Thanks to your continuing generosity over the years, we are very pleased to announce that this year, RFSA is awarding a total of $47,500 in scholarships to 19 accomplished UT students! Each student is selected by the Office of Student Financial Services on the basis of academic merit and financial need and will receive $2500 for the year. RFSA has been awarding these scholarships every year since 1988, funded by the earnings of an endowment with a market value of $1,000,461 (as of February 2019). Available income from that fund varies, depending on prevailing interest rates and market conditions. Our 2019-20 RFSA recipients are shown below, along with their amazing and inspirational responses.
In addition to undesignated donations, the scholarship endowment benefits from gifts made in memory or honor of family, friends and colleagues; in celebration of particular events; and estate donations. Please consider making a contribution to the scholarship fund – it will make a difference in a student’s life!
Contributions, made payable to “The University of Texas at Austin”, may be mailed to: Carol Barrett, RFSA Coordinator, Texas Exes, P.O. Box 7278, Austin, TX 78713. Or to donate online, go to http://giving.utexas.edu and complete the information
requested. If you are donating in honor or memory of a person or event, write that information in the “notes” section.
RFSA Scholarship Winners
MIR ALI
Hometown: Ft. Worth, TX
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Neuroscience BSA
Year in School: 3rd Year
Why did I chose my field of study:
I chose neuroscience because to me, the brain is just about one of the most fascinating and complex structures I could explore, and ironically, it sits right behind my eyes and is exactly what I have to use to learn about it. The brain is awe-inspiring, and understanding its nature can be a challenging task. That’s why this field spoke to me: because its a field we, in reality, know so little about, and allows me to learn about the origin of myself and all of us.
What are my career goals:
Hopefully, one day, I can change lives and impact others positively. I would like to do this through practicing medicine, ideally in the neurological field. But, I hope wherever life leads me, I can exercise one of my passions, and enjoy the work I do wholeheartedly, while helping others in the process.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?:
I have an old friend of mine that I always seem to end up talking to when I need advice. They’ve always been such a positive influence on my life, and I’m forever thankful. They taught me how important it is to do exactly what makes you happy. To block out everyone else’s intentions of what you’re “supposed” to be, and to examine yourself and ask: are you proud of yourself? Honestly, this seems so simple, but I think it’s something everyone can be reminded. I want to use this to guide myself on a path that I would actually want to go down, and not one others have convinced me to follow. I truly think it’s so important to understand that lesson sooner than later, because once you understand that making yourself happy and doing what you love will make life so much sweeter, your actions can have an impact that resonates with strength and through time.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to me:
Receiving a scholarship means receiving a gift that I need to use to benefit my education and academic pursuits. This scholarship is a gift that had no obligation to come to me, but for some reason it did. Out of the generosity of this Association, I was given an amazing award that I’m so grateful for. I was so fortunate to be selected, and this motivates me to achieve and continue my scholastic endeavors. It’s a resource that definitely should not be wasted, and has undoubtedly lifted some of my financial burden. So for that, I would like to thank you so much for this gift, and I hope some day I can offer someone else the same kindness you have.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?:
I’m an active member of Delta Epsilon Mu’s Sigma Chapter here at UT. We’re a professional co-ed pre-health fraternity, and we bring together pre-health students here at the University, and provide health-oriented speakers, presentations, and activities to our members. I love this organization so much because it’s really given me a second family, and has introduced me to so many amazing people in a University that feels like a small city. I also really enjoy fishing (mainly saltwater, but I’m working on my freshwater skills), as well as hiking, rock-climbing, and being outdoors in general.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would probably try to actually cook for once, ha, ha. I always tell myself I’m going to cook for the week, and not eat out, but I always end up feeling like I don’t have the time and push it off to next Sunday.
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SHAYAN ALI
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
School: McCombs School of Business
Major: Management Information Systems
Year in School: Sophomore (Entering Junior year this fall)
Why did you choose your field of study?
I am interested in the intersection between technology and business and the MIS degree provides the perfect combination of the two. I chose the MIS major because I am passionate about coding, but I also possess business skills that I aim to develop. Additionally, this field is extremely versatile and is forward looking. The world will be driven by even more technology in the coming years, and this will help me stay ahead of the changes.
What are your career goals?
