Placement: Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security

What I Worked on: I facilitated the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program. My division helped distribute federal Homeland Security Grant money from the state level to local jurisdictions in the 13-county Houston – Galveston Area Council. We organized committees of representatives from the 13-counties to determine how grant money will be spent, as well as helped the local jurisdictions to apply for the next grant cycle.

Hometown: Houston, TX

School: University of Houston – Downtown

Field of Study: Interdisciplinary Studies (major); Sociology (minor)

Selected Activities and Community Involvement: I pride myself for staying connected to Houston’s community advocacy and art circles. I feel that it is within the nexus of both these groups that a new, constructive culture for Houston will emerge.

Prior Work Experience: AmeriCorps (serving inner-city youth in a classroom setting); volunteer work at multiple Houston-area nonprofits focusing on at-risk youth and the arts.

Why Houston is important to me: I was born and raised in Houston. Both sides of my family have lived in Houston for generations.

Something unique about me: I have experienced all sides of Houston’s public education system. I began grade school in special education programs and graduated high school as a recognized gifted and talented student. I like to unwind in the evening by watching the sunset from the roof of my northwest Houston home.

What I’m Doing Now: I am a Management Analyst for the City of Houston in the Department of Public Works and Engineering.