Latest News

McNair Scholar Joshua Ito arrived at UT wanting to be at the front of medical research, and through the Freshman Research Initiative and mentorship from professor Ryan Gray, he achieved that goal. Now studying genetic causes of pediatric musculoskeletal disorders, Joshua has progressed from uncertain undergraduate to confident researcher, presenting his findings nationally and preparing for doctoral studies in medical sciences.

Minji Kim, a University of Texas at Austin informatics senior, approaches AI and computer science through an ethics-focused, human-centered lens rather than pure coding. She has contributed to privacy-preserving vision language model research, delivered cybersecurity solutions through the Texas Cybersecurity Clinic, and mentored students through Girls Who Code—all driven by her commitment to creating socially impactful machine learning solutions. Inspired by professors who emphasize AI ethics and community service, Minji now prepares for a career combining cybersecurity and machine learning while maintaining her focus on benefiting society.

Rachel Schnakenberg, a transfer student who arrived at UT Austin in fall 2023, recently earned the prestigious Beinecke Scholarship as UT's sole recipient through strategic networking and community engagement. Her flood emergency research under Dr. Javier Auyero's mentorship, combined with active participation in the Urban Ethnography Lab and work at the Blanton Museum, exemplifies her academic excellence. Rachel's success demonstrates how building meaningful relationships with faculty and peers creates a strong foundation for future Ph.D. studies in sociology.

Plan II Honors graduate and BDP student Caroline Whitmarsh has been awarded a $15,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowship from Phi Kappa Phi.

Nearly 600 miles separate Austin from Kristel Holguin’s hometown. Yet, despite this great distance, Kristel’s path never wavered: she always dreamed of a career helping children.

Whether she was cataloging insects in the University's extensive collection, designing educational programs, or leading a barre class at RecSports, Abigail Jones embodied the interdisciplinary spirit that defines The University of Texas at Austin.

Kynadi Jones exemplifies what it means to lead with empathy, determination, and vision—qualities that will undoubtedly shape her continued journey long after her time at UT.

Rachel Schnakenberg, a senior at UT Austin, has been awarded a Beinecke Scholarship worth up to $34,000 for graduate study. Rachel is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Educational Psychology. Her academic journey exemplifies resilience, mentorship, and vision, serving as an inspiration to future UT scholars.

Looking back at being a freshman, everything seemed so big and scary – especially being a first-generation college student and high school graduate. The College of Education at UT Austin really supported me through my youth and community studies degree.

Austin in the ’70s was buzzing with history in the making: Vietnam War protests, the newly minted 18-year-old vote and political upheaval. Journalism felt electric with purpose. All this as a young Bill Mintz walked into Journalism 322 at the University of Texas—taught by the legendary Griff Singer—and found himself swept up in the fast-paced, boots-on-the-ground world of The Daily Texan.