Meet the 2024 RecSports Student Employee Scholarship Recipients
Over the course of an academic year, nearly 1,000 students contribute to Recreational Sports’ overall mission of advancing the well-being of Longhorns by providing education through recreation. Thanks to the generous contributions of former employees and participants, Recreational Sports is able to award $37,500 in endowed scholarships annually.
Chuma Anigbogu
Class of 2025
John M. Childs Endowed Scholarship
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Informatics
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
Positions: Indoor Satellites Facility Supervisor, Facility Assistant, and Intramural Sports Program Assistant
Campus Involvement: Association of Black Computer Scientists (Social Officer), intramural basketball and flag football.
Other Accomplishments: University Honors
“My experience [at RecSports] has been a breeding ground for problem solving prowess. In the midst of a RecSports setting, encountering unexpected challenges or diffusing conflicts among participants demanded on-the-spot thinking and adaptability. This ability to troubleshoot and find solutions translates seamlessly to the world of software engineering, where debugging, optimizing code, and resolving technical glitches are routine tasks requiring a similar problem-solving mindset.”
Carole-Lynna Benhamou
Class of 2024
Susan and Mark Baletka Endowed Scholarship
Major: Environmental Science (Geological Sciences)
Hometown: Pflugerville, Texas
Positions: Outdoor Recreation Program Assistant, Outdoor Center Supervisor, Adventure Trip Guide, and Lifeguard
Campus Involvement: RecSports Student Staff Advisory Council
Other Accomplishments: President’s Award for Global Learning, University Honors, College Scholar designation
Following graduation, Carole-Lynna will be working at the Idaho National Laboratory conducting desert ecology fieldwork.
“Working for the Outdoor Recreation program has afforded me plenty of opportunities to develop various skills that are transferable to my career and also has furthered my outdoor ability. I have been an avid seeker of outdoor recreation activities since the age of 10, and my RecSports positions have only enhanced that desire. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this program and support the department in accomplishing its mission.”
Alexa Dalton
Class of 2024
Phi Gamma Delta Endowed Scholarship
Majors: Social Work and Spanish
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Positions: Indoor Satellites Program Assistant, Facility Assistant, Facility Supervisor
Campus Involvement: Social Work Education Enhancement Program Mentor and Texas Spirits
“When participating in anything related to RecSports, it’s important to me that I go in with a mindset that anything that’s personally going on in my life doesn’t necessarily go away when I’m in a RecSports environment, but that RecSports provides for me an uplifting and supportive space, that in exchange, it’s important that I do the same. When I trust that my coworkers, my friends, and my peers will provide me with support, I feel empowered to return that back to RecSports and the people I’m with in RecSports.”
Brandy Frausto
Class of 2024
Recreational Sports Endowed Scholarship
Major: Radio-Television-Film
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Positions: Ambassador
Campus Involvement: Texas Royals and Acción! Cine Colectivo
Other Accomplishments: Moody College Success Scholar and UT-for-Me Dell Scholar
“I was once told that in order to be heard, I couldn’t be afraid to make some noise. For a while, it was intimidating to know I had to step out of my comfort zone in order to grow. Over time, however, opportunities like becoming an Ambassador altered my perspective and allowed me to view change as a blessing, rather than something to run from. From all our team-building exercises to campus tours around our facilities, I have learned the importance of not only allowing others to hear your voice, but knowing when to step back and listen to the voices of those around you. After all, it is the people I have met along the way that have shaped me into the person I am today.”
Leah Jarrell
Class of 2024
Bill Frisbie Endowed Scholarship
Major: Psychology
Minor: Critical Disability Studies
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Positions: Fitness + Wellness Program Assistant and Group Fitness Instructor
Campus Involvement: Research assistant in the College of Liberal Arts Behavioral Neuroendocrinology Lab with Dr. Yvon Delville.
After graduation, Leah will be working full-time in the Monfils Memory Lab in the College of Liberal Arts researching fear attenuation and social transmission of information. She also plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in Behavioral Neuroscience.
“I have gained a plethora of skills within RecSports that will help me in my future career goals. Recreation is about people; humans are made to connect. While I have acquired these lifelong competencies, the most valuable thing I have gained has been the connections. The relationships I have developed through my time here will last through the years. I have met my best friends and mentors through this program and am indebted to RecSports for it.”
Avery Jones
Class of 2024
Acacia Fraternity Endowed Scholarship
Major: Kinesiology and Health Education — Applied Movement Science
Hometown: San Marcos, Texas
Positions: Fitness + Wellness Program Assistant, Personal Trainer, and Group Fitness Instructor
Campus Involvement: Kinesiology Club, Longhorn Run Ambassador, Texas Exes Student Ambassador, First-Year Interest Group Mentor, intramural sand volleyball, indoor volleyball, and basketball.
Other Accomplishments: College of Education Honors
After graduation this May, Avery plans to join an Austin-based corporate tech company as a Fitness and Wellness Coordinator.
