Alumni Spotlight – Maddie Heaven and Bryn Wyckoff

Giving Back to Australian Wildlife

Alumni Spotlight- Clemente Garcia III

Clemente Garcia III (UT 2014) recently received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to the Netherlands from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. We spoke with him to find out more about his research and his hopes for more Terry Fulbright awardees.

From the press release:
“Clemente will conduct research in multilingual education and assist in English instruction at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) as part of a project to better understand the successful implementation of language equity and multilingualism in Dutch public schools. With these findings, Clemente will return to Texas where he will continue to champion for better bilingual education practices while pursuing Graduate’s studies in linguistics… Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields.” (Source: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office ) Read the full press release>>>

Our Interview

with students in Taiwan

Wuji Tianyuan Temple

Study Abroad in Turkey

How did you find out about the Fulbright Award?

I learned about the Fulbright Award through pure fate. While studying abroad in Turkey a few years ago (a huge thank you to the Foundation for funding that semester) I became close friends with another exchange student from New York. Last summer, I sent a message to see what she was up to, and that’s when she first told me about Fulbright. Knowing my interests, she encouraged me to apply for the following year. I’m still pretty amazed by how I came across the Fulbright Award. I heard about it from her with just enough time to begin putting my application together.

What would you like other students to know about Fulbright?

I really just want other students to know that it is available. My Fulbright Advisors explained that so many awardees come from upper-middle-class families and have been on a “conveyor belt” to college their entire lives. I only learned about Fulbright through a friend that fits the typical description of a recipient. Ultimately, I hope that more people like myself and other Terry Scholars are able to hear about opportunities like Fulbright and break through the barriers of exposure.

For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright

Alumni Spotlight- Andrew Valdez

Andrew Valdez (UT 2013)  is a Terry Transfer Scholar and graduated from UT Austin with a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. He is a director, playwright, actor, teaching artist, and producer. He currently serves as the New Play Associate at the Cleveland Public Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. He recently shared some of his projects with us and also hosted a #TerryTakeover on our Instagram account.

“A lot of my job is working alongside Cleveland artists and developing their work… [giving] them the resources they need to realize their vision on stage,” he says. (Check out Andrew’s website for more information!)

Andrew speaking at the “Families Belong Together Rally” at an ACLU of Ohio event.

Br’er Cotton

Andrew recently served as the Assistant Director on a National New Play Network Rolling Premiere called “Br’er Cotton” by Terelle Alvin Chisholm. The show ran from March 29, 2018 to April 21, 2018. “This is one of my FAVORITE plays,” he told us. “The synopsis is a young black youth, who is tired of the systemic institutions that have continually oppressed African Americans. He takes his future, and the future of black youth, in his own hands and tries to rise up against his oppression- removing his family and his ancestry from the cotton field.”

“Those of us who don’t know people in a specific category… we put people into convenient little boxes and don’t look beyond. I hope that this play, in a way, maybe very subtly, encourages people not to do that.” -Jennifer L. Nelson, Director of Br’er Cotton (source: cptonline.org)

Learn more about “Br’er Cotton” at cptonline.org>>>

Station Hope

Andrew was also a production assistant on Cleveland Public Theater’s “Station Hope” event, which took place on May 5th. About his involvement, Andrew says, “Station Hope is a jubilant event that celebrates Cleveland’s social justice history and explores contemporary struggles for freedom and equity. We engage with over 250 artists as they envision, interrogate, and seek out hope on the grounds of Cleveland’s first authenticated Underground Railroad site, St. John’s Episcopal Church.” Andrew took over the Foundation’s Instagram to showcase the weekend’s activities and to provide an insider view of the festival and its art and performances. “It’s been an amazing journey helping curate a new play development festival that honors the diversity of our nation.” Learn more about Station Hope at cptonline.org>>>

Here are some of the images Andrew captured during his #TerryTakeover:

American Dreams

In early 2018, Andrew served as an actor and collaborator for the World Premiere of “American Dreams,” a play by Leila Buck.

