Lizzy is a rising senior from Houston, Texas. She has been dancing for over twelve years and was recently selected to perform a world premiere at the 2017 American Dance Festival. On campus, she is passionate about connecting communities. She is a Co-Founder and Co-Director of Texas Leaders, an inaugural student leader and Outreach Chair of Creative 40 Acres, and is serving on President Fenves’ Student Advisory Committee. Lizzy is also a member of the Friar Society, Dance Repertory Theatre, Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society, and Delta Gamma. She has studied abroad in Cuba and at the London School of Economics. This year, she is beginning her honors thesis for the Economics department. Throughout her career, she hopes to synthesize her interests in the arts, creative problem solving, and economics.

Majors:

Dance; Economics

Honors Program:

Liberal Arts Honors

Other Academic Interests:

Culture policy; arts and culture; creative economy; First Amendment rights

Extracurricular Activities:

Creative 40 Acres (Leadership Cohort; Outreach Chair); Texas Leaders (Co-found; Co-Director); Friar Society; President’s Student Advisory Committee; American Dance Festival (Staff Assistant; auditioned/selected to perform the world premiere of HiveMind in the 85th season); Cohen New Works Festival (Selection Committee; Committee-at-large); Director and Choreographer of HOLLOW for the 2017 Cohen New Works Festival; Dance Repertory Theatre; Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society; Order of Omega Honor Society; Two-time winner of the College of Liberal Arts’ Free Speech Essay Contest (2015; 2016); Dance Action (Public Relations Officer; Choreographer); Delta Gamma (Honor Board)

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program (FASP)?

The Forty Acres Scholars Program presented a unique opportunity to surround myself with driven, intelligent peers across different majors and interests. Through my friendships with other Scholars and connections with Texas Exes, I am exposed to excellence in other fields that help me connect my studies in a more interdisciplinary way. The emphasis on personal development, through the enrichment stipend and FADs, has allowed me to gain perspectives outside of the classroom that complement my academic studies.

What makes your scholar cohort unique?

Our majors and activities are really diverse, so every time I catch up with a fellow Scholar, I learn something new. We support each others’ endeavors, like attending one another’s performances or events, and this support network has really defined my college experience.

Favorite FASP Memory

Hiking Enchanted Rock for our sophomore retreat was literal and symbolic bonding experience! We woke up early and cooked breakfast together before starting our trek. Being able to accomplish an adventure together with close friends is my favorite memory of the program.

What do you want prospective students to know about the University of Texas?

I can’t imagine a better environment than UT to immerse oneself in all kinds of excellence. The multitude of Top 10 programs at UT brings passionate, driven, and brilliant students to campus. My own studies are enriched by interactions with fellow Longhorns across all the fourteen Colleges. Even in my intro classes outside of my major, I encounter professors who are world experts in their field.