Daeun Baek
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
School: Moody College of Communication, College of Liberal Arts
Major: Advertising, Sociology
Year in School: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose to study Advertising because I loved that it required both my let and right sides of the brain. I love that I can be both creative and analytical in this field of study. I also chose to study Sociology because I am interested in the study of society and the issues prevalent in today’s society.
What are your career goals? I hope to work in the advertising industry helping brands/companies/non-profits pursue meaningful work.
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 influenced me the most so far in my life, and I hope to take the hardworking and positive attitude of my parents and implement them into my life and career moving forward. They have never taken anything for granted and have always made the best of every situation, which I believe will be important in navigating my aspirations.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? I am grateful to receive this scholarship. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to pursue my academics and help me get closer to my career aspirations.
Outside interests: Outside of class I enjoy drawing and reading. I also enjoy serving at my college ministry.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I would use that time to catch up on hobbies that I don’t typically have time for during a busy school year, such as baking and drawing.
Cecilia Gonzales
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
School: College of Fine Arts
Major: UTeach Theater Education
Year in school: Transfer/3rd year
Why did you choose your field of study? I really enjoy working with kids and I am a big advocate for the arts. I think children (especially those in low-income areas) should be able to participate in the arts and as a community we need to make it way more accessible.
What are your career goals? I would love to become a high school theater teacher and one day teach at a university. I also want to work on making the arts more accessible to students in low-income schools.
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? Theater has definitely influenced my life the most. Theater has allowed me so many opportunities to meet some of my closest friends and inspiring teachers. I have always seen theater as a great tool to teach and help students through life and school. I have witnessed first hand how theater can inspire children to go above and beyond what anyone has ever expected and open them up to new ideas and great confidence. I think no matter where I end up in life, I will always be using theater as a tool to help and inspire people.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? I have not come from a place of financial stability. Before the semester started, I was struggling with finding a place to live and was on the verge of having to give everything up. I almost decided to live in a car, but thankfully, I was able to get an apartment. I still didn’t know how I would be able to afford rent or just living expenses. But this scholarship really lifted a big weight off my shoulders and has allowed me to not feel as worried about my future at this school.
Outside interests: I love to read and write and had a poem published in a magazine a couple of years ago. I also love to teach, and I currently work with Creative Action as an after-school Teaching Artist where I get to work with kids and do theater. If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? Bake and decorate a delicious cake.
David Do
Hometown: Pflugerville, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Government and Economics
Year in School: 3rd year
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose government because I was interested in understanding politics. My high school debate career sparked an interest in learning about policies and how they get started. However, a government degree alone just wasn’t fulfilling. So, I added economics. With both a government and economics degree, I was able to take classes that gave me a better understanding of how policies get developed but also what the implications of those policies were. I got to learn statistical methods to analyze the effects of policies, which was pretty rewarding.
What are your career goals? I want to work at a government consulting firm. A position at a government consulting firm would allow me to conduct research on potential policy proposals and give that advice to policymakers. It’s the best world in between being a politician and a researcher at a think tank. Previously, I’ve thought about going into law. But I realized I didn’t have a strong passion for becoming a lawyer. I still have a passion for government, it’s simply changed.
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? Speech and debate has influenced me the most. This extracurricular activity was eye-opening. I learned a lot about the state of policies in the US, and I didn’t like what I learned. This gave me a purpose to fix some of the issues in our government policies. For example, education is undoubtedly one of the most under focused and underfunded areas. This leads to wide disparities in achievement between and within states. I want to take the issues I’ve learned about in debate and use what I learn from UT Austin to increase focus towards funding disparities.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Scholarships like the RFSA help remove financial barriers that would’ve otherwise prevented me from pursuing my passion and interests. Every scholarship I get means more time I can spend researching potential policy solutions and applying to internships, instead of working through the night to pay rent and tuition.
