“I feel like I’ve grown so much in my time at UTSA …”
Meet Madeline
I’ve been in San Antonio my whole life, and this is where all my family is. Growing up I didn’t do much traveling, and I’d never been out of the country. But last summer, I was able to participate in an internship in Chiang Mai, Thailand — directly on the other side of the world. The Top Scholar program fully funded my trip, and the study abroad office helped me organize everything.
I chose Thailand because as an environmental science major, Thailand represents a climate change frontier. This was my opportunity to apply what I was learning in the classroom and help those who are most impacted by climate change. I was able to work at a nonprofit doing amazing child rights advocacy work, and even helped write a $20,000 grant to fund heart surgeries for patients in underserved communities!
On campus, I’ve joined a number of student organizations and held numerous leadership positions; I’ve also been and Honors peer coach and an academic peer coach. I’m really just trying to take advantage of all the opportunities that UTSA has available. I’m also a second-generation Roadrunner — following in my mother’s footsteps!
major: Environmental Science
year: Senior
hometown: San Antonio, TX