#divisionofstudentaffairs

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Capes, Comics and Campus Energy: E+E's Comic Con Recap

To kick off the semester with a hero's welcome, UT Comic Con flew into the Texas Union and did not disappoint.

Guest speakers Lex Lang and Ray Chase of Jujutsu Kaisen shared what it’s like to bring anime characters to life. The event also featured a professor panel, cosplay contest, trivia, comic vendors and a comic drawing class, offering something for every fan. More than 550 students participated, making it a truly heroic turnout.

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Division of Student Affairs Fall 2024 Recap

Fall 2024 Bid Day

As we reflect on the fall semester, watch our Fall 2024 Recap to see how the Division of Student Affairs helped students make memories and build skills that will last a lifetime.

Fall 2024 Intramural Swim Meet

From welcoming 11,000 new students to the Forty Acres to supporting them during finals, our team is committed to putting students first. Our programs, spaces and resources encourage students to take care of themselves and find community — all so that they can thrive on campus and after graduation.

Fall 2024 The Project: UT's Largest Day of Service

Through 1,000+ student organizations to programs and events we are helping every student discover what living the Longhorn life means to them!

Fall 2024 Intramural Flag Football Finals

The Division of Student Affairs is here to help every student change the world.

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In a year marked by uncertainty, one thing we know for sure — the Division of Student Affairs team is ready to weather unforeseen storms. 

From a global pandemic to a historic winter storm to racial unrest, our team always steps up to meet our students’ needs. 

Over the last 18 months, some of our staff never stopped coming to campus; others worked remotely to maintain operations. Healthcare staff tirelessly treated students with COVID-19, as well as administered more than 100,000 COVID-19 tests and more than 120,000 COVID-19 vaccines to students, faculty and staff. When a historic winter storm knocked out power and water across the state, our team provided warming centers, water bottles, hot meals and emergency assistance to our students. In the aftermath of racial unrest across the country, the team listened and found news ways to engage students. Through it all, a new student programming team innovated to host low-risk campus events that followed university health guidance.

You’ll find these stories and more in our eighth annual report. So dive in and read how our team is influencing the Longhorn life even in the most difficult and unpredictable circumstances.

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How an Internship Turned into a Career

Berry in the Texas Union in February 2020

How do you turn an internship into a job? Prove you are ready, willing and eager to take on whatever comes your way like Chris Berry, BS ’20, who participated in the Division of Student Affairs Internship Program. The program offers more ways for our students to improve their marketable skills on the job. These experiences can lead to student employment and enhance future career opportunities.

After interning as a University Unions environmental sustainability coordinator in Summer 2019, Berry was hired as student employee, working with a team of 150 staff across the department’s five facilities. Looking to continue this work post-graduation, Berry is now exploring full-time job opportunities as a sustainability specialist tasked with finding new ways to enhance a business’ sustainable practices.

“During job interviews, potential employers focus on my internship experience and I am passionate about continuing the work full-time. Sustainability efforts have a positive impact on the world. I studied a brand-new major, sustainability studies, as an undergraduate, so the internship was a perfect fit,” said Berry.

When the Division launched the internship program in 2019, the program had 17 positions spanning nine departments. For Summer 2021, the Leadership and Ethics Institute is offering 40 positions and has a record number of applicants. Students learn how workplaces operate (especially in their future career fields), as well as valuable skills like project management and communication. By working on hands-on projects, student interns learn to solve real world problems.

“We figured out how to further prevent our recycle bins from being contaminated by regular trash, meaning we can recycle more. We created some environmental education resources for students. We worked with vendors to help them shift to sustainable products,” explained Berry.

Accomplishments like these are happening in our internships across campus—including roles in e-sports, wellness, professional development, public health, design and photography, housing and dining and more. As support for the internship program grows, so too will the number and diversity of roles.

James Buckley and Chris Berry in the Texas Union in February 2020

The internships facilitate great professional relationships for students and staff. Berry’s supervisor James Buckley, director of facilities and operations for University Unions, gave him the flexibility to implement ideas. Buckley has continued to work with interns since Berry.