When I graduate from college, I want to work for a consulting firm to help implement strategy and technology at a variety of companies. This will help me challenge myself in the workplace and push me out of my comfort zone. Later down the road, I want to attend graduate school and get an MBA. Upon receiving my Masters, I hope to work at a large tech company or start my own technology consulting firm.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
I think the biggest influence on my life is my mother. She didn’t have a formal education from Pakistan, so when she came to the United States, she decided that she would get a degree from a community college. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Web Design. While schooling, she helped raise me and my brother while also helping my dad run a small cell phone store. Right now, she helps designs websites and has a small online business. She continues to motivate me every day with all of her hard work and late nights. I strive to have her work ethic, dedication, and compassion.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving a scholarship means the world to me. It isn’t just something that will help me pay off college. The scholarship symbolizes all of my hard work, perseverance, and dedication to school and extra-curricular activities. It represents not only the effort, commitment, and sacrifice I have put into my formal education but also the enormous amount of support I have received from my friends and family.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class, I volunteer with the Special Olympics of Texas at various sporting events. I have also helped the Alzheimer’s Association raise funding for their research and care giving efforts. In my free time, I enjoy watching basketball (especially the Houston Rockets) and going to the gym. Additionally, I love spending time with my family and discovering new food places to eat at with my friends.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would definitely read more books. I have started reading fiction books again, and realized that reading is relaxing and rewarding. I could definitely spend those two extra hours in a book store flipping through novels and comics.
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OMAR ALY
Hometown: My hometown is Arlington, VA, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
School: Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin.
Major: Chemical Engineering
Year in School: Senior, graduating next spring
Why did you choose your field of study?
I chose Chemical Engineering (ChE) because of the usual reason: I liked chemistry and math in high school. Being in college has been a pretty big shock to me, since ChE has almost no chemistry, but I’ve come to love it because of its potential in electronics manufacturing.
What are your career goals?
I hope to attend graduate school to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering once I graduate, though I’m not entirely sure what I would like to research yet.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
I’ve probably been most influenced by building computers, since it’s what got me into this whole electronics manufacturing interest.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is pretty huge to me. I’ll cover the costs of applying for graduate schools ($60+ per application) and it will also cover the costs of taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exams.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
My main thing to do outside of class is research. I’m currently researching the assembly of nanomaterials via computational methods, but I’ve also explored nanocrystals for solar cells in the past. Aside from that I spend a solid chunk of my time reading and playing video games when I have some downtime.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had 2 extra hours a day, I’d probably spend them doing research. I really would like to get a paper out as soon as possible and contribute to the scientific literature.
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JESSE BEAMAN
Hometown: Columbus, Indiana
School: School of Design and Creative Technology
Major: Design
Year in School: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study?
We live in a world that is created by designers. Everything from buildings, cars, and furniture down to letterforms, interfaces interactions, and health services are designed. I have always had an interest in making the world a better place, and I believe that I can use good design to improve the world. Design is a discipline which combines art and science to create a new world.
What are your career goals?
As a student, I have the privilege of considering new career goals all the time, and my goals frequently change. At the moment, I am very interested in design theory, history, and research. The designed world has a great effect on culture, politics, and daily life. I find it interesting to deconstruct the effects of designed artifacts. I will likely continue in graduate work in design history and theory.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became an anchor in my life about 8 years ago and helped me build the skills I needed to start college. I didn’t have the support network or the confidence to start a degree, but through training Jiu Jitsu I learned that putting all of your energy into making something happen makes it possible. I spent my early 20’s training and competing, even traveling to Brazil. I started classes at ACC and realized that if I approached school with the same tenacity as my training, I could find ways to make a degree happen. I’m now trying to pass this on and teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for the University of Texas Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Scholarships and grants make it possible for me to go to school without crippling debt. Scholarships in particular hold me to a higher academic standard. University is prohibitively expensive, so I have to put everything into my schoolwork to keep my GPA at a competitive level for scholarships. Without the support of scholarships, I can confidently say that I would not be able to excel in my studies.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Alongside teaching the University Jiu Jitsu club, I also volunteer teach self-defense workshops for student organizations.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I really enjoy taking technical classes at Austin Community College to learn new skills. With an extra two hours, it would be great to learning woodworking, metalworking, technical drafting, electronics and those sorts of skills.
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JAHNVI BHAKTA
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
School: McCombs School of Business
Major: Finance
Year in School: Junior
Why did you choose your field of study?
I knew I wanted to do something in business, and finance had the best balance between quantitative and qualitative skill. I was always good at mathematics and structural organization, but I knew that I had to leverage my extroverted-ness somehow. Finance gave me the perfect opportunity to satisfy both aspects of my skills. As I took more finance classes and participated in relevant activities, I felt confident in my decision and realized I had chosen the best path for myself.
What are your career goals?
