Roxanna Honarpour

Hometown:

Houston, Texas

College/Major:

McCombs School of Business/ Marketing with a minor in Biology

How many years have you been involved with the FIG Program and in what capacity?

I have been involved in the FIG program for three years. My experience as a FIG student during my freshman year initially inspired me to apply as a FIG mentor for my sophomore year. After my first year as a FIG mentor, I applied as a returning mentor as well as a FIG committee chair. During my junior, year I applied as a returning mentor and am a member of the Training and Advisory Committee.

Why is this program important to you?

This program is important to me because I genuinely believe that it has a strong and positive impact on first year students. I believe that being enrolled in a FIG is the best way for students to adjust to and gain important knowledge about The University of Texas.

How has it helped you or changed your life in any way?

My involvement in the FIG program has impacted my life in many ways. Initially as a FIG student, FIG helped me adjust to UT. In addition, my FIG seminars increased my awareness about the resources available to me as a business student. My role as a FIG mentor has helped me to become a better communicator. It has also made me more knowledgeable about UT as well as the students who attend here. My involvement as a committee chair and advisory committee member has helped me to further my goal to help new students at the University of Texas. I believe that through helping new mentors I am in a way helping more first-year students.

Describe one of your most memorable FIG moments?

My most memorable FIG moment was as a FIG mentor. Mid semester, a student of mine approached me and explained how he was receiving low test scores in his calculus class. It was past the Q drop date, and he was unsure of what to do. I informed him about various resources that could help him in calculus. In addition, I tried to motivate him to not give up and try his best. At the end of the semester, I received an email from him explaining that he received an A in his calculus class. In addition, he thanked me for the information and support. This experience made me feel that my role as a FIG mentor does have an impact. Although the impacts may not always be expressed by students, they still exist. This realization encouraged me to work harder as a FIG mentor.

Describe the program in one word and explain why you chose that word.

Enriching. I believe that the FIG program enhances students’ first year at UT. It helps to ensure that first-year students have a successful freshman year academically, developmentally, and socially. In addition, the FIG program is enriching to mentors because it increases their knowledge about UT and UT students. Lastly, the FIG program increases compassion in FIG mentors, making them better mentors as well as better people.