“Students are the engine that drive us. Working with them is a win-win. They get business experience; we get their passion and energy. We’re looking forward to having another intern in Summer 2021,” added Buckley.

Students can check out the opportunities and apply by Feb. 14 on HireUTexas.

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Campus Community Extends Longhorn Welcome

New Longhorn family at Mooov-In

As the campus community embarks on the new academic year, students, staff and faculty continue to support students affected by Hurricane Harvey. The Longhorn family is looking forward to welcoming students who have not yet returned to campus and those who are already on the Forty Acres to start class today.

Over the weekend, the 24th annual Mooov-In was in full force. This tradition is the kickoff to Longhorn Welcome, a series of free events that give students the opportunity to begin their experience here with a supportive community. Housing and Food Service staff and 450 volunteers safely moved more than 7,000+ students into the 14 on-campus residence halls. The new residents arrived from 40 states, Washington D.C., and 37 countries, representing six continents (all except Antarctica).

“It feels awesome to be a Longhorn! I’m really excited to see what new things I’ll be able to experience at UT Austin,” shared freshman aerospace engineering major Colton Garza, who is from El Paso.

Lost in Austin at Gregory Gymnasium

Following Mooov-In, the Division of Student Affairs team continued Longhorn Welcome with New Student Services’ Lost in Austin and RecSports Warm Up. All three events are among the 11 signature events of Longhorn Welcome. New students enjoyed building relationships, getting to know 1,300 student organizations and exploring campus resources.

“Orientation is just the beginning of a student’s transition to UT Austin. Our goal is to help Longhorns reach their full potential by supporting them throughout their adjustment to the university. Longhorn Welcome is the perfect initiative to help students get acclimated to campus,” noted Celena Mondie-Milner, director of New Student Services.

RecSports Warm Up at Gregory Gymnasium

Even though Gone to Texas and Horns Up Night have been cancelled, dozens of Longhorn Welcome events continue through Sept. 8 with Back to School Bash, Party on the Plaza and the first football game of the season. Check out the listing of all events and make plans to attend the events that best suit your interests. Hook ‘em!

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Parent Pays It Forward at Family Orientation

Carolyn Karger welcomes families in Gregory Gym.

New students aren’t the only ones receiving a Longhorn welcome this summer—Texas Parents is busy introducing thousands of families to the Forty Acres. During Family Orientation, they learn more about The University of Texas at Austin, gaining resources to help them support their students. The experience still resonates with Carolyn Karger, BA ’87. She attended the one-day orientation program in 2014 and now she’s one of 50 volunteers helping Texas Parents this summer. After a welcoming informational program in Gregory Gym, families meet with their student’s college or school. In the afternoon, parents have a choice to attend workshops with campus departments including Housing and Food Service, Office of the Dean of Students and University Health Services. Karger said speaking to housing staff about meal plans and what her son would need for his room in Jester was particularly helpful.

“Family Orientation gave me the other side of the university that I didn’t know as a student. I feel like I need to give back and pay it forward,” noted Karger, whose son Brice is a junior civil engineering major.

Karger with her son Brice at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center in 2014

Following Family Orientation, Karger joined the Texas Parents Association. During the beginning of Brice’s sophomore year, a medical condition forced him to leave school for two weeks. The Texas Parents staff provided support and guidance.

“Texas Parents helped me navigate the correct websites and get resources to help Brice get temporary accommodations. The association is our lifeline,” added Karger.

The Association has 10,500 members who have many benefits including access to a monthly newsletter, closed Facebook group, webinars on timely topics and other resources that help families support their students’ success at UT Austin.

Texas Parents Director Susie Smith with Karger

“We assist parents and families who need help navigating university resources. Our goal is to help parents help their students. It’s very fulfilling when families like the Kargers reach out to us for help because that is why we are here,” said Susie Smith, director of Texas Parents.

