🎉 130 years of excellence at the University of Texas at Arlington 🎓

This year, my alma mater celebrates 130 years of shaping minds, building futures, and serving its community—and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of that legacy.

Looking back, the undergraduate and graduate education I received wasn’t just about textbooks and lectures. It was about professors who knew my name, who welcomed questions, and who made learning feel personal. Their mentorship (special shoutout to Dr. Alisa White, Dr. Lara Zwarun and Dr. Charla Markham Shaw!) helped me grow not just academically, but as a person, so much so that when presented the opportunity I returned and taught for eight semesters. Giving back is yet another value that permeates the campus from leadership to faculty to staff and students.

Being located in Dallas/Fort Worth, a major metropolitan area, meant I was surrounded by opportunity—internships, cultural experiences, and a diverse network—that expanded my perspective far beyond the classroom. That commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility remains, and I am grateful.

And perhaps most importantly, attending an accredited university close to home made higher education financially attainable. I could focus on learning without the burden of overwhelming debt, and that freedom shaped the trajectory of my career.

UTA, 🥂 here’s to 130 years of impact! And to the next generation of students who will walk that campus spanning the east and west sides of Cooper Street (and many satellite locations across DFW), may you find your own path forward. This alumna is cheering you on! 💙🧡

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