LBJ School alumnus Austin Smythe (MPAff ’80) joined the LBJ School during Admitted Students Weekend in April 2019, talking to new students about his career as Speaker Paul Ryan’s policy director (2015-2019). Smythe, who joined Ryan’s office in 2007, has served in a variety of roles, including policy director for the House Ways and Means Committee and as staff director for the House Budget Committee (2007-2015).