TEXAS Fellowship
Developing Leaders. Shaping Policy. Strengthening Texas Education.
A statewide leadership development program focused on education policy.
Why the TEXAS Fellowship
Where policy knowledge, applied experience, and collaborative networks prepare leaders to drive education change in Texas.
Mission Statement
The TEXAS Fellowship develops a network of leaders dedicated to advancing informed, effective, and research-driven education policy in the state of Texas.
Audience
Designed for emerging and mid-career professionals across K-12, higher education, policy, agencies, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and community leadership.
Understand & influence policy
Learn how education policy is developed, negotiated, and implemented in Texas—and how to translate evidence into decisions that improve outcomes.
Learn by doing
Complete a site placement and build a Policy Impact Project that addresses a real problem of practice in the Texas education policy ecosystem.
Build durable relationships
Join a cohort-based community of practice and working groups that connect leaders across sectors and regions of Texas.
Program Model
Four integrated components: online cohort meetings, site placements, milestone on-site meetings, and collaborative working groups—plus a capstone Policy Impact Project.
Monthly learning and dialogue
Virtual sessions with policy experts and peers focused on shared knowledge and skill building.
- Current issues and policy analysis
- Policy process and implementation
- Research to practice translation
Applied policy experience
Hands-on engagement with a host organization aligned to your policy interests.
- Districts & ESCs
- Nonprofits & advocacy groups
- Policy offices & agencies
Milestone in-person meetings
Key convenings that connect learning, policy, and practice across Texas.
- September 4–5 (Lubbock, TX): Cohort kick off
- February 26–27 (Austin, TX): Legislative engagement and networking
- April 30–May 1 (Dallas/Fort Worth): Presentation of fellows’ ideas and initiatives
Collaborative problem-solving
Structured small groups that produce actionable outputs and build leadership capacity.
- Peer learning + mentoring pathways
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Policy Impact Project support
Fellows
What fellows say about the program’s impact on their work, perspective, and leadership.
Through the Fellowship, I was able to strengthen my legislative skillset and gain a better perspective of the complex work that goes into developing, passing, and implementing education policy in Texas. I feel well-prepared to engage with policymakers at the local, state, and national level, thanks to my experience in the Fellowship. I’m grateful to have joined a network of education policy experts in the state who are advancing education in the state.
— Shawn Sheehan
The Texas Policy Cohort shifted something in me. I went in thinking about how to solve problems within a campus, and I left understanding how those problems are shaped by policy, funding, and systems far beyond one building. It gave me the language and confidence to see myself not just as a school leader, but as someone who can influence the structures that shape schools. That experience clarified my trajectory — from leading within a campus to helping shape the policies that impact students across Texas.
— Emily Doramus
The program helped me to redefine my approach to the public-school leadership setting as a public-school administrator. I was able to see the power of policy and how challenging its nature is the way to make transformation in schools and communities. The power and gravitas that comes from being a leader with empowered choice due to knowledge and confidence in policy was the difference maker for me.
