Dayanara Arce

Congrats on earning the Dr. Thomas R. Hellier Jr. and Mrs. Evelyn F. Hellier Biology Scholarship!

Thank you! Before I applied for the scholarship, I read about the Helliers and was in awe of how passionate they are about supporting students. I am very grateful to them and everyone who contributed to the fund.

What factors have led to your academic success?

Keeping a calendar, managing my time, and staying organized. I also love to try new things to keep me inspired. My parents’ emotional support has helped, too. I am a first-generation college student, so they may not understand everything that I’m going through, but it is nice to know that they have my back. Their encouragement has greatly contributed to my success at UTA.

What have you participated in at UTA to enrich your academic experience?

I’m vice president of the Pre-Dental Society, a senator for the College of Science, and a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Advancement of Females in Medicine, and Med Life. In addition, I recently participated in a study abroad trip to Spain, where I took a Spanish class that will go toward my minor in Spanish for Global Health. Spanish is my first language, so it was interesting to hear some of the different terms used in Spain. I am focusing on medical interpretation in my minor, which requires a lot more Spanish knowledge than the average native speaker has. It has been a challenging yet gratifying subject to study.

What made you want to major in biology and how do you plan to use your degree?

I wanted to learn about science and the human body. Then, when I started shadowing at dental clinics, I saw people utilize their knowledge from science classes in practical settings to help others. I found that even simple procedures can make a big impact on patients’ lives, especially at low-income clinics like the one I was shadowing in. That experience reinforced my passion for what I’m studying and made me realize that I want to pursue a career in the dental industry.