The Bridge is the Bridging Disciplines Programs newsletter to share news and student stories with BDP friends and alumni. View archived editions of The Bridge.
Sign up to have The Bridge delivered directly to your inbox by emailing Julia Chinnock.
2017 Year in Review
In 2017, BDP students completed 321 Connecting Experiences on six different continents. By serving more than 29,000 hours in 184 internships, BDP students generated an economic impact of more than $740,000. 165 students graduated with their BDP certificates and over 450 students applied to join the BDPs, a 29% increase from 2016! View an infographic with more highlights from 2017.
BDP Alumni Mentor Program Celebrates Inaugural Year
In the 2017-2018 school year, over 85 BDP alumni volunteered their time to mentor current BDP students, offering support and guidance around Connecting Experiences, academics, next steps after UT, and even spring break plans. As the second year of mentoring begins, last year’s alumni and student participants reflect on the success of the BDP Alumni Mentor Program. Read more about the program.
Internship Focuses on Human Rights and Honors Professor Barbara Harlow
A new internship has been established to honor the life and work of Dr. Barbara Harlow and introduce her influential scholarship and advocacy to BDP students committed to issues of social justice. The internship is a collaboration between the Bridging Disciplines Programs and the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice. Learn more about this opportunity created specifically for BDP students.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Astrid Runggaldier
As a faculty panel member for one of the newest BDP certificates, Museum Studies, Dr. Astrid Runggaldier introduces students to some of the “hidden collections” at the university and to the breadth of possibilities within the museum field. We recently caught up with Dr. Runggaldier to hear about how she became interested in Maya culture, advice she has for BDP students, and what she’s been reading lately. Read more about Dr. Runggaldier.
Graduate’s Experience in Social Entrepreneurship & Non-profits BDP Helped Expand Her Career Plans
Selina Bonilla, currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration and working at The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) Texas, graduated in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Journalism and a BDP certificate in Social Entrepreneurship & Non-profits with a concentration in Community Welfare and Social Justice. Read more about how BDP helped her solidify a passion for public service and non-profits.
Intersection of Media, Ethics, and Politics the Focus of Ethics & Leadership BDP Student’s Research
Anna Rose Isbell, a Corporate Communication major completing a BDP certificate in Ethics & Leadership in Law, Politics & Government, served as a Media Ethics Citizen Scholar through the Moody College of Communication’s Media Ethics Initiative in spring 2018. She researched and wrote case studies related to media ethics and law, politics, and government as well as assisted with the public relations and advertising efforts of the Media Ethics Initiative. Read more about her research.
Children & Society BDP Student Works for Youth Mental Health Awareness in Internship
Kaity Dallas, a psychology major pursuing a BDP certificate in Children & Society, spent the spring semester as an intern with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Austin, where she worked with children and youth programs conducting community outreach, compiling data, and attending meetings and events with community stakeholders. Through this internship, Kaity had the opportunity to play an integral role in NAMI’s Ending the Silence program. Learn more about her experience.