5,700-plus Mavericks set to graduate at Globe Life Field
More than 5,700 students are expected to graduate during The University of Texas at Arlington’s spring 2024 commencement on Friday, May 10, at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
These newest Maverick graduates will join an impactful UTA alumni network of over 270,000 here in Texas and around the globe. UTA graduates contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas and have the highest starting salaries among baccalaureate graduates of any non-medical UT System institution.
“Our students have been true Mavericks in pursuit of their goals and unlocking their potential to make a lasting impact on our communities,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Commencement is the culmination of our student’s hard work to achieve their dreams. I am confident that UTA has equipped them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as they continue their academic and career journeys.”
UTA’s overall degree count increased by 4.3% from a year ago, including a 6% increase in bachelor’s degrees and a 7% increase in doctoral degrees. UTA’s largest colleges, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the College of Engineering, are expecting nearly 1,700 graduates and 1,600 graduates, respectively.
A number of this year’s graduation candidates have compelling individual stories. These include:
- UT Arlington will graduate the first cohort of city of Fort Worth employees from the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program this May. The cohort program, which launched three years ago, has 34 city employees in its inaugural class. UTA and Fort Worth worked together so the program could be done during the workday and only on Fridays at the UTA Fort Worth Center, which is located a short distance from city offices. The partnership not only helps city employees better serve their communities, but also showcases UTA’s high-quality curriculum that is tailored for the needs of its students and communities.
- Jessica Douglas returned to school after a decade-plus pause to raise a family. She found that public health was her calling, as it filled her need to make a community-wide impact. Douglas hopes to take her master’s in public health from UTA and make a difference in the lives of moms like her.
- Kelsey Beavers came to UTA to pursue a Ph.D. and study coral disease. She quickly got involved in a large project studying stony coral tissue loss disease, which has been killing coral along Florida’s coast and in 22 Caribbean countries. Her research involved scuba diving off the coast of the U.S. Virgin Islands to collect coral tissue samples before returning to the lab for data analysis.
- Izabella Russell found success and support on UTA’s Mock Trial team. Russell, who comes from a law enforcement family, plans to pursue a law degree and eventually fuse her two passions, psychology and law, to work with service members who have developed mental illnesses and may need legal help and advocacy. Her dad is a sergeant in the Fort Worth Police Department, and her mom was also on the force before transitioning to teaching special education at an elementary school.
- Kelly Meek expected the arrival of her firstborn child to align with the end of the first term of her accelerated master’s program. However, Sarala, her daughter, arrived early. Undeterred, Meek continued working on her assignments during active labor and mere hours before Sarala’s arrival. During commencement weekend, the new mom will celebrate her achievements and her first Mother’s Day.
Commencement schedule, Friday, May 10, at Globe Life Field:
• 9 a.m. College of Education; College of Engineering
• 2 p.m. College of Business; College of Liberal Arts; College of Science; Division of Student Success; Honors College
• 7 p.m. College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs; College of Nursing and Health Innovation; School of Social Work
For ADA accommodations for guests, call Globe Life Field at 817-533-1972.