Drew DeBerry never expected to make a living in policy. The co-founder of Austin-based public affairs firm, Axis Strategies, was raised on a cotton and corn farm near Plainview, Texas, and always harbored a passion for agriculture. But it was a transformative experience at Texas Tech University that set him down a career path that would forge his love for agriculture and policy on our nation’s grandest stage.  

“I was raised in agriculture,” DeBerry said. “However, it was not until I enrolled at Texas Tech in 1996 and became more deeply involved that I discovered something I truly wanted to do.”  

While in a freshman seminar class led by Marvin Cepica, Ph.D., who was then serving as the associate dean in the Davis College, DeBerry was first encouraged to embrace new experiences and step out of his comfort zone.  

“I was determined to pursue an internship in an unfamiliar field,” DeBerry said. “Politics was precisely that for me, so I decided to give it a try.”  

Acting on the advice from an adviser, DeBerry applied to be part of the first group of students to participate in the Davis College Congressional Internship Program. During his junior year at Texas Tech, the agricultural and applied economics student emerged as a trailblazer, joining the inaugural class of interns to spend a semester in Austin, Texas.  

The Davis College Congressional Internship Program was launched in 1998 and has become one of the most impactful student experiences offered through the college. More than 100 students have since participated as interns in both Washington, D.C. and Austin, gaining career-defining experiences as they help shape agriculture policy.  

After being selected to intern in the program’s inaugural class, DeBerry went to Austin during the Texas Legislative Session to intern in Sen. Robert Duncan’s office. Duncan served in the Texas Legislature for more than two decades before becoming the fourth chancellor of the Texas Tech University System in 2014.   

Today, DeBerry has more than 20 years of public policy experience with an impressive resume that includes serving as senior staff for Gov. Gregg Abbott, deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture under then-Commissioner Todd Staples, and U.S. Department of Agriculture White House liaison deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush. However, as an up-and-coming Texas Tech upperclassman in 1998, DeBerry was committed to learning as much as he could despite his limited understanding of public policy.  

“I distinctly remember how little I knew about politics during my interview for the internship,” DeBerry said. “That lack of knowledge fueled my determination to work diligently and shaped my internship experience. While I might have started the day less informed than others. By the day’s end, I made sure to be the most informed and proactive.”  

DeBerry said while interning in the Texas Senate, Duncan entrusted him with significant responsibilities, like the rest of his staff, including handling portions of the legislation.  

“Sen. Duncan had about 75 bills under his authorship, and approximately 10 of those were my responsibility, which was incredibly exciting,” DeBerry said.   

DeBerry said the internship experience not only challenged him, but also shaped him into the person he is today. DeBerry has become the poster child for the internship program following his success in the program. Now, 26 years after his experience, he said he is excited to see how the congressional internship program has grown at Texas Tech.  

“The growth of the program has been remarkable,” DeBerry said. “It’s reassuring to witness the tremendous support for interns, fostering a network of support and mentorship that I aim to contribute to continuously.”  

Seeding Success

Ilissa Nolan, founder and CEO of Skylark + Co, a lobbying consulting firm in Austin, participated in the Davis College Congressional Internship Program in 2012 while she was working on her master’s degree in agricultural communications at Texas Tech.  

“My internship in Washington D.C. with the House Agriculture Committee facilitated by the congressional internship program, was pivotal in launching my career in politics,” Nolan said.  

Nolan said the House Agriculture Committee was a great fit for her because of her passion for agricultural policy.  

“This realm felt like home to me,” Nolan said. “That internship truly set me on the path of policy involvement.”  

Nolan said the personalized experience she received made her feel valued and supported by the college.  

“The college of agriculture at Tech invests in its students, preparing them for their future endeavors,” Nolan said. “Without Tech and [the Davis College], I wouldn’t be where I am today, which is why I chose to intern at Texas Tech.”  

Like DeBerry, Nolan said the internship experience is invaluable for students, regardless of their career aspirations, because it fosters a deeper understanding of future voting issues and civic engagement.  

“Some of us develop a passion for politics through this experience, while others discover it’s not for them, and that’s perfectly okay,” Nolan said.  

Developing a strong network and building connections were also important outcomes of her congressional internship, which have been a consistent theme throughout her career, Nolan said.  

