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Victoria Oseguera ’24, Political Science

Optimizing: The summer after her freshman year, Oseguera worked for the city of Mission, Texas, near her hometown of McAllen. One day, as she watched her supervisor struggle to complete a tedious task, she envisioned — and implemented — an easier, faster way to get the job done. Now Oseguera specializes in internal process improvement at her student job in the university’s Office of Information Technology, where she has streamlined the hiring process. 

Making someone’s day: Oseguera is an intern in the district office of U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, who was elected to Congress in fall 2022. One of her duties is helping constituents renew their passports. Although the work doesn’t make headlines, it makes a difference for people who can finally travel abroad to visit relatives. “One of my favorite parts of the internship is working with the constituents and hearing the happiness and gratitude in their voices,” she says.

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Irvin Abarca ’26, Business Administration

Building a team dynamic: Abarca is a center-back on the varsity men’s soccer team in its inaugural season back on the hilltop. The position requires him to use his vantage point, where he can see most of the field, to instruct other players where to move. “Sometimes they’re not looking at you, so they have to trust you,” he says.

Cheering him on: As a López Scholar, Abarca is part of a select group of first-generation Latino college students whose tuition, fees and housing are covered by the Hector and Gloria López Foundation. The scholars attend a weekly seminar focused on time management and study skills led by Associate Vice President for Student Success Nicole Treviño ’99, who has become a mentor to Abarca. “She cares, and she really wants us to succeed,” he says.

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Claire Lawrence ’24, Communication

Finding joy in editing: Lawrence always knew she wanted to write. But her experience as editor-in-chief of Hilltop Views revealed that she also enjoys leading a newsroom and mentoring younger reporters. “The newspaper is here to give to our community through our reporting, but we’re also here to help students grow into the best journalists they can be,” she says. 

What her internship taught her: Last fall, Lawrence reported breaking news at the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. Although she learned skills she was excited to pass along to her staff at Hilltop Views, she realized the fast pace of daily journalism didn’t suit her. “I wanted to spend more time with my sources and dig deeper into a topic.”

Letting off steam: Lawrence plays bass in a rock band. After stressful days at school and the newspaper office, she recharges through jam sessions with her friends. “Music always makes things better for me,” she says.