Mary Cowser is a bioenvironmental sciences major with a minor in business and a pre-law certificate. She hails from Dallas, Texas, and is set to graduate in the spring of 2025. Growing up deeply concerned about climate change and natural resource conservation, Mary has actively pursued a range of experiences during her undergraduate career. For the past two years, Mary has been conducting semi-independent research on Colletotrichum graminicola, or corn anthracnose, with Texas A&M’s Plant Pathology and Microbiology Department. In the summer of 2023, Mary participated in the prestigious Cornell Summer Scholars Research Program, where she explored baseline pesticide resistance in Venturia inaequalis, or apple scab. This experience sparked her interest in the intersection of research, policy making, and government funding, leading her to ANRP. Beyond her academic endeavors, Mary has actively engaged with student organizations both professional and social, including the National Association of Environmental Professionals, the Honor Society of Agriculture (Gamma Sigma Delta), the Chinese Student Association (CSA), and Courageous Conversations. Last year, she served as a parent for CSA, organizing weekly study sessions, dinners, and weekend outings for the 60+ members, fostering a welcoming community. Currently, as an ambassador for Courageous Conversations, Mary leads monthly thought-provoking discussions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion with 20+ members of the APIDA community. She aspires to work at the intersection of public policy, life sciences, and law, with a particular focus on translating life science research into tangible impacts through public policy and law. Mary is interning with The Fertilizer Institute this spring, offering her a unique opportunity to apply her scientific background to shape policies that will benefit both society and the environment.
Tabitha Ford
Office of Congressman Keith Self
Tabitha Ford is a junior majoring in biochemistry at Texas A&M. She is from Pinehurst, Texas and is set to graduate in the spring of 2025. Tabitha is passionate about the development of biotechnology for use in agriculture and medicine. Throughout her time in college, she has been involved in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets in the Navy/Marine unit P-2 Tridents as a Recruiting Sergeant. Tabitha also leads a small bible study for cadets through the cadet Christian organization, Valor. Beyond Academics, Tabitha enjoys hiking, fishing, rock climbing, camping, and dancing country swing. Tabitha is greatly looking forward to interning in the office of Congressman Keith Self during the spring 2024 semester where she hopes to further her understanding of public policy creation and make a positive difference for Texans. This spring, Tabitha is excite to represent Texas A&M University in Washington, D.C.
Elizabeth Lewis
Office of Congressman Jake Ellzey
Elizabeth Lewis, a junior at Texas A&M University, is majoring in Agricultural Leadership and Development with minors in Agricultural Economics and Philosophy, scheduled to graduate in Spring 2025. Originally from Aquilla, Texas, Elizabeth actively contributes to the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets as the 1st Group Public Relations and Recruiting/Retention Sergeant. She is also a dedicated member of Sigma Alpha, a professional sorority for women pursuing careers in agriculture. Elizabeth is interning with the Office of Congressman Jake Ellzey, aiming to enhance her understanding of agriculture policy and communication skills.
Taylor Saucedo
Office of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett
Taylor Saucedo recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management in the Natural Resource Management and Policy track. Born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, Taylor proudly stands as the first Aggie in his family, cherishing the deep-seated traditions woven into Texas A&M&’s rich culture. Throughout his undergraduate journey, Taylor demonstrated unwavering commitment not only to
his academic pursuits but also to his military aspirations. He dedicated himself to the Corps of Cadets in Company N-1 and diligently participated in the Officer Candidate Course facilitated by the local U.S. Marine Corps Officer Selection Office. During the previous summer, Taylor returned to his hometown in the DFW Metroplex to intern with the City of Grand Prairie’s Public Health and Environmental Quality Department. As he embarks on his journey to the nation’s capital, Taylor eagerly anticipates broadening his knowledge and understanding of the policy development process. He aims to work on regulations dedicated to high water quality for all and consistent environmental systems for disadvantaged communities, contemplating how he can best apply his unique blend of military and natural resource management skills to public service. This spring, Taylor is interning with the congressional Office of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Following his internship, Taylor’s path leads him to Quantico, Virginia, where he will embark on Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Marine Corps. Ultimately, Taylor is excited to spend time in D.C., learning and growing with fellow Aggies!
