By Ashlyn Anderson and Lauren Hammonds
The Robertson Fellowship program supports Bush School students at Texas A&M University through scholarships and internship funding. The program was instituted at the Bush School in 2010 with a grant from the Robertson Foundation for Government (RFG) and has supported 52 graduates and students from the Bush School.
Established by the family of the late philanthropists Charles and Marie Robertson and named in their honor, the RFG’s mission is to strengthen the United States by supporting educational and training programs for men and women who will enter government service. When combined with school resources, each Robertson Fellow will receive an award equivalent to the full cost of attendance, including summer internship support during their two years of study.
The fellowship goal is to provide a mix of resources that will cover approximately all expenses associated with completing a master’s degree over two years. Fellowship recipients also receive additional enhancements, such as subsidized health insurance and internship expenses, assistance securing federal employment, networking opportunities with Robertson alumni, and meetings with the RFG staff.
In establishing the Robertson Fellows program, the Bush School agreed to recruit high-caliber students to study in master’s programs in international affairs and public service and administration. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens, academically qualified, demonstrate and state a compelling interest in working in the U.S. federal government, and exhibit strong leadership qualities.
“The fact that students can connect with people who have similar professional goals in different programs is beneficial and a unique feature of the program,” said Dr. Maria Escobar-Lemmon, executive associate dean. “Students who receive this award not only win admission to the Bush School, but they demonstrate something extra special to be selected from among their Bush School cohort,” she added.
This year’s class of Robertson Fellows at the Bush School includes the following:
Indira Gunness (Class of 2024), a July 2019 first class honors graduate from The University of the West Indies at the St. Augustine campus (Trinidad and Tobago), received a Bachelor of Science in International Relations (Special). She also pursued language proficiency in Hindi and made the Dean’s Honor List as an undergraduate student. Indira was recently employed at the Embassy of the United States in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, where she worked alongside law enforcement in support of U.S. strategic interests in the Caribbean region. She is pursuing a Master of International Affairs with a focus on intelligence and grand strategy, and she interned with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C..
Abigail Huie (Class of 2024) graduated summa cum laude in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University, with majors in agricultural economics and agricultural communications and journalism. In her time at A&M, Abby served in several service and leadership organizations, including PREP, a freshman professional development organization, and TAMU RYLLIES, a women’s organization that enhances child literacy in the Bryan-College Station area. In addition to campus involvement, Abby worked for the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, conducting research and data collection related to farm policy across the U.S.. She interned with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in their Foreign Agriculture Service, and was an agriculture and natural resources policy intern in the D.C. Office of Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34), and with the National Cotton Council of America during her undergraduate studies.
Marja Ritchie (Class of 2024), a Tufts University (MA) graduate, acquired a BA in Asian Studies in February 2016. She participated in and led multiple student organizations, studied abroad at Zhejiang University in China, and as a junior, earned the prize as most improved academically. After graduation, she moved to China where Marja spent three years teaching English at Lishui University. At Lishui University, she developed and taught a western calligraphy course. Furthermore, she translated exhibits and trained staff at the Lishui Museum of Photography. After moving to Taipei in 2019 to teach, she also took classes in Taiwan Sign Language and Atayal traditional crafts and performed with a local community choir. In the Master of International Affairs program, Marja is exploring China’s relationships with Taiwan and North Korea.
Morgan Conville (Class of 2025) graduated summa cum laude in 2020 from the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA) with a BA in Spanish and K-12 teacher licensure. At UNCA, Morgan conducted undergraduate research and served as a campus ambassador, resident assistant, and president of Model United Nations. After graduation, she accepted a foreign language teaching position at Bleyl Middle School in Houston, where she has spent the last three years doubling enrollment in native speaker classes and raising funds for a Spanish classroom library. As a recipient of the Robertson Fellowship, Morgan is preparing for a career with the Foreign Service after graduation.
Samuel “Sam” Park (Class of 2025), a 2021 Carnegie Mellon University (PA) graduate, earned a BS in Neuroscience. He served in leadership positions in student government and in service-oriented and club sport organizations. Off-campus, Sam volunteered as a math tutor at a local high school and practiced judo. During his studies, he found the topic of misinformation and disinformation fascinating and hopes to further study their effects and countermeasures in the Master of International Affairs program. After his graduation, Sam completed a data science bootcamp and worked as the sole data analyst at a healthcare startup. In summer 2023, he traveled to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea to learn about their histories and perspectives on international affairs. As a first-generation American, Sam desires a meaningful and impactful public service career.
Emma Viquez (Class of 2025) graduated magna cum laude and with honors in August 2023 from St. Edward’s University (TX) with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. She also completed the respected University Honors Program and pursued minors in French and global studies. Emma was active, serving in various student leadership positions: as an NCAA women’s soccer athlete, Student Government Association senator, and BridgeHilltop president. She also interned for former diplomat Mel Sanderson and with the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence. Most recently, Emma traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to study French, global health, and development policy with experts from various international and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). She is studying international development and economic policy with a concentration in women, peace, and security.
