BDP Student Cabinet
The BDP Student Cabinet acts as the student voice for the BDPs. The Cabinet works in collaboration with the BDP coordinator and advisors to organize community-building events, develop new initiatives, and brainstorm new ways of enhancing the BDPs.
2007-08 Student Cabinet
Oscar De Los Santos
Ethics and Leadership and International Studies BDPs
Junior, Communication Studies
oscardls@mail.utexas.edu
Oscar is interested in working for the United Nations after he graduates from UT. In the spring of 2007, Oscar was invited to participate in the Annual Student Leadership Conference hosted by Rutgers University. In addition, he has held an internship at the State Capitol and participated in the Seton Hall U.N. Intensive Summer Study Program.
Krystina Decker
International Studies BDP
Junior, Economics
kdeck15@mail.utexas.edu
Krystina is interested in researching the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution tactics in international conflict and the role of the International Court of Justice. Particular regions of interest for Krystina include Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Jo Ann Guillen
Cultural Studies BDP
Senior, Anthropology
j.guillen@mail.utexas.edu
Jo Ann had the opportunity to hold an internship at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, working specifically with the Immigration Project and Exhibit slated to open in 2009. Jo Ann was fortunate to be able to interview some of the Jewish immigration Galveston Movement descendents who will be featured in the exhibit. This experience fit nicely with Jo Ann’s interest in the role culture plays in the education of minorities.
Michelle Miro
Social Entrepreneurship and Non-profits BDP
Sophomore, Sociology
Michelle.miro@mail.utexas.edu
Michelle is interested in working in the non-profit sector after graduating. Prior to participating in the BDP, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. Michelle has also interned at IBM, where she developed course curriculum for the IBM Academic Initiative.
Alex Pellett
Environment BDP
Senior, Plan II Honors
capellett@mail.utexas.edu
Alex is interested in sustainable agriculture and has traveled with Dr. Dick Richardson to Costa Rica, where he began filming a documentary about the disappearance of the rain forests. Currently, Alex is hoping to tour North America in a vehicle that runs on grease in search of sustainable living systems.
Emily Shelton
Social Inequality, Health, and Policy BDP
Junior, Sociology and Plan I Honors
ershelton@mail.utexas.edu
Social inequality issues and a duty to help those who cannot help themselves are some of the factors that prompted Emily to pursue a BDP in SIHP. In the summer of 2007, Emily participated in the Population Research Center’s REU in Minority Group Demography for one of her Connecting Experiences.
Courtney Stollon
Children and Society BDP
Senior, Psychology
courtneystollon@yahoo.com
Courtney is interested in working with abused children and examining how psychology, sociology, social work, and other disciplines can collaborate to create a more holistic treatment experience. In the spring of 2007, she completed a Connecting Experience under the guidance Dr. Jacqueline Woolley and performed research on how children differentiate between fantasy and reality.
Linda Tieh
Chair, Student Cabinet
International Studies BDP
Senior, Business Honors and Plan II Honors
ltieh@mail.utexas.edu
Linda has completed two Connecting Experiences abroad over the last year. In 2006 she traveled to Shanghai, China, and held an internship at Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P., and in 2007 she held an internship at Legation Quarter in Beijing, China. These experiences are sure to be of benefit to Linda after graduation, as she pursues a career in international law.
Katie Tran
Ethics and Leadership BDP
Senior, Human Biology and Sociology
katietran@mail.utexas.edu
Katie has done extensive research with Dr. Joy Penticuff studying physician-patient communication, especially with patients who suffer from long-term illnesses. As a result of her research, Katie was invited to participate in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in California during the spring of 2007. Katie was also recently invited to participate in the Annual Student Leadership Conference hosted by Rutgers University.
Amanda Tufano
Cultural Studies BDP
Senior, RTF and Government
tufano.amanda@gmail.com
Amanda is interested in documentary filmmaking, especially dealing with different types of diversity. For her first Connecting Experience, Amanda worked with Dr. Charles Ramírez Berg on research into Italian Neorealist film. Currently, Amanda holds a yearlong internship at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center.
"With the multidisciplinary focus of the BDP, I have been able to cross off certain careers I thought would be interesting, and I have discovered new and emerging areas of interest that I never would have thought about."
- Shane Kerr, Digital Arts & Media