Conviction Cohort

Jessica Chai

Liberal Arts Honors, Government

What defined this year wasn’t just what I did, but how much I grew. I learned just as much from my friends as I did from my professors, and discovered the value of staying endlessly curious and open to all perspectives. At times, trying to understand the world and imagine the future felt more like a burden than a privilege. But even in those moments, I found strength in the people around me.

As I write this in Washington, D.C., I’m helping organize a gala for the International Leadership Foundation, a nonprofit that uplifts AAPI voices in public service. In the fall, I’ll return to D.C. as an Archer Fellow, where I’ll gain firsthand experience in policy work with the institutions shaping it.

The Texas Orator has been a cornerstone of my journey since my first semester at UT, and I’m so proud to serve as managing editor and operations director. My passion for this publication has only grown year after year, where I’ve written op-eds on many topics, including U.S.-China relations, the criminalization of immigration, and how MrBeast uses unethical experimentation methods. Beyond writing, I also love helping others grow. Last semester, I worked as a UWC consultant and LAH Writing Fellow, where I supported students in developing their voices and strengthening their writing skills. Finally, I interned in the Texas House of Representatives during the 89th session, where I analyzed legislation, spoke with lobbyists and constituents, and gained insight into the policymaking process.

This summer, I traveled to London to study the U.S.-U.K. Special Relationship, where I had the privilege to speak with high-level individuals such as Sir Malcolm Rifkind, General Robert Neller, and Sir Mark Lyall Grant. Obtaining their perspectives deepened my appreciation for nuanced yet pragmatic viewpoints and challenged me to think critically about the U.S.’s role on the global stage after WWII. Moreover, listening to Prime Minister Keir Starmer talk about reinvigorating Britain’s defense spending helped me understand trans-Atlantic security priorities from a European standpoint. The most British thing I did, though, was ending the night after a long evening of pub crawling with a debate over infuriating hypothetical dilemmas. Standing on the Normandy beaches was a powerful moment that deepened my understanding of the history and gravity of the D-Day invasion. That morning was quiet and heavy. My time abroad has refined my ability to assess foreign policy challenges from historical and contemporary perspectives. Thank you to all the Clements Center and King’s College London faculty who made this unforgettable opportunity possible.

What got me through this year were the moments I grew closer with my Dedman community—from a day trip to Enchanted Rock to dining in Austin’s best restaurants. These experiences are priceless to me because they help me stay grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by a group of intelligent, hilarious, and kind people.

Joseph Haynes-Stewart

Liberal Arts Honors, Government

My sophomore year was undoubtedly one for the books. This year developed me far beyond what I could have imagined, and I’ve become someone almost unrecognizable from the person I was just a year ago. Through a combination of new opportunities and environments, my second year on the Forty Acres will be one I remember for the rest of my life.

The majority of my first semester was spent joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, of which I now serve as Vice President. As a service-based organization, I spent much of my time supporting nonprofits such as Casa Marianella and the Workers Defense Project, as well as visiting underserved high schools to educate students on collegiate life. In October of that semester, I was recruited as the first-ever intern for the Austin branch of Holland & Knight law firm. I was later appointed as a Community Advisor by the Texas AFL-CIO and helped plan and organize volunteers for their national MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference at the start of the year.

As 2025 began, I was offered a full-time position through my internship and took the semester off to lobby for the firm during the Texas Legislative Session. There, I represented clients such as the City of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and became well versed in affordable housing and bond policy. I learned that life is a relationship business, that good work is only the baseline, and that I should always try to make things easier on myself. I expanded my network nationally through federal work and got to know state legislators on a personal level. Dedman also gave me the opportunity to visit Japan for a week, where the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka immersed me in the country’s rich history and culture. I was then accepted into the Archer Fellowship Program for Spring 2026 and completed my first legislative session.

After realizing my desire to become a bond lawyer this summer, I secured an internship with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and have immersed myself in the process of providing affordable housing to Texans most in need. I’m looking forward to my junior year and hope to slow down a bit and enjoy my college experience. The Dedman Program has made my time at UT invaluable, and I couldn’t imagine life without it.

Jaden Watt

Liberal Arts Honors, Government

(July 2024) I am incredibly grateful to have completed my first year at UT and my first year as a Dedman Distinguished Scholar. It feels like just yesterday I was writing my first Dedman bio. Although the beginning of my first semester on the 40 Acres felt daunting, the conviction cohort gave me a family away from home. Dr. Jones has been an exceptional mentor, always open to discussing everything from class advice to video games. Over these nine months, I’ve created some of my best memories with Joe, Jessica, and Cassidy at Korean BBQ restaurants, Escape Rooms, and in the Dedman lounge. The Dedman community has welcomed my cohort with open arms, and I am excited for another year.