“My professors at Texas Tech, like Dr. David Doerfert, Dr. Cindy Akers, Dr. Randy Rivera and Dr. Scott Burris, played a significant role in bringing me here,” Nolan said.  

Nolan said her time with the House Agriculture Committee taught her a lot about agricultural policy, which now allows her to specialize in niche topics as a lobbyist.  

“My internship enabled me to cultivate expertise in various areas,” Nolan said. “Interning is crucial,” Nolan said. “Whether it’s with a legislative office, a commodity group, or at the state and federal level, the experience is invaluable.”  

Nolan’s internship experience opened doors for her career that has since included roles such as reading clerk for the Texas House of Representatives and working with Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, Sid Miller, during the 85th Legislative Session.   

Nolan said that actively engaging and networking with others during her internship helped her build connections for her career. She encourages future interns to do the same.   

“Through the internship program, you never know what opportunities may arise or who you may work for one day,” Nolan said.  

Nolan’s career has been marked by her involvement in agricultural policy, spanning roles in legislative offices, government agencies and consultancy, culminating in her current position as the executive director of the Texas Hemp Coalition.  

“I am not going to work just for the accolades or the money, I am working to make a difference,” Nolan said.  

From Intern to Insider

Recent ’23 agricultural communications graduate, Madelon Clark, jumped at the chance to return to D.C. following her congressional internship in the 2022 spring semester. Clark, who now serves as deputy press secretary for Rep. August Pfluger, (TX-11), interned in the same office.   

“I moved back to D.C. within two weeks of graduating,” Clark said.  

Clark now works with Pfluger’s communications director, assisting with social media management, writing press releases and newsletters, and handling correspondence with media contacts.  

“I pick up a camera some days, or I am behind my computer drafting press releases and designing visual content or anything that our office needs communications-wise,” she said.  

Clark first went to D.C. in elementary school as part of a local electric cooperative program. 

“It was my first time actually meeting a representative and their staff,” Clark said. “I remember thinking then, ‘This is cool. I would love to go back.’”  

Not only did Clark go back to D.C., but she is also now a resident. She credits her agricultural communications degree experience for helping her find a niche in public policy.  

“The Davis College offers so many great majors, however, the agricultural communications degree is such a versatile degree,” Clark said. “I am able to work in policy with our legislative team and use my communications degree as deputy press secretary for our office.”  

Clark said college students should get out of their comfort zone, meet new people, and take advantage of these transformative learning opportunities.  

“There are not a lot of universities that offer this kind of program, so why not take the opportunity to learn more about yourself, a new place, and policy?” Clark said. “You never know how your life will change if you do not make the most of these kinds of unique opportunities.”  

Blake Mills, a junior agricultural leadership major, is a spring 2024 intern at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, working for the Agricultural Marketing Service.   

As a first-generation student, Mills appreciates the opportunity to engage in public service and other unique experiences. He considers it a privilege to be part of a program that fosters such opportunities for its students.  

“I’m a big fan of public transportation and walkable cities,” Mills said. “Each day, I take the Metro about three stops to the Smithsonian stop from Capitol South. Once I pop out of the Smithsonian, I can see the Washington Monument to my right and the USDA building to my left.”  

Mills emphasizes how it is a privilege to have an office at USDA, where he works on special projects tailored to his interests, like gathering statistical data or redesigning employee services for diversity and inclusion.   

“Attending USDA events and networking with colleagues adds to the richness of my internship experience,” Mills said. “One highlight was attending the historic USDA Equity Summit, witnessing the commitment to eliminating systemic barriers and fostering a more representative workforce.”  

While not directly immersed in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Mills finds himself interacting with those who champion equity-based work and initiatives within the USDA administration.  

“Seeing the priority given to equity initiatives has affirmed my desire to continue this type of work,” Mills said. “My exposure to the inner workings of the USDA has broadened my perspective and has challenged me to consider the diverse roles within government.”  

Despite his initial focus on policy-making processes, Mills acknowledges the multifaceted nature of government careers.   

“There are so many different things that people do for USDA and other executive organizations throughout the government,” Mills said. “This realization has sparked a newfound openness to exploring a career in government.”  

Mills recognizes the uniqueness of the program and the support provided by donors. He encourages students to consider the transferable skills gained, even for those uncertain about a career in government.   

“Experiential learning is so valuable, and I urge students to embrace opportunities beyond the classroom to discover their career paths,” Mills said.  