Show Synopsis:  “You are invited into the live studio audience of American Dreams, where you will decide which of three contestants will receive the ultimate prize: citizenship in ‘the greatest nation on earth.’ Weaving playful audience engagement with up-to-the-moment questions about immigration and more, this participatory performance explores how we navigate between fear, security, and freedom; who and what we choose to believe—and how those choices come to shape who we are.” (source: cptonline.org)

Andrew reflects on his experience:
“Together with Leila Buck (playwright), Tamilla Woodward (director) and Alex Corona (collaborator), we developed my character, Alejandro Rodriguez, who was a former medic in the National Guard and was deported to Mexico because he was not a citizen. His character takes inspiration from the livelihood that Alex and I share growing up near border towns. This character highlights a larger conversation this nation is having with the Dreamers and DACA; and what it means to have been or continue to be an American Citizen.”

Photo Credit: Steve Wagner

“This show has meant a lot to me. Everyday we are confronted with our own biases and the biases of the nation; how we create meaningful dialogue from those conversations is an ever present presence that looms in our rehearsal room. It is one of the most rewarding works that I have participated in and is true testament of theater as social change. I really recommend checking out this news coverage of playwright Leila Buck and our Artist Director Raymond Bobgan, who go into depth about the conversations and questions this show raises.” Learn more about “American Dreams” at cptonlne.org>>>

Photo Credit: Steve Wagner

Alumni Spotlight- Maddy Kulkarni

Maddy Kulkarni (UT-Austin 2001) is on the Terry Scholar Alumni Advisory Board and is the Senior Marketing Manager for PepsiCo Frito Lay, where she has worked for seven years. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at UT-Dallas. When she’s not developing future marketers or marketing your favorite soda or snack food (Crunchy Cheetos are her personal favorite), she is active in her community and ensures that local nonprofit organizations can make their largest impact. Maddy’s involvement in community service began long before her move to Dallas. During her time at UT, Scholars did not have to live together in the residence halls. In fact, it wasn’t even a possibility. This made it difficult for them to come together outside of banquets and picnics. Service events were a natural way for them to join together, and they were always looking for ways to give back.

Maddy and her 2016 Terry Transfer Interview Panel

Eventually, Maddy was also able to give back by sitting on the other side of the Terry interview table. Since her graduation from UT, Maddy has interviewed seven times, for Traditional and Transfer Scholars, and she has chaired a panel once. As a Panel Chair, she took the lead during the entire process, guiding the panelists as they selected new Scholars to be welcomed into the Terry family. She notes, “This position is one that is humbling, but it is also a significant commitment.” With that said, volunteering comes naturally to Maddy, as it does to many Terry Scholars.

Amplifying Local Impacts

Marketing takes many years to master, and Maddy has chosen to use her cultivated skills to benefit her community. She has worked with the nonprofit Social Venture Partners by serving on a team of professionals to benefit organizations on a pro-bono basis. One of their clients was Children at Risk, an organization that works to improve quality of life for children through advocacy. She felt so passionate for their cause that she eventually joined their board. After much involvement in other nonprofit organizations, including the Terry Foundation, Maddy decided to start her own.

Maddy with fellow Advisory Board member, Kasey Yanna (UT-Austin 2005) and fellow Terry Scholar and former intern, Catherine Whitten (TAMU 2015).

Dallas Heroes Project “celebrates local heroes, educates citizens on critical issues facing the city, and enables citizens to take social action to make a positive impact in the city of Dallas.” The organization accomplishes this mission by assisting local nonprofit organizations with their marketing strategies. Each month, Maddy chooses a “hero” and a different issue to feature. Often, these organizations have the social and policy work down to a science, but their marketing techniques may suffer as a result. By providing her professional expertise, Maddy is able to help them enhance their footprint in the communities they serve. Previous collaborative projects include adult literacy, the foster care system, and empowerment for young women interested in politics.