Outside interests: I’ve been trying to get back into learning how to play the guitar. I learned for the first time in 7th grade, but I haven’t had the time to continue learning. I’ve been incredibly busy with school and work. Now that I have more time, I can get back to learning to play guitar. I also recently got an internship at Clean Energy Buyers Association for the upcoming Fall semester, where I get to help large retail companies find clean energy alternatives to fossil fuel.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? Honestly, I would do more research about policies. I want to learn more alternatives to education funding to help underfunded school districts ensure that every student succeeds. This is incredibly challenging because alternatives to education funding generally involve reallocation of resources, which means there are a lot of lost opportunities and programs. But, from an economics standpoint, this is inevitable. It’s all about finding the programs that contribute most to student success and funding them.
Evelyn Guerrero Sanchez
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: McCombs School of Business
Major: International Business
Year in School: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose this field of study because I wanted to get a broad education on business administration across the globe. I was interested in an education that will prepare me to face global issues and understand global markets for my future career aspirations. An education in which I could incorporate the study of a foreign language was another factor I looked for in choosing my degree. By majoring in International Business, I am certain that I will have the opportunity to make the most out of my studies at UT.
What are your career goals? Through my experience of working in the fast-food industry, I have realized the importance of a safe and functioning work environment. For this reason, post-graduation I would like to work in the human resources sector of the manufacturing and construction industries.
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? One of the greatest influences in my life will have to be my father, Alfredo Guerrero. As a child I always looked up to him and his hard work in construction. Watching him return home weak and bruised after a day of work, sparked my interest in human resources in the construction and manufacturing industries. I know there are many like my father around the world and helping improve the working conditions in these physically demanding occupations is something I would like to work towards post-graduation. My father never finished elementary school, but he would always tell me, “Keep studying and putting in effort, I know you are capable and that you will go far.” From this inspiration, I plan to keep in mind the ideal to always move forward in life and establish my career in service, for the benefit of those who need it the most.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Receiving this scholarship means to me having the blessing to dedicate my time and effort strictly to my studies. Without scholarships to support my education, I would not receive a focused learning experience, due to concerns about financing my studies. Thanks to this scholarship and the Retired Faculty Association, I will now have the opportunity to take a step further into my specialization and develop more critical ideas within my studies.
Outside interests: A few things I enjoy doing outside of class are jogging, knitting, cooking, baking, and relaxing my mind with floral coloring books.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would make the time to speak with my family or meet and build relationships with new people. Our best moments in life are spent sharing moments with others, which is why I believe it is important to always cherish and build upon the relationships we have.
Dong Hyun Jung
Hometown: Austin, Texas
School: Cockrell School of Engineering
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Year in school: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I have always excelled in and enjoyed studying math and science, but my passion leans more towards the experimental side than the theory side. I have always wanted to apply mathematical and scientific knowledge to the real world and create a tangible solution to a problem or a need. Mechanical engineering is the most versatile and hands-on field of engineering, as it spans from mechatronics to programming to materials science, and my possibilities and opportunities to change the world are limitless.
What are your career goals? Go to graduate school for a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, then either continue in academia or pursue a career in nanomaterials engineering and contribute to breakthrough developments for the next generation of semiconductors. These goals are very much tentative, though.
Who or what has influenced you the most so far in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward? My older brother has influenced me the most so far. His experiences have guided me to follow the things that have worked well for him and avoid mistakes. I plan to benefit from this influence going forward by continuing to receive his tips and keeping them in mind.
What does receiving this scholarship means to you? Receiving this scholarship means that the donors recognize my needs and the hard work that I put in every day. Scholarships greatly help ease my financial burdens so that I can focus on my studies. I would like to thank the donors for their generosity.
Outside interests: I do research on nanomaterials. I also like to work out, go to events, and listen to or make music.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I would either work ahead or get more involved in organizations and meet new people.
Cassandra Araiza
Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Human Development and Family Sciences
Year in school: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose my field of study in hopes of eventually pursuing a degree in Nursing and because the way humans behave individually has always fascinated me.
What are your career goals? In the future I hope to become a labor and delivery nurse.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your life, and how do you plan to benefit from this influence going forward? A person who has influenced me the most in my life is my Mom. She has taught me that I can do anything as long as I strive for it. I plan to benefit from her influence by going after anything I desire and never living in regret. I may not get everything I desire, but at least I know I tried.
