Spotlights

Spring Scholarships Announced for Nonprofit Interships

Feb. 24, 2026
This spring, the RGK Center awarded Nonprofit Scholarships to six students at the University of Texas at Austin who are completing unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations. The RGK Center is proud to support rising student leaders and their work with nonprofits across the globe. Learn more about each of our spring scholarship recipients and their internships below.
CELESTE DIAZ HEADSHOT

RGK Student Spotlight: Celeste Diaz

Nov. 20, 2025
Celeste Diaz is a dual degree candidate pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Nonprofit Studies graduate portfolio through the RGK Center. Diaz shares what led her to the 40 Acres, and the opportunities that have sprung from being enrolled at UT Austin.
Social Entrepreneurship Certificate

Announcing the 2025-2026 LBJ School Social Entrepreneurship Certificate presented by the RGK Center

Nov. 4, 2025
The LBJ School is excited to announce the 2025-2026 LBJ School Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Cohort presented by the RGK Center.
Becky Pastner

Alumni Spotlight: Becky Pastner

Oct. 28, 2025
LBJ School alumni Becky Pastner reflects on her career and how resources offered at the school shaped her career.
Headshot of Dylan standing outside in a green field. Dylan has short brown hair and a mustache, and is wearing a suit with a bowtie.

Welcoming our 2025 Kozmetsky Fellows

Aug. 29, 2025
The RGK Center awards the Kozmetsky Fellowship to incoming LBJ School students who have a demonstrated interest in the nonprofit sector and in pursuing a career in the sector after graduation. This year, we are proud to welcome three Kozmetsky fellows to the 40 Acres to pursue their studies at the LBJ School.
A photo og four people standing on bales of hay and dirt with farming tools, smiling and working.

Summer Internship Spotlight: Briana Cohen

Aug. 7, 2025
This summer, Briana Cohen is an MSSW student working in Boulder, CO with Dharma's Garden, a nonprofit educational farm. Read her reflection on her summer internship activities and what she has learned through place-based, community-focused work.
Fernanda in cap and gown outside of LBJ.

Changemaking After LBJ: Spotlight on Fernanda Cáceres

April 14, 2025
Fernanda Caceres, a 2023 graduate of the LBJ School’s Masters in Global Policy Studies (MGPS) program and the RGK Center's Nonprofit Portfolio program, is applying lessons she learned in graduate school to her work in food and water systems at The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit.
JiMa

“Can Machines Think Like Humans?”: Dr. Ji Ma's Exploration of Large Language Models at UT Austin

Jan. 30, 2025
Dr. Ji Ma's latest research explores how AI models— particularly large language models (LLMs) — are changing the social sciences.
Headshot of Evelyn Barbaran

December Grad Spotlight: Evelyn Barbaran, MPAff

Dec. 18, 2024
Master of Public Affairs student Evelyn Barbaran is graduating this December with the Nonprofit Studies Portfolio from the RGK Center.
Dr. Landuyt and Dr. Rehnborg presenting data at the front of a classroom.

RGK Faculty Develop Index for Volunteer Engagement Tool

Nov. 20, 2024
The Index for Volunteer Involvement (IVE), an organizational self-assessment tool developed at UT Austin, is helping organizations better engage volunteers and community groups in their work.