Everything Nac

Three finance sophomores from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business were selected for The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company Scholars program in 2025: Madison Custer of Spring, Davis Huddle of Houston and Raymundo Perez of Frisco. The year’s cohort members met in May in Austin, pictured, before completing their program work in July. UTIMCO is now sharing the students’ résumés with its recruiting partners, who are filling internship positions for summer 2026.

Three finance sophomores from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche College of Business were selected for The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company Scholars program this year.

Madison Custer of Spring, Davis Huddle of Houston and Raymundo Perez of Frisco form the second group of SFA students selected for this opportunity, which was made possible by the university’s affiliation with the UT System two years ago.

“SFA selected Madison, Davis and Raymundo to represent the university in this program because they have already shown high character, perseverance and a strong willingness to learn,” said Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev, chair of the SFA Department of Economics and Finance and coordinator for the UTIMCO Scholars program nomination process at SFA.

UTIMCO, the first external investment corporation formed by a public university system, oversees investments for the UT and Texas A&M University systems. In addition, the company forms a cohort every year of up to five students from each institution in these systems for its scholars program.

To be eligible for the cohort, students must be Pell Grant recipients or first-generation college students who are about to enter their sophomore or junior year of college. They also must be interested in asset management careers.

“The program has helped me consider a career in investment banking,” Custer said. “Going into the program, I had no idea which specific path I wanted to pursue, but now I feel more confident about the area I want to enter. I would definitely recommend this program to all SFA business students as it has been very beneficial and helps you learn about the world of finance.”

Since March, Custer, Huddle and Perez have participated in professional development activities that not only introduced them to the investment management industry but also helped them