Family Orientation takes place on the first day of UT Orientation for new students. Families can register for the following sessions:

• July 6 (Freshman Families) • July 11 (Freshman Families) • July 14 (Transfer Families) • August 17 (Freshman and Transfer Families)

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University Unions Helps Longhorn Neighbor

The University Unions team at The University of Texas Child Development Center

One of UT Austin’s core values is responsibility: to serve as a catalyst for positive change. For many Longhorns, that means giving back to their neighbors. The University Unions Mentorship Program brought this value to life with Public Service Saturday, an annual event that brings students, alumni and staff together to benefit the community.

“Community service enables students to put their skills and knowledge acquired at the university to good and practical use,” said senior communications major Edward Barbour.

On June 11, several volunteers spent four hours refurbishing the playground at The University of Texas at Austin Child Development Center which provides child care services to UT Austin students, faculty and staff.

A volunteer paints tires for the playground.

Many of the volunteers were members of Campus Events and Entertainment Committees. These student leaders plan, promote and produce University Unions programs that represent the student body’s diverse interests.

“This community service helps bring us together as a university, helping each other as neighbors. It was nice to see friendly faces and show support for the work that we do,” explained Site Director Tracy Deyess. “We couldn’t have done what we needed to do this year without their support.”

Executive Director Mulu Ferede sands a shelf.

Partnering with parents whose children attend the center’s programs, the group washed walls, sanded shelves, leveled mulch, moved equipment and spray painted tires. This work reflects the

Division of Student Affairs

’ vision to create a campus culture that engages all students and inspires them to change the world.

“It was a valuable learning experience to volunteer alongside our students, alumni and staff. This event showcased our team’s desire to give back, help fellow Longhorns and support the university’s mission,” said University Unions Executive Director Mulu Ferede who worked with the team at the center.

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Longhorn Lounge Provides R&R during Orientation

Students pose with Hook ‘Em in the Longhorn Lounge.

As New Student Services staff prepares to welcome 10,000 new Longhorns for UT Orientation, they have also created a haven where students can take a break from the hustle and bustle. Aptly named the Longhorn Lounge, it’s a place where students can chat with each other and Orientation Advisors (OAs), charge their phones and grab a snack.

"The Longhorn Lounge is one of the many ways that we create a welcoming environment for incoming students. It gives students a chance to recharge after a full day of activities, meet other new Longhorns and learn about campus resources to help them succeed at UT Austin,” explained Celena Mondie-Milner, director of New Student Services.

The space also provides a different alternative for students to learn more about the Forty Acres.

“During orientation, there are a lot of programs for students to connect with fellow Longhorns in their majors, colleges and schools. This lounge gives them a place to find a common thread and learn about opportunities on campus outside of academics,” said Returning Orientation Advisor Charani Kamath, who helped staff the Longhorn Lounge last summer in Jester East’s Red River Lounge.

New Longhorns recharge and get to know each other during Hook ‘Em’s visit to the Longhorn Lounge.

The junior pre-med major is excited to serve students again this summer in the lounge’s new location, Jester West’s main lounge. A handful of OA’s will be available to answer questions and tell students how they can take advantage of the Division of Student Affairs programs, facilities and services.

“This lounge is a casual environment that gives us the ability to learn about students and share our experiences at UT Austin beyond the scheduled programming,” added Kamath.

Hook 'Em provides some entertainment while students enjoy the lounge.

If you are participating in UT Orientation, make plans to stop by the lounge. Who knows, you may run into Hook ‘Em, our mascot. He spent a lot of time hanging out there last year and plans to stop by again this summer.

Check out the Longhorn Lounge during these times: • Freshman Orientation, Day 1: 3-5 p.m., 6:30-8 p.m. • Freshman Orientation, Day 2: 3-5 p.m. • Transfer Orientation, Day 1: 3-5 p.m.

Hook ‘em horns and welcome to the Forty Acres!

New Longhorns recharge and get to know each other during Hook ‘Em’s visit to the Longhorn Lounge.