To learn more about Dallas Heroes Project, click here.

Alumni Spotlight- Matt Priest

Matt Priest (TXST 2004) was a member of the inaugural class of Terry Scholars at Texas State University in 2004. He currently works as a Senior Associate for the Sterling Group and previously worked as an Investment Banking Associate for Goldman Sachs. Matt explains why he pushed himself to his limits on Wall Street before examining his priorities and adjusting his path. He discusses his time as a Terry Scholar, his life post-graduation, and his advice for Scholars as they pursue their chosen fields.

The Terry Years

Early on, when we started the Texas State group, I’m pretty sure Mr. and Mrs. Terry came out for most events. I got to see them a lot; I got to hear him talk about his upbringing and what led him to start the Foundation and the opportunities he was given to go to UT. I come from a similar kind of background, where the scholarship created opportunity. Hearing those stories told– secondhand too as they got up in age–it’s fantastic the amount of access the Terrys allowed people to have to them and to discuss things. They’d sit down at the picnic and were one of the crew. They wanted to know what was happening in the lives of the students and the universities. I think they took a lot of pride and joy in seeing us do what we did on a university level.
   

Click the tabs to learn about Matt’s life post-graduation.

MY Advice to Terry Scholars

If investment banking is something that interests you, figure out why it interests you. I did it for- probably- some of the wrong reasons. It was a “prove to myself that I could do it” type of thing. I wanted to see how far I could go. While I was interested in what we were doing, I was never fulfilled by it. To this day, I still think about “what might have been” if I had chosen a different path. If you’re a current student still debating if you want to be an engineer or an investment banker or a doctor or a hedge fund guy, you have to really think about why you want to do those things. If you’re doing it for the nice job, the nice paycheck, the nice car, and recognition from society, you have got to decide what it is about that occupation that gives you fulfillment. If you want to save lives, then do it. Why do you want to do deals if you’re an investment banker guy? Is it the thrill of doing the transaction and negotiating? I can tell you that you will very rarely be there; it’s not as cool as it looks in the movies. There are things I love about it, and there are things I could never do again and be perfectly okay. People have to find what they view as valuable and fulfilling in their lives. Find a career that gets you that. If you’re more fulfilled by leaving work at 6 o’clock, being a good parent, and being involved with your family, then you have got to find a job that lets you do that- not all of them will. Think more long term than short term, and really understand what you’re striving for.

Alumni Spotlight- Camilla Smith

Shark Week may only happen once a year on the Discovery Channel, but for Camilla Smith (UNT 2011), it happened approximately 52 times. After studying abroad at the School for Field Studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Camilla later joined their team as an intern for an entire year working directly with the students leading them on recreational scuba dives. She also worked as a research assistant studying sharks. Although there are no sharks in Denton, UNT did equip her with the skills and knowledge she would need to embark on such an educational adventure.

Not wanting to be pigeonholed into a specific career, Camilla chose UNT because of its diversity in majors. Fashion and marine biology were her two vastly different interests, and luckily, UNT offered degrees and course in both such as scuba diving. Because of this, it felt like fate that she would apply there and then the Terry Scholarship which would impact her life forever.

While Camilla was a Terry Scholar, she served as a service chair and was heavily involved in the organization’s activities. She says, ” It was important to me to keep the commitment I made during my interview. It was the only reason I was able to go to school, so I think I can commit that couple of hours a month to give back to something that has given me so much.” With so much excitement that surrounds the freshman year banquet, one of her fondest memories is that she was able to meet Mr. Terry before his passing. “It was pretty amazing to see someone who has devoted his life to making sure others got a similar opportunity to go to college,” she reflects.

Appreciative of Mr. Terry’s dedicated presence during the later years, Camilla adds, “we all saw and felt that, and it was pretty special.”  In addition to meeting Mr. Terry, Camilla’s favorite aspect of being a Terry Scholar was meeting her best friends, including her freshman year roommate who turned into her sophomore, junior, and senior year roommate as well!