What does receiving this scholarship mean to you? For me, receiving a scholarship means that I have people who are rooting for me and want to see me succeed. They have made it possible to become one step closer to achieving my goals.
Outside interests: I go to a weekly Bible study meeting where we reflect on our week and spread the gospel. Aside from that I have recently joined the UT Nursing Students Association.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I would read a book or go for a walk to clear my head.
Ryan Leung
Hometown: Austin, Texas, Hong Kong
School: College of Natural Sciences/School of Human Ecology
Major: Human Development and Family Sciences
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose to major in HDFS because I have always been interested in the study of human development and relationship processes within social, cultural, and policy contexts. I have been enjoying the major because it has allowed me to gain knowledge and experience about individuals and families.
What are your career goals? I hope to attend medical school once I graduate. I haven’t decided on my specialty yet, but I know I will put in my very best effort in whatever specialty I decide to pursue.
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 definitely influenced my life the most. They gave up everything in Hong Kong to move here for my education and my future. They worked their hardest to make sure I could comfortably start my life anew in a new country. Their sacrifice has allowed me to pursue my passion and give back to the community.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? I am so grateful for this scholarship. Receiving this scholarship means the world to me — the award has allowed me to focus more on my studies and not worry about financial stress. It also means that my hard work did not go unnoticed, and I am being recognized and supported by the UT Retired Faculty-Staff Association and all the respectful donors.
Outside interests: In my free time, I love exploring Austin’s food scene with my friends, swimming, and watching movies. And I also enjoy volunteering at Dell Seton Medical Center every week.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would like to learn new things on the internet, such as a new language, photography, and playing the guitar.
Christina Suarez
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
School: Moody College of Communications
Major: Radio Television Film
Year in school: Sophomore
Why did you choose this field of study? I have always been a fan of media, and I think deep down being part of the creation of media has been what I have wanted to do since I was young.
What are your career goals? I want to become a production manager for television or a floor manager/director for a live entertainment show. I also want to one day produce and create my own TV show.
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? If I am being totally honest, I’ve been influenced by a mix of so many factors. There are many TV shows and celebrities that I could point out which encouraged my career path, many friends who have left an impact, many clubs that have all taught me something new. But the two people who really influence who I am as a person are my mom and dad. There are so many things that I’ve learned from them. My mom has taught me to be strong, to stand up for myself and fight for what I believe in. My dad has taught me to be kind, honest, and to work hard. Even with the negative I’ve inherited from them, I’m proud of the person they taught me to be.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? It means so much. My family has had many financial struggles over the years, so receiving scholarship makes it possible for me to go to college and pursue my dreams. It truly is an honor as well.
Outside interests: I work on a TV show called Longhorn Late-night as a crew member, and I really love it. I hope to be more active on sets in the future as well! I enjoy music and dance, and I’m an officer for the Korean Music Association, a K-pop social organization that also has a dance team. I also enjoy crafting things in polymer clay, especially making earrings or keychains. I also enjoy writing and creating new characters.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I feel like often I’d use those hours to catch up on sleep so I can enjoy the peacefulness of the night to catch up on tv shows or write!
Alison Roetzer
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
College: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Neuroscience
Year in School: Senior
Why did you choose this field of study? The nervous system is truly a bizarre structure responsible for such a wide range of talents. It makes us who we are individually and as a species from our ability to learn and process language, to our library of complex emotions and behaviors, and so much more. The diversity of research paths in the field of neuroscience is what really attracted me. We know so little about the brain, yet it never ceases to amaze me!
What are your career goals? I am really fascinated with the intersection of neuroscience and competitive eSports. Top athletes are required to maintain a high level of performance in a volatile competitive climate which can be mentally strenuous. Issues like substance abuse, gambling, and mental illness are also topics of concern within eSport communities that are often not addressed. As the esports industry continues to grow, I hope to conduct research alongside it.
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 fifth-grade teacher, Mr. O’Kelly, helped me realize my passion for science. He taught me that science was about trying new things and thinking outside the box, like when he taught us how to fly airplanes with a flight simulator as we learned about clouds. Thanks to him, I found a genuine love for learning, especially science.