Within the field of finance, I hope to eventually rise to the level of partner in an investment firm. However, I find my goal to be more relevant towards how I get there. I want to develop a strategy of investing in a socially responsible manner which benefits all parties involved. This type of strategy has been utilized in the past few years, and by fine-tuning it, I want to turn it into a mainstream technique for generating returns.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My biggest influence so far is my aunt. Growing up, she was my role model and to this day, I look to her for guidance. I remember staying up into the wee hours of the night working on my college application essays with her, and in the future, I can see that experience with her resurfacing as I apply to graduate school. I am incredibly grateful to have her presence in my life. Going forward, I plan to continue seeking her guidance and mentorship in my future pursuits.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Being awarded a scholarship feels like a validation of the highest degree. It allows me to take pride in my working with the knowledge that others take pride in it, as well. It makes me feel valued and motivates me to reach greater heights. This scholarship allows me to pursue my dreams without the weight of financial distress holding me back.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I spend much of my time in student organizations, mostly within McCombs. I find that investing my time here creates professional opportunities and personal bonds with my peers. Through my participation in these organizations, I’ve been able to volunteer for and organize events that I otherwise would have been unable to do on my own. Additionally, I’ve met most of my friends through such means so I find it incredibly valuable to grow professionally and personally without having to go out and find these opportunities on my own. Besides that, I spend much of my time reading. Wit’s a book by one of my favorite authors or a debut by someone completely new, reading is an activity that grounds me and lets me relax.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would probably spend my two hours a day working out and learning the piano. Oftentimes, it just seems that there is so much I want to do, and spending a bit of time every day on something that brings me joy would be a blessing.
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RACHEL BRAKE
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JIMIN CHUN
Hometown – Dallas, TX
School – The University of Texas at Austin
Major – Nursing
Year in school – Senior
Why did you choose your field of study?
I chose nursing because my memory of seeing my mom, a former nurse, take care of my grandmother is so vivid and impactful till this day. She never complained, she was always on her feet, and she selflessly, compassionately served to restore the health of my grandmother. Seeing how much love and patience a person can pour onto someone had me interested in what nurses do and it aspired me to become a nurse.
What are your career goals?
My career goals is to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills to work in the OR.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My mother is my role model and she inspires me to become a nurse daily. She is supportive, compassionate, knowledgeable, selfless, and hard-working. Her character as a whole reflects a great nurse, and a super mom. Moving forward, when life gets tough and I get discouraged, I know without a doubt that she will always be there to comfort me, motivate me, and remind me of the heart I had beginning of my journey.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
I greatly appreciate all the help and support given through the scholarship. The financial aid you graciously provided will enable me to study what I love at UT without worrying about figuring out ways to fund my educational expenses. It will serve as a stepping stone to achieve my future goals as a nurse. Once again, thank you.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class, I am interested in music (guitar, singing, ukulele) and I really enjoy working with kids! So I like to volunteer as Vacation Bible Study counselor or retreat counselors at my home church.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had two extra hours in a day, I would love to wind down, grab one of my favorite books, go to a nice café, order a cup of coffee, and read.
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BIANCA GARCIA
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: College of Education
Major: Kinesiology
Year in school: Rising 4th year
Why did you choose your field of study?
I originally had plans of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and was a student athletic sports medicine trainer in high school so I felt that Kinesiology would provide me with the most practical education to prepare me for my future doctorate studies. I have since learned how to help others become intrinsically motivated and create realistic lifestyle changes that can be monumental in living a sustainable life. My professors have taught me the value of working in groups and voicing my opinions in controversial ethical conversations while also realizing the beauty in our anatomical and physiological functions. Although I no longer wish to pursue orthopedic surgery as a specialty, I am open to discovering the many other beauties medicine has to offer.
What are your career goals?
I plan to receive my MD/MBA and become the dean of diversity and inclusion at a Texas medical school to be a part of the larger conversations. I would like to help create elective curriculums that involve showcasing the experiences of various identities within present-day society to help better understand individual experiences and prevent illness. My vision for medicine involves not only for the ratios of physician identities to match those of the populations they serve but to also produce culturally competent physicians that can eliminate health disparities.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My grandmother has been the most influential person in my life. She is the matriarch who single-handedly immigrated her family of eight to the United States from Mexico at the age of 40 years old. With no educational background past the fourth grade, no money to buy more than a $400 station wagon, no husband to support her, and no planned career opportunities, my grandmother courageously immigrated anyway. She made clothes and food to sell on street corners to collect the little money she could to provide for her children. I like to claim I get my tenacity from her. When I start my medical practice, I know I have a responsibility to give back to the woman who helped raise me. For this reason, every time I become discouraged or need to remind myself of my purpose I look to my grandmother. I can only hope to provide the same love, patience, and support she has given me for all these years.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this scholarship has grown my faith and shown me my efforts do not go unnoticed. It was made me realize that although my identity is not rooted in the number of awards I receive, my experiences are valued and carry weight. Going into the medical school application cycle I realize that I am not only an applicant, but that I will be a competitor for more than just a seat at a medical school. I will have the great privilege of being sought after as my collective experiences make me the desired candidate that will add value to the education of those around me.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I am the Vice President of the Latinx Health Professions Organization. Here I’ve had the opportunity to cultivate the vision I have for my future and meet individuals who are of similar experiences. It has shown me the power of community and creating a more equitable society. Most of my volunteer activities involve serving the underrepresented and lower socioeconomic status communities. I most enjoy my time at Dell Children’s Hospital where I have recently started serving in the neonatal intensive care unit. Outside of volunteering I love trying new foods and being a tourist in my own city. Once I have eaten enough food to build up substantial guilt, I like to hike the Greenbelt or go for a jog around the Lady Bird Lake trail.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would first go pick up food from a new place I have researched through the revolutionary app called Yelp and take it to Zilker Park to eat on a late afternoon. I love just sitting outside and seeing the joy that playing a game of catch, a picnic, or dogs bring people. It’s refreshing to take my journal but most of the time just sit and think.
