Texas Civic Ambassadors

Ambassadors will have the exclusive opportunity to attend two major events at The University of Texas at Austin: the TCA Leadership Summit in the fall and a Leadership Retreat in January. Participants will learn from experts in leadership development, politics, community engagement, communication, and civic education. 

Applications for the 2025–2026 TCA cohort are officially open now. Early deadline is April 24th. Final Deadline is May 16, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their selection status via email, with final announcements planned for early June.

Ambassadors are supported by a strong network of Annette Strauss Institute researchers, political professionals, advisory council members, program staff, and cohort members. Additionally, participants will identify a faculty or staff member on their campus to serve as their mentor throughout their year of service, advising on plans for outreach activities and event planning.

If you are a Dean, professor, advisor, administrator, current Ambassador, or ASI program alumni, you are eligible to nominate a student for the Texas Civic Ambassador Program.

Texas Civic Ambassadors will receive free admission to all institute events during their year of service, including Careers in Politics Conference, VIP access to the Institute’s annual fundraising dinner, Great Conversations, statewide Speak Up! Speak Out! Civics Fair, special guest lectures, and the Texas Tribune Festival.

As a cohort, Ambassadors will work to make a positive difference in their communities by identifying ways to enhance civic life and developing a civic project that addresses a community issue. Participants will become leaders and innovators, driving the way we share information and engage every-day citizens in the vital work of self-governance.