The Office of Undergraduate Education

Dear Students, Parents, & Visitors:

Changing the world one student at a time is what I found at UT Dallas when I arrived on campus 14 years ago and it is what you will find today. UT Dallas is a place where students from all walks of life and backgrounds have the chance to explore their potential. Some of our students come straight from high school, others as transfer students, and others bring years of life experience to the University in their pursuit of higher education.

UT Dallas challenges each and every student both in and out of the classroom. As a faculty member, I have encountered many students whose lives have changed because of their experience at UT Dallas. In a social entrepreneurship class, a young man expressed big dreams of changing the world through science. Despite being the first in his family to attend college and “just an average student,” he excelled in his physics and our nanotechnology lab. There, he developed synthetic blood cells and started a vibrant research agenda. Before leaving UT Dallas, he published a number of articles and completed an internship at Texas Instruments (TI). The internship led to a job offer and his research led to a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. After working at TI for a year, he is now a Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering at MIT.

Our students, regardless of background, have flourished when given the opportunity to succeed. Many of our bright scholars come to the University aware of their abilities but others create their future here with the many opportunities and support we provide. I always tell my students that no one but you can define who you become here. It is time to build a new reputation and exceed the limits others set for you in the past.

I believe UT Dallas is a very special university that provides unique opportunities for every student. If you are a prospective student, I encourage you to provide us feedback about your college search and how we can present our great university to you better. If you are a current student, please attend the next Dine with the Deans to discuss your thoughts with me in person.

Sincerely,

Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Ph.D.
Dean of Undergraduate Education