Category: Undergraduate Spotlight

The staff and particular program I am in at EPPS has helped me more clearly visualize the future I want; flexible in application but stable in reward. GIS, and other programs at EPPS, can be pursed in a career context without having to be locked behind a desk inside or be trapped outside with little to no reward. The various backgrounds and accomplishments of staff and students opened the curtain to seeing mixed applications of, perhaps thought of initially as linear, programs offered at EPPS. 

From various arguments about Dostoevsky’s philosophy with Dr. Curtis Bram to spending hours learning about political research with Dr. Thomas Brunell, EPPS has given me everything I need to connect my lived experiences, such as grappling with my biases as an Anglo-Indian and growing up in underserved regions, and allowed me to deal with these variables through incredibly important policy research. The faculty’s mentorship, staying back until 7 PM to help clarify my reservations surrounding the Calculus of Voting, or simply their genuine passion for politics and political theory have greatly increased my ability to think critically. One day I’m debating thermostatic politics with Dr. Bram; the next day, I’m exploring the nuances of Marxist political theory with Dr. Peinhardt. EPPS has truly allowed me to take my curiosity, channel it into meaningful impact, and helped me leave my footprint behind.

Being a part of the EPPS school has helped me by opening up several doors and providing a smaller community to connect with. For example, the Professors and my Advisor have been continuous supporters of me in all areas, from declaring my major (several different times) to applying and being accepted to the Archer Program. The professors are passionate about their work and helping students, which makes classes so much more rewarding. 

EPPS has been a wonderful influence on my college experience! Dean Holmes, Dr. Boots, and all my professors have helped me at every turn. In the 2025 Summer and 2025 Winter semesters, I will be studying abroad with Dr. Boots, and this was made possible through the EPPS Global Engagement scholarship that I received through the EPPS Dean’s Office. I was also lucky enough to receive a scholarship from the Sumner’s Foundation that will pay for the last two years of my undergraduate degree —this opportunity was referred to me by Dr. Boots! For every project I’ve worked on or event I’ve hosted, the School of EPPS has always been happy to support me. The networking events held by Dean Holmes, Dr. Boots, Dr. Lanham, and other EPPS faculty have been a great way for students like me to connect with them, and I’m looking forward to continuing those conversations as EPPS liaison for Student Government.

Campus engagement has been a large part of my UTD experience, and it’s significantly more fun alongside a consistently engaged group of peers.

I was interested with economics for the first time my senior year of high school. That was the first time I ever got to interact with this subject. It intrigued me to learn about the importance of economics in all aspects of the world. It was quite fascinating to me.

I’ve enjoyed the flexibility the Economics major gives me, I was able to take upper level econ classes in my freshman year and get involved with more challenging topics early on which was exciting.

Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours in the semester with a GPA among the top 10% of all students within the school. See the Dean’s List.

During the 88th Texas Legislative Session, three students from the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences were selected for this years Texas Legislative Internship Program. Read more in UT Dallas Magazine.

I allowed myself to explore. It took calculus, psychology, sociology, economics, history, language, music, literature, and finally coding classes to finally have a full idea of what I wanted to do with my life, and I’m more certain now than ever.

I’ve always had an interest in politics and law throughout my life growing up. I enjoy reading articles on current events centering around those categories as well as on an international level, it helps having a much open-minded perspective of the world and what is going on.

I was interested in eventually working in policy, and economics seemed to me to be the foundation from which all effective policy was based. I felt that having a strong understanding of economics as well as the way economic policy could affect individuals would be invaluable in any policy area I would want to eventually work in.

I have always had a passion for finding solutions to social issues and socioeconomic inequity. The sociology program at UTD has created a pathway for me to not only better understand these issues but has also opened my eyes to solutions and progress.

The key to my success has been making sure to maintain a balance in my life. Everyone at this school is very focused and driven but being able to know when to stop studying and enjoy myself has helped me maintain my physical and mental health while still allowing me to achieve my academic goals.

I came into UTD as an Economics major, and while I really enjoy all of econ classes I wanted to learn a wider variety of topics in college. I switched to International Political Economy at the end of my first semester, and now I am able to take classes that really interest me like Human Rights or Latin American History and have it count towards my major.