Mia Carter

Eager to embark on her own college journey, Carter graduated high school at the age of 16 and studied English and Creative Writing at Boston University and The University of Massachusetts-Boston. There, she learned from world-changing professors who inspired her to work in higher education.

“I’ve always been one of those geeks who loved her teachers,” she joked. “I had Howard Zinn as a professor, who was widely known as a committed social activist and radical thinker. I had Emily Dalgarno, who is a great modernist literary scholar. Everything I know as a teacher I've taken from one of the great professors that I’ve had.”

Carter began her career at The University of Texas in 1991, where she taught English and directed multiple on-campus programs — including The Center for Asian American Studies and the Mellon Engaged Scholar Initiative. She now braves a new role as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for The College of Liberal Arts.

“I had no sense of the dimension, scope, or scale of this job when I was asked to serve, so I did the smart thing and invited people in similar leadership roles out to Happy Hour,” she said. “The more I learned about the job, the more I realized that many aspects of it fit with my commitment to working with undergraduate students, whom I have always found to be quite daring and inventive researchers.”

As Associate Dean, Carter is dedicated to democratizing opportunity for all students in The College of Liberal Arts.

“I’ve had many honors students in my classes, and one thing I’ve noticed is that they are constantly in-the-loop about on-campus opportunities,” she explained. “It was very important for me to find ways in which the everyday, ambitious undergrad at UT had the same access to information and opportunity — regardless of status.”

She attributes much of her success to the amazing Student Affairs team, without which her vision for The College of Liberal Arts would not be possible.

“Before COVID-19, our office at the Gebauer building was a fabulous beehive. You had student workers and advisors; you had colleagues running up and down floors whenever anyone needed help. I'm blessed to work with a team of people who are passionately committed to supporting students.”

According to Carter, that commitment has only strengthened since the University’s closure due to COVID-19.

“As we approach the first-year anniversary of online learning, I’ve realized just how challenging it is to engage students without a campus,” she said. “We've worked closely with Liberal Arts Council to figure out how we can make the new normal as interactive as possible, and we’re also focused on strengthening our student support resources.”

With Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texan businesses and lift the state-wide mask mandate, Carter urges students to continue following healthcare-recommended guidelines regarding COVID-19.

“Only 20 percent of people in Texas have been vaccinated so far, so don’t be overconfident. Keep wearing masks and practice social distancing. COVID-19 can be a life-changing disease, even if you survive it.”

She also encourages students to look after themselves and explore the outdoors — especially after the February snowstorm that caused mass power, food, and water shortages across Texas.

“We’ve all been through various experiences and degrees of trauma; I think we’re all in need of a revival,” she acknowledged. “Spring is beautiful here in Austin, so I recommend you take time for yourself and go outside safely.”

Carter has personally taken advantage of the nature Austin has to offer.

"I’m a very outdoors-y person, I go hiking when I can,” she shared. “I’ve also been working a lot on my garden. It’s nice to have a little patch of something I can control.”

She also enjoys spending her time in and on the water.

"I belong to Texas Rowing Center here in Austin. Rowing is my therapy and passion, and I’ll do it until I can’t anymore,” she said. “I love swimming, too. Now that I have re-braided my hair, I am anxious to get back in the pool.”

As a lifelong learner and Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Carter advises undergraduate students in The College of Liberal Arts to persevere with their studies and work towards a brighter future.

“Don’t give up on yourself and your classes. You have control over your performance, work ethic, and commitment to your own journey. And that journey is more important than ever,” she said. “We’ve seen in these crises how many things have to change — socially, economically, institutionally. We need you; we need your energy. The future is unwritten, and you are agents for change.”

For more information, visit The College of Liberal Arts’ Student Affairs Office and UT’s Liberal Arts Council.