— Miguel Reveles
2026–2027 TEXAS Fellows
- Brett Beesley
Chief Human Resources Officer, Amarillo ISD - Sarah Benedetti
Assistant Director of Development, Texas Tech University College of Education - Paige Darstein
Director of Statewide Implementation, Commit Partnership - Rebecca Engle
Special Education Teacher & Educational Neuroscience Researcher - Veronica Fabian
Manager of Rural Innovation and Special Projects, Empower Schools - Beth Fleener
Director of CIRTL-UTA, UT Arlington - Annalissa Garcia
Administrative Program Coordinator, LBJ Women's Campaign School - Lesly Gramajo
Manager of Texas Rural Collaboratives and SB1882 Partnerships, Empower Schools - Amber Hawk
Principal, Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School - Andrea Messick
Chief of Staff and Communications & Executive Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning, Midland ISD - Lisa Morgan
Chief Officer of Performance Outcomes (K-12), Amarillo ISD - Tracey Morman
Director of Virtual Expansion & Counselor Support, Amarillo ISD - Stephanie Neidecker
Reading Specialist & Leadership Cohort Member, Tomball ISD - Andrea Pfeifer
Head Principal, Amarillo High School - Kevin Phillips
Chief of Staff, Amarillo ISD - Jennifer Porter-Kennard
Special Education Teacher (Resource and Inclusion) - Kathleen Prine
Educator & Curriculum Consultant - Reynaldo Rodriguez
Principal, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy
2023–2024 Alumni
- Tiffany Ekpete
Teachstone - Adlena Jacobs
Wills Point ISD - Shkela King
Houston ISD - Sara Lewis
Coach/Instructional Facilitator - Lisa McNeill
The Varnett Public School - Alaina Peppard
Lubbock ISD - Kaleesa White
Ysleta ISD
2022–2023 Alumni
- Julie Barton
US PREP - Emily Doramus
Frisco ISD - Ryan Fitzgerald
South Plains College - Swati Guin
American Institutes for Research - Courtney Hardy
Fort Bend ISD - Kelsy Hickingbottom
North Euless Elementary School - Savannah Hollis
Richardson ISD - Alycyn Keeling
Wallace Theater - Amanda Knight
Garland ISD - Kristin Mansell
Texas Tech University - Jacqueline Martinez
La Texas Edvocate - Steven Nguyen
Dallas ISD - Vania Reyes
lood, Ysleta ISD - Tiffany Phillips
Harris County Department of Education - Christine Salzman
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board - Aletha Williams
Change Agents of Katy ISD - Shannon L
Yrle, North East ISD
2021–2022 Alumni
- Leslie Anaya
Abiline ISD - Julie Baker
Dallas ISD - Braden Becknell
Coastal Bend College - Jose Bolivar
Houston ISD - Jesse Bulluck
KIPP: Halifax College Preparatory School - Lowell Butler
UP Partnership - Kelly Coke
Northeast Texas Community College - Chris DeWitt
Texas Education Agency - Amanda L. Gonzalez
Blue Cares - Jessica Gonzalez
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD - Gabby House
Houston ISD - Amber M. Joyce
Texas State University - Danica Liriano
American University - Sarah McCaslin
Texas Education Agency - Jessica Nadzam
Passion to Progress - Delyla Ovalle-Bowyer
Fort Bend ISD - Hermann Pereira
Prosper Waco - Anthony C. Perez
Texas A&M University-San Antonio - Miguel A. Reveles
Canutillo High School - Shawn Sheehan
Lewisville ISD - Jennifer Stimpson
The Hockaday School - Jasmine Torain
Austin ISD
2020–2021 Alumni
- Ramon Benavides
Ysleta ISD & El Paso Community College - Kimberly Burks
Certified Reading Specialist - Edward L. Franklin
Voice of Hope Ministries - Kristine Harper
Irving ISD - Lisa Du Bois Low
Texas Tech University - Kayla Northcutt
Frenship ISD - Dr. Kyle Penn
Allen ISD - Deidra Perry
University of Houston - Amberly Walker
Education Service Center, Region 12
2019–2020 Alumni
- Ray Hernandez
Alamo Colleges District - Kellie Wilks
Ector County ISD - Karla Duran
University of the Incarnate Word - Tamara Anderson
Alamo Colleges District - Alyssa Cervantes Benavides
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso - Ashauna Lindo
Aldine ISD - Catherine Nutter
Texas Tech University - Ryan Litsey
Texas Tech University - Whitney Dove
National Institute for STEM Education
Site Placement Partners
Central to the Fellowship experience is a site placement model that connects each Fellow with a placement in their target community, either in person or virtually, for the duration of the program. Fellows are asked to identify a site placement location when they apply to the program. Possible placements include local school districts, regional education service centers, community-based organizations, nonprofit advocacy groups, and state or regional policy offices. Through these placements, Fellows are mentored by program alumni and faculty who guide them in applying policy knowledge to real-world challenges. This structure ensures that fellows are not only learning about policy but also practicing how to analyze, implement, and communicate it within the communities they aim to serve.
Applied policy learning
Host organizations provide context, mentorship, and an authentic policy or implementation challenges for fellows.
Speak, mentor, or advise
Partners may become working-group mentors or reviewers for capstone showcases.
Build actionable products
Fellows and partners can co-develop briefs, memos, presentations, or implementation tools that support local work.
Program Costs
Registration Fee
The fellowship registration fee is $2,000. The fee covers participation in all virtual programming, in person convening facilities, materials, and ongoing fellowship support throughout the year.