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ANAPAULA GUAJARDO
Hometown: Monterrey Mexico, but I have lived in Laredo TX and I currently live in McAllen TX
School: Moody College of Communication and College of Fine Arts
Major: BS: Radio-Television-Film and BA Theatre and Dance: Performance Process and a minor in Latino Media Studies
Year in school: I just finished my second year
Why did you choose your field of study?
I have always had a passion for the creative. I originally applied to UT as a public relations major and shortly after getting accepted I found out they had one of the the best film schools in the country and I made the immediate switch. I wanted to learn how to create powerful stories like the ones that inspired me as a child to find my voice and purse these majors in the first place. Additionally, I would combine it with the cultural knowledge I would acquire from the media studies courses to give a social platform to minority groups in the media.
What are your career goals?
During my time at UT I have come to learn about the misrepresentation of minorities and women in the media. There is a disproportionate number of minority producers, directors, writers, and actors in the US. I want to be part of the social change that is slowly taking over our country as more creatives of Color gain a place in the industry. I chose to double major with acting because that is what I always wanted to do. Inspite of the overwhelming odds: Latinos having little to no visibility in the media, conservative family not fully supporting a career in the arts, low income, etc. I want to be a role model to the young women like myself who never saw themselves represented.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
I have too many role models to mention. My mother has always shown unconditional support and she always finds a way to make it through a tough situation. Moving forward I will carry with me the ease she has to smile despite of the circumstances and her gratitude to life. My father is the hardest worker I know, he does it all for his children so that we may have a brighter future. He taught me to find what I love and focus everything I have in achieving that goal. Moving forward I will carry myself with the strength and humility he has showed. Theatre has been by far the biggest influence I have benefited from. I have been able to find my strengths and weakness in a space where it is celebrated to be vulnerable. I feel so fulfilled collaborating and learning from my peers by sharing our distinct perspectives on life and providing a place to be vulnerable. My personal growth has increased exponentially due to my peers and professors.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is such an honor for me because it means that someone somewhere believed I was worthy of an education and that my creative aspirations are as valid as those of STEM majors. This scholarship allows me to continue my education with less stress. I will be allowed to focus on my academics instead of my financial status. It gives me more motivation to succeed as I see every penny is a blessing and a sacrifice. I will make my time at UT worth every single penny that I and others have invested in me and my future. I endlessly thank you all for this wonderful gift.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class if afternoon rehearsals permit I like to dedicate my time to visual art. Since I was young I loved to paint and draw. I hope sometime in the near future to market my pieces and earn some money to support my other artistic aspirations. I am also a Resident Assistant in Jester East and this upcoming year I will be the Senior Resident Assistant. It is technically my job but it just doesn’t feel that way! I love spending time with my residents, being a friend, a counselor, an an aid to first generation students. I also get to create fun events for the residence hall where residents can learn cultural competence, life skills, and have community engagement.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would dedicate it to painting and drawing. During the semester between classes, work, and rehearsals I have no time nor energy to create new pieces. It is my stress reliever! Realistically, I’ll have one hour for naps and one to paint hahaha.
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XUAN JIANG
Hometown: Hangzhou, China
School: McCombs School of Business
Major: MIS and Economics
Year in school: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study?
Because I am interested in using the current technology to solve the problem and find the pattern under the data. MIS provides me the basis for my future career goal. Meanwhile, I chose Economics as my major because of my personal interest, and it also helps me build my ability to use theoretical thinking.
What are your career goals?
I want to pursue a career in Data Analytics.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My mother influenced me the most so far in my life. She is a really hard-working and caring person. She taught me to be an independent person and try my best on everything I do. Meanwhile, she always tells me to give back to the community we live and help the people in need. Her words really shape who I am, and I learn that I need to work hard and care people around me during my life.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this scholarship is a great honor for me. It means a lot because not only is it helping me with college, but it will be a great help for me to pursue my future masters degree.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class, I am interested in cooking, reading and watching the movies.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would spend the time reading different kinds of books, which I usually have no time to do during the normal busy days.
