1. Student Organizations on the Website
Ambassadors Council
The Ambassadors Council is a student organization that represents the Bush School of
Government and Public Service at development functions, alumni events, and Bush Foundation
events. Ambassadors serve as official student hosts of special guests and provide support for
recruitment efforts. Serving on the Ambassadors Council gives students an opportunity to
develop their leadership skills by engaging with and supporting Bush School students, faculty,
and distinguished visitors. Primarily, the ambassadors are student liaisons to special guests and
students invited to come to the Bryan/College Station community.
"Through its constant expectations for professionalism and academic showmanship, and it's still
young status as an organization, the Ambassadors Council has pushed my leadership
development to be challenged and stretched in new and innovative ways through representing the
many Bush School institutions to the outside world," said Brandon Pichanick, Head of the
Ambassador’s Council.
“We believe that having students engaged in various functions can be a plus to the School’s
external activities,” Pichanick said. “Our job is to be the student connection between the
institutions and organizations connected to the Bush School who regularly invite people to the
campus. Our members have to be as comfortable conversing with national and international
leaders as they are with a lost undergraduate trying to find his or her way around the School.”
The Public Servant - The official student publication of the Bush School of Government and
Public Service
As the official student publication of the Bush School, The Public Servant serves as an
informational and opinion outlet for international affairs and public administration students. It
encourages students to share their thoughts and knowledge with their peers, while keeping up
with current events. The Public Servant is not only a print publication, but it is also published
online and includes a blog. For more information contact us at gbspublicservant@gmail.com. Be
sure to visit the website at www.gbspublicservant.com for some thought provoking articles.
“The Public Servant is not only a source of information about Bush School students and events,
but it's also an opportunity for students to engage in writing both for print and online publication
while in graduate school. We cover topics from local activities, to international politics, student
experiences abroad, and guest speakers to the Bush School,” said Kehkashan Dadwani, editor-in-
chief of The Public Servant. “We have multiple platforms for sharing ideas, including social
media, blogging, and the website.”
Find us online at www.gbspublicservant.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepublicservant
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BSPublicServant
Student Government Association

2. The Bush School Student Government Association (SGA) offers students an opportunity to serve
their colleagues as leaders of activities, programs, and initiatives for the Bush School. With a
two-branch system, students can be involved in SGA as an elected class representative or as a
member of the SGA president’s executive team. SGA holds meetings twice a month, and every
student who attends the Bush School is a member of SGA.
“Serving as President of the Bush School Student Government Association (SGA) has afforded
me the opportunity to learn so much from my classmates and about myself. Having a chance to
help enhance the scholastic experience of my colleagues has been gratifying beyond words. It
has taught me that, while we come from different places or may believe in different things, we
all have a vested interest in each other's success. Leadership is a core tenant of the Bush School,
and serving as the leader of over 300 motivated and intelligent future public servants is an honor
that I will never forget,” said Naaman Akinola, president of the Bush School student government
association.
The Bush School's Student Government Association committees share the mission by focusing
on specific aspects of its goals and vision. Committees are created by the Executive Board as
needed. The President can also commission ad hoc committees to meet the student body's
changing needs.
The Diversity Committee works to create a school that respects, nurtures and celebrates diversity
through education and promoting exposure to different cultures, belief systems, and values.
Chair(s): Stephanie Leichtle, Gabriella Medina
The Social Committee provides a venue for socialization and strengthens the collaborative
environment at the Bush School by planning events and activities that encourage social
interaction and peer-networking.
Chair(s): Mary Christina Riley, Andrew Vannerson, Tailgate Chair: Gabriel Vanderhey
The Graduation Committee functions as a liaison between the administration and the students in
planning the Bush School Graduation Celebration and in preparing students for the Texas A&M
Graduation Ceremony.
Chair(s): Vina Rodriguez
The Speakers and Leadership Development Committee expands the Bush School experience by
creating opportunities for students to improve their leadership skills, expand their network via
small "round-table" discussions with outside speakers, and broaden their horizons.
Chair(s): Lindsey Mathis
The Community Dialogues Committee works to showcase the Bush School, its professors, and
its students by connecting them to the broader community through a series of local, regional, and
national outreach programs with a special focus on the Great Decisions discussion series.
Chair(s): Cheryl Landry

