While some say there aren’t enough hours in the day, Sarah Song seizes every moment and makes it count. The junior biochemistry major from Flower Mound, Texas volunteers at University Health Services (UHS), conducts research at the Dell Pediatric Research Institute and leads groups through Acts College Fellowship.

This weekend she began a new endeavor. As one of 30 interns with the Model Healthy Campus initiative, she participated in a two-day “Design Bootcamp,” an intense team-based design exercise. Interns conducted user interviews, generated concepts, and prototyped and tested their designs with the user community.

“I am very, very excited to be surrounded by people all learning together,” Song declared. “It provides an opportunity to dig deep with not only mentors, but my peers.” As an intern, she will work closely with the Dell Medical School’s Design Institute for Health to apply design thinking to improve wellbeing on campus.

Model Healthy Campus is a joint partnership between the Wellness Network and Dell Medical School. The initiative focuses on identifying the health needs of the UT Austin community and creatively developing solutions that improve the health needs of students, faculty and staff.

Keep reading

Amy Enrione (right) with fellow Orange Jacket Vystnavi Karri at Darrell K—RoyalTexas Memorial Stadium

Whether it’s inspiring fellow Longhorns to give back or putting in the volunteer hours herself, Amy Enrione makes her commitment to service known. That’s why the University Unions is recognizing her efforts with the 2016 Pal — Make a Difference Award, an annual award given to a student in honor of Advisory Council member Jaspreet Singh Pal, BBA ‘95.

“It’s really meaningful that I’m being recognized as making an impact on the university. I worked for the last four years to improve campus,” shared Enrione, a senior business honors program and management information systems major. 

Keep reading

Making sure the Texas Union is in top shape for an average of 10,000 visitors each day and 5,000 meetings and events annually is a big job. However, the high-volume and building’s history, combined with a genuine care for students, inspire David Martinez to head to work every day.

Keep reading

Anthony Lee at the Leadership and Ethics Institute

Participating in The Texas Leadership Summit started out as a way for Anthony Lee to get comfortable speaking in front of crowds. Now he is taking his talents to the next level by helping plan this Saturday’s event so nearly 250 Longhorns can refine their leadership skills.

“In a bigger sense, it’s about building the student and the student organization,” explained Lee, a junior neuroscience major. “It’s fun to interact with students because it gives me a bigger perspective in getting to know different kinds of people.”

Keep reading

Take part in these Division of Student Affairs events to prepare your mind and body for finals, and get in the holiday spirit! Our team is ready to help our students rest and recharge as they finish the semester – it’s one of the many ways we influence the Longhorn life on campus.

Final Stretch in Spring 2018

Final Stretch
Monday, Dec. 3-Monday, Dec. 10, Gregory Gym and Recreational Sports Center
Break a sweat at free Recreational Sports TeXercise classes and get access to the climbing wall.

Ugly Sweater Holiday Party
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 5-7 p.m., Bellmont 222
Have some holiday fun at The Center for Students in Recovery’s annual holiday party.

Keep reading

Chris Whitehair at the Texas Parents Ambassadors Council luncheon. 

Christopher Whitehair
• Major: Finance, McCombs School of Business, Class of 2018
• Activities: Senate of College Councils, Texas Blazers, Student Government, Google Community Leaders Program, Delta Sigma Pi, McCombs School of Business BBA Career Services

Chris Whitehair speaking at an event. 

“Your resume bullet points will not be the experiences you share with your kids one day. What you will share with them are the memories of going out with friends, student organizations, leadership opportunities. My campus involvement has been the cornerstone of my development in college.”

Whitehair is moving to New York City after graduation to pursue a career as a consultant with Oliver Wyman. He’ll also remain involved in campus life through a board of director’s position with the Texas Exes affiliated Texas Blazers Alumni Network. Read about award winners Lizzy Tan and Micky Wolf and the three other finalists. 

Bryson Duhon (College of Pharmacy) and Thea Woodruff discuss the Well-being in Learning Environments initiative.

The demands of college life — academics, family issues, social situations, work and finances — can create major stress for students. The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) has a long history of working closely with campus partners to improve student mental health and well-being, and a new initiative takes that work even further.

Through Well-being in Learning Environments, CMHC staff will work with faculty and staff to embed conditions for well-being directly into classroom and academic settings. The idea is to make small shifts in the design and delivery of courses in order to support student well-being. CMHC received a grant for the project from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.

College of Liberal Arts philosophy class

“By creating a deeper connection between faculty and students, we help students feel like they belong. Students do better in class when they feel like they’re meant to be there and know someone cares,” expressed CMHC Well-being in Learning Environments Coordinator Thea Woodruff.