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ALEXANDER KANORA
What is your hometown? Naples, Florida
School: Engineering
Major: Chemical Engineering
Year in school: 5th year this coming August due to school transfer
Why did you choose your field of study?
Most of the summers before my collegiate career began, I would go with my mother to our family’s farm in northern Pennsylvania. There I witnessed the ongoing natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale region, and more importantly witnessed the issues that many members of the surrounding community had because of the drilling. Well water was ruined, sinkholes began to occur due to one process or another related to drilling, and other negative effects happened throughout the drilling process. Seeing all of this, I wanted to help optimize these drilling processes so that at least some of the negative effects could be minimized. Chemical engineering seemed like the best major to help me achieve this goal.
What are your career goals?
I hope to one day work in drilling in some respect, and help optimize the processes to run with higher efficiency. Therefore, companies could extract the same minerals or even more with less environmental damage.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
I believe the farming community has influenced me the most in my life. When I look at farmers, I see hard workers that put in incredible amounts of time even against sometimes impossible odds to create impossible odds to create all sorts of miracles of life. However when most people buy and consume the product that these farmers work so hard for, they rarely even think of the farmer who had a hand in creating them. My goal is to work the same way in my field. I aim to work hard through any challenges that I come across, and push myself to go the extra mile to make whatever my product is the best that it can be. Whether the final consumer notices my work or not does not matter. All that matters is that I do my best to give the best to others.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving a scholarship is more than just a monetary gift. It is a communication from others that what I am doing has meaning, and therefore is a wise investment. I hope to make sure that this particular investment in me allows me to pay it forward to the rest of the world in both my current collegiate and future career. I hope that with this gift, I can not only learn within my classrooms but ask tough questions, make new discoveries, and work to better whatever fields I can find to better.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
When I am not working on my academics, I love to go to the studio and work on my ballroom dancing. I have been a ballroom dancer for about 6 years, and have won numerous awards at various competitions across the nation. Ballroom dancing requires creativity and musicality whilst at the same time demanding logical thinking and cooperation. Dancing socially also helps with confidence and sociability, and inspires friendships that last quite a long time. Overall, I would say that dance has played a large part in shaping the person that I have become today. I also like to volunteer whenever I can at meals to feed the homeless at my church. We will prepare and cook various foods, and then serve the food with warm smiles. With so many homeless people within the city I volunteer at, including disabled persons, women, and children, I hope that the food that we have for them helps them to feel a sense of friendship, love, and safety in their lives.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had two extra hours, I would probably use them to do some sort of craft. I find myself always busying my mind and not my hands, and I admire people who have given enough time to hone their skill in a craft so that they can make beautiful items. Someday, I hope to do the same, whether it be through woodworking, glassblowing, or even blacksmithing.
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ANDREI KLEINSCHMIDT
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
School: McCombs School of Business
Major: Master of Business Administration
Year in school: 2018-2020 (2nd year)
Why did you choose your field of study?
I wanted to improve my technical skills, while expanding my professional and social network.
What are your career goals?
The MBA is helping me change industries, while also improving my compensation and accelerate my network growth. After the MBA I would like fully transition into the Tech or Clean Tech industry, as a project or finance manager.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My greatest influence have been my parents as I believe that everything I have accomplished has been thanks to their guidance. They have been supportive with all of my decisions and have also been kind enough to provide the necessary financial support. They are also role models regarding the type of parent that I want to be when I start a family.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving a scholarship is an amazing achievement that shows that hard work and focus result in positive rewards. It also helps alleviate the financial burden that comes from the opportunity to receive a degree from a top university like UT.
Outside of class, what are your interests?
I enjoy many outdoor activities and living a healthy and active lifestyle. I also enjoy being a McCombs Ambassador and helping promote the school with potential applicants. Sports and music are also a fun hobby of mine, and I especially enjoy watching American Football and Soccer.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
I would use the two extra hours to attend all the MBA events, as there are so many that it is impossible to attend them all.
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YANA MASKOV
Hometown: Plano, TX
School: College of Pharmacy
Major: Pharmacy
Year in School: Professional School (P4)
Why did you choose your field of study?
From a very young age, I was interested in the math and sciences. Pharmacy allowed me to combine these interests along with the patient interaction component in order to be able to do the most good in the community. Pharmacists are consistently ranked as one of the top trusted professions and I would be honored to be a part of it.
What are your career goals?
