The UT TOWER Fellows Program

Last week, Tower Fellows alumni (across cohorts) embarked on an immersive global learning experience across Malta and Sicily – two crossroads of the ancient Mediterranean.

Fellows explored the intersection of history, culture, and innovation by walking through several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and engaging directly with the layered stories of these regions by:
- Visiting the impressive 16th-century fortifications in Valletta, Malta
- Standing in the megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Ġgantija, some of the oldest freestanding structures in the world (older than the pyramids).
- Witnessing the remarkably preserved mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale
- Experiencing Siracuse, Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, and Taormina’s Greek theater overlooking Mount Etna

Beyond the landmarks, the Fellows gained perspective on how geography and conquest can shape societies, and how innovation and resilience transcend time.

A Tower Fellow’s experience continues long after their two semesters on the UT Austin campus. The network, the shared curiosity, and the commitment to lifelong learning define this special community. This global excursion is just one example of how Fellows can stay engaged beyond both graduation and the Forty Acres.

This semester, the Tower Fellows traded the classroom for the Gulf Coast, traveling to Port Aransas, Texas for an immersive look at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI). It was a weekend defined by discovery and connection!

Key experiences included:
- The Fellows boarded the R/V Katy, a 57-foot research vessel, to conduct sampling in the local bay and gain a first-hand look at the region’s diverse marine life.
- Over lunch, UTMSI Director Sharon Z Herzka shared "Untold Stories of the Aransas Pass," offering a detailed look at the historical and ecological evolution of the Texas coastline.
- The group explored the Bay Education Center’s "Science on a Sphere" in Rockport, Texas and took in the incredible sandcastle artistry at Texas SandFest.

Weekend excursions like these capture the spirit of the Tower Fellows experience – providing a unique setting to enjoy the authenticity of our community while gaining fresh insights into the vital research shaping our world.

Congratulations to our Tower Fellows on the successful completion of their immersive experience at The University of Texas at Austin. Each Fellow contributed valuable perspectives to various academic disciplines and added to our close-knit community of kind and curious people.

Below, we share highlights from their Commencement Ceremony, a celebration of their commitment of learning for life.

Thank you, Fellows, for your lasting contributions to the Forty Acres – and for the meaningful impact you have made on one another’s lives. We look forward to championing you and the joys you'll continue to discover in your next chapter, while welcoming your ongoing engagement in the Tower Fellows community! 🤘

Longhorn highlight 🤘

Tower Fellows visited the UT Outpost, a campus resource dedicated to supporting students through access to food, essentials and professional clothing.

Experiences like these highlight the impact of community-driven support across the Forty Acres.

Grateful to hear from Dean Allan Cole on how social workers lead with vulnerability, empathy, resilience and real-world impact.

Another great night with the Tower Fellows 🤘
From a behind-the-scenes tour of the Player Development Center to cheering on a 16–4 Texas Baseball win over Incarnate Word last week, it’s moments like these that make the community so special ⚾️🧡

To kick off April, Tower Fellows created a meaningful space on campus.

With Grand Stand, the Tower Fellows provided an outlet for students to take photos, write heartfelt postcards, and send a piece of their college experience home 🤍

For the past 24 years, Margo has served as an information officer on some of the largest wildfires across the United States.

As part of Incident Management Teams dispatched to major incidents, and occasionally hurricanes, she helps translate rapidly evolving emergencies into clear, reliable information for the public. Her New Mexico team was among the first to respond to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

Today, she serves as a Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC), the highest qualification in the field. In addition to incident response, she works on national fire prevention teams during peak fire season, raising awareness about fire conditions and reducing human-caused ignitions. One recent assignment placed her among the giant sequoias for two weeks, where she filmed a series documenting efforts to protect the iconic trees from catastrophic wildfire.

Margo came to this profession through media, having worked behind a camera since the early 1980s, including time with PBS, a foundation in storytelling that still shapes her work today.

She was drawn to Tower Fellows for both flexibility and community.

“The idea that I could take whatever classes I wanted while meeting peers who share my interest in learning are what drew me to the program.”

What has been most rewarding so far?

“While I’m impressed by the caliber of students in my classes, I’m inspired by my fellow Tower Fellows and the range of experiences and accomplishments they bring to the cohort.”

For Margo, the impact has been deeply personal.

“I can’t imagine a more powerful form of growth than making new and lasting friendships.”

When she’s not deployed, Margo splits her time between Austin and the mountains of New Mexico, enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, wildlife photography, and exploring AI and volunteers her videography talents to local nonprofits.

March always brings the madness — but for Tower Fellows, it’s also brought something more.

Throughout the month, fellows gathered for watch parties and last-minute get-togethers, showing up for one another just as much as for Texas Longhorn athletics. From big wins to nail-biting finishes, each game became an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and share in the moment together.

It’s been a reminder that while the action happens on the court, some of the most meaningful moments happen off of it — in the community we build along the way.

Hook ’em 🤘

Current and former Tower Fellows spent spring break gaining firsthand insight into leadership, service and strategy through an immersive experience in San Diego.

From a waterfront dinner on Coronado Island to sailing through San Diego Harbor — where Fellows spotted two aircraft carriers — the trip offered a unique look into naval operations.

The experience continued with an exclusive tour of the Naval Special Warfare Center, the U.S. Navy’s primary training facility for elite special operations forces, where Navy SEAL candidates undergo rigorous preparation, including the demanding BUD/S program.

This opportunity was made possible by Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire (USN, Ret.), whose UT course Special Operations: Raids, Rescues, and Relationships continues to connect Fellows with real-world experiences beyond the classroom.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn directly from leaders and institutions shaping global security.