Nine years after earning an MBA from OLLU, Analysse Escobar serves the Vice President of the United States as an engagement advisor.

Escobar and the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs team coordinate site visits across the country for Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“I get to travel a lot,” said Escobar, who graduated from OLLU in 2014. “We engage with local and state government leaders, work to address issues that impact people directly and try to ensure that the vice president is able to meet with people through outreach and public events.” 

Escobar has held multiple positions in the Biden-Harris Administration and assumed her current role in February. “I was previously in HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and with the presidential transition team. Before that, I was the Colorado Political Director. I think a lot of work I’ve been doing in politics goes back to me wanting to be of service. 

“A lot of those values were instilled in me through my parents and grandparents. All were active in their communities as well. So, when the opportunity arose to be a part of this historic vice presidency, I couldn’t pass it up. I jumped right in.”

A San Antonio native, she is the daughter of Yolanda Rodriguez-Escobar, OLLU Director of the Center for Mexican American Studies and Research, and Manuel Escobar, a lawyer. Analysse attended St. Martin’s Hall, the demonstration school previously operated by OLLU, and spent a lot of time with her grandparents, who lived on the West Side near OLLU.

She says OLLU’s MBA program prepared her for the work she does today.

“Some of the principles I learned while obtaining my MBA have helped me with every job since leaving the Lake,” Analysse said. “Principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and the importance of strong, organizational management have helped me do what I do today.” 

What does she enjoy the most about her work? 

“When the vice president is traveling and making connections with people from all walks of life, knowing I played a small part in making those engagements happen makes me feel good. I see people, inspired by the vice president’s story, come up and share their stories with her. I know I might have helped them meet the vice president. It’s heart-warming. 

“It’s been an amazing experience. I feel like I have to stop and remind myself how hard I’ve worked to get here – and remember to honor my parents and grandparents, who had to overcome prejudice and bias to get to where they were and for me to have these opportunities. Everyday feels like I’m living a dream.”