Tahja Sims
Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Tahja Sims is a junior agricultural economics major with a minor in agricultural systems management from Spring, Texas. She is set to graduate in May 2025. Engaged in Aggie Eco Reps, an on-campus organization dedicated to environmental education and event organization, Tahja actively contributes to initiatives supporting the environment. Having been a part of the quiz team throughout her FFA chapter career, Tahja has developed a heightened awareness of the growing food security crisis. This has fueled her interest in agricultural policy, with the ultimate goal of becoming an agricultural lobbyist. This spring, Tahja will be interning with Henry Cuellar, where she hopes to further her understanding and gain hands-on experience in agricultural policy.
Dylan Sione
U.S. House Committee on Agriculture – Minority Staff
Dylan Sione, originally from American Samoa and raised in Fredericksburg, Texas, recently graduated in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development and Animal Science. Additionally, he completed a minor in psychology and a Meat Science Certificate. Agriculture has always been central to Dylan’s life whether it was through the family feed store or ranching with his grandfather. Serving on the San Antonio Stock Show School Tours Committee for several years has helped Dylan see the disconnect between the industry and the general population, ingraining in him a passion to advocate on behalf of the American farmer. While at Texas A&M, Dylan has only deepened his passion for agriculture and meat science. He was a proud member of the 2020 Fightin’ Texas Aggie Meat Judging Team and later the meat science quiz bowl team. He also had the privilege of welcoming hundreds of students to Texas A&M serving as a three-time counselor and later co-chair within Fish Camp, the nation’s largest student orientation program. Dylan had the honor of serving as a member of Traditions Council and two-time chair of the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony, where he honors the lives of the 12 Aggies lost in the tragic 1999 bonfire collapse. Through this position, he was able to double the attendance of the ceremony and establish a partnership program with the Office of the President of Texas A&M. These opportunities have strengthened his leadership and communication skills while also allowing him to give back to the Aggie Community. This spring, Dylan will be interning with House Committee on Agriculture, Minority Office, where he gets to experience public policy firsthand and fervently advocate for the agricultural industry.
Lee Thornton
National Association of Wheat Growers
Lee Thornton is a junior Agribusiness major with a minor in Economics. Lee grew up on a ranch in his hometown of Winnie, Texas and gravitated towards continuing working in agriculture through this experience. He has always been interested in policy at the national level and knew he wanted to apply into the ANRP program since freshmen year of college. At Texas A&M, Lee has been involved in AES and has been an officer for three semesters in a coed service fraternity called Alpha Phi Omega. He is very committed to volunteering in the Brazos Valley and has accumulated around 320 hours of service in college alone. What really drove his motivation within agricultural policy was his internship with Kansas State University over the past summer where he lived and worked on soil conservation methods with K-State’s Agronomy department. There he worked on a tool to help farmers conserve their nitrogen application and interviewed farmers on their use. Lee will be interning with the National Association of Wheat Growers where he hopes to continue to contribute to nitrogen conservation efforts.
Madison Umphrey
Office of Congressman Pete Sessions
Madison Umphrey recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and Journalism in December 2023. Texas A&M University has been a cornerstone in providing numerous opportunities and opening many doors for her future. During her time at Texas A&M, Madison actively participated in her sorority, Delta Zeta. She took on various responsibilities, including philanthropy work with Starkey Hearing Institute and serving as the advertising committee chair. Madison played a crucial role in recruiting new members, contributing to the growth and vibrancy of the organization. Additionally, Madison worked for the Battalion newspaper, where she engaged with students, professors, and professionals all throughout Brazos community. Her role involved gathering accurate and pertinent information to provide her fellow Aggies and the community with reliable news. She has always had a niche for writing and with her love for the outdoors, it just made since for her to pursue an agriculture communications and journalism degree. Her long-term goals are to strive toward becoming a White House correspondent and seek out opportunities that relate to agricultural reform. This spring, Madison will be interning with the Office of Congressman Pete Sessions.
