Major: International Relations & Global Studies
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Ethics & Leadership in Law, Government, & Politics
Extracurricular Activities: Humanity First
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "My favorite way to give back is by inspiring others to follow their dream. My favorite volunteer experience ever was during the summer before entering college when I volunteered at the local church community center in a program called "Dream on Houston". The program focused on inspiring kids in East End Houston to reach their full potential."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Outgoing
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family
How Do You Balance Your Extracurricular Activities with Your Classes: "Time management and coffee."
Alyssa AshcraftMajor: Government + Humanities
Hometown: Nederland, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Public Policy
Extracurricular Activities: Liberal Arts Council, Student Government, Orange Jackets, & Undergraduate Mentorship Agency
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "I love hands-on volunteering. I want to be directly involved with the causes I'm passionate about, so I prefer service programs that allow me to work directly in the field. My favorite experience has been tutoring in Austin schools, food kitchens, and Habitat for Humanity."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Compassionate
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, and attempting to try every restaurant in Austin
Most Interesting Course at UT: Philanthropy: The Power of Giving
Future Plans: Law School
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Eagle Pass, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Innovation, Creativity, & Entrepreneurship
Extracurricular Activities: ALPFA Member
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "Help out in food drives, promote sustainability, help out those in need, and teach lower-income children about technology."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Handy
Favorite Place to Study: Student Activity Center (SAC) + Monkey's Nest Coffee
Hobbies: Fixing motorcycles, cars, and electronics
First Thing You Do When You Find Free Time: "Watch the Office"
Major: Government + Political Communication Studies
Bridging Disciplines Program: Ethics & Leadership of Law, Politics, & Government
Extracurricular Activities: Planet Longhorn + SEAL
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "My favorite way to give back to the community is to work with and teach children. When given the right tools and a strong foundation, these children will go on to change the world. I volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club where I tutor children in math, English, and Spanish."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Positive
Favorite Place to Study: The Norman Hackerman Building
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Rockdale, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Social Inequality, Health, & Policy
Extracurricular Activities: Longhorn Chapter-International Justice Mission + Wellness Policy Director for Student Government
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Sweet
Most Interesting Course at UT: Intro to Health & Society (HS301)
Tips for Incoming Freshmen: "Be open to change, try to focus on the present moment, and trust that things will pan out the way they are supposed to."
Major: Middle Eastern Studies + Arabic
Hometown: Akwesane, New York
Bridging Disciplines Program: Conflict Resolutions & Peace Studies
Extracurricular Activities: Student Government, Senate of College Councils, Liberal Arts Council, & Guides of Texas
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Trench-deep
Favorite Place to Study: The Senate Office
Hobbies: Music Composition + Writing
Recent Volunteer Experience: Centers for Survivors of Torture, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Habitat for Hummanity ReStore, & Inside Books
Major: International Relations & Global Studies (IRG)
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Social Inequality, Health, & Policy
Extracurricular Activities: Black Health Professionals Organization
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "I love working with children. This summer I volunteered as a teacher in Dallas ISD's summer reading program for refugee students."
Favorite Place to Study: PCL
Hobbies: Fitness + Dancing
How Do You Balance Your Extracurricular Activities With Your Classes: "Google Calendar, writing out my daily goals, & creating an hour-by-hour plan of how I use my time."
Patience OjionukaMajor: Psychology
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Human Rights & Social Justice
Extracurricular Activities: One Note Stand Acapella + Students for Equity Diversity
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: Helping, tutoring, and working with kids
Favorite Place to Study: Multicultural Engagement Center + Coco's Cafe
Tips for Incoming Freshmen: "Keep an agenda! Get involved on campus! There's always a club for you."
Tanya OwensMajor: Psychology
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Children & Society
Extracurricular Activities: Volunteering, reading, and working out
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "My main favorite way of giving back is collecting donations of food and clothing to send to those who are less fortunate. Recently, I have been tutoring the youth and feeding the homeless."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Outgoing
Future Plans: "Graduate school to receive my Doctorate and then open my own practice in a low income community to increase awareness and provide support for mental health."
Major(s): International Relations + Certificate in Core Texts & Ideas
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA + Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Conflict Resolutions & Peace Studies
Study Abroad: Mexico Spring 2019
Extracurricular Activities: Innovations for Peace and Development (IPD), Students Expanding Austin Literacy (SEAL), Lions Club, Jefferson Scholars Program, Liberal Arts Honor Diversity Action Committee (LAHDAC)
Define Your Experience as a Rapoport Scholar: "The Rapoport Scholarship has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. It has facilitated my service learning, supported my education, and connected me to an incredible network of brilliant minds all devoted to giving back. It is a great community that has introduced me to some of my greatest friends."
Major: Government + Mexican American Studies
Hometown: Elgin, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Human Rights
Extracurricular Activities: University Leadership Initiative (ULI) + Work
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "I like to empower others through giving valuable information such as presenting 'Know Your Rights' presentations. Most recently, I went back to my high school to give a presentation about Education Equity to my counselor."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Bold
Major: Government + Humanities
Hometown: Woodlands, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Conflict Resolutions & Peace Studies
Extracurricular Activities: Liberal Arts Refugee Alliance + Texas Civic Ambassadors
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "Volunteering with the ELL class at the Multicultural Refugee Coalition"
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Determined
Define Your Experience as a Rapoport Scholar: "Being a Rapoport Scholar has allowed me to be part of an amazing community of ambitious, service-minded people. The connections I have made have collectively influenced me to be better and make a difference in the world."
Christene VoMajor: Philosophy + Sustainabilty Studies
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Social Entrepreneurship & Non-profits
Extracurricular Activities: Inspire Cohort 2017, Liberal Arts Council (LAC), Buddhist Light Organization (YAD), & Emancipet
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "I enjoy working with non-profits and environmental activism. I'm also interested in working in public education for gentrified schools."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Quirky or Eccentric
Major: Government + Women's & Gender Studies
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Bridging Disciplines Program: Public Policy
Extracurricular Activities: Texas Star Alliance & College of Liberal Arts Diversity Association
Favorite Way(s) to Give Back to the Community: "Post Harvey, I volunteered at the Houston Food Bank because a number of families were left without resources such as food and water. Every way to give back is my favorite way because giving back is not about the individual performing the deed."
One Word Others Use to Describe You: Ambitious
Favorite Place to Study: UT Architecture Library + Monkey Nest Coffee
Hobbies: TV, meditating, & yoga