“As a kinesiology major, it has been extremely beneficial to apply the knowledge I have learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. With this experience, I am capable of grasping a more realistic understanding of the concepts and constructs that I have studied during my time at UT. Through RecSports, I have also built relationships with great mentors that have allowed me to ask questions and learn from my experiences. With their advice and guidance, I am more well-prepared to transition into the workforce.”
Anshul Kumar
Class of 2024
Sylvie And Gary Crum Endowed Scholarship
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Positions: Gregory Gym Program Assistant, Facility Supervisor, Facility Assistant, and Outdoor Satellites Intern
Campus Involvement: Freshman Research Initiative
Other Accomplishments: Neuroscience Teaching Assistant
“While critical thinking, leadership, and communication are the skills that immediately stand out to me when considering my time at RecSports, I have learned too many things to mention over the past two years of working here. RecSports has been critical to my early-adulthood development, and is partially responsible for the person I am today. I am incredibly proud of what I have accomplished here and so, so grateful for the opportunities I have been given to grow, the lifelong friends I have made, and the confidence I have gained over the course of my employment.”
Bryan Liston
Class of 2024
Delta Tau Delta Endowed Scholarship
Major: Accounting
Minor: Philosophy of Law
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Positions: Membership and Guest Services Program Assistant
Campus Involvement: Volunteer — IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Other Accomplishments: University Honors
“Time management and organizational skills have been paramount in managing the demands of my position. Balancing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines for report submissions, and collaborating on strategic projects have enhanced my ability to manage time effectively. This skill is invaluable in high-pressure work environments where efficiency is critical. The experience of handling diverse responsibilities within Recreational Sports has equipped me with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of productivity — an essential skill set for navigating the fast-paced nature of professional settings.”
Jessica Liu
Class of 2024
Kenneth Ford Family Endowed Scholarship
Major: Nutritional Sciences
Minor: Pre-Health Professions Certificate
Hometown: Amarillo, Texas
Positions: Adventure Trip Guide and Climbing Wall Supervisor
Campus Involvement: School of Human Ecology Ambassador and Tzu Chi Collegiate Association Austin Chapter
Other Accomplishments: College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Honored Graduate, Distinguished College Scholar, University Honors, Pre-Health Professions Certificate, James W. Vick Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Natural Sciences, College of Natural Sciences Summer Research Fellowship
After graduation this May, Jessica will be pursuing a Ph.D. in Nutrition at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Arguably one of the most important skills I gained from my position as a RecSports employee, was the ability to see things from different perspectives. Working at the climbing wall allowed me to set new routes. Most individuals can learn to climb, but an even better climber will also think like a route setter. Climbing requires a lot of problem solving, a process that necessitates patience, determination, and perseverance, much like life. Gaining the perspective of a route setter allowed me to think about how other individuals would approach the same problem I was working on, often creating a new solution or a different approach to take. Over the span of my life, I will encounter endless hurdles, and if at first I do not succeed, I now know how to see the same obstacle from different perspectives to create a new solution. With many things I will encounter in life, I learned a little bit of perspective can go a long way, a lesson I could not have learned without RecSports.”
Rogelio Martinez
Class of 2024
Mark L. Hart, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
Major: Sport Management
Minor: Business
Hometown: Pasadena, Texas
Positions: Indoor Satellites Program Assistant, Facility Supervisor, and Facility Assistant
Campus Involvement: Kinesiology Club and Sport Management Club
Other Accomplishments: Texas Football Quarterbacks Manager, Intramural Sports Wall of Fame (Flag Football)
“Not enough can be said about my time at UT RecSports. Never would I have imagined as an incoming freshman in the middle of a worldwide pandemic that I would spend my four years of my undergraduate studies being a part of such a special organization. While my time at UT RecSports is reaching its end, I will never forget the extraordinary people I have met and the memories I have forged along the way. I will carry the skills and lessons I have learned with me for a lifetime and for that, I am beyond grateful for my time at UT RecSports.”
Olivia McGuire
Class of 2025
DeDe and Joe Bill Watkins Endowed Scholarship
Majors: Government and International Relations and Global Studies
Minor: French Studies
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Positions: Gregory Gym Program Assistant, Facility Supervisor, Facility Assistant, and Special Events Coordinator
Campus Involvement: International Relations and Global Studies Council
Other Accomplishments: International Relations and Global Studies Departmental Honors, Intramural Wall of Fame (Flag Football)
“My RecSports employment has provided me ample opportunity to practice
my communication skills, so I can be best understood and understand others in any situation. I have also grown immensely in my ability to think on the fly and solve any problem that comes my way. I have learned how to best use mine and my teammates’ strengths to handle any situation thrown our way.”
Angel Miramontes
Class of 2025
Bill Patman Endowed Scholarship
Major: Marketing
Minor: International Business
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Positions: Indoor Satellites Program Assistant, Facility Supervisor, and Facility Assistant
“My positions within the department have enabled me with better social skills than I had ever hoped for. I’ve improved upon core abilities such as managing conflict, considering other perspectives, managing tone and body language in situations that require diplomacy, and avoiding socially awkward behaviors on days when I may not be feeling 100%. While social skills are fundamental to the human experience, I have found that my positions within RecSports have prioritized the development of such skills to the highest level. All of which have taught me the importance of people, and the importance of learning from those around you.”
