April 2019 - On The Move

April 2, 2019
From the President's Desk
Springtime is a favorite time of year. It ushers in wonderful weather, of course, a new baseball
season, and most important, renewed hope.
That's really what UNT Dallas is all about -- hope. We are the only four-year institution in Dallas that
almost exclusively serves a high-need population, a population that includes young people who too
often are excluded from higher education for no other reason than their economic background.
UNT Dallas provides a pathway to social and economic mobility for our Dallas-area students. We
stand for closing the educational attainment gaps by income. We provide hope for our students, 85
percent of which are minority, and 70 percent are first-generation.
That's what hope looks like. It looks like senior Hector Robledo, who recently found out he was selected to be a Newman
Civic Fellow, a nationally recognized honor for community-committed students who are changemakers and problem-solvers.
Hector wrote in his application essay that he once feared he would not be able to attend college because of his
undocumented status.
Not only will Hector leave UNT Dallas with a degree and a bright future, he is committed to providing hope to others like
him. Hector said he envisions himself becoming an academic advisor once he completes graduate school.
Hope is contagious. We are now the fastest-growing university in Texas. Our School of Education is up 18 percent spring-tospring
at a time when other universities are citing downturns. Our School of Business is up nearly 90 percent over the last
four years.
We are sending our diverse graduates into dynamic careers in all types of industries. Our first-year graduates are often
earning more than the household incomes from which they came. That is our mission.
That is hope. Enjoy the spring.

Despite clouds and the constant threat of rain, Trailblazer 360 was a shining
success as we packed the house
A record 400 RSVPs were received from prospective students, and it certainly appeared as though most, along with
family and friends, attended our annual open house and community event, Trailblazer 360, despite a less-thanfavorable
weather forecast. Thankfully, the rain held off, we had a terrific turnout and further entrenched UNT Dallas
as a changemaker for our southern Dallas community. President Bob Mong kicked things off with a roll call of UNT
Dallas' many superlatives: Most affordable in North Texas; lowest student debt upon graduation in the nation; and
fastest-growing university in North Texas. From there, prospective students toured the campus, gained knowledge
about our university, our academic programs and what life here is all about. It was a terrific day to promote how
UNT Dallas can help all students in southern Dallas, regardless of economic background, blaze their trail to a college
degree and a bright future.
More: Check out our video from Trailblazer 360, you just might be in it
Dallas Teachers Speak opened at the American Airlines Center, putting Dallas
ISD teachers in the glow of the spotlight like never before
A fantastic collaboration between Dr. John Gasko, our own School of Education dean, and Karen Blessen, artist and
founder of nonprofit organization 29 Pieces, debuted their photographic art exhibit, Dallas Teachers Speak, on March
16 at the American Airlines Center. The exhibit features 158 Dallas ISD teachers photographed in magazine-cover-

style photographs. The goal was to deliver to the public a different narrative about our teachers, to show them as
the heroes they are and to better understand why they choose to teach and also what they need to succeed. The
exhibit will remain at the AAC through May, and will also be displayed at different locations in Dallas throughout the
spring, including at the UNT System building around late May.
More: If you missed what the Dallas Teachers Speak project is all about, here's a refresher
Launch of Principal Impact Collaborative continues to put UNT Dallas on the
cutting edge of improving our urban public schools
UNT Dallas recently acquired the Principal Impact Collaborative (PIC), and on March 21 launched the program with a
breakfast gathering that attracted more than 100 school principals and leaders from across the region. PIC is an
innovative, two-year fellowship program that is designed to connect experienced North Texas area principals with
their like-minded peers, re-ignite their passion for the work and provide them with the tools and resources to set and
execute on a vision to improve their campus. The program's goals are to increase principal retention rates. Good
principals provide stability, foster teacher retention and provide a top-to-bottom consistency that results in great
student success. "We're so thrilled to have a home here at UNT Dallas," said Alejandra Barbosa, program director of
PIC, who now offices in Founders Hall in the School of Education. "We're so inspired by the values of the university,

and the innovation supporting our local students because we do the same thing for principals. It's a really proud
moment to see all of our hard labor have an opportunity to be here.
More: Check out our video of the big event
Name That Bus: Our Mobile Market project with grant partner Toyota, and DART,
goes the extra mile for a name
What would make biology professor Dr. Kelly Varga dress up in a banana suit? Quite obviously she'll go to any length
to promote the Mobile Market partnership with Toyota and DART. Dr. Varga held a "Name That Bus" event on March
22 in the Founders Hall plaza. The Mobile Market project will transform a low-emission bus donated by DART into a
mobile market to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to southern Dallas neighborhoods that lack access to wholesome
foods. The project took its next step with a contest to give the mobile market bus a name. With local growers on
campus, and a food buffet set up for students, dozens of names were entered over the three-hour event. Dr. Varga
and others involved in the project will now narrow the entries to a Final Three. The finalists will be put to a vote at
some point in the not-too-distant future, so stay tuned!
More: Check out our video of this fun event

We commemorate Women's History Month by celebrating two of our
accomplished faculty members
To celebrate Women's History Month, our own Benjamin Bullock interviewed two key members of the UNT Dallas
faculty: Dr. Jennifer Baggerly, Professor of Counseling, and Dr. Karen Shumway, dean of the School of Business.
Please take the opportunity to view their video profiles and gain insight into how each created their own successful
pathway in higher education.
More: Click here to view our two Women's History Month videos

