Samaria Taylor

About Samaria Taylor

I am a student at The University of Texas at Austin, deeply passionate about criminal justice reform and social justice. With a dual focus on Government and African and African Diaspora Studies, I have deepened my understanding of how historical inequalities shape the legal system and how these systemic issues impact marginalized communities, particularly when it comes to the intersection of race, history, and law, in the criminal legal system. I aim to use my academic foundation and experiences to advocate for marginalized communities and dismantle systemic inequalities in the criminal legal system and beyond. Through various internships, I have gained valuable experience in both law and policy analysis, which have shaped my approach to reform. At the Travis County District Attorney\'s Office in the Public Integrity Division, I gained insight into the importance of accountability and transparency within prosecutorial practices. During my time at Harris County’s Research and Analysis Division, I contributed to data-driven policy recommendations aimed at improving the fairness and efficiency of legal processes. Currently, I am interning with the Justice Policy Institute, where I work on criminal justice advocacy at the national level, analyzing legislation and developing strategies for systemic reform. My experience as a legislative aide in the Texas Senate during the 88th Legislative Session also deepened my understanding of the legislative process. Sitting in on Criminal Justice Committee meetings allowed me to see firsthand the gaps in the system in Texas and further fueled my passion for advocating for policy changes that address those disparities. This experience helped solidify my commitment to driving reform through policy, as I saw the critical gaps and inefficiencies in the system up close. I am committed to using my experiences in law, policy analysis, and advocacy to build a more just and equitable criminal legal system. I am always eager to connect with others in the field to collaborate and drive meaningful change.

Experience

1. Spring 2025 Archer Fellow

   The Archer Center

   Jan 2025 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   The Archer Center Fellowship brings a cohort of University of Texas System undergraduate students to Washington, D.C, each semester to live, work, and learn in our nation\'s capital. I was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants as one of 48 students to take part in this prestigious fellowship in the Spring of 2025.In addition to interning at the Justice Policy Institute, I am taking classes from public policy and industry experts on policymaking, advocacy, the history of politics in this nation, and professional development. These programs are designed to ensure my success in my professional career as I prepare to apply to law school and continue my work as an activist for change.

Education

• Paetow High School

  High School Diploma

  2018 — 2022