The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin officially opened its LBJ School Washington Program today, May 16.
The program will begin with two graduate seminars this summer, taught by LBJ School faculty and open to alumni and public policy professionals as well as LBJ School students. The program will expand in coming years to include a larger number of summer courses and within three or four years will evolve into a full semester of courses to complement D.C.-based internships, career fairs, alumni events and other programs.
The program will reside in the university’s Archer Center at 1901 Pennsylvania Ave., three blocks from the White House and across the street from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
“Building a stronger presence for the school in Washington, affording our students new academic and professional opportunities there, has been among my highest priorities since I arrived just over a year ago,” said Robert Hutchings, dean of the LBJ School. “I am gratified that the program has come together so quickly and that the first classes offered are already fully subscribed. We look forward to the program’s rapid expansion in the coming years, so that the LBJ School will join the very few public policy schools offering academic programs in Washington.”
The LBJ School’s connection to Washington, D.C., goes back to its founding 40 years ago by the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. In addition to having strong roots in Texas, the school has long had a strong national and international presence. Hundreds of LBJ School alumni occupy senior positions in federal government, think tanks and many other institutions.
One such distinguished alumna is Kathleen A. Merrigan, the U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture, who will deliver the convocation address to the school’s graduating class on May 21.
Today also marks the introduction of a Web site portal that aggregates all of the school’s efforts in Washington, D.C. such as faculty and alumni news, D.C.-area resources and information on upcoming events. This new site will serve as a window for all stakeholders to connect with and leverage opportunities in the Washington area.