Now that she’s back on the mainland, Camilla will continue her efforts in marine conservation. Next fall, she plans to enroll in graduate school where she can continue her undergraduate research in developmental physiology.

Alumni Spotlight- Jake Pringle

Jake Pringle (UT-Austin 1993) is a Consulting Pension Actuary for Milliman in Houston and recently celebrated his 20 year anniversary with the company. If Milliman sounds familiar, that’s because the Foundation holds both traditional and transfer interviews at the Milliman building in Dallas! As a well-establish alumnus, Jake has extensively given back to his Terry family and his community. In 2015, Jake joined the Terry Foundation’s Advisory Board and began his first of 2 terms as the president of the Houston Chapter of the Terry Scholar Alumni Association.

Some may wonder what exact role the Advisory Board plays in the Foundation. In short, members help Foundation staff and Scholars in various capacities, including responding to Self Evaluation Letters (SEL). There were over 1,700 Scholars enrolled this past year, meaning that A LOT of SELs needed to be read. The Foundation is dedicated to answering every letter, so the project has been expanded to include the Terry Scholar Alumni Advisory Board. This past summer, Advisory Board members who were on the Self Evaluation Letter Committee responded to 14-20 letters each. A handful of you may have even received a response from Jake! When asked about this opportunity to further engage with Scholars, Jake said, “It takes you back to your college days. You sympathize with current Scholars as they’re studying for exams and learning how to balance their time. It’s nice to be able to offer advice based on my experience looking back 20 years.”

Each year it is amazing to see the caliber of each class of Terry Scholars at each of the thirteen universities. This year was no different. Although all majors are challenging in their own way, Jake relates to those Scholars studying mathematics- given he graduated with his B.A. in Mathematics from UT-Austin in 1997. Math may seem overwhelming or incredibly challenging to some, but Jake often sees math as a riddle. He grew up watching his grandfather run his own business with a middle school education, and he noticed how at ease he was with the operational side of things. This inspired Jake as he sought out a career that involved day-to-day mathematical equations. This process was made a lot easier because Jake’s mother was his high school counselor. Once he began looking into schools and jobs, his mother mentioned Actuarial Science, a field that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in insurance, finance and other industries. Research and teaching weren’t for Jake, but he could see himself becoming an actuary- at his dream school no less.

On the day of his interview, Jake was star struck by one of the panelists sitting across from him at the table- Coach Darrell K. Royal. Jake grew up watching UT football, so Coach Royal was a legend in his family. From the Foundation’s inception through 2002, Coach Royal served as one of the original directors of the Foundation and knew the Terrys very well. Although Coach Royal’s tenure at the University of Texas came long after Mr. Terry’s playing time, that bond over football and student success always existed between the two men. In addition to Coach Royal, Mr. and Mrs. Terry also sat at the table for Jake’s interview. That may have been the first time Jake met the Terrys, but it certainly wasn’t the last. Jake recalls sitting around the table listening to Mr. Terry’s stories at both the banquet and picnic during his fours years at UT.

“It wasn’t a huge thing back then,” he says. “It was easy to talk to the Terrys.”

Finally, when Jake graduated, he seized the opportunity to switch roles and become extensively involved in the interview process of new Terry Scholars. During that time in the Foundation’s history, Mr. Terry still participated in interviews, so Jake even got to sit beside him on a few occasions- both proud to afford more Texans an opportunity to go to college.

Alumni Spotlight- Brittney Campbell

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can manifest itself in many different ways, depending on the person. Some people with ASD are verbal; some are nonverbal. Some have seizures; some don’t. Some are savants, some are not. Each one of them shares a common diagnosis, but they are all different much like anyone else you might meet. Brittney Campbell (UTD 2012) shares her brother Kendall’s story and what life is like in medical school.