Following the completion of my doctoral degree from the College of Pharmacy, I hope to pursue a residency in order to become a board-certified clinical pharmacist. Although I am uncertain as to what area I want to specialize in, I am interested in infectious disease, oncology, and pharmacy administration.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My parents have been a great, positive influence in my life. They have made huge sacrifices to ensure that my brother and I received the best opportunities and have also instilled me with a strong work ethic.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this scholarship is a huge honor and privilege. As I embark on my final year of pharmacy school, which is comprised of going on rotations full-time in a different city. This scholarship helps relieve my financial burden, while also serving as a reminder that the work I am doing is not going unnoticed.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, family, and dog, as well as playing tennis, crafting, and participating in trivia nights.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
With the extra time in my day, I would like to cook more. With the time constraint I have in a day, my priorities go to class, work, studying, and working out. It would be wonderful to have a few more hours in the day to make myself well-balanced, healthy meals.
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TAYLOR MORGAN
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
School: Steve Hicks School of Social Work
Major: Master of Science in Social Work
Year in school: 2nd
Why did you choose your field of study?
While I admit it is cliché, I chose social work because I want to help people. I graduated my undergrad with a psychology degree, but I still felt like I was missing some element that would better help me support others. Social work offers that missing element, as it emphasizes a holistic and compassionate approach that understands the connection between the individual and the multiple levels of their environment.
What are your career goals?
I am going to pursue a career working with adolescents. I am particularly interested in working in middle schools or high schools. Those are difficult periods for many people, and I want to be able to provide support for adolescents facing incredibly complex situations.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
The answer to this question has always and will always be my family. My mother and father have consistently been pillars of support in my life. Although they are not infallible, they have instilled a work ethic and compassion within me that will enable me to thrive in this field. In addition to my parents, my three younger siblings have been important influences in my life, as I have always been the oldest and have grown up with a sense of responsibility that has translated to other roles.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is an immense honor and privilege. I am incredibly grateful for everything this represents, and it truly represents so much to me. When I chose Austin, I was worried about being so far from my family and finding a community in a major city, but my experience here has been absolutely fantastic. This scholarship is an opportunity to extend my time in a city where I, for the first time, truly feel a sense of community.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
While I cannot claim great skill with it, I have always enjoyed art, particularly painting, and I enjoy taking walks to explore the city. I also have a passion for reading and have fairly recently discovered the Austin Central Library.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
With extra time in the day, I would like to learn how to cook. I currently have very mediocre cooking skills and would love to learn how to prepare meals beyond basic rice and pasta. In addition, I would use that extra time to spend quality time with friends and explore all of what Austin has to offer.
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JAIME A. PEÑA
Hometown: Mission, Texas
School: College of Pharmacy
Major: Pharmacy
Year in school: Fourth-year pharmacy student or P4
Why did you choose your field of study? A healthcare career usually entails an underlying desire to help people. With pharmacy, I can educate patients and ensure the safe utilization of medications for a variety of conditions. I enjoy how I can empower patients to take an active role in their health. Also, I particularly enjoy collaboration with other health care professionals in creating the best approach to help patients.
What are your career goals?
Upon graduation, I wish to pursue a residency in the hopes of becoming an infectious disease pharmacist.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to
benefit from this influence going forward?
The people from the Rio Grande Valley have been the most influential in my personal and professional development. Learning from the community you one day wish to serve is an impactful way to discover the needs of your community. I have gathered great confidence and encouragement from family, mentors, and teachers from the RGV. I hope that with each success that I encounter in my professional development is reflective of the positive values that the people of the RGV have instilled in me.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship does more than offer financial security. It broadens my horizons by opening up opportunities. It ensures that I can receive the best training and education in preparation for clinical practice. The College of Pharmacy is a beacon of hope for individuals like me that wish to make the most of the opportunities granted to them to serve their communities. The time I have spent on the forty acres has been life-changing.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I enjoy running, hiking, and reading.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
Take a nap. Pharmacy school leaves one very tired.
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MAOJING QIN
Hometown: Baytown, Texas
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Biochemistry, Pre-Med
Year in school: Junior (Class of 2021)
Why did you choose your field of study?
