Posted on October 30, 2024 by Amanda Cerreto
October 30, 2024 – UTSA graduate student Janet Ekezie spent her summer in Washington, D.C. as an Archer Fellow to work with the U.S. Department of Education.
Ekezie assisted a project manager with the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), designed to effect long-range improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions, and to increase the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities into scientific and technological careers.
“It was a great experience to see first-hand how policy is implemented, especially as a public administration student,” Ekezie said.
As part of the Fellowship, she also had the opportunity to conduct research on a policy issue that was important to her, and for Ekezie, it addressed a major gap in public health.
According to U.S. Census projections, the United States is projected to become a majority-minority country by 2050, meaning that white, non-Hispanic people, will make up less than half of the U.S. population. Seeing this shift in demographic trends, Ekezie researched and wrote policy solutions to provide and prepare mental health professionals who work for the federal government to become culturally competent.
“We currently don’t have a public health infrastructure that can’t support this growing population,” Ekezie said.
As a Nigerian-American, Ekezie has an interest in how those from underrepresented populations receive mental health care. In between her internship with the Department of Education, Ekezie created a policy proposal to address the growing gap between minority populations and appropriate mental health care.
“The fellowship gave me the confidence I needed to articulate and express the importance of policy issues that mean a lot to me,” Ekezie said. “It was also incredible to get feedback and recognition from individuals who work in policy, and to contribute to the policymaking process.”
The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program was established in 2010 by The University of Texas System to enable graduate and medical students who are interested in policy to learn about the federal government and public service in the nation’s capital.
Ekezie is now in her final year as a Master of Public Administration student. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2018.
“Not only am I learning from my instructors, but I’m learning from fellow students who work in different sectors of the city,” Ekezie said of the UTSA MPA program. “I really appreciate what that means from an experiential lens.”
“Janet’s drive to bridge public health and education gaps reflects her sincere commitment to creating inclusive and intentional policy solutions,” said John Tiemann, lecturer of public administration. “Her work and character embody the essence of professionalism in public administration.”
Ekezie works full time at the San Antonio Area Foundation, a nonprofit that distributes millions in grants and scholarships to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life for people living in and around San Antonio.
At the Area Foundation, Ekezie manages scholarships for students seeking higher education. In her free time, she volunteers as a member of the National Model United Nations Secretariat and performs research while facilitating debate over international issues at the collegiate level. She also serves on a nonprofit board for an organization that aids LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness and hosts a podcast exploring identity called “I Am...”
“I have witnessed Janet’s knowledge, empathy, and clear voice to champion the well-being of underrepresented communities,” added Tiemann. “She stands out in her ability to connect policy with real-world impacts, enriching our program and the broader field with her perspective and advocacy.”
The Graduate Archer program is one of several hands-on learning programs offered by the UT System to help students prepare for successful careers. As part of its Classroom to Career initiative, UTSA aims to have 75% of its undergraduate students participate in some type of experiential learning by the time they graduate.
The deadline to apply for the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program is Friday, November 1, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Visit the Archer page for more information.
Learn more about Janet's MPA experience in the below video.
— Amanda Cerreto
