April 4, 2007
McCombs Undergrads Named “Alpha Females” by Burnt Orange Magazine

In an environment where murmurs of glass ceilings and gender inequality still exist, McCombs female students are committed to silencing the critics. Burnt Orange, the student magazine at The University of Texas at Austin named three of those women “Alpha Females” in its spring 2007 issue.

Kate Nanney, BHP and Finance Senior

Just four years ago, she was a freshman at the bottom of the food chain. Now, at 21, Kate Nanney has risen to the top the university’s political game as the Senate of College Councils chair, where she leads 17 college councils. The Senate and the councils work to represent student academic needs to the administration. And though it may be hard to believe, this finance, business honors and plan II honors senior actually has a life.

“One of my philosophies is to make time for the things I think are important enough,” Nanney says. “I’m proud of the way I have balanced my priorities.”

Nanney is also writing her honors thesis and has a little sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“She’s very flexible, and that’s what this position takes,” says Eleanor Elderbroom, a student affairs administrator. “This organization would not be where it is today without her. Kate is a great leader.”

Nanney’s mother, Suzanne O’Malley, said her daughter has always loved working with people, and she is very proud of Nanney’s ability to focus on her passion for Senate and politics.

“Kate has always had a real warm heart, and I’m not surprised with the direction she has taken, because it satisfies her interest in working with people,” O’Malley said. “She’s a doer, and she’s also a lot of fun.”

Being on top came naturally to Nanney throughout her education. She attended Plano East High School as a junior and senior for their rigorous International Baccalaureate Program. After that, it was on to college, and the university got an invaluable gift when Nanney chose UT.

“I wasn’t planning on coming [to UT], but at the end of a Longhorn Saturday, they sang the ‘Eyes of Texas’,” she says. “That stuck with me.”

As far as what the future holds, Nanney is waiting to hear back from Teach for America, a program that works to eliminate educational inequality.

“I’m making preparations for law school, and I’m hopeful about Teach for America,” she says. “If I get into [the program], I’m thinking Houston and that I’ll stay in Texas – I’ve never felt compelled to leave Texas.”

And Texas does not want her to go. But big dreams await Nanney, like lobbying in Washington against educational inequality. So Capitol Hill had better watch out, because this super Nanney is coming to put the current education system on a serious time out.

-Meredith Ballentine

Christine Nguyen, BHP and Finance Senior

When Christine Nguyen tells the tragic story of Tau Le, a 12-year-old, Cambodian sex-tourism escapee, her voice chokes with sadness, contempt and fervor to stop the injustice suffered by Le and thousands of children across the world. Le was sold into sex slavery by her parents but managed to escape.

Glamour magazine’s October issue featured Nguyen, a University of Texas senior, as one of its annual “Top 10 College Women of 2006” for her efforts helping sex-trafficking survivors in Southeast Asia. Sex slavery — the illegal practice of enslaving children typically between the ages of 5 and 18 for sex — is most prominent in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Raised in upper-middle-class Houston suburbia, Nguyen’s native Vietnamese parents stressed how extremely fortunate she is, so she embarked on an aid expedition to Vietnam in the summer of 2004 in hopes of gaining an understanding of the harsh realities others endure. She volunteered at an all-girls orphanage, where she met Le and helped sex-trafficking survivors regain self-confidence and build a foundation for their lives through education and mentoring.
 
“If you can make them believe in themselves first—to shake the idea that they’re not worth it, that they’re not good enough, that they’re bad people…. They have to feel that first before they can do anything.”

At summer’s end, she set out to raise money through pitching her idea for a coalition that helps sex-trafficking survivors. Raising more than $30,000, she officially founded the Southeast Asian Children’s Coalition in 2005, a progam which provides scholarships to survivors.

“Really, deep down, the true inspiration for my nonprofit was when I met Tau [Le],” Nguyen says. “I was like, if I can get this changed just a little bit for her, it would be worth it.”

Nguyen, who quadruple majors in business honors, plan II honors, government and finance, hopes to one day decrease sex trafficking at its core. “Now, I can remedy the after effect,” she begins. “But we shouldn’t have to deal with the end-product; we should stop it from happening in the first place. So, ultimately, that’s what I want to do—[implement] some sort of policy.”

-Kristin Butler

Montoya Lewis, MIS Senior

For Houston native Montoya Lewis, the word gutsy may have fit her long before she realized it. In the 10th grade, she founded the community service organization, “Promote a Change Today.” In a short time, people from around the city were requesting her group’s volunteer assistance.

It was this go-getter attitude that led Lewis to create the Black Business Students Association. At an institution where the number of black business students is few, this was considered a very bold move.

Lewis admits she didn’t feel at home in the McCombs Business School during her first two years, which sparked a desire to create BBSA. Since its inception in October 2005, BBSA has transformed into a leading organization, bringing in an array of corporate representatives.

Sponsors such as General Electric, Microsoft and General Mills have provided the group with thousands of dollars. The companies also select BBSA members for internship positions. “Companies are literally fighting for a time slot to make offers and presentations to the group,” Lewis says.

At a typical Wednesday meeting, Lewis can be found posted at the entryway welcoming every student and trying her best to make everyone feel comfortable. “All the members know my e-mail address, phone numbers and even my job information at the business school’s undergraduate programs office,” Lewis says.

Aside from her involvement with the business school, Lewis serves as 1st Vice-President of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, has been involved with Leadership Education and Progress, is a Freshman Interest Group mentor, and still finds time to volunteer every Friday with Reading is Fundamental of Austin. Also, Lewis spent last summer interning with GE in Louisville.

After her May graduation, Lewis wants to do business consultation in the healthcare area. As for the future of BBSA, Lewis is very confident in the executive board. “I hope that I can come back in two years, fully exercise my bias – and say my company wants two BBSA members to intern.”

-Ariawna Talton

 

 

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