Influencing the Longhorn Life Staff Newsletter
Published: Dec. 10, 2024
Read how our team is going above and beyond, and sharing their work and talents with the world, ultimately influencing the life and career paths of the next generation.
Awards and Recognitions
Disability Cultural Center Director Emily Shryock coached the U.S.' first-ever all-female team in the International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, Women’s Cup 2024 in Paris, France. The team came in sixth place and Shryock, who also competed, was voted Best 3.0 class — a high score on wheelchair rugby's 3.5 scale rating a player's functional ability.
Hogg Memorial Auditorium’s major transformation is racking up the accolades and students are celebrating what is now possible on the inside. Read the story to hear what students are saying and find out which local, higher education and industry organizations are recognizing the restoration.
RecSports inducted six individuals and two teams into its Hall of Honor on Oct. 25. The inductees include Shirley Hoffman Quincy, a retired staff member of 25 years, whose past service is still being felt in the organization today. Meet her and the other honorees noted for outstanding accomplishments in intramural sports.
Staff are encouraged to nominate a Division colleague who approaches their work as lifestyle, putting students first — whether working behind the scenes or on the ground — for a Staff Appreciation Award. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 20. The Division-wide meeting will feature the expanded awards ceremony which will now include the Staff Excellence Awards honoring outstanding service. Make plans to attend on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 9-10 a.m. in the Shirley Bird Perry Ballroom at the Texas Union.
New Leaders
Susan Hochman brings her passion for college health and rich history with Healthyhorns to her new role as executive director of University Health Services. Since 2010, she has been vital to our University's public health efforts, supporting students’ health and well-being so they can thrive on campus. Read this story about her evolution within the Division, including being named a Texas Parents Staff Merit Award recipient.
Jessica Hughes Wagner is the new director of strategic initiatives at Healthyhorns. She will work closely with the teams in the Counseling and Mental Health Center, Disability and Access, Longhorn Wellness Center and University Health Services. She started her UT Austin career as a health promotion coordinator in 2011, and is now rejoining the Division team. She previously served as the deputy director for the Center for Health Communication in the Moody College of Communication.
In the News
Return of the Lone Star Showdown between UT Austin and Texas A&M University:
- Jeremiah Gunderson, director of Veteran and Military Affiliated Services, appeared on KXAN, KVUE and FOX 7 Austin to talk about the new Ruck Across the Brazos tradition. Coach Steve Sarkisian participated in the live TV coverage alongside student veterans and staff.
- In this story about the Bonfire Unity Endowed Presidential Scholarship, recipients and alumni share what unites Longhorns and Aggies. Eric Opiela, 1999-2000 Student Government vice president, interviewed with FOX 7 Austin, and one of the recipients spoke with KXAN and KVUE.
The Austin American-Statesman profiled Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Katie McGee about her permanent appointment leading the Office of the Dean of Students. Read the story.
The Chronicle of Higher Education invited Katy Redd to be an expert panelist in a virtual event: "The Student Success Journey: Helping Students Overcome Loneliness." The executive director of the Longhorn Wellness Center was also interviewed for a special publication on loneliness among college students. Read the interview on page 36.
In a special report on campus accessibility, Emily Shryock spoke to The Daily Texan about resources for students. Read the article.
KVUE interviewed Event Readiness and Response Director Joe LoBrutto about leading this new unit in the Office of the Dean of Students. Watch the interview.
Experts and Presentations
Lisa Barnes participated in a Veteran’s Day program at the UT Elementary School. The Division’s associate director of development spoke to the students about her seven years of active duty flying UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters for the US Army.
Barnes, Gunderson and Joseph Kopser, UT Austin’s liaison for military affairs, participated in a panel about philanthropy for student veterans for Texas Development’s University Priorities, Individual Philanthropy, Gift and Estate Planning and Corporate and Foundation Relations frontline fundraising and leadership teams.
Jennifer Barnoud led a workshop on College Nutrition Essentials at the Cockrell School of Engineering. The assistant director of nutrition collaborated with the Department of Chemical Engineering for their Broadening Participation and Community in Chemical Engineering Lunch Series for students.
Ashley Richardson-Minnitt, Longhorn TIES Autism and Neurodiversity Support’s program director, served as a panelist for "A Day in the Life of a Social Worker," hosted by the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. The panel supported the career goals for social work students by providing them with insights into various professional roles within the field.
Thea Woodruff co-presented "Simple Wellness Activities for the College Classroom" for faculty with Kaitlyn Farrell Rodriguez (Center for Teaching and Learning). Woodruff is the program coordinator for Well-being in Learning Environments.