What does receiving this scholarship mean to you? This scholarship is a huge honor! It feels really validating to be recognized for the hard work and long nights I’ve put into my education. It’s also a financial relief that my family and I are truly thankful for.
Outside interests: I love watching documentaries (especially true crime), photography and thrift shopping. I’ve also been a Girl Scout for 20 years and love giving back whenever I can.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I used to sculpt in high school, but I haven’t had the time or resources to get back into it. I would love to pursue it again!
Andrew Dunn
Hometown: Selmer, Tennessee
School: College of Education
Major: Sports Management
Year in School: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study? I have been around sports my entire life and it feels like home.
What are your career goals? I want to eventually be the President/Director of Stadium/Arena Operations.
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 Mom always kept me involved in numerous sports as a kid and always made sure I had what I needed to succeed. She also set the example to always keep working towards the thing that makes you?
Outside interests: I enjoy puzzles, sports, severe weather, concerts, and working out.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I would spend it on the water since I rarely get the chance to. I love paddleboarding, swimming, floating and kayaking.
Connor Anderson
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Economics
Year in school: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I took a few classes about economics in high school and really enjoyed it and thought it was very fascinating.
What are your career goals? I just want to have a job that makes me happy and financially able to support me and my family.
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 girlfriend/fiancé has definitely influenced me the most by making sacrifices so that I can pursue a college education to support me, her and our daughter.
What does receiving this scholarship mean to you? It means that I can focus on school and my family with a little bit less stress.
Outside interests: I love to watch and play basketball, as well as spend time with my family. I also enjoy spending time with friends and going out in the city.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would definitely spend it with my daughter.
Aidan Hudson
Hometown: Plano and McKinney, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Psychology
Year in School: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I am really intrigued by the human mind and human behavior. We tend to think we are very different from one another and in many ways, we are extremely diverse and variable, however, you would be surprised just how much you have in common with the person sitting next to you. It’s those patterns and behaviors that really interest me and make me love the field of psychology.
What are your career goals? I currently plan to attend Med-School after completing my undergraduate here at UT. As to what comes after that, I’m still undecided.
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 my father has had a really big influence on me and my siblings. The main thing he has ingrained in me is just to respect others. You can never fully walk in someone else’s shoes, and at the end of the day, we are all human, just trying to find our way, and it gets a little easier when we have each other.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? This scholarship has meant so much to me. A year and a half ago, I wasn’t even sure I would be going to college at all, let alone the University of Texas. When I got here, I knew I would have to work around the clock in order to get opportunities such as this, and it is extremely rewarding knowing my hard work has paid off. Scholarships like these are what keep me afloat at this University, because without them I’m not sure I could afford to be here, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Outside interests: I’m an extremely competitive guy, and so I love to play sports with friends whenever I have time. We play football, basketball, spike ball, and my personal favorite, pickleball (which you should definitely try if you haven’t). I also love to volunteer whenever I get the chance, particularly at food banks and drives back home.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had an extra two hours in the day, I would probably try to start reading more. I love to read but with classes and other responsibilities it is really difficult to read for yourself sometimes. Some past favorites are Ishmael, Crime and Punishment, and Pride and Prejudice.
Clara Chadick
Hometown: Denton, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Rhetoric and Writing
Year in School: Junior
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose my field of study because I love to read, write, and analyze information. I enjoy the challenge of finding just the right words to use in order to be persuasive while also being sincere. Communicating effectively and ethically is what I am passionate about.
What are your career goals? My long-term goals involve pursuing a teaching career and having my own writing published in some capacity.
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 influenced me the most. I would not be where I am today without their love, support, and guidance. I will continue to benefit from their influence by making the most of every academic opportunity I am offered.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Receiving a scholarship is an unexpected yet welcome gift. I am very thankful someone was kind enough to recognize and so generously reward my hard work.
Outside interests: I like to read poetry (anything Romantic era), watch true crime, and explore different book stores and coffee shops in downtown Austin.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would use that time to nap. As dull as that might sound, I never seem to get enough sleep.
