Staff Report

The Latino Texas Policy Center (LTPC) is excited to announce the launch of its 2nd Annual Policy Fellows Leadership Program. Following the success of last year’s inaugural fellowship, titled “Making Research Count: Translating Research into Policy,” which welcomed 12 Fellows from across Texas, the program aims to further strengthen the Latino research community’s influence in public policy.

Click HERE to apply to join the program.

The primary objective of the fellowship is to enhance the capacity and voice of Latino researchers in shaping public policy. By increasing applied policy research, the program seeks to directly impact decision-making processes, ensuring that the solutions implemented by political leaders effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Latino community in Texas.

This fellowship presents an excellent opportunity for participants to join the LTPC’s mission to enhance economic mobility and improve the overall well-being of Latino families throughout the state. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply and contribute to meaningful policy change.

“Making Research Count”

Translating Latino Research Into Policy

We are pleased to announce that we have established a 2-year partnership with the University of Texas – Latino Research Institute to grow and expand the LTPC Policy Fellows Leadership Program. 

Key Objectives of the Fellowship:

• Increase the number and strengthen the caliber of Latinos contributing to policy research, development, and advocacy
• Enhance the capacity of prospective and current Latino researchers to contribute to public policy via public policy skill development 
• Reimagine and bridge the relationship between research and leadership skills to strengthen the position and influence of Latino researchers 

The Fellowship is a year-long program that begins with a 2-day intensive policy skills development training in Austin, followed by virtual targeted skill development workshops, mentoring and networking activities. All fellows will receive a faculty mentor that will guide them throughout the year. Additionally, this year the Fellowship will include tangible and critical leadership development objectives designed to truly enhance our Fellow’s ability to step into this work as a leader in their respective fields.

The Fellowship will result in the creation of direct and timely contributions to public policy in Texas. This can include the creation of descriptive reports, policy fact sheets, op-eds, and policy briefs. 

This year we will select 10-15 Fellows from across the State. Eligibility criteria will be provided once the Application window is officially open. Candidates must be researchers who want their existing or anticipated research to improve the Texas Latino community. 

Candidates may be any of the following:

• Graduate or Doctoral-level student
• Professor – adjunct, assistant, associate, lecturer, or full, etc.
• Professional working in a non-profit or government organization whose job is to conduct research

Applications will open October 1, 2024

About the Latino Texas Policy Center 

The Latino Texas Policy Center (LTPC) is a statewide organization based in San  Antonio whose primary objective is to increase the policy-making power of Latinos. 

Our Mission is to create a collaborative policy development and analysis center that
promotes, informs, and influences social change that leads to tangible improvements in the bienestar (well-being) of Latinos.

Three program areas will drive the Center’s activities. 

Research & Analysis

• Synthesizing and conducting research that results in policy recommendations that increase opportunities for bienestar of Latinos in Texas.
• Strengthen and increase Latino policy research capacity and leadership.

Policy & Communication

• Develop local, city, regional, and state level public policy, that directly addresses the needs of the Latino community.
•  Advocate for equitable public policy through interdisciplinary partnerships, and community based collaborations.
• Implementing strategic communications strategies that advance our narratives, experiences, conditions, and perspectives on policy issues.

Community 

• Advance social change by contributing to policy-driven frameworks rooted in
  community-driven approaches.
• Train targeted populations on policy research, community issue communications, and policy advocacy.

In summary, our goal is to ensure policymaking equitably impacts Latino and all communities of color communities as the framework in policy analysis, recommendations, and communications.

LTPC’s success is rooted in harnessing and strengthening true collaboration with Latino voices from the community, including existing non-profits and community based organizations, former and current public officials, and institutional  researchers and leadership.