Riley Sanchez

Major(s): Humanities – Representing the Working Class through Modernist Literature

Hometown: Keller, TX

Activities: I play and record music, write, read for fun, and constantly talk politics.

Fun facts: I’ve given two tattoos and have a dog named Domino; he loves popcorn.

Why the Humanities Program?

I felt limited choosing one area of study. The humanities program allowed me to combine all my interests with the activities that are most important to me. The autonomy over my own studies under the Humanities Program was exactly what I was looking for.

What led to your research interest?

I took a sociology course my freshman year of college that demonstrated how much the working class was affected by every form of policy, usually more to their own detriment than any other class. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but once I got involved in politics I realized that I would never be able to write anything that wasn’t inherently political. I wanted to research working class issues so that I could pointedly and decidedly be a politically conscious writer.

How has the Humanities Program contributed to your experience at UT?

It’s forced me to interact with people, ideas, and fields of study that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s caused me to be a more involved and active student, which has greatly enhanced my experience with the university.

What are your future plans?

I want to write professionally and actively work on behalf of the working class in as many realms of life as I can.