All siblings are special, but Brittney feels a particularly strong bond with Kendall, even though he cannot fully communicate with her. This bond was nurtured through years of accompanying her parents on the journey of autism- doctor’s appointment after doctor’s appointment after doctor’s appointment. Neurologists, Gastroenterologists, and Psychiatrists are all involved in Kendall’s care plan. Because her deep love of science and this exposure to the medical field from an early age, Brittney thought she wanted to become a doctor- for Kendall and for herself. After all, it was everything she wanted in a career. After shadowing her brother’s Psychiatrist, she knew she wanted to become a doctor.

This shadowing experience confirmed everything for Brittney. At first, the office was hesitant to bring her on board due to confidentiality, especially in a psychiatric practice. She persisted, and her persistence served her well. More often than not, undergraduates face numerous barriers to seeing and experiencing patient care first-hand. Brittney says she did have to “cold call” potential sites, and once they responded, she would provide her university transcripts. The successful attempt eventually did come from that real-life connection to her brother’s psychiatrist, so as she says, sometimes “it’s who you know.” Thanks to an active Terry Alumni network, current scholars can access the TAP List in any field to seek leads and guidance, whether it’s in the medical field or on the stage- Brittney’s two passions in life.

Psychiatry was exciting. Brittney listened to patient stories, and each of them were the lead in their own tale- similar to Brittney’s other passion, theater. During her undergrad, she took several improvisation courses to balance out the heavy science classes. Unfortunately, the demanding schedule of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) has prevented her from stepping onto the stage recently. However, to her, “The sacrifices are worth it.” Whether through theater or another hobby, it is important to find an outlet to relieve stress. As Brittney says, “Those tests are no joke!” To reflect and to cope with the stress, she recommends that all medical students write about their experiences, especially the good ones. “It’s important to remind yourself that you deserve to be here,” she says.

It isn’t all studying and stress, though. Brittney’s favorite aspect of medical school is learning how to interview patients. Much like a detective, doctors must know which questions to ask to figure out any underlying issues or extenuating circumstances that could affect a patient’s physical or mental health. This skill is that much more important for Brittney, who is on the road to becoming a psychiatrist and is now in her second year of medical school. Class is in session; good luck to all of our current medical students!

To learn more about autism and how you can help, visit the website of the advocacy organization, Autism Speaks.

Alumni Spotlight- Will Hurd

Representative Will Hurd (TAMU 1995) was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduating from John Marshall High School, he entered Texas A&M as a Terry Scholar in 1995 and studied Computer Science. He currently represents the 23rd District of Texas and serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House Committee on Homeland Security, and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Reflection of a Terry Alumnus

Rep. Hurd on what it meant and continues to mean to be a Terry Scholar:
The Terry Scholarship is the reason that I went to Texas A&M. It changed my life, and the Terrys’ focus on service and giving back to the community just further put that in my mind and in my being. There are a number of constituents that go- throughout the 29 counties I represent- to all the universities across Texas (And being at UTEP is pretty awesome!). I’m excited- I know the trips to [picnic] are probably cram-packed now with the number of Alumni members that have benefited from the Terry Scholarship…I’ve always wanted to get back to one.

On meeting Mr. Terry:
I do believe he actually participated in my interview. Over my entire time at Texas A&M, getting to interact with him was something. He was one of the kindest, nicest people I had ever met. Right after graduating, I was undercover, and it was hard for me to come back often to Texas. The few times I was able to get to Houston, I was able to visit with Mr. Terry and give him an update on what I was doing.