3. The Professional Development Initiative facilitates programs that develop the professional image
and networking skills of Bush School students to increase their competitiveness when beginning
a career.
Chair(s): John Mellusi
Public Service Organization
Throughout the academic year, The Public Service Organization (PSO) offers opportunities for
Bush School students to interact with and serve in the greater Bryan/ College Station community.
Each service opportunity is lead by a pair of student leaders (one first year, one second year) who
organza the initiative. These include projects with the greater Texas A&M University
community, with local nonprofit organizations, and projects that are student-led initiatives. Some
examples include The Big Event, Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Down Syndrome
Association Buddy Walk, collecting money to send to typhoon victims in the Philippines, and the
Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
The organization is lead by a chair, and vice chair who are second-year students, and by a
treasurer, secretary, and second-vice chair, who are first year students.
"As the Executive Chairwoman of PSO I believe my leadership skills and communication skills
have been advanced. This experience has transformed me into a better decision maker. PSO
partners with so many outside organizations, that it's important to reflect on how your decisions
will affect others internally and externally. In my experience being an effective and transparent
communicator creates less confusion, approachability, comfort, and trust therefore students have
a relaxed and easy going experience volunteering through PSO. These advanced communication
skills also help in fostering relationships with other internal and external stakeholders. Holding a
leadership position at the Bush School is a very rewarding experience. I continue to learn about
the school's organizational culture and structure; not just from the perspective of the student, but
now as an employee of the school," said Gabriella Medina, chair of the Bush School public
service organization.
Alexander Hamilton Society
The Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) is a student organization dedicated to fostering debate
among students and faculty about national security issues. Our organization invites renowned
scholars from universities and think tanks across the country to participate in debates and panels
with Texas A&M faculty. We encourage student participation and hope that the issues presented
lead to vigorous discussion in and out of the classroom. Importantly, this organization is student-
driven. Events are planned by students, allowing members to interact with scholars and learn
fundamental event planning skills.
"Being involved in the Alexander Hamilton Society has allowed me to help bring attention to
national security issues I feel passionate about,” said Amber Stotts, president of Alexander
Hamilton Society. "Working together with students to invite scholars to interact with Texas
A&M faculty showed me how strong the feeling of community is in the academic and policy
worlds."

4. Foreign Language and Culture Society
The Foreign Language and Culture Society (FLCS) is a student-run organization whose objective
is to provide the student body with cultural experiences. FLCS' most important function is its
language discussion groups. This fall we were able to organize 24 language groups, including
Mandarin, German, and Farsi, for students with different skill levels. Each group is lead by a
Language Discussion Leader, usually another graduate student who is fluent in that language.
This year we were also able to offer more than 200 licenses to Rosetta Stone, providing students
with 24 hour online access to the language of their choice. Response was overwhelming and
licenses will continue into next semester. Finally, every month FLCS hosts a culture night open
to all Bush School students. Past events have celebrated Indian, German, South American, and
Iranian cultures.
Students who have been a part of FLCS activities have many positive comments.
"I really enjoy learning about other cultures from the point of view of people who know them
best."
"The Farsi language group has been super fun and a great way to practice speaking Farsi."
"FLCS is a great organization that opens the eyes of students to diverse cultures."
"The Farsi language group has been the perfect place to practice the skills I've been learning
through my use of Rosetta Stone at home."
"The tutors are very motivated, and very helpful. They are willing to meet with you at times
outside of the official schedule. They seem really helpful and effective."
"Language groups provide an opportunity to practice speaking with individuals who are good at
their language."
"Language grouse are a great way to put what I have learned into practice as well as practice in
the areas I need to work on."
"Even with a hard language like Mandarin, language groups make it seem possible."