Dean's Dozen Award

Dante Barajas

Dante Barajas has left an enduring mark on the UT Austin community through his leadership in Orientation and his commitment to education and mentorship. Serving two summers as both an Orientation Advisor and Leadership Team member, Dante created welcoming spaces for new students and supportive environments for his peers.

Recognized by his colleagues as an Outstanding Orientation Advisor, Dante is known for his calm, encouraging presence and ability to build connection through humor and authenticity. His influence is reflected in the many advisors who cite his mentorship as inspiration in their own leadership journeys.

As a UTeach Natural Sciences graduate preparing for a career in middle school education, Dante brings the same care and enthusiasm into the classroom—instilling curiosity, community and a love of learning in the next generation.

Elizabeth Cox

Elizabeth Cox is a compassionate and thoughtful leader whose authenticity and dedication have made a profound impact on campus life. Through her leadership in the University Panhellenic Council community and her extensive campus involvement, Elizabeth consistently creates spaces where students feel valued, heard and supported.

As a President within UPC, Elizabeth led with empathy and clear communication, strengthening organizational culture while holding high standards of accountability. She initiated a cross-council appreciation effort for custodial and maintenance staff, coordinated donation drives and helped bring the campus together during moments of collective reflection, including organizing a community vigil following regional flooding.

Elizabeth's service extends across Student Governance, the Moody College of Communication, and the Office of the Dean of Students, where she contributed as a search committee member. Her leadership is marked by resilience, collaboration and a genuine commitment to community care—qualities that define the heart of the Dean's Dozen Award.

Cassidy Franzoi

Cassidy Franzoi is a Terry Scholar whose leadership is rooted in resilience, altruism and a deep belief in giving back. As President of the Terry Scholar Student Association, Cassidy has built vibrant community among more than 200 scholars while expanding opportunities for service, mentorship and professional growth.

Cassidy's leadership journey spans multiple executive roles, including founding a mentorship program for first-year scholars and strengthening partnerships with Austin-area schools through AVID programming. As President, she leads a team of officers who deliver frequent and impactful programming, including signature philanthropy events such as the Terry Trot benefiting Casa Marianela.

Balancing student teaching, employment and leadership, Cassidy remains deeply invested in uplifting others. She leads with intention, compassion and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for those who come after her.

Morgan Hernandez

Morgan Hernandez exemplifies purpose-driven leadership and an unwavering dedication to The University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her involvement with Texas Orange Jackets and Texas Roundtable, Morgan has consistently elevated the student experience by strengthening traditions, fostering collaboration and building meaningful relationships across campus.

As President of Texas Orange Jackets, Morgan led with steadiness and integrity during a particularly complex period for the organization. She engaged directly with University leadership, facilitated difficult conversations and ensured her members felt supported and informed, modeling accountability and values-based leadership. In her role as President of Texas Roundtable, she revitalized the organization through initiatives such as Pancakes for a Purpose, expanded engagement with university leaders and successfully led the return of the historic Hex Rally—honoring UT traditions while energizing students, alumni and campus partners. In addition to her organizational leadership, Morgan serves as a Resident Assistant, where she actively builds inclusive and welcoming residential communities. She leads not for recognition, but out of a genuine love for UT and its students. Morgan represents the very best of the Forty Acres and leaves a lasting impact through both what she does and how she does it.

Sofia Lozano

Sofia Lozano is a thoughtful, hands-on leader whose work with the Community Engagement Collective—particularly The Project—has fostered sustainable, community-centered service at UT Austin. Since her first year, Sofia has approached leadership with intentionality, collaboration, and a focus on long-term impact.

She actively seeks connections between campus initiatives and the broader Austin community, ensuring that engagement efforts extend beyond a single day into meaningful, ongoing partnerships. Sofia is also deeply committed to mentoring future leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and purpose needed to continue the work.

Balancing strong academics with professional experiences, Sofia exemplifies the promise of engaged leadership and the values central to the Dean's Dozen recognition.

Kaitlyn Marsh

Kaitlyn Marsh has made an extraordinary impact on the student experience through her dual leadership in residential life and the Office of the Dean of Students. As President of the University Residence Hall Association, Kaitlyn serves as the primary advocate for on-campus residents, representing thousands of students and championing initiatives that enhance belonging and quality of life.

Kaitlyn's leadership is strategic, relational and deeply student-centered. Under her direction, URHA strengthened its advocacy efforts and expanded engagement across campus. In the Office of the Dean of Students, Kaitlyn supports over 1,000 student organizations with professionalism, clarity and care—approaching each interaction with respect and empathy.

As a marketing major in the McCombs School of Business, Kaitlyn leverages her academic expertise to help organizations develop brand identity and recruitment strategies. Her consistency, warmth and service-oriented mindset make her a trusted leader and an exceptional representative of UT Austin.

