Student Ambassador Program
Student Ambassadors are an important part of the fabric of the College of Education community. They represent students from across a variety of majors ranging from Sport Management to Exercise Science to Early Childhood and Bilingual Education. The college’s ambassadors work closely with prospective and transfer students, scholarship recipients, alumni, Student Affairs and other departments throughout COE to share stories, assist with events and celebrate the accomplishments of our community.
Meet the COE Student Ambassadors
Major: Education – EC-6 Generalist
Expected Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Harlingen, Texas
Get to know Jaclyn
Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts).
I was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas. I am the youngest of three with an older sister and an older brother. When I was younger, I discovered my deep passion for teaching and decided to pursue an occupation in the educational field. Outside of academics, I enjoy swimming, reading and watching movies. I love to visit South Padre Island since I live about forty minutes away, and I love to spend quality time with my family and friends during my time off.
Why did you choose the College of Education at UT Austin?
I have always had the desire to attend UT Austin. As I explored various colleges, I found that the College of Education resonated most with my personal and professional goals. When I was younger, I had the opportunity to talk to my school’s superintendent and learn how he obtained his position. He shared how he attended UT Austin, and his insights into his educational journey and the impact it had on his career left a lasting impression on me.
What do you enjoy most about being a student ambassador?
Being a student ambassador has been an amazing experience. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with students in the COE and meet prospective students who want to work in education. I’ve gained insights into all the events the College of Education hosts. I’ve enjoyed broadening my knowledge of and learning valuable skills that I will use in my future career.
What’s next? What are your future aspirations after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work as a second-grade teacher for about two years. After that, I hope to return to college for my master’s degree and Ph.D. I want to one day become a superintendent.
Major: Kinesiology and Health – Exercise Science
Expected Grad Year: 2025
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Get to know Madison
Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts).
I really enjoy trying new food spots around Austin. I also love playing volleyball and basketball and I’m trying to get back into reading and drawing. A fun fact about me is that I could recite Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” in Pre-K (but I didn’t know what any of the words meant at the time).
Why did you choose the College of Education at UT Austin?
I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in Kinesiology and UT was one of the few schools that seemed to dedicate time, resources and opportunities to students interested in the field. The college also stood out because of how small and diverse it is, especially compared to other colleges at the University. Being from a smaller town, I was hesitant to come to UT because of the large student population, but as soon as I got to talk to some of the staff at the College of Education, I knew I’d find a home here.
What do you enjoy most about being a student ambassador?
I love having the opportunity to talk to prospective students about all that the college has to offer, whether they’re incoming freshmen, transfers or people who aren’t even sure if they want to come to UT yet. The college is home to a lot of amazing programs and opportunities and is unique in how accessible and approachable the faculty and staff are. I think both the college and the field of kinesiology can be overlooked, so being able to highlight both just by showing my genuine love and passion for them is something I really enjoy.
What’s next? What are your future aspirations after graduation?
My main goal after graduation is to join a physician assistant program. Ideally, I would like to work in the Sports Medicine field and continue learning about how exercise and nutrition play a role in our overall health. I also have a strong interest in preventative care and community health, so at some point in my career I’d like to start a nonprofit dedicated to educating underrepresented communities about how to take control of their health and developing resources to allow them to do so.
Major: Education – EC-6 Generalist
Expected Grad Year: 2025
Hometown: Shanghai, China / Katy, Texas
Get to know Jennifer
Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts).
Some of my hobbies include gaming, crocheting, cooking and chilling with my friends. You can also find me at my part-time job serving boba. I’ve visited four countries, I have an orange cat named Hiro and my favorite artists are Fujii Kaze and King Gnu.
Why did you choose the College of Education at UT Austin?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was little, so it made a lot of sense. I’ve loved the staff and professors here since I started applying, so I’m elated to be here.
What do you enjoy most about being a student ambassador?
I love seeing the smiles from faculty and students when we celebrate success, or from prospective students who attend these sessions with many questions about what it’s like at UT. I love being able to share my experiences with everyone.
What’s next? What are your future aspirations after graduation?
I want to explore my options in teaching. I would like to apply to the JET program and teach abroad. It is my goal to explore the world and do everything I can to share my experiences with others.
Major: Special Education
Expected Grad Year: 2025
Hometown: Pflugerville, Texas
Get to know Emily
Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts).
I enjoy journaling, going on walks downtown and visiting with friends. I have a fish named Pomie (short for Pomegranate). I love to explore new coffee shops in Austin. My dream travel destination is New Zealand and I hope one day I can cross it off my bucket list.
Why did you choose the College of Education at UT Austin?
I chose the college mainly because they have an excellent special education program. I wanted a place where I could receive a quality education through coursework, as well as gain hands-on experience teaching in real classrooms. What sealed the deal for me, though, was the campus itself. I love how friendly and approachable everyone is and I’ve made real connections that have enriched my college life.
What do you enjoy most about being a student ambassador?
Being a student ambassador has been an incredibly rewarding experience. One of the highlights of this role has been the opportunity to meet a variety of different people, from prospective students to experienced educators. I’ve loved being able to share my experiences at UT and offer insights on college life, whether it’s about choosing the right courses or navigating campus resources. The chance to positively impact my fellow Longhorns’ experiences makes being a student ambassador truly fulfilling.
What’s next? What are your future aspirations after graduation?
I want to become a special education teacher here in Texas. I firmly believe that every student should have access to a high-quality, individualized education that meets their unique needs. My goal as a future educator is to create an inclusive and supportive classroom where learners of all abilities can succeed.
Major: Kinesiology – Exercise Science
Expected Grad Year: 2026
Hometown: Uvalde, Texas
Get to know Claudio
Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts).
I am from Uvalde, Texas. I am the youngest of four boys and the first person in my family to attend UT Austin. I love to play musical instruments such as guitar, saxophone and bass guitar. I also love to read, play video games and watch movies.
Why did you choose the College of Education at UT Austin?
I felt it was the right fit for me. The size of the college and prestige the University has strongly influenced my choice and I have no regrets. All the professors, staff and students are amazing!
What do you enjoy most about being a student ambassador?
I love being able to share my experiences with prospective students and give them the aid and advice I wish I could have gotten in high school. I also enjoy meeting the staff and professors at events and building bonds and relationships. I am grateful to give back to the college for all it has given me.
What’s next? What are your future aspirations after graduation?
I hope to attend physical therapy school when I graduate. That’s one of my goals but the main aspiration is to leave a mark on the world. I hope to help not only my patients but my community and those around me whenever need be. If people leave with a smile after they meet me, I could not be happier.
Student Ambassador applications open in mid-summer and all current students are eligible to apply.
If you have questions about the program, please contact COE Marketing and Communications.
Student Affairs (includes Academic Advising)
(512) 471-3223
Field Experiences
Supports students in the Future Teachers Professional Development Sequence
(512) 471-1511
Email Field Experiences
Certification Office
512-471-1511
Email the Certification Office
Career Engagement
(512) 471-1306
Email Education Career Engagement
Student Success and Recruitment
(512) 471-3223
Email Student Success and Recruitment