Trailblazer Alumni Spotlight…
FABIOLA SEGOVIA
Class of 2017, UNT Dallas College of Law
Employer: Hamilton Wingo, LLC
Position: Attorney
What I do: The firm handles catastrophic personal injury
and wrongful death cases. My case load is approximately 20
litigation cases at any given time. I begin each case by
drafting the lawsuit, handle outgoing and incoming
discovery requests, prepare clients for deposition, take
depositions of all parties, witnesses, and corporate
representatives. I have been appointed by Dallas judges to
represent minors as a Guardian Ad Litem Attorney.
Alumni Q&A:
How did UNT Dallas College of Law prepare you for
your professional career?
UNTD College of Law immersed us in the Dallas legal world.
As terrifying as it seemed at times, it prepared me for a
legal career full of moments that push me out of my comfort zone and make me face new situations. Beginning with
the tour of the Dallas courthouses, bringing in local judges and practicing attorneys, having mentors come in once a
week and encouraging constant networking enabled me to get comfortable being involved in the legal scene.
Did you have a favorite class or professor?
My favorite class was Legal Writing. Because English is my second language, I had a really hard time the first

semester and it forced me to work extra hard. I realized the value of meeting the writing professors after class,
emailing shamelessly begging for help and asking questions in class even if I sounded ridiculous.
What advice would you give an incoming College of Law student?
Learn time management and get your priorities straight. Figure out what you want to accomplish in the short term
and in the near future after taking the bar and work towards that on a regular basis. If you want to intern with a
certain judge, firm, or government agency, focus on finding your way into that.
Alumni Fun Facts:
Favorite book: Words that Work: It's not what you say, it's what people hear By Frank Lutz
Favorite quote: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." -- Ruth
Bader Ginsburg
Favorite part about living in Dallas-Fort Worth: The great food and that it's a two-hour flight from Mexican
beaches.
Favorite Dallas restaurant: Mirador
Anything else you would like us to know?: UNTD College of Law changed my life!
#UNTD News & Campus Updates
College of Law named a Best Bargain: The 2019 edition of Black Student's Guide to Law Schools and Firms, UNT
Dallas College of Law ranks in the top 15 of Best Bargain Law Schools. The ranking falls in line with our designation
as the most affordable law school in North Texas. This latest accolade comes on the heels of our No. 8 ranking in the
country for diversity in 2018 by Prelaw Magazine. We continue to set a new standard for accessibility, affordability
and academic programs at UNT Dallas College of Law and at UNT Dallas.
One proud Dad: Congratulations goes out to President Mong and his son Eric, who matched a neurosurgery
residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Eric also made Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical
Society. President Mong was so proud, he just had to tweet it here and here and here. Congratulations, and great
job, Eric!
Dr. Jerry Burkett presents research at Oxford: Dr. Jerry Burkett, Assistant Dean for the School of Education,
was invited to present research at the Oxford Education Symposium at Green Templeton College at the University of
Oxford on his findings on Principal’s Responses to Federal Immigration Policy. The Symposium highlights emerging
research across the education discipline from around the world. Research was presented from the United Kingdom,
India, Austria, Malaysia, Spain and several American universities. “Oxford is one of the most respected institutions of
higher learning in the world and has been for centuries. To have an opportunity to present before my peers at this
prestigious university was a humbling and honored experience," Dr. Burkett said. "I am grateful to Oxford for
providing a welcoming atmosphere to speak freely on issues in education policy."

Our own communications chief gets NT Daily treatment: UNT System Chief Communications Officer Paul
Corliss, now with a Touch of Grey, has always been a Shining Star, but when he arrived at the University of North
Texas System he knew he'd found the Promised Land, happy to work hard in the daytime and still have time to be
Playing in the Band by night! Not quite sure what all this means? Check out this piece by the North Texas Daily!
Media spotlight on UNT Dallas: The Dallas Morning News and NBC 5 provided UNT Dallas with some excellent
exposure in March. Metro columnist Sharon Grigsby chronicled the Dallas Teachers Speak photographic art project
co-created by School of Education dean Dr. John Gasko and artist Karen Blessen, founder of 29Pieces. The project
features portraits of 158 Dallas ISD teachers revealed in an entirely different light -- as heroes and rock stars and
changemakers. NBC 5 followed up its February report from campus on our Black History Month speaker, Dr. George
Wright, with two reports. They previewed the Dallas Teachers Speak art exhibit, which debuted at the American
Airlines Center on March 16, and returned to campus on March 21 for the launch of our Principal Impact
Collaborative.

Student earns Newman Civic Fellowship: Senior Hector Robledo was chosen as a Newman
Civic Fellow, which recognizes and supports community-committed students who are
changemakers and public problem-solvers. Robledo once feared he would be unable to attend
college because of his undocumented status. Not only will he earn his degree from UNT Dallas, he
has excelled on multiple levels and is now the recipient of a nationally recognized honor. Robledo
is third UNT Dallas student in the last three years to be selected as a Newman Civic Fellow. "I
want to have the opportunity to connect and network with other individuals who have the mindset
of collaborative action in their communities across the country," Robledo said. "I have a strong
passion for higher education and students should all have an equal chance in becoming successful
in their careers.
Runyon Creek Trail is coming: On March 16, President Mong attended the groundbreaking for the UNT Dallas
extension of the Runyon Creek Trail. District 8 councilman Tennell Atkins helped to dedicate the UNT Dallas portion
of the trail, which will provide our southern Dallas communities with an excellent and safe opportunity to enjoy the
outdoors.
Construction Update: As everyone could see during Trailblazer 360, we continue to move closer and closer to a
finished the product. The courtyard between DAL 1 and Founders Hall saw a few trees go in prior to Trailblazer 360
with full landscaping coming in the weeks ahead. Construction on the Student Center continues on at a rapid pace
with completion still slated for the spring. Same goes for the Municipal Building in downtown Dallas that will soon
serve as College of Law. And what everybody really wants to know, Starbucks in the Student Center is in the works,
complete with outdoor tables!