Michael Morales
Class of 2024
Thomas W. Dison Endowed Scholarship
Major: Physics
Minor: Analytics and Business of Sports
Hometown: McAllen, Texas
Positions: Gregory Gym Facility Supervisor, Facility Assistant, and Special Events Coordinator
Campus Involvement: Freshman Research Initiative (Geometry of Space Stream), Texas Football Recruiting & Player Personnel Intern
Other Accomplishments: Intramural Wall of Fame (Flag Football)
After graduation this May, Michael will be pursuing a master’s degree in Sport Management at The University of Texas at Austin.
“My hope in applying for the Facility Assistant position was that maybe, just maybe, I could find people that I could relate to and build some genuine friendships with. To say I was correct would be an understatement. I forged some of the strongest friendships that I am confident will last me a lifetime. I looked forward to going to work every day, as it meant I could get my mind off of my trepidation. I believe life has a way of working itself out, and Gregory was part of that journey for me. I will always remember the impact a seemingly everyday job can have on a person.”
Genevieve Nhan
Class of 2024
Mark L. Hart, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
Major: Advertising
Hometown: League City, Texas
Positions: Outdoor Satellites Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor, Corporate Partners Intern
Campus Involvement: Texas Advertising Group, Longhorn Run Student Committee
Other Accomplishments: University Honors, Moody College of Communication Dean’s List
After graduation this May, Genevieve will be joining the RecSports Communications and Development Team as a Development and Events Associate.
“As my name is read and I walk across that stage and into the next, I carry the knowledge and experiences I’ve had here at the University of Texas. I have learned how to analyze and interpret whether a relationship between two variables is statistically significant, how consumer behaviors and patterns are changing in light of social media, and even some of the nuances of civil and criminal law as they relate to business. But outside of the lecture halls and Canvas pages, here at RecSports, I have learned what it is to be a leader.
As I look to enter the workforce and embrace what will most likely be an entry-level position, my commitment to being a leader will not falter. Leadership is not limited to the most senior or higher-level employees. It is limitless and transcends the corporate hierarchy. It is a force unleashed by individuals who inspire their teammates to achieve their potential and accomplish goals together. “What Starts Here Changes the World,” but it is because of RecSports that I am confident and capable of making a meaningful impact here on the Forty Acres and beyond.”
Rachel Pringle
Class of 2024
Thomas W. Dison Endowed Scholarship
Major: Early Childhood Education: Applied Learning & Development
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
Positions: Head Lifeguard, Lifeguard Instructor, and Swim Instructor
Campus Involvement: Longhorn Run Ambassador, Texas Water Ski, Texas Exes Student Ambassador
Other Accomplishments: Intramural Wall of Fame (Volleyball)
After graduation in May, Rachel will be working in Fort Bend Independent School District teaching sixth-grade social studies and coaching seventh-grade volleyball and eighth-grade basketball.
“RecSports gave me not only a way to fill my time, but a community of friends and a connection to the university that felt like home. Without this job, my time here at UT would have been drastically different and I attribute a lot of my outgoingness, responsibility, and communication skills to this job.”
Apryl Salomaa
Class of 2024
Spence and Nance Endowed Scholarship Honoring Michael Monsoor
Major: Psychology
Minor: Children & Society with a concentration in Intervention & Vulnerable Children
Hometown: Stuttgart, Germany
Positions: Gregory Gym Facility Supervisor, Outdoor Satellites Program Intern
Campus Involvement: Longhorn Singers
Other Accomplishments: Dean’s List, Research Assistant with Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff, Research Assistant with Dr. Marlone Henderson
After graduating in May, Apryl will be pursuing a master’s degree in social work at The University of Texas at Austin.
“An integral aspect of being a student employee at RecSports having the ability to communicate and problem solve within a collaborative team. In my future professional career, possessing such collaborative skills makes me a person who succeeds in practicing active listening, brainstorming and problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution strategies. My ability to remain level-headed in a fast-paced and stressful environment means that no matter the circumstance, I can still produce quality work as an employee. Being a RecSports employee has instilled in me valuable knowledge and skills that will aid me in a future professional career.”
Brooklyn-Jade Torres
Class of 2024
Robert G. Childress Endowed Scholarship
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Positions: Head Lifeguard, Swim Instructor
Campus Involvement: Hispanic Business Student Association Public Relations Chair, New Student Services Communications Intern, Bevo Buddy!
Other Accomplishments: Finalist for the 2024 President’s Student Employee of the Year Award
“When I first started teaching I thought that swimming should have a standardized learning approach, however, I discovered the need to adapt my teaching style to accommodate a diverse range of ages and capabilities among my students. The collective experience of teaching has instilled in me a sense of empathy and patience. This insight will be invaluable in my future career, reminding me that each person is unique and may require tailored approaches to support. As a leader, my role extends beyond imparting knowledge; it involves providing individuals with the tools and guidance that resonate most effectively with their distinct learning styles.”