Travel and On-Site Expenses
Fellows are responsible for all transportation, lodging, and incidental expenses associated with required in person convenings. These costs vary based on location and individual travel arrangements.
Sponsorship
Fellows are encouraged to seek employer sponsorship to cover registration fees and travel related expenses. Many employers view fellowship participation as a professional development investment. The program team is happy to provide talking points & documentation to help fellows discuss funding options with their employer.
Apply
Take the next step toward shaping education policy in Texas.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2026 | Applications open |
| July 31, 2026 | Application deadline |
| September 4-5, 2026 | Kickoff Convening |
Who should apply
- Demonstrated interest in Texas education policy and improvement
- Leadership potential (emerging or mid-career)
- Commitment to participating across the year
What you submit
- 500-1000 word statement of interest
- Resume or CV
- Two references
- Proposed site placement (in person or virtual)
- Online interviews will be scheduled after application submission
FAQ
Clear answers to help you plan, apply, and participate with confidence.
Who is the fellowship designed for?
Emerging and mid-career leaders across the Texas education policy ecosystem, including K-12, higher education, agencies, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and community leadership.
What is the expected time commitment?
A year-long experience including monthly seminars, site placement work, working groups, and a capstone project.
Can site placements be virtual?
Yes. The model supports in-person or virtual site placements depending on the host organization and the fellow’s location and responsibilities.
What will I produce as a fellow?
A Policy Impact Project and working-group outputs designed to be actionable for policy and implementation contexts.
People
Advisory Board Members
Jessica Attas
Jessica Attas is Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Waco, a collective-impact organization advancing data-driven strategies to improve health and education outcomes, workforce readiness, and economic mobility in the greater Waco region. She has worked in Texas education policy and systems-change efforts for more than fifteen years, including prior service on the Texas Education Agency Commissioner’s Stakeholder Committee and regularly providing invited testimony to the Texas Legislature and such special projects as the Commission on Community College Finance. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Texas Lyceum and is engaged in numerous statewide collaboratives including the Texas Impact Network, Commit Partnership’s InvestEdTexas Mobilization Committee, the Steering Committee for the Texas Metropolitan Blueprint: A Five-Year Policy Agenda for Action, and the Texas Teacher Preparation Funders Network, and is committed to helping connect research, policy and cross-sector partnerships to strengthen the teacher pipeline and advance education policy solutions statewide. Her work and passion is translating cross-sector collaboration into scalable policy and programmatic solutions that expand opportunity across Texas.
Greg Bradley
Greg Bradley, an Ed.D. graduate of Dallas Baptist University, serves as Superintendent of Ennis Independent School District. With 23 years in public education, he has held roles including athletic trainer, teacher, assistant principal, and middle school principal. He is married to Melody and is the proud father of two daughters, Kiersi and Kayden, both attending Texas A&M University.
Priscilla Aquino Garza
Priscilla Aquino Garza is a senior director Educate Texas at Communities Foundation of Texas, a non-profit organization that believes all Texans should have an education that empowers them to earn a good living, find a purposeful career, and realize bold dreams for themselves, their families, and their communities. Priscilla leads policy, advocacy, and programmatic efforts to support student success through college and career readiness, effective teaching, and degree and credential attainment. Priscilla served as the interim executive director and deputy director at Stand for Children Texas, the director of the educator and student policy initiatives at the Texas Education Agency, and a research associate for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. She began her career as a middle school teacher. Priscilla holds a bachelor’s from Harvard University, a master’s from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and a PhD in Educational Leadership Policy and Planning both from the University of Texas at Austin.