Keep reading

Nicolas Garza

Exploring his passion for graphic design through two student organizations, Nicolas Garza saw the Division of Student Affairs Holiday Card Contest as another opportunity to display his skills. His winning design is being featured on this year’s Division print and electronic holiday cards.

“We are all Longhorns and every time I see a Longhorn cow, I think “Hook ‘em Horns” so it seemed like the best symbol to put in,” noted the sophomore accounting major.

Using design as a way to de-stress, Garza creates t-shirts and graphics for the Filipino Students Association and Asian American Campus Ministry. He found out about the second-annual contest through an email sent to members of student organizations.

Keep reading

Hook ‘em Longhorns, you are in the final stretch! Finish the semester out strong by preparing your mind and body for finals week. Check out how the Division of Student Affairs is supporting students with these fun events across the Forty Acres.

Fuel Your Mind for Finals Success
Monday, May 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Perry–Castañeda Library (PCL) Plaza

Students hand out snacks and water at last semester’s event.  

Get energized with University Health Services staff and students who will be handing out KIND Bars, water and nutritional information.

Keep reading

Provost Sharon Wood, Araceli Nieto and President Hay Hartzell at the Faculty and Staff Awards on April 12

For 38 years, Araceli Nieto enhanced the lives of generations of students through her empathy, kindness, compassion and unparalleled breadth of knowledge. She was a mainstay in the Office of the Dean of Students, going above and beyond as a connector and problem solver. Now, the University is honoring her with the Arno Nowotny Medal, awarded to a retired Division of Student Affairs staff member who set the bar high during their distinguished career serving students.*

“I saw myself as a steady rock. I believe it was my desire to be helpful. My mother always told me – be of service, be helpful. That resonated with me. Anytime there was something that needed to be done, I wanted to be there to help. That guided me,” said Nieto.

Nieto (front row, far left) with the Office of the Dean of Students team and former Dean of Students Sharon Justice (front row, far right) in 1989

That desire to help students motivated Nieto to seek a job in the Office of the Dean of Students in 1980. She began as a senior secretary, after working for a short period at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and held progressive roles over the next four decades. She served the dean of students as executive assistant, supported the office and other staff, and her career culminated as executive liaison for the Office of the Dean of Students and vice president for student affairs. She retired in 2018.

In the true spirit of student affairs work, Nieto’s first priority was always our students, but she also influenced the lives of many staff, faculty and families. Her career spanned nine deans and interim deans, including Sharon Justice, former associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students from 1985-2001.

Sharon Justice and Nieto circa 1990s

“Araceli worked for me for sixteen years and she was a supervisor’s dream employee. Her eagerness to learn more, to improve her performance, to keep me on track and to have a sense of humor made for a wonderful working relationship,” shared Justice.

Many others benefited from Nieto’s dedication, wisdom and perspective – her presence was a key component to the success of the office and team. She handled many difficult and emergency situations, such as student deaths and 9/11, with poise, diplomacy and care.

“During her years of service in the Office of the Dean of Students, Araceli consistently demonstrated her commitment to the University community. She helped students navigate the orange tape, she provided parents with the necessary resources, she served on committees, she reassured faculty members that a staff member would call them back as soon as possible and all this with a calm demeanor,” added Justice.

Nieto and Former President Robert Berdahl at 1999 Performance Review and Evaluation

Justice, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Dison and other former University leaders and colleagues attended the awards celebration at the Faculty and Staff Awards on April 12, 2024. President Jay Hartzell and Executive Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood honored Nieto alongside 10 distinguished faculty members who received the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Awards.

“Araceli was dedicated to serving our students and has been recognized with a multitude of awards, commendations and recognition from prominent student organizations. She has made an impact on the lives of many staff, faculty and families through her endless show of empathy, commitment and guidance,” noted Provost Wood.

Nieto has received many other noteworthy achievements over the years including The University of Texas Employee Excellence Award and the Eyes of Texas Excellence Award. She served as the first advisor to Sigma Lambda Gamma – Xi Chapter during the formation and establishment of the first Hispanic Sorority on our campus. She also received numerous recognitions from student organizations including Student Government, Senate of College Councils, Graduate Student Assembly, UT Leadership Board and Orange Jackets.

*The Arno Nowotny Medal is the highest honor the University awards to a Division of Student Affairs staff member. Founded in 1983, the Arno Nowotny Medal honors the longtime dean of student life who influenced generations of students during his more than 50 years of service. Check out the past honorees.