Allie Herring, a dual-degree major in agribusiness and agricultural communications, is also interning in D.C. during the spring 2024 semester.   

“I’m interning for the House Agricultural Committee, which is unique because I am not in a personal office; I’m working for the entire committee,” Herring said. “It is a much more policy-based internship, focusing less on administrative tasks typically found in personal offices.”  

Herring said she always wanted to do a congressional internship.  

“I actually heard about the program in high school, so I was always aware of it, and I always thought it would be a really cool experience,” she said.  

Interning on Capitol Hill during a farm bill year is a particularly unique experience, Herring said.   

“I thought it would be really helpful to understand the political processes of our government, and it is a crucial legislative year,” she said.   

A typical day on the Hill for an intern is a blend of administrative tasks and immersive experiences in legislative proceedings, Herring said.  

“It’s different every day, but there are some common aspects,” Herring said. “I get there at 8:50 a.m. and make the coffee, I unlock all of our hearing rooms and do the typical intern administrative stuff.”   

Herring is the sole intern for the committee this semester.  She juggles various tasks, including checking in visitors, handling phone calls, and facilitating internal communications.  

“I get to sit in on any meetings I want to,” Herring said. “With access to the committee’s calendar, I can proactively seek involvement in discussions on specific topics that interest me.”   

Herring’s time in D.C. has provided valuable and career-building learning experiences, including getting to hear a speech she wrote about National FFA Week for House Agriculture Committee Chairman on C-SPAN.  

“I was just sitting at my desk, covering the phones, and we always have C-SPAN on in the background,” she said. “I looked up and watched him read the speech I wrote. It was only a minute long, but that was a really cool moment for me.”   

Herring said her internship has clarified her career preferences. She is now leaning toward communications roles over policy-centric positions.   

“This experience has strengthened my desire to do communications work instead of policy work,” Herring said, “This could be roles like press secretary or communications director.” 

Fostering Futures

Through the years, congressional interns like DeBerry, Nolan, Clark, Mills and Herring all benefited from their career-launching experiences in Washington, D.C. and Austin thanks to the generous support of industry organizations and individuals who see the value in investing in students.  

When the Davis College first started the congressional internship program in 1998, it was the support from industry partners, Texas Corn Producers and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, who made these opportunities possible. Their support helps mitigate the financial burden on students as they move to Washington, D.C. and Austin for their internships.   

David Gibson, executive director for the Texas Corn Producers, said investing in students through the congressional internship program is an investment in a future relationship for his organization and the ag industry.  

“Drew DeBerry is a great example of someone who went through this program and became a friend for us to call on when we needed something done in Austin,” Gibson said. “Through the years, as more and more students have done these internships in D.C. and Austin, we have a lot of relationships in these government offices that understand our industry and are willing to help.”   

Today, many organizations and individuals, including Plains Cotton Growers Inc., Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Peanut Producers, Texas Wheat Producers, Dan and Linda Taylor, and many others help support this high-impact learning experience for Davis College students.   

DeBerry said he is grateful for their investment.  

“I owe much of my success to this internship program,” DeBerry said. “I am forever grateful to my family, Texas Tech and this invaluable program.”  

For most students interested in participating in the congressional internship, the transition from living in Lubbock to relocating to Austin or D.C. may seem challenging. Clark said the donor support of the Davis College program makes a significant impact on students’ ability to participate.  

“I remember going to intern mixers or events and talking with other interns [from other universities] who were having to work two or three jobs to be able to live in D.C.,” Clark said. “Without the support of our donors we would not have the opportunity to live in D.C. at the Tech House without worrying about the financial burden.”  

Mills said the donor-funded scholarships enable students to learn and develop as leaders in agriculture.  

“This internship program would not be possible without the generous support of donors,” Mills said. “Thanks to these scholarships, we can focus on our internships in D.C. or Austin without worrying about financial burdens. Plus, the Tech House’s proximity to Capitol Hill is incredibly convenient.”  

Herring said she is grateful for the supporting organizations and individuals who make the program possible.  

“The Davis College program is incredible,” Herring said. “I am grateful for this internship, but I would not be here without our donors. Their support allows us to be fully immersed in this experience and not have to worry about the financial burdens.” 

Gunnar Griggs-Bell, Lead Writer; Nicole Jasperson, Photo Director; Kyra Hunter, Design Coordinator; Jessie Howle, Digital and Advertising Manager

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