Stephanie Howard
Dr. Stephanie D. Howard is Superintendent of Midland ISD, where she leads systemwide strategy, policy implementation, and organizational transformation for a district serving more than 30,000 students and 3,200 employees. Since 2023, she has guided a strategic plan advancing accountability, early literacy, advanced academics, school safety, and facilities policy through a voter-approved $1.4 billion bond. With over 30 years in education, Dr. Howard brings extensive policy leadership experience from prior roles as superintendent, deputy superintendent, and district administrator overseeing curriculum, human capital, and operations. She serves on the Texas Association of School Administrators Legislative Committee and other regional boards and holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Kristin Mansell
Kristin E. Mansell, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Blended and Personalized Learning in the College of Education at Texas Tech University. Her research examines how school systems design roles, routines, and instructional structures to strengthen teaching and learning, with a particular focus on strategic staffing, blended and personalized learning, and instructional improvement in rural and high-need contexts. She leads statewide evaluation projects with the Texas Education Agency, including work on the Strategic Operations staffing model, the School Action Fund, and the Teacher Incentive Allotment, and explores teacher workforce dynamics such as retention, mobility, certification pathways, and the impact of professional learning. Her research uses longitudinal state data, mixed-methods approaches, and district partnerships to study teacher retention, instructional quality, and system-level mechanisms for school improvement. Dr. Mansell also works closely with school districts to provide evidence-based guidance on professional development, coaching systems, and innovative learning models aimed at improving equitable student outcomes.
Kyle Penn
Dr. Kyle Penn serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Business & Technology for Allen ISD in Allen, Texas. A former teacher and campus administrator, he has held a variety of roles across multiple school districts. Dr. Penn has developed a strong passion for school finance, working to educate communities through public engagement efforts and future educational leaders through his service as an adjunct professor. He is an active leader with the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), has participated in advocacy initiatives with his districts and Raise Your Hand Texas, and is an alumnus of the Texas Education Policy Fellowship Program (Texas EPFP) Cohort 2020–2021. Dr. Penn believes educational leaders have a responsibility to work with elected officials to influence policy and create the best possible learning environments for students in their local school districts and across Texas.
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith, PhD, has more than 20 years of nonprofit executive leadership, public affairs, and advocacy experience — including roles as Interim CEO, Executive Director, lobbyist, and senior policy leader. Her career has spanned statewide advocacy organizations, member-driven associations, and complex 501(c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(6) nonprofits. She has led organizations through financial crisis, executive transitions, labor-management relations, exponential growth, and sustained political pressure. She has been a Harvard Business School Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management certificate recipient and a graduate of the Interim Executives Academy. Michelle’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to mission-driven organizations and the communities they serve.
Mark Terry
Mark Terry serves as Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), where he leads membership initiatives and serves as a legislative advocate for the organization at both the state and federal levels. Prior to joining TEPSA, Mark spent 33 years in public education, including 23 years as an elementary and intermediate school principal in Arlington, Gladewater, and Southlake-Carroll Independent School Districts. He has also served as president of both TEPSA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Following his transition to TEPSA, Mark became actively involved with the Downtown Austin Alliance, where he currently serves on the Advisory Committee to the Board as well as the Public Space Experience and Governance Committees. Mark has received numerous honors recognizing his leadership and service, including the Hope Foundation Courageous Principal Award (2012), the Carroll ISD Community Service Award, the Carroll ISD Distinguished Service Award, the Outstanding Educator Role Model Award from the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, and the TEPSAN At-Large Award, among others. Mark and his wife Karen have been married for 48 years and enjoy spending time with their three children and four grandchildren.
Nate Wright
Dr. Nathaniel S. Wright is an associate professor of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University–Camden and an expert in charitable giving and strategic philanthropy. His interdisciplinary research spans social science and urban studies, focusing on nonprofit community organizations, sustainable development, and the role of advocacy groups in strengthening neighborhoods, as well as nonprofit performance and accountability. His scholarship appears in leading journals, including Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly and Journal of Urban Affairs, and he co-edited Performance and Public Value in the Hollow State. Dr. Wright previously served as Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives and MPA Program Director at Texas Tech University and holds degrees from Binghamton University and the University of Kansas.
Leadership Team
Alexander W. Wiseman
Director, TEXAS Fellowship
Associate Dean for Research, Outreach & Engagement
Texas Tech University College of Education
Emily Doramus
Director of Fellowship Programs & Practice, TEXAS Fellowship
Special Education Coordinator, Frisco ISD
Alumna, Texas Education Policy Fellowship Program
Contact
Questions or ideas? We’re here to help.
The TEXAS Fellowship is hosted by the Texas Tech University College of Education.
Ready to take the next step?
College of Education
-
Address
Texas Tech University, College of Education, 3002 18th Street Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
(806) 742-2377 -
Email
educ.webmaster@ttu.edu