Alumni Couple Supports School Where They Met

Andy Maish BS’10, MS’11 and Sarah Trowsdale Maish BS’10, MS’12 recently made a significant contribution to establish the Andy and Sarah Maish Endowment of Excellence in the Naveen Jindal School of Management, fulfilling a long-held promise to themselves to support organizations that helped them.

“Creating an endowment for excellence is one of the most meaningful ways that alumni can give back,” said Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School dean. “We will remain forever grateful to Andy and Sarah for their generous gift.”

The couple met as students in the Jindal School. While at UT Dallas, Sarah was involved in Student Government, studied accounting and finance as an undergraduate and healthcare leadership and management in graduate school. Andy played basketball for the Comets while studying accounting and finance and then accounting in graduate school. He continues to support the basketball program and the athletic department.

“Dallas was the first place that felt like home to us,” Andy said. “We lived on campus and were involved in campus activities. It was a small community with big school benefits. Dallas is not a college town that you have to leave after you graduate to find a job. You can find a good job right here.”

John Barden, associate dean of executive education, got to know the couple while they attended UTD.

“They were great students, and you could tell they were going to be successful,” he said. “Their donation will help the University grow, as well as help fund faculty research, case competitions, scholarships and engagement of students – all of which will lead to excellence in educational outcomes.”

After graduating, Sarah joined AA Care Services, a San Antonio-based medical home care services firm founded by her mother. Andy joined RSM US LLP, worked at Colmore Inc. and later joined his wife at AA Care Services as CPA and chief financial officer. In August 2022, the company was sold to a private equity firm. The couple owns equity in the firm, and both serve on the board.

“We would not be where we are today without our education,” Andy said. “We wanted to do something to support the school forever, not just in the here and now.”