All About the Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program

The Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program is a competitive academic and professional experience in Washington, D.C. This experiential learning program sends outstanding undergraduate students from the C. T. Bauer College of Business to Washington, D.C., to live, learn, and intern during the spring semester. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provides students with valuable work experience and gives them the opportunity to earn academic credit while living in one of the most dynamic cities in the U.S.

Director's Note

The warmer weather means the conclusion of another semester in Washington, D.C. We could not be prouder of the Spring 2024 Bauer in D.C. Fellows. Joshua Chavez, Samantha Covarrubias, Emily Poff, and Katherine Said embraced their new city and left lasting impressions on the people they met and the organizations for which they interned. When asked about their Bauer in D.C. Fellow, one intern coordinator shared, “She is a person who seizes opportunities and is willing to take on challenges. Her day-to-day enthusiasm was infectious and she influenced us as much as we hope to have influenced her.” Please read below to hear from the Spring 2024 Bauer in D.C. Fellows about their experience in Washington, D.C.

- Colleen Davies

The Spring 2024 Bauer in D.C. Fellows Are Back

After an eventful semester in our nation’s capital, the Spring 2024 Fellows have returned to Texas. Continue scrolling to read highlights from their experience in Washington, D.C.

Joshua Chavez

Internship: The Peace Corps

“The Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program allowed me to develop skills and habits that will help me not only in the workplace but in life. Professionally, I had the opportunity to learn through projects and conversations that heavily involved fiscal policy. Plus, living away from home led me to become more independent as well as curious about my surroundings. Living and exploring D.C. made me appreciate our history as it is a footprint of the impact that our voice can have on our government.”

Samantha Covarrubias

Internship: Cornerstone Government Affairs Group

“Bauer in D.C. surpassed all expectations and goals I had for myself. This opportunity has allowed me to grow as a more well-rounded individual, and this unforgettable experience was worth getting out of my comfort zone.”

Emily Poff

Internship: The White House, Office of the First Lady

“My semester as a Bauer in D.C. Fellow completely transformed the way I see my career moving forward. Exploring all of the possibilities available in Washington has emboldened me to pursue positions in a broader range of industries and to consider more fellowship opportunities. I hope to return to the city to continue working in public service and to discover more of what D.C. has to offer.”

Katherine Said

Internship: Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of the Inspector General

“Interning this past Spring in D.C. with the Office of Personnel Management in the Office of the Inspector General was a transformative experience. I had the opportunity to meet with upper management and observe firsthand interactions between various offices within the agency as well as between business and government. I learned the government and its processes are much more intricate and complex than generally thought.”

Celebrating the Start of Summer

Good times were had by all at the May 14th Bauer in D.C. Alumni Mixer at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Thank you to all who attended. We hope to see you at our next event.

Bauer in D.C. Alumni Spotlight:

John Fields – Spring 2017 Fellow

Graduation Year: Spring 2017

Bauer in D.C. Internship: The U.S. Supreme Court, Office of the Curator

Favorite Bauer in D.C. Memory:
“I loved going for long runs through the city. I would change up my routes to go see a new part of the city each time, but would always end by running up Capitol Hill and taking a break to take in the view of the National Mall.”

While in D.C., you must …
“Eat breakfast at Ted's Bulletin, lunch or dinner at Founding Farmers and visit the Farmer's Market at Eastern Market.”

How Bauer in D.C. changed your future goals or trajectory?
“I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the United States Supreme Court and several times a day would give tours of the Supreme Court building and lectures in the courtroom about the history of the U.S. judicial system and Supreme Court. This experience while applying for law school gave me a much greater appreciation for our legal system and cemented my aspiration to be an attorney. After Bauer in D.C., I returned to UH to attend the University of Houston Law Center and while I was in law school was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the University of Houston Board of Regents for a one-year term.”

Since Bauer in D.C. …
“I am now an associate attorney in the Tax Planning and Business Transactions section at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, a mid-sized law firm based in Houston, Texas, where I work with individuals and businesses on business and tax issues associated with owning, operating, transferring, buying or selling a business. My wife, Lauren, and I along with our three kids love traveling, exploring all of the parks and restaurants in Houston and going to UH football and basketball games.”

Meet the Spring 2025 Fellows

We are excited to introduce the Spring 2025 Bauer in D.C. Fellows:

Anthony Pesina Major: Management - Human Resource Management Anticipated Graduation Year: Spring 2025 Areas of Interest for D.C. Internship: Energy, Think Tanks, and Legal Field Organizations of Interest: Center for American Progress, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, and Gibson Dunn.	Sinar Sium Major: Marketing Anticipated Graduation Year: Spring 2025 Areas of interest for your D.C. internship: Media and Immigration Organizations of Interest: Design in D.C., The White House, The Supreme Court, and The Brand Guild	David Torres Major: Finance Anticipated Graduation Year: Fall 2025 Areas of interest for my internship: Pursuing legal internships as well as internships that deal with financial policymaking Organizations of interest: The Supreme Court, White House, U.S. State Department, and U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means
Ramya Valipe Major: Management Information Systems Minor: Phronesis (politics and ethics) Anticipated Graduation Year: Spring 2025 Areas of interest for your D.C. internship: Government agencies or think tanks that focus on emerging technologies and how they impact society and democracy Organizations of Interests: Office of Science and Technology Policy, The White House, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, The Chamber of Commerce, and Brookings Institute	Shahzaib Vohra Major: Management Information Systems Anticipated Graduation Year: Spring 2026 Areas of interest for your D.C. internship: Human Rights, Immigration, and Exposure to the Legal Field Organizations of Interests: The Supreme Court, The White House, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Cato Institute, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)	Jasmine Wani Major: Management Information Systems Anticipated Graduation Year: Spring 2026 Areas of interest for your D.C. internship: Business, Public Health, and Education Organizations of Interests: U.S. Senate Committee HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions), CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), The Domestic Policy Council, Women’s Congressional Policy Institute, The Office of Management and Administration

Is your D.C. Organization interested in hiring a Bauer in D.C. Fellow for Spring 2025?

If so, please let us know!

The Bauer in D.C. Fellows are currently applying for Spring 2025 internships in Washington, D.C. If your D.C.-based organization is interested in outstanding interns or you will be looking for Spring 2025 interns soon, we'd love to connect with you!

To connect, please reach out to Bauer in D.C. Program Director, Colleen Davies at cmdavies@uh.edu.

Support the Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program

Do you want to have an impact on Bauer students living, learning and interning in Washington, D.C.? Consider giving to the Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program. Contact us for more information.

Bauer in D.C. Fellowship Program
4250 Martin Luther King Blvd., 77204, Houston

The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.