Ashley Mascorro

Ashley Mascorro embodies the spirit of service, advocacy and excellence that defines a Dean's Dozen honoree. Through her leadership within the Office of the Dean of Students and the Latino Pan-Hellenic Council (LPHC), Ashley has shown an unwavering commitment to student success and community well-being.

After serving two years on the LPHC executive board, Ashley was elected President, where she led transformative initiatives including the creation of scholarship opportunities, the inaugural LPHC Graduation Celebration, and enhanced partnerships with vendors and campus stakeholders. She also amplified the voices of LPHC-affiliated organizations by facilitating intentional dialogue with University leadership and representing UT Austin at regional leadership conferences.

Beyond her council leadership, Ashley pursued opportunities to broaden her impact across the Dean of Students portfolio—serving on search committees, participating in the inaugural SFL Alternative Breaks trip and engaging in research while maintaining strong academic performance. Ashley leads with empathy, professionalism and courage, and consistently uplifts those around her in meaningful ways.

Benet Plange Matteer

Benet Plange Matteer is a values-driven leader who has shaped the Sorority and Fraternity Life community through courage, relationship-building and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Since joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Benet has consistently demonstrated integrity, compassion and resolve in every role she has held.

Serving as NPHC Secretary, Chapter President and ultimately NPHC President, Benet provided steady leadership during times of transition and challenge. As NPHC President, she worked collaboratively with fellow council presidents to foster trust, transparency and unity across councils. She proactively engaged university leadership, advocating for her community while modeling professional, solution-oriented leadership.

Benet's influence extends beyond positional authority—she has reshaped how student leaders collaborate and support one another. Her legacy is one of strengthened relationships, elevated standards and a renewed vision for inclusive leadership within the Greek community.

Trenton Mosby

Trenton Mosby is a principled and impactful leader whose contributions to Sorority and Fraternity Life have strengthened governance, accountability and trust within the NPHC community. As Chapter President, Trenton led his organization to recognition as Chapter of the Year and was individually honored as Chapter President of the Year.

During a critical re-chartering period for NPHC, Trenton served as Parliamentarian, providing structure and stability while laying a strong foundation for future leadership. He has also been instrumental in building connections between student leaders and senior University administrators, fostering collaboration and transparency.

Trenton leads with humility, resilience and purpose, consistently centering service and long-term impact in his work.

Vaishnavi Penta

Vaishnavi Penta's leadership as President of the Senate of College Councils reflects a deep commitment to equity, transparency and student empowerment. Through her work in student governance, Vaishnavi has advanced initiatives that reduce barriers and enhance academic decision-making for students across UT Austin.

She successfully partnered with University technology teams to expand student access to Canva Pro, advocated for course cost markers and clear syllabi and prioritized initiatives that support informed academic choices. Her impact also extends beyond campus through mentorship of high school students and the coordination of the Central Texas Undergraduate Research Conference.

Vaishnavi leads inclusively and intentionally, ensuring that diverse academic perspectives shape every project and policy. Her stewardship has strengthened shared governance and exemplifies the spirit of service at the heart of the Dean's Dozen Award.

Lillian Robinson

Lillian Robinson has made a transformative impact on civic engagement and student leadership at UT Austin through her work as the Student Governance Graduate Advisor. For the past two years, she has been a steady force behind student democracy, mentorship and operational excellence within the Student Governance Organization.

Lillian played a pivotal role in revitalizing campus elections by increasing voter turnout, modernizing outreach strategies and reintroducing in-person voting experiences. She empowered students to take ownership of the democratic process by establishing the Election Supervisory Board and creating direct engagement opportunities between candidates and the student body.

As a trusted advisor to student leaders—particularly the Speaker of the Assembly—Lillian provides thoughtful coaching during times of complexity and challenge. Her behind-the-scenes leadership ensures students gain hands-on experience while feeling supported and prepared. Through mentorship, resilience and intentional guidance, Lillian has strengthened student governance in ways that will endure far beyond her tenure.

Ivan Alejandro Rocha

Ivan Alejandro Rocha has elevated campus communication and student engagement through his creative work as a social media content creator for the Office of the Dean of Students. Over the past two years, Ivan's storytelling and strategic vision have amplified key programs and messages, meeting students where they are and inspiring participation in campus life.

Ivan has produced featured content with University leadership, Student Government, and major campus events, with his Fall 2024 video recap earning a national Viddy Award for excellence. His work combines creativity, professionalism and an acute understanding of student interests.

In addition to his role with the Dean of Students, Ivan interns with the Moody College of Communication while maintaining strong academic performance. His dedication, reliability and innovation have made a lasting impact on the UT student experience.