Bernice Chen
Hometown: Taiwan, Austin, Texas
School: Moody College of Communications
Major: Public Relations with a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling
Year in School: Junior
Why did you choose your field of study? I’ve always had an interest in communications, from competing in debate tournaments in high school to contributing to my school newspaper. I decided to go into public relations because I believe healthy relationships are key to an organization’s success, and I want to leverage my writing and communication skills to help organizations develop those connections with the communities around them.
What are your career goals? My goal after graduation is to pursue a career in public relations, working for organizations in the technology or sustainability spheres that are working to better our society. I hope to help these businesses share their voice with the world and build their image. On a broader level, I hope to find roles that will allow me to grow as a PR communicator and person while simultaneously making a positive impact.
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 experience at The Daily Texan is one of my greatest influences. Since my freshman semester, I have worked in the Texan’s social media department and enjoyed every moment of it. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity it has given me to learn from my peers, develop my writing skills and give back to the UT community. It solidified my interest in pursuing communications, and I am eager to continue learning from the Texan in future semesters.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? For me, this scholarship is an incredible opportunity. Receiving this scholarship is not just a sign of support from the UT community — it also helps remove my financial burdens. Not having to worry about finances will give me the space to focus on learning and taking full advantage of my time at college.
Outside interests: I am currently social media co-editor at The Daily Texan and a coach for the Moody Writing Support Program. Aside from these roles, my current hobbies include reading climate/science fiction books and playing video games.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would take the time to recharge from work and academics, whether by chatting with friends or reading.
Anfal Mohamed
Hometown: Amarillo, Texas
School: College of Natural Sciences
Major: Neuroscience BSA
Year in school: Sophomore
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose to major in Neuroscience because I was interested in it.
What are your career goals? My career goals involve becoming a physician in either emergency medicine or surgery.
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 has been the most influential person to me. She has always been the image of hard work for me and has always tried her best to always provide for me. I plan to make the most out of what she has given me by always trying my best.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Having earned this scholarship takes my mind off of my financial situation and allows me to focus on my education, goals and future. I am forever grateful to be encouraged to pursue my learning and to reach my greatest endeavors.
Outside interests: My hobbies include reading, cooking new recipes, running, and volunteering with UMR.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had 2 extra hours in a day, I would pick up a book to read. I love reading and think that books can be so fun.
Erica Buckland
Hometown: Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Psychology (honors)
Year in school: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study? All sorts of pieces go into making us who we are, and I’ve always been motivated to know the ‘why’ behind the person. The more clinical specific aspect of my path is informed by those pieces or experiences that cause distress, that interrupts one’s everyday lives. I want to be equipped with the tools to understand and research, to educate and dialogue. To be the light at the end of someone’s tunnel or at least a helping hand on their journey.
What are your career goals? Moving forward, I plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a research focus on trauma with the hope of working with Médecins sans Frontières.
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 spent most of my life with gymnastics, both as a competitive athlete and over an almost two-decade career as a coach. Both aspects of my involvement with the sport have introduced new and honed existing qualities of who I am personally and professionally. As an athlete, the sport has given me the grit and determination to know my limits and extend beyond them. As a coach, seeing the sport from the other side, has allowed me to “be nice to me,” to give myself more meaningful space when I stumble. As I move into more challenging aspects of my education, I will need every ounce of grit and grace to flourish.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? I am my household, and I am financially on my own. The benefits of the scholarship allow me to focus on my academics more fully versus dividing my time between a career and being a full-time student.
Outside interests: I absolutely enjoy being part of two different labs on campus (The Global (Dis)information Lab and Anxiety and Health Behaviors Lab) and coaching acrobatics/tumbling to UT Austin’s competitive dance team. Outside of UT there are a myriad of activities among them playing piano, stunt work, exploring Austin (food and drink adventures) and trying to keep my orchid alive.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? What a great question! There really aren’t enough hours in the day, work or play. It really depends on context, but in short it would allow me two extra hours to be immersed in the current of the time or moment. In this present moment, it would give me more time to study in the sun, devote to research and graduate school applications, getting to the next chapter of Able Archers, peer collaborations, or one more “how not to kill your orchid” you tube video (they really are a new adventure). The activities would change with context, but the immersive thought would be the same.