Biochemistry, I believe, allows me to better understand and become fluent in the Language of life science in which I am passionate about. This field of study also paves a challenging yet rewarding path for me to learn the three main hard sciences: biology, chemistry, and physics by which the knowledge and understanding of the knowledge gained can be directly transferred to medical and research practices.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are to heal, treat and relieve ailments that strip a person’s safety and wellbeing. I feel very blessed and grateful every day for the opportunities and experiences I’ve received. The more I gain, the more I want to give back by exercising my passion for medicine. By forging a path towards becoming a surgeon, I hope to gain the skill sets, experiences, and knowledge to be able to directly touch and heal the bodies of the wounded, injured, diseased, and aged in order to give back to the world in which it has already supported me this far in reaching my goals.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My parents, Suizhen Huang & Yejun Qin have influenced me the most in my life as they have worked diligently to establish a stable life for our family here in the United States. To gain stability in this nation, they started off as restaurant owners, working hours on end and often leaving me to my own devices with hopes that they could offer me access to world-class education and opportunities they could only dream of having back in China. By achieving a career in medicine, I hope to gain a personal sense of fulfillment by honoring my parents who have unconditionally supported and guided me in my quest to one day become a surgeon.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
As an undergraduate, we are given four years to make the most of our education, character, and seek out new and daring opportunities for us to realize who, what, and why we want to pursue a particular interest. Being a first-generation college student in my family, I hope to set an empowering example for my brothers, the rest of my family in China, and others like me who are finding their way in this vast ocean of opportunities to take action towards their personal visions of fulfillment and success. By receiving the help of a scholarship, I am blessed with a sense of clarity and security that my pathway to achieving my goals will be approbated which truly means the world to me.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I enjoy activities such as swimming, biking, and yoga which serves to clear the stresses of everyday life. During my downtime, I do bullet journaling as well as watching surgical videos of various medical procedures that piques my interests. Outside of classes, I tutor as a job, however, no matter who it is or in what setting, if a friend or fellow peers need academic help, I would assist and ease their stress to the best of my abilities. I mentor incoming UT FRI students on a voluntary basis and I plan to become an organic chemistry lab teaching assistant. I am very driven to help, teach, and guide those who are willing to learn, and by doing so, I am shaped to be a better person.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
With two extra hours in a day, I would like to spend the time playing with my two younger brothers. Their names are Ethan and Evan who are ages three and five respectively. Since attending college, I am not physically present to watch both of my brothers grow, learn, and goof around. During the summer when I am at home, I would want to spend those two hours making silly faces with them, banging on the electric keyboard in hopes of producing a hot remix of twinkle-twinkle little star, and teaching them to properly throw a frisbee out in the front yard. Being with my brothers is a gift that reminds me of the importance of always being curious about the world around me by observing their traits such as being childish, playful, and adventurous 24/7.
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CHANTELLE D’SOUZA
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: BS in Biology with a specialization in Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Year in school: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study?
I chose biology because I love studying about the connection between humans and nature, our history and how we can survive as a species. Furthermore, my specialization in microbiology and infectious disease allows me to delve deeper into a highly interesting facet of biology that studies microbes, their functioning and relationship to each other in order to harness their potential for biomedical research and curb the spread of infectious disease.
What are your career goals?
After graduation, I aim on working within a microbiological or public health research facility in order to understand what biomedical and infrastructural initiatives are being taken to understand infectious diseases, their prevalence in certain areas and methods of restraining their spread. After gaining such work experience, I will continue my postgraduate studies either at medical school or graduate school.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
A huge influence in my life have been my parents. Their hard work and commitment to their careers and family have shown me how important it is to dedicate one’s life in the service of others. Their lessons in selflessness helped me to see the significance of my chosen field that aims to alleviate the burden of infectious disease around the world. Moving forward, whether it be in school or work, I will continue to use their examples to guide my decisions and stay rooted within my work even through challenging times.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
Although I currently live in Houston, I moved here in 2015 from Karachi, Pakistan.. My family and I are asylees and we moved to the US to seek refuge from religious persecution. Moving to another country and establishing one’s life from the ground up is a daunting task in itself, but doing so at a relatively advanced age (as was in the case of my parents and my siblings), presents a unique set of challenges. My parents relied on their savings to pay for our living expenses and legal fees, before they managed to find stable jobs themselves. This scholarship means that their sacrifice was not in vain, and inspires me to continue working hard for our family. Moreover, it relieves a lot of the financial strain that accompanies attending university and greatly assists my family in this regard.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
Outside of class I volunteer with members from a pre-health honor society at UT Austin. Most of the volunteer work is centered around community and healthcare/wellness events.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I had 2 extra hours in a day, I would probably use it to catch up with my family since I do not get a lot of time within the week to properly talk to them due to my class/work schedule.
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R
UTH RAICHUR
Hometown: Bangalore, India
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Biology, Genetics and Genomics
Year in school: Sophomore as of Fall 2019
Why did you choose your field of study?
I have always enjoyed biology as a subject, it is a science that’s sole purpose is to understand what inside us and life around us. It is one that’s research can be used to help, heal and enhance the lives of all organisms. The field of genetics is vast, having massive potential to improve our quality of life. Being able to contribute to the advancement of this field and research DNA to cure and prevent diseases is a career I am passionate about.
What are your career goals?
