While Dawson Muñoz was serving with the Texas National Guard in Iraq, he spent time talking about life with the troops’ interpreters.
“A lot of them wanted the American Dream,” he says. “But it was impossible for them. Yet here I am, able to take advantage of these things.”
So Dawson, who had been voted the student of the year by his peers at South Plains College, had a plan when he transferred to Texas State University upon his return from active duty.
“Dean’s list every semester,” says Dawson, who is the first member of his family to attend college. “Get involved as much as possible. Make the most of the college experience.”
From academics to involvement in Texas State’s mentoring program, Dawson indeed has made the most of his time at the university. He pledged a fraternity. He was part of the unique program that allows business students to manage a portion of the university’s endowment. He joined the University Ambassadors, an organization that promotes Texas State both on and off campus.
The finance major also found ways to make his experience richer off campus. He took part in the Texas State Study Abroad program, living with a family and studying business in Mexico, and he received a Fulbright grant to teach and do research in Spain.
“It’s turned out to be a dream come true,” he says of his time at Texas State. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”
