Join us in congratulating the newest LBJ and RGK Center alumna, Evelyn Barbaran, graduating in December 2024 with a Master of Public Affairs and a Nonprofit Studies Portfolio from the RGK Center.
Before pursuing her studies at the LBJ School, Evelyn worked in communications management in her home country, Peru. As Coordinator of Communications and Social Responsibility for an international organization related to the mining industry, she managed the communications and monitoring of social projects implemented by the organization in partnership with public and private entities.
“Because part of my job involved work in social responsibility,” Evelyn said, “I saw many things that I didn't feel were right. I wanted to learn more about public administration, but I didn't want to be tied to just management. I wanted something of a mix.”
The LBJ School’s Master of Public Affairs program, she explained, offered that mix. The program allowed her to further explore both public administration and public policy. One of the most impactful courses she took was Psychology of Leadership with Dr. Rebecca North.
“We learned about psychological safety, how to handle the group of people you work with in the workplace, and how to create a safe environment for your team,” said Evelyn. "Since I'm a communicator, those areas always interested me.”
Evelyn approached her time at the LBJ School with an open mind, choosing classes that both piqued her interest and broadened her knowledge base. Other impactful courses covered topics in public policy, affordable housing, and AI and ethics.
The highlight of her experience with the RGK Center, Evelyn said, was her participation in the CONNECT program, which pairs graduate students with social impact organizations that have a data management challenge. Evelyn worked for the Center for Child Protection, developing research on child abuse awareness with particular focus in Latino communities. This experience was the first time she conducted research in English, developing a bilingual survey and conducting interviews in both English and Spanish.
“It gave me great, practical lessons for life after my masters and for my professional life,” Evelyn said.
Evelyn’s time at the LBJ School marked another big first -- her first time living outside Peru.
“The culture, the people, the weather, the food, how people live, and transportation, every single piece of everyday life, for me was different,” she said.
Amid these changes, Evelyn relied on OSAA, the staff at the RGK Center, and the LBJ community, who were always willing to help, she said.
“For new students at LBJ, my best advice would be that there are many things that you are not going to know. And it's okay, because you are new. But don't be shy, don't feel embarrassed, ask, because the people there are going to be happy to help you.”
As she leaves the Forty Acres, Evelyn plans to pursue a career at the intersection of communications and public administration. At the same time, she’s excited to refocus on her life outside of being a graduate student.
“I’m applying for jobs, but in the meantime, I would like to be involved in volunteer work,” she said. “I also want to take time for myself and do things I couldn’t during these more than two years of study. For example, going to the gym, taking dance lessons—because I love to dance. I would like to learn how to dance the waltz.”