My ultimate goal is to pursue a career in research in the field of genetics. My hopes is to contribute to the study in gene therapy, providing better and more specific health care.
What or who has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward?
My grandfather, among many others, has been a big influence on my life so far. The story of his life has encouraged and inspired me to continue working hard and to my full potential in everything I do. He has lived a long and trying life but has reaped much success from his dedication and perseverance. I know I still have many life lessons to learn from him. Although we may live in different countries now, I plan to continue learning from him every time we are able to talk.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you?
It is an honor to be a recipient of a scholarship. It is extremely encouraging to receive support in a way that assists me in my journey toward my dream. There is also a sense of fulfillment to see my hard work being recognized, for which I am eternally grateful.
Outside of class, what are your interests – hobbies, volunteer work, etc.?
I enjoy playing tennis and soccer. Exercising and sports with friends have become a great stress reliver for me. I also enjoy photography and creating jewelry in my free time. Since I am interested in research, I will be volunteering in my FRI lab this summer in hopes to contribute to the research as well as gain more experience.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do?
If I’m being extremely honest, I would love to use those hours to catch up on sleep! Realistically, with two extra hours a day I would like to spend more time exercising and taking care of myself mentally and physically. Ideally, the two extra hours would give me time to plan my days in the morning or allow me to clear my head and calm myself down before bed. I also believe taking care of my body physically is extremely important. With all my time dedicated to my academics and work, I have had less time to exercise and keep both my mental and physical being in shape. By being more organized and de-stressed, my academics will also benefit from it.
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SOFIA VALDEZ
Hometown: Laredo, Texas
School: College of Engineering
Major: mechanical engineering
Year in school: Incoming senior (graduating May 2020)
Why did I choose my field of study:
In sixth grade, my classmates and I finally got our first lockers. There was just one issue: our lunchboxes wouldn’t fit inside, so we had set them on top of our lockers. In turn, some of us started getting our snacks stolen, and our teachers prohibited us from leaving our lunchboxes out. Our school’s “Invention Fair” came along, and my sixth-grade self -decided to solve this ‘crucial’ issue. I created and presented a “magnetic lunchbox” that would stick to the inner ceiling of a locker, and I received first place in the competition. Ever since then, I developed a passion for solving problems through innovation and design. In high school, I then fell in love with calculus, and this, combined with my love of problem-solving and my constant need to feel challenged led to my choice of engineering as a major.
Career goals:
My ultimate career goal is to work for a company that prioritizes the betterment of our planet, either one that achieves its goals sustainably or one whose main product or service revolves around renewable energy (such as a solar panel company). I want my career to be meaningful, to make a positive impact on Earth.
Influencers:
My mom has influenced me the most in life. She’s gone through and continues to go through so many hardships in life that to see her still standing, still working to push through it all, still hopeful, inspires me daily. My absolute favorite thing in life is to see her genuinely smile and laugh. Her happiness is mine. And, one thing I know brings her utmost happiness is to see me, my brother, and my sister work hard to pursue our dreams. This motivates me every day.
Scholarship:
Receiving a scholarship means the absolute WORLD to me. To know that someone out there not only acknowledges the work I’ve put into my academics, but also believes in me, believes that I will do something meaningful one day, motivates me tremendously. A scholarship is the ultimate thumbs up, the ultimate “keep going, you can and WILL succeed.”
Outside of class:
One of my favorite activities outside of class is attending events as an Engineering Ambassador. Through these events, I’ve had several interactions with prospective engineering students of all ages. Just recently, I was in a skype call with three elementary school girls. They were trying to invent a “special headset” that would facilitate their games of tag during recess, and they had a long list of questions to ask me and two other Engineering Ambassadors. Their intense curiosity and endless creativity almost brought tears to my eyes. Even more so when I realized that these girls looked up to us— just like I had looked up to the female Engineering Ambassadors at the first UT prospective session I had attended. Through sharing my own experiences and words of encouragement, I can influence these girls and many other students to take a step further towards an engineering future, one that can have a positive impact on the lives of many.
Before ending the Skype call, I made sure to tell the girls that their ideas were amazing, that I was so proud of their creativity and dedication, and that they already had everything and more than it takes to be an engineer. Experiences like these bring me the utmost satisfaction.
Apart from my role as an Engineering Ambassador, I’m also an undergraduate research assistant, a calculus tutor, and a Tau Beta Pi member. Outside of school, my favorite time spent is that with my friends and family, and I also love to draw and paint and read whenever I get the chance.
If I had two extra hours in a day
I should probably use them to sleep, but I’d most likely use them to read. It’s tough to set aside some time to read in school because I always have that thought in the back of my head that I should be completing the readings for my classes instead of reading for fun. So, whenever I have ACTUAL free time, I read. My favorite book right now is “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan.
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