interested in careers with nonprofit organizations, government administration, national security agencies, government contractors, international nongovernmental organizations, think tanks and more.
Those selected become Bush Fellows and receive travel reimbursement, lodging and campus meals during their experience.
Over the course of a half day Friday and all day Saturday, Oct. 23–24, fellows had the opportunity to examine what graduate school is all about. They spent the weekend at Texas A&M University meeting Bush School staff, faculty and current students while also networking with those who share similar interests in public service.
They participated in leadership activities, a faculty-led exercise, a career workshop, an admissions overview and a GRE-prep seminar, and generally learned more about opportunities in the fields of public administration and international affairs.
The students appreciated the inside look at how graduate school differs from undergraduate school and how to prepare for the application process.
Whitney Garrett, Political Science junior at A&M-Texarkana, said, “The Bush School visit really helped me in making some choices for graduate school. The staff there went above and beyond with explaining details about how to apply, financial aid, what to expect and information over the courses involved in graduate school. They really focused on making sure we understood our options and choices that were best for us.”
Political Science major Kishon Daniels, also a junior, said, “My visit to the Bush School of Government and Public Service was very informative and motivating. My questions on the process of applying to graduate programs and experience of a graduate student were answered. The visit also solidified my decision to pursue a career in international affairs. I would recommend visiting the Bush School to any student looking to enter grad school.”
Assistant Professor of Political Science Walter Casey, who accompanied the students to College Station, said, “These students were able to explore not only the Bush School, but the possibility of a Master of Public Administration, and graduate school generally. Their vision of their own future, as I spoke with them at the end [of the weekend], has been considerably affected. I expect that we’ll see these three with graduate degrees in hand in the next few years.”
Established in 1997, the Bush School has already become one of the top destinations for students seeking advanced degrees and certificates in Public Administration and International Affairs. According to US News and World Report, the Bush School ranks in the top 12 percent of graduate schools in public affairs. The school offers master’s degrees in Public Service and Administration, as well as International Relations, and is characterized by a faculty comprised both of traditional academic researchers as well as practitioners in the fields.
Photo Identifications – A&M-Texarkana students (from left) Whitney Garrett, Kishon Daniels and Amy Stanley.
