Influencing the Longhorn Life Staff Newsletter
Published: March 4, 2025
Leadership Update
David Anthony, University Unions director of business services since 2019, will become our Division’s executive director of finance and chief business officer effective March 10. He will drive the strategic and operational direction of the Division’s financial and business functions while providing service to students, staff, campus colleagues and business partners. Anthony will also serve as the advisor to the Student Services Budget Committee, lead the Student Affairs Business and Human Resources Committee and represent the Division on the Council of University Business Officers.
Making a Difference: Programs
Voting in Campus-Wide Elections is open for students March 3-4. The results will be announced on March 10. The Office of the Dean of Students supports these elections and the Student Government Executive Alliance Debate that took place on Feb. 24.
Registration is now open for UT Austin’s 2025 Family Weekend, April 11-13. Please encourage undergraduate students to ask their families to join them on the Forty Acres for the weekend. Check out the schedule that includes Texas Exes’ Ring Celebration and the 15th Annual Longhorn Run.
Texas Well-being in the Longhorn Wellness Center launched the Faculty Ambassadors program. These seven ambassadors collaborate to lead impactful well-being programs, supporting students, faculty and staff. They represent the Cockrell School of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, Dell Medical School and the School of Nursing.
For the fourth consecutive year, Recreational Sports has partnered with Nike on U Move, a program that encourages students to live a life well-lived. This year’s program, Longhorns Move Together, offers an array of activities for students to participate in to earn points to redeem for Nike gear. View this video for a glimpse into the program.
Hook ’Em dropped by Campus Events + Entertainment’s (E+E) Crushgrams, an annual Valentine’s Day tradition since 2012. This year, 6,635 students sent and received Crushgrams with 1,202 students coming out to the Texas Union East Patio to pick up their Crush orange soda and messages (see the photos). E+E hosted several other events in February – including the Miyazaki Festival for 500+ students.
The Office of the Dean of Students hosted its first-ever LEAD Week, a new interactive series designed to help students build real-world leadership skills. Throughout the week, students joined workshops, networking events, and hands-on activities—including Dining with the Dean, where Dean of Students Katie McGee shared her leadership journey over lunch.
A group of students participated in the Student Veterans of America National Conference with the Office of the Dean of Students. They gained valuable connection and insights into student organization management, while networking with military-connected peers nationwide. This experience improved their leadership skills and expanded their professional networks, setting them up for future success.
Making a Difference: Spaces
Recreational Sports hosted Free Access Week, Feb. 22-March 2, for UT Austin faculty and staff to enjoy access to all seven RecSports facilities by simply presenting their UT ID. Faculty and staff who were unable to try RecSports during free week are invited to request a complimentary 30-day trial whenever it works best for their schedule.
The 16th annual Texas Union Film Festival took place in the Texas Union Theatre. Campus Events + Entertainment’s Showtime committee screened 10 short films created by UT Austin students. Film industry professionals including Sharon Arteaga (director), Arturo Jiménez (filmmaker) and Tim League (co-founder of Alamo Drafthouse) judged the submissions.
The College of Natural Sciences’ Counselors in Academic Residence partnered with staff to open a new wellness center on the fifth floor of Painter Hall. The space includes non-academic coordinators, counselors and a food pantry. The center also supports students dealing with well-being concerns, including class withdrawals and emergencies.
Making a Difference: Resources
As students approached midterms, the Office of the Dean of Students hosted Conversations & Crafting, a new initiative to connect students with Student Conduct and Academic Integrity staff. This first-time event gave Longhorns a creative space to discuss academic integrity and student life while crafting personalized journals.
Healthyhorns staff also tabled in Gregory Gym to share information with students about the Thrive at UT App that helps students navigate the ups and downs of college life.
During a cold week in Central Texas, the Office of the Dean of Students brought emergency preparedness straight to students with pop-up events on the West Mall. These events helped Longhorns get ready for colder temperatures by handing out essential items like AM/FM radios, first aid kits and mylar blankets.
Recreational Sports is helping participants get ready for the annual Longhorn Run on April 12 with a complimentary training program and training events. The first 100 participants who check in at each event and provide proof of registration receive this year’s Nike training tee. Additionally, each training event features more Nike giveaways and opportunities to enter to win additional rewards.
The Longhorn Wellness Center and Title IX teamed up with a special tabling event on Valentine’s Day. They shared valuable health and well-being resources that are available to all students.
Healthyhorns partnered with Moody College of Communication students on a case study about TimelyCare, a virtual mental health and well-being platform designed to complement Counseling and Mental Health Center services. The students in Mike Mackert’s "Health Communication: Messages, Campaigns and the Media" class presented to Jessica Hughes Wagner and Erin Garcia with the Healthyhorns public information team.
Staff in the Division can now sport Healthyhorns apparel and support their health and well-being colleagues. T-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball hats, backpacks and more are available on the online store.