RecSports Class of 2021 Spotlights
In celebration of the Class of 2021, we’ve compiled stories of some of our amazing graduates. There is no shortage of impressive achievements and inspiring stories among them. Read our latest story featuring 10 of Team RecSports’ impressive grads.
Gabby Knox
Master in Professional Accounting
At RecSports: Longhorn Run 2021 Student Director, Texas THON
Hometown: Grapevine, TX
Beyond Team RecSports: Leadership and Ethics Institute
Life After the Forty Acres: Moving to Chicago and working full-time with Deloitte in their Audit and Assurance practice
Advice for UT25: Be patient in pursuing your niche interest on campus. It can take time to find your community and feel at home at UT, but really is worth it to keep putting yourself out there and welcoming new opportunities.
“My favorite memory is Longhorn Run 2019. Despite the chaos that ensued when storms forced us to cancel mid-race, I remember feeling so lucky to be a part of that team and just taken aback by seeing all of the student committee’s hard work come to fruition.”
What others have to say about Gabby: “It’s rare that you find a student with so much maturity, professionalism, and dedication, and Gabby certainly exudes an incredible amount of each of those. Gabby’s dedication on top of the challenges that have been presented this year is truly admirable. Gabby’s leadership of the 12 students on the committee has played a pivotal role in keeping morale high and the work meaningful. The resiliency that Gabby has shown since taking on the director role in the midst of so much unknown has been truly inspiring.” — Kari Terry, Assistant Director for Corporate Partnerships
Adam Muhith
BS, Environmental Engineering
At RecSports: Climbing Wall Program Assistant and Supervisor, Lead Trip Guide — Outdoor Recreation
Hometown: Spring, TX
Beyond Team RecSports: Texas American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Advisory Board
Life After the Forty Acres: Pursuing a career studying ambient air quality
Advice for UT25: Find something you love and that you’re passionate about and never let that die.
“No matter how much you think you know, there will always be much more to learn. I’ve met so many different people through working with the Outdoor Recreation program who have passed on little tidbits of knowledge and stories to me that I think about often. I’m so grateful for getting to experience all of it.”
What others have to say about Adam: “Adam’s attention to detail, organization, and communication has been critical to keeping our climbing wall operations running smoothly and our staff cohesive over the past year. He is always willing to handle tasks behind the scenes with a positive attitude including power washing climbing holds, working on solutions for various repairs, scheduling staff and covering shifts.” — Dixon Hankins, Associate Director for Outdoor Recreation
Randdy Barrera
BA, Iberian & Latin American Languages & Cultures and Latin American Studies
At RecSports: Program Assistant — Sport Clubs
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Beyond RecSports: Longhorn Run Committee, UT Men’s Club Volleyball
Life After the Forty Acres: Working as a Spanish interpreter/translator in or around Austin, TX, and pursuing a Master’s degree in Languages
Favorite RecSports Memory: Working with other RecSports staff during the Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremonies and making new friends who became family.
“Through RecSports, I’ve learned that there are many qualities one must have to be a great employee and successful person as well. You must be able to communicate effectively, have initiative, and always create room to learn and improve in anything you do.”
What others have to say about Randdy: “You say jump and Randdy asks ‘how high?’. He is a selfless servant leader and his compassion and empathy for others will be greatly missed! “ — Chad Zimmerman, Senior Assistant Director for Sport Clubs
Tessa Galloso
BSA, Honors in Advanced Human Development & Family Sciences
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Building Coordinator — Gregory Gym
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Life After the Forty Acres: Pursuing a Master’s in Public Health
Advice for UT25: Remember that everyone is going to have their own timeline. The important part is about finding experiences that challenge you or bring you joy and fulfillment.
What others have to say about Tessa: “Tessa is hardworking, reliable, and organized. She would take on any task without questions. She is an extremely high achiever and brings that tone and attitude into the workplace. I appreciate her leadership and her ability to provide a sense of belonging. I will miss her willingness to help.” — Bridget Tasker, Senior Assistant Director for Gregory Gym
Connor Chewning
BS, Environmental Engineering with a Certificate in Humanitarian Engineering
At RecSports: Adventure Trip Program Assistant, Lead Trip Guide and Climbing Wall Supervisor — Outdoor Recreation
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Life After the Forty Acres: Pursuing a Masters in Environmental Engineering
Advice for UT25: Take risks and try new things!
“RecSports has taught me the importance of community and having an open mind that’s ready to learn from that community. My fellow guides and co-workers have taught me valuable lessons in gratefulness, cultural humility, leadership and so much more.”
What others have to say about Connor: “Connor has been integral in helping guide our adventure trip program through a challenging year. He not only handles logistics for trip planning, preparation, and staffing, but has also coordinated new virtual programs including blogs, how-to videos, and a series of virtual workshops. Connor demonstrates great leadership, commitment, organization, and creativity in sharing the value of the Outdoor Recreation program to students on campus. He does all this with persistent enthusiasm.”