Zane Wanjura
Office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
Zane Wanjura, from Weimar, Texas, is a senior animal science major with minors in biomedical sciences and psychology. He is set to graduate from Texas A&M University this May. As a fourth-generation cattle raiser, Zane has been immersed in the agricultural industry since he was born. He was very involved in 4-H and FFA where he showed market steers and commercial heifers and participated in public speaking competitions. Additionally, he served in numerous leadership roles, including a notable position on the Texas 4-H Council during the 2019-2020 year. During his time as a student at Texas A&M University, he was heavily involved in C.O.A.L.S. Council, where he served as the Vice President of Finance. In this role, Zane and the leadership team acted as a liaison between the Vice Chancellor and Dean, as well as the faculty, and the more than 8,000 students within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This role also allowed Zane to coordinate the biannual AGLS career fairs, which brought in over 400 employers from more than 150 companies between the two events. Additionally, he was active within the Animal Science Department serving as an officer within the Saddle and Sirloin Club and as an Animal Science Ambassador. Zane was fortunate enough to be named the Outstanding Junior in the Animal Science Department as well as the Outstanding Junior within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. These opportunities have allowed Zane to expand his network and grow into the person he is today. His goals are to attend medical school after graduation in hope of becoming a neurosurgeon. This semester Zane will be interning with Senator Ted Cruz in Washington, D.C. He is looking forward to learning more about the legislative process and how policy affects agriculture as well as healthcare.
Payton Williams
Office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
Payton Williams is a first-generation Aggie hailing from the Texas Hill Country, specifically Boerne, Texas. Payton is a senior honors student at Texas A&M, majoring in agricultural economics. Post-graduation, Payton plans to pursue law school or a career in policy. During her time at A&M, Payton has been involved in numerous organizations, including Pre-law society, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Collegiate Panhellenic Council. Payton served as the 2022-2023 Executive Vice President for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) as well as the 2022-2023 Director of Internal Communications on the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC). Motivated by a deep-seated passion for helping others, Payton views her involvement in policy work during her internship with Senator Ted Cruz this spring as an ideal avenue to make a positive impact. Payton is excited to be able to be a part of a team in Washington, D.C., that revolves around making a difference for the American people.
Gretchen Wylie
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Gretchen Wylie is a junior agricultural communications and journalism major at Texas A&M University, on track to graduate in the fall of 2025. Gretchen was born and raised in the rural town of Fowlerville, Michigan. Growing up, she was heavily involved in her county 4-H program, local FFA chapter, and county Farm Bureau. Through these organizations, Gretchen served in various leadership roles in addition to raising and showing animals such as chickens and rabbits. After graduating high school in 2019, she attended Lansing Community College for two years while working at a poultry processing plant. Eventually, she made the decision to transfer to Texas A&M University. Following one endless drive, Gretchen officially moved to Texas in the summer of 2021. She worked full time with sorghum research and took some classes at Blinn College until she secured admission to Texas A&M in the fall of 2023. Her choice to major in Agricultural Communications & Journalism was guided by a desire to further explore her passions for the agricultural industry, social media, content creation, the written word, and her goal of giving a voice to the farmers and ranchers who are often overlooked. Gretchen is loving her time at A&M so far and has already immersed herself as a member of the organization PRISM (Public Relations, Influencing, & Social Media). Gretchen will be interning with the Global Cold Chain Alliance this spring in Washington, D.C. Through this experience, Gretchen aims to leverage and expand her policy and ag-vocacy knowledge that she initially gained from years of involvement with 4-H, FFA, and Farm Bureau.