UTSA Meet a Roadrunner: H. Drew Galloway is a civic engagement advocate

UTSA student H. Drew Galloway at Texas House of Representatives

By Tim Brownlee
Associate Director of Internal Communications

(Dec. 25, 2013) -- Meet H. Drew Galloway. After studying wine in Europe, he decided to give back to the community through civic engagement.

A UTSA Honors College student and a participant in the college's leadership program, Galloway is working toward a bachelor's in public administration in the College of Public Policy with a minor in legal studies.

Raised around local politics near Augusta, Ga., where his grandfather was a county commissioner, Galloway says he felt all along that he belonged in the public sector.

With family in the area, he moved to San Antonio and earned an associate degree in one year at San Antonio College, where he participated with 30 other honors government students in a Mock Legislature in the Texas House of Representatives. Last year, Galloway completed a nine-month public policy internship with Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson.

"I learned so much, and it was an incredible experience because I was able to research policy and work with constituents," said Galloway.

He came to UTSA this fall, and public administration was the perfect fit. He plans to earn his bachelor's degree by December 2014, moving toward a master's in public affairs and a law degree. He hopes to go to Washington, D.C., to serve in a federal government internship program next fall. When he finishes his studies, he plans to work in administrative law and city management.

Galloway credits Francine Romero, associate dean of the UTSA College of Public Policy, with inspiration and expert guidance in his UTSA endeavors.

"Dr. Romero's Senior Seminar designed the local public meeting on salaries for city council members, 'To Pay or Not to Pay,'" he says. "The students and faculty here are really engaged, and there is such a sense of community, culture and interaction with citizens."

He recently was awarded the J. Rolando Bono Scholarship by the Urban Management Association of South Texas (UMAST). Usually going to a graduate student, the scholarship is among other UMAST programs supporting professional development for those interested in the public sector.

"I'm really enjoying UTSA," said Galloway. "Although it's a big university, it feels like a small campus. I always feel that I can walk into my professors' offices and discuss new ideas about governance and civic engagement. That is what makes UTSA special."

---------------------------------

Do you know someone at UTSA who is achieving great things? Email us at social@utsa.edu and your submission will be considered for the next installment of Meet a Roadrunner.