Political Science major Braiden Touchette was one of twenty students statewide selected this summer to serve as a Texas Civic Ambassador by the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life.
The Texas Civic Ambassadors (TCA) program aims to prepare “students across the state to be civically active leaders through nonpartisan, youth-focused events and civic learning opportunities.” In the fall, ambassadors attend the TCA Leadership Summit at The University of Texas at Austin. Participants are able to interact with experts in such areas as leadership development, civic and community engagement, politics, and communication. They also attend other events, such as the Texas Tribune Festival, where they have the opportunity to network with other politicians, journalists, researchers, and professionals. The program culminates in a service project on each student’s respective campuses. Ambassadors benefit from connecting with the members of their cohort, motivated individuals also working to make positive impacts on their community. This year’s cohort has 17 students, and Ms. Touchette is the only one representing Texas State University.
A senior, Ms. Touchette is pursuing law school with the intent to specialize in education or immigration law. She is involved in many organizations like Move Texas and She’s The First, nonprofits that focus on youth civic engagement and education. This past summer, she worked for the San Antonio Independent School District’s Legislative Affairs Office, preparing for the upcoming legislative session. Ms. Touchette plans to have her service project centered on student voices and representation in school districts. She explained that she has “naturally gravitated to organizations that harness the voice of the youth” and is excited and energized by the TCA program. The TCA program will assist her in reaching her goals, building her leadership skills, and actualizing change within her community.