Carolina Monteverdi
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: Psychology, Business Minor
Year in school: Senior
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose to study Psychology because I’ve always wanted to understand why people, including myself, think, understand, and feel the way they do. I’ve always thought of myself as a helper and studying psychology has given me the tools that allow me to assist people further.
What are your career goals? At the moment, I am aiming to enter the business world in order to find methods to improve the well-being and performance of employees and organizations.
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 person that has influenced the most in my life has to be my mother. She has persevered through so many hardships in life yet has always kept her head up high and has been such a positive light in my life. She taught me to fight through the hard times in order to get to the good times, and for this, I couldn’t be more grateful. I know that once I graduate, life will start to get a lot more complicated than it already is. I know that because of my mom’s perseverance, no matter what comes my way I will continue to fight through it just like she does!
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? This scholarship means so much to me, of course financially it helps tremendously, but besides that, it truly brings my heart joy that UT Austin is such a helpful community and truly wants the best for all of its students. Transferring to UT has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life and knowing that I always have a shoulder to lean on brings me peace.
Outside interests: When I am not studying or working, I love being out in nature! I recently brought my dog from my hometown to come live with me here in Austin! We love going to Barking Creek and playing around with friends. I am also an avid reader of thriller/suspense novels, so if you have any recommendations (or need any recommendations) please reach out to me!
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had an extra 2 hours in the day, I would spend that time learning how to sew or creating different dishes! I absolutely love to cook, another love my mom has instilled in me, but because my schedule is so busy, I don’t always have the time to cook. Those extra 2 hours would be perfect for this hobby though, because cooking truly is an art, and it takes time!
Erika Ruiz Sanchez
Hometown: Mission, Texas
School: Moody College of Communication
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Year in school: Junior
Why did you choose your field of study? I chose my field of study because I wanted to go into a field where I would get the opportunity to work one on one with others while building a connection and help improve their lives.
What are your career goals? My career goal is to become a pediatric speech language pathologist.
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? One of my biggest influences in my life has been my sister. I admire the hard work that she has put in to be where she is today. I aspire to be the strong woman that she has proved herself to be. She has guided me through life and given my advice that has stuck to me throughout my college career. I plan to benefit from this influence going forward by sticking by her advice and hoping to make her proud. An organization that has been most important to me is UT NSSLHA. They have presented me with many opportunities related to my career. I currently work at a speech & language elementary (Capitol School of Austin) where I gain experience for my future job. This job was presented to me thanks to UT NSSLHA.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me as it has funded my education and allowed me to continue to take advantage of the opportunities I’ve gained through studying here at UT.
Outside interests: Outside of class my interests include reading a good book, hanging out with my friends, and having movie and karaoke nights. Besides that, I work at Capitol School of Austin as a teacher assistant which brings me a lot of joy as I work with third grades whom I adore.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? If I had two extra hours in a day, I would dedicate some of that time to myself. A lot of the times I get caught up in school work that I forget to take care of myself.
Abd Almoamen Keshlaf
Hometown: Paris, France, Tripoli, Libya
School: College of Liberal Arts
Major: International Relations and Global Studies
Year in school: Third year Senior
Why did you choose your field of study? I’ve always been interested in international relations notably because I am from two countries originally and lived in four in total. I love following world news and understanding the why, the how, and the behind of every news event.
What are your career goals? I would like to go to law school after graduation. I aspire to become an international lawyer working in The Hague, in the Netherlands, at the International Criminal Court or the UN’s International Court of Justice.
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 experience in the Libyan civil war in 2011 has been the most formative in my way of thinking and therefore influenced my career aspirations. I have a unique point of view that most people don’t have, and I hope to use it in the future.
What does receiving a scholarship mean to you? Scholarships, in general, are door openers. They allow for connections to be made and for endless possibilities. They also certainly remove financial obstacles along the way.
Outside interests: Refugee Student Mentor Program, listening to Arabic music (old and modern), Great fan of the Arab National Orchestra.
If you had two extra hours in a day, what would you do? I’d learn Cello or a new language to add to the four I already speak fluently!
Bakhtawer Ayub
Edher Paniagua