— Dixon Hankins, Associate Director for Outdoor Recreation
Jasmine Lara
BS, Kinesiology, Applied Movement Science
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Building Coordinator — Gregory Gym
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Beyond RecSports: Kin Club, Longhorn Run Influencer
Life After the Forty Acres: Staying in Austin to continue working at RecSports as an F45 instructor and starting a personal trainer mentorship
Advice for UT25: Don’t be afraid to change your major or your plans for life. Nothing is set in stone and college is the perfect time to discover who you are and what you’re passionate about.
“My involvement with RecSports helped me meet some of my best friends for life. The facilities team has always been a family and would play various intramural sports together and would hold “Gregsgiving,” “Gregsmas,” and other events that helped bring our family closer together. It’s great working alongside people who you can consider part of your family rather than just coworkers.”
What others have to say about Jasmine: “Jasmine has mentored and guided other staff through this difficult year. Her initiative, along with her job knowledge, sets her apart from others. Her commitment to Gregory Gym will be missed, but I can say she has truly left her mark on this place. I hope she understands the impact she has had during her time here.” — Bridget Tasker, Senior Assistant Director for Gregory Gym
Laura Natchev
BS, Chemical Engineering
At RecSports: Program Assistant & Group Fitness Instructor — Fitness & Wellness
Hometown: Houston, TX
Life After the Forty Acres: Pursuing a law degree at the University of Houston
Advice for UT25: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!
“My time at RecSports has taught me that you can work and have fun at the same time!”
What others have to say about Laura: “It’s no exaggeration to say that Laura is equal parts heart, brain, and brawn! As a graduating engineering major heading on to Law School, Laura has contributed her incredible intellect and disciplined work ethic to our team for the past two years. As a five, fitness format threat teaching Barre, Cycle, Step, F45, and Tabata for TeXercise, Laura has dedicated her strength and talents to participants in the fitness studio. Most importantly, Laura has given the Fitness & Wellness program her heart and soul as a strong, steady, and dedicated program assistant, as a role model for the new instructors she has mentored, and as a vital inspiration to her class participants. Laura has truly set the bar for future Fitness & Wellness staff and left her beautiful mark on RecSports.” — Adrienne Mackenzie, Associate Director for Fitness & Wellness
Morgan Ermenio
BS, Sport Management
At RecSports: Lead Nike Student Assistant
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
Beyond RecSports: Texas Darlins
Life After the Forty Acres: Securing a full-time marketing position with a sports brand
Advice for UT25: Get involved! Whether that be a sport club or a spirit group, you will be connected with so many others with similar interests.
“Being a part of Team RecSports taught me how to be a better leader and work in collaboration with others to get the task done.”
What others have to say about Morgan: “Morgan is a thoughtful leader, constantly looking to learn and grow, and has a tremendous amount of potential to make an impact in any opportunity she is able to get her hands on.” — Kari Terry, Assistant Director for Corporate Partnerships
Adriana Ames
BS, Nursing
At RecSports: Program Assistant & Group Fitness Instructor — Fitness & Wellness
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Beyond RecSports: UT Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Camp Kesem, University of Texas Nursing Students Association
Life After the Forty Acres: Beginning her nursing career as a Registered Nurse on the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center
Advice for UT25: Be kind — it can go a long way!
“One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the amount of money I have raised for Camp Kesem. Over the past three years that I have been involved in the organization, I have raised over $3,000 to support children through and beyond a parent’s cancer diagnosis.”
What others have to say about Adriana: “We literally could not have gotten through this year without students like Adriana. Always going above and beyond as a Program Assistant and instructor. She has been crucial to keeping our operation moving and often were our eyes and ears in the office when professional staff were not there: solving problems, supporting our team, and leading every day.” — Adrienne Mackenzie, Associate Director for Fitness & Wellness
Nathan Ha
BS, Physical Culture and Sports
At RecSports: Program Assistant — Intramural Sports
Hometown: Houston, TX
Beyond RecSports: University Leadership Network, Discovery Scholars Program, and Vietnamese Student Association
Life After the Forty Acres: Pursuing Master’s in Higher Education at Texas A&M University-Commerce and serving as the Graduate Assistant for Competitive Sports at the university
Advice for UT25: Live your life the way you want to. Prioritize yourself in everything you do!
“My biggest accomplishment and what I am most proud of is the relationships that I built with the people I met during my years at UT. Some of the individuals I have gotten close to have made such a lasting impact on my life, and are now people I consider to be lifelong friends.”
What others have to say about Nathan: “Nathan’s service to the Intramural Sports program is unmatched. His resiliency to join our team is what makes him special. He sought me out personally to ask for an opportunity to join our team as a sophomore and it was the best decision I ever made.” — Joe Wise, Assistant Director for Intramural Sports