In terms of academics and extracurriculars, I found myself involved in a variety of activities. One of my favorite classes during my first semester was “Reacting to the Past,” taught by Dr. Lang. This class, along with “The Idea of Liberal Arts” with Dr. Musick, significantly improved my writing and helped me develop great friendships. Additionally, a majority of my schedule was filled with Arabic classes, it has been an incredible experience to learn another language and learn about an incredibly rich culture. Outside of class, I joined the Freshman Action Team (F.A.T), an organization dedicated to enriching the experiences of black first-year students. I was also elected treasurer of the Black Honors Student Association. Much of my second semester was taken up by joining Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, a historically black fraternity at many universities. Through this organization, my fellow members and I participated in community service and voter registration drives. I was recently appointed as the community service chair for my province, which includes Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. I have begun working with our partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to streamline a method for community service in every provincial chapter. I serve as a board member for my chapter and am excited about the upcoming year.

This summer began with a leadership conference in Charlotte, NC, where I had the opportunity to meet with college leaders from around the nation, improve our leadership skills, and meet senior executives of Fortune 500 companies like Lowes, Volkswagen, Honeywell, and Bank of America. Following the conference, I studied abroad at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, where I focused on education policy. I visited local schools and interviewed secondary school students about their experiences, their views on American education, and their perceptions of educational inequality in their own schools. I concluded the program with a research project comparing educational inequality between the US and the UK. To finish my summer, I am currently leading a lab for high school debaters at UCLA.

I am excited to return to campus, reconnect with the Dedman community, spend late nights in the lounge, and go on many cohort adventures. I am thankful for all the opportunities Dedman has provided and look forward to an incredible sophomore year!

Cassidy Wong

Plan II Honors and Architecture

As I sit down to write this, the waves of the Baltic Sea lap gently against the window of the ferry cabin where my family and I are staying. I’ve just moved out of my tiny apartment in Malmö, Sweden, marking the bittersweet end of my six-week research trip through the President’s Award for Global Learning. My Scandinavian summer perfectly reflects my sophomore year: transformative, exciting, and full of surprises.

Throughout the year, the Dedman community has continued to be a space full of passionate, supportive, and kind individuals. Even during the most stressful studio weeks, I could always count on our biweekly dinners to leave me smiling. I’m incredibly grateful for the meaningful conversations and silly memories I’ve shared with this group.

One of the most fulfilling classes I took this year was Design III Studio with Professor Aleksandra Jaeschke. We explored how structure and building materials drive architectural design, applying these principles in our own projects. It was both a challenge and a thrill. Wielding these new skills, I completed my favorite project to date: Deep Eddy Music School. Thanks to Professor Jaeschke’s guidance, support from my incredible studio peers, and many late nights in the studio, I was honored to receive a Design Excellence Award nomination for my work. Design IV Studio with Professor Liang Wang was equally stimulating as we delved into typology and environmental factors as we designed a school, clinic, and dormitories suited for Dakar, Senegal.

Outside of class, I became more involved in the UTSOA community. I enjoyed serving as the PR Director for the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), designing flyers and curating our social media presence. In October, I represented our UT NOMAS chapter at the NOMA National Conference, where I attended inspiring lectures on architectural innovation and uplifting minority voices in the field. I met amazing professionals from across the country and left energized to bring what I learned back to our local chapter. This summer, I’m excited to continue my involvement with NOMA by volunteering with Project Pipeline, their K–12 architecture summer camp.

I also served as a mentor for two incoming freshmen through the Undergraduate Architecture Student Council (UASC) mentorship program. Helping them find their footing and watching them thrive was one of the most fulfilling parts of my year. I also served as Engagement and Outreach Co-Chair for the Senate of College Councils, where my co-chair and I oversaw marketing, branding, and promotion for Senate events.

Outside of academics, I spent many joyful evenings with the Texas Taekwondo team, where I achieved one of my goals of winning gold in my division at both the Longhorn Rumble and the Texas State Championships! I also joined the UASC intramural volleyball team, where the real win was the friends we made along the way (we only won one set the whole season).

Perhaps the most impactful experience of my year was my time with the President’s Award for Global Learning. In the fall, my research team took a class to refine our research question and methodology. We eventually settled on exploring sustainable water treatment and reuse, and how it contributes to urban resiliency. Our research took us to places I never expected, like a biosolid treatment plant that doubles as a birdwatching site, and an underground water treatment facility beneath a mountain.

When we finally embarked on our six-week journey through Scandinavia, I thought I knew what to expect, but my expectations were quickly surpassed. We traveled by train, ferry, bike, bus, and foot across Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, visiting organic farms, energy plants (like CopenHill!), floodwater parks, and even sheep collectives. Not only did I deepen my understanding of water resiliency in Scandinavia, but I also gained a broader understanding of urban resiliency as a whole, encompassing agriculture, energy, community spaces, and more.

Alongside the research, the summer was filled with unforgettable memories: climbing to the top of a wind turbine, eating organic strawberries straight from the field like rabbits, dancing to house music in a random grandpa’s basement in Sweden, and consuming an absurd amount of fruit, pastries, and smørrebrød (a Danish open-faced sandwich).

As I said in my last reflection, my year would be unrecognizable without the people who shared it with me. Whether it’s giggling in a hide-and-seek game across campus, sharing late-night Kerby Lane after a Taekwondo tournament, wandering through the harbor in Copenhagen, or sitting around the fire in the Canyon of the Eagles, I will always cherish this years’ memories and the friends I made them with.

Thank you to the Dedman family, Julie Casey, and Mark Musick for their unfailing support. I’m so excited to see what my junior year brings! Hook’em!