From College to Congress

When asked why he chose public service as his way of giving back to his community, Rep. Hurd had this to say:
Well, it’s all connected. I decided to go to Texas A&M. I had the opportunity. I had the Terry Scholarship. My freshman year I’m walking across campus, and I see a sign that says “Take 2 Journalism Classes in Mexico City for $425.” I had $450 bucks in my bank account, so I decided to go to Mexico. I fell in love being in a new culture. I thought it was cool seeing things I only read about in books, so I decided to add International Studies as a minor. In my sophomore year, in my first International Studies class, we had a guest lecturer who was a former CIA tough guy, real old-school. He told the most amazing stories, and that began my interest in the CIA. When I graduated, and because of my leadership experience, I was very competitive for the very few people that the CIA takes right out of undergrad, so I joined and spent 9 and a half years as an undercover officer. I was the guy in the back alleys at four o’clock in the morning collecting intelligence for the homeland. It was a fantastic job. I had to also brief members of Congress while I was overseas, and I was pretty shocked by the caliber of our elected leaders. I had some friends- one also a former Terry Scholar- that had been involved in campaigns and ran races and said, “Hey you should run for Congress.” I thought that’d be a way to help the intelligence community and help serve my country in a different way, and that’s why I ended up running for Congress the first time. I lost a run-off election by seven hundred votes, and then I became a partner at a consulting firm and helped start a cybersecurity company. I was able to be successful in both of those endeavors through a lot of the things I learned being a leader in the MSC and also in student government. I then ran in 2014, and the rest is history.

The most memorable moment in Congress is probably the first time- early on after I had been sworn in- we were able to help a constituent significantly. She was a young lady,  76 years old, and her husband had passed away the year before. He was a veteran, and she was supposed to be getting veterans benefits owed to a spouse. She was having problems for months; it was going to possibly cause her to leave her residence, and we were able to fix the problem. It had a tectonic impact on her life, and it was us that helped with that. It was a pretty big deal, and so that was the first time that it made me realize the power of this office and how important it is to help my community.

                                             1997 Winedale Picnic

Leading by Example

On leadership:
Well, number one, you’ve got to begin with the end in mind- that’s something I learned. I was exposed to Franklin Covey and the Covey Leadership Principles, and number one is, “Begin with the end in mind- know what you’re trying to achieve.” Then, you have to articulate a very clear vision for the office, and everybody that works on the team needs to know what their specific role is when it comes to accomplishing that mission. And so, everybody on my staff- I have 23 people on my team- all 23 would be able to say our two goals. And number one is, “Be a leader on national security,” and number two, “Be the gold standard when it comes to constituent relations.” Everything we do is around achieving those two goals. Setting a very clear vision, giving immediate feedback, and leading by example are really important. I also make sure that my staff takes time to smell the roses. You can’t run at 80 miles an hour every day. When you have an opportunity to take downtime, send folks home early- make sure they’re taking time to celebrate their birthday with their families and things like that.

Bipartisan Road Trip: After flights were cancelled due to a snowstorm, Republican Representative, Will Hurd and Democratic Representative, Beto O’Rourke “drove across the aisle” on a bipartisan road trip from Texas to Washington D.C. and showed the world that camaraderie in the Congress is possible. Rep. Hurd shares his thoughts:
Well the road trip was a great experience. It was. The takeaway- there’s a lot more that unites us in this country than divides us, and we are able, when it comes to political discourse, to disagree without being disagreeable. That is what we saw as we drove from San Antonio to Washington, D.C. It was a seventeen-hundred mile trip, 36 hours- 31 of them in the car- and 29 hours live-streamed on Facebook Live. People from all over the spectrum were appreciative of a Republican and Democrat showing up and getting along. There wasn’t an issue that didn’t come up; there was every issue imaginable. We did talk about higher education and how you drive down cost to ensure that more people are going to be able to go to university.

                                               1998 Winedale Picnic

Alumni Spotlight- Krystafer Redden

We spent an afternoon with Krystafer Redden (UH 2008) while he visited Texas from New England.  Krystafer recently earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Brown University and currently works as a Transformation Specialist for the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). Before a tour of our “Terry Museum” at the Foundation’s Houston office, Krystafer told us about his time as a Terry Scholar on campus and beyond.