Comet Graduates Serve as Advocates for Higher Education

For more than a decade, graduates of The University of Texas System have traveled the state to learn more about higher education within the UT institutions and beyond, serving as advocates to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders. The group — the Chancellor’s Centurions — is composed of nearly 70 alumni representing all 14 UT System schools.

“Through direct engagement with the UT System chancellor and leadership, members of the group develop a wide-ranging understanding of challenges in higher education — both in Texas and across the country,” said Melissa Jackson, executive director of external relations for the system. “This knowledge base enables them to effectively serve as ambassadors for the UT System.”

The group recruits early and mid-career professionals who are relatively recent graduates of their respective UT System institutions. Members are deeply interested in not only higher education in Texas, Jackson said, but also health care, an important segment of the UT System, and the many areas of cutting-edge research conducted at the system’s universities.

“Centurions bring a unique perspective to the UT System because the college experience is fresh on their minds, and they’ve likely experienced some of the challenges and opportunities on today’s modern college campuses first-hand,” Jackson said. “By getting connected soon after starting their careers, members are likely to stay involved with the UT System and their institutions throughout their lifetime.”

The Centurions meet twice annually at various UT System campuses. In April, The University of Texas at Dallas served as hosts for the spring meeting, updating guests on the history of the school and its rapid growth and development.

Attendees and UTD alumni Janet Ismail BA’05 and Diana Kao BA’11, MS’16 both say they have found value in belonging to the group and staying connected with the UT System and with fellow graduates.

One of the central roles is to keep us engaged so we can stay knowledgeable about what’s going on within the UT System,” said Ismail, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UTD before attending law school. “And then it also lends itself to giving us the opportunity to give back whether that’s through financial support to the system, or just spreading the word regarding all the exciting things that are going on at the UT institutions.”

Kao said joining the group has been a good way to engage with UT System leadership, including system Chancellor James B. Milliken.

“Even as a student at UTD, I was interested in what was happening at the system level because so much of that trickles down and affects universities,” said Kao, who earned a bachelor’s in literature and a master’s in marketing. “My understanding was that it was a great opportunity to meet with young professionals who are interested in the UT System and wanted an opportunity to hear from and talk with the chancellor.”

Kao said she also looks for ways to advocate for economically disadvantaged students. She found an outlet as a member of the Centurions’ Community Service Committee.

“Through the committee, we discovered we wanted to support programs at UT System institutions affecting first-generation students or students that come from challenging economic backgrounds,” she said.

The Centurions made a gift to support first-generation student programs at UT San Antonio in 2023. During the spring 2024 meeting, the Centurions and the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee donated a joint gift of $20,000 to support similar student programming at UT Dallas.

“Serving as a Centurion has given me a sense of giving back to the system, but also to UT Dallas — which is where I really got a chance to be who I am now and where so much of my success and fulfillment has come from,” Kao said.