Matthew Gardea

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MATTHEW GARDEA

Matthew Gardea is a Clerk Intern for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Accountability as part of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) internship program. CHCI is a nationally competitive program whose mission is to develop the next generation of Latino leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Gardea also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Horizon City Planning & Zoning Commission, a position he\'s held since August 2020. At 18, he became the youngest appointee in the city\'s history. In this role, he reviewed site plans, special use permits, variances, and zoning applications, contributing to local economic development. Gardea\'s public service journey continued through the prestigious Bill Archer Fellowship Program in the fall of 2022, where he was one of forty-eight University of Texas System students selected to complete a public policy internship while studying in Washington, D.C. During his fellowship, he interned in the U.S. Senate, conducting policy research, attending hearings, and assisting in legislative duties, gaining valuable experience in the legislative process. Committed to continuous learning, Gardea moved to Austin, Texas, in 2023 to complete spring and summer internships. He interned in the External Relations Office at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and with the Governmental Relations Office at the University of Texas System Administration. After finishing his summer internship, he returned home to complete his undergraduate courses and graduated from the university\'s Law School Preparation Institute. Gardea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he was awarded the Terry Foundation Scholarship in 2020 for leadership, community engagement, and academic excellence. He aspires to further his education with a law degree and is focused on pursuing a career in policy advocacy and strategic communication, particularly at the intersection of public policy, economic development, and social equity. His goal is to influence legislative and regulatory outcomes that empower underserved communities and promote sustainable growth. A native of Tornillo and Horizon City, Texas, Gardea is committed to using his experience to foster economic development and drive impactful policy reforms in the Paso del Norte region. He aims to leverage his skills in stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and advocacy to create solutions that address the unique challenges faced by underserved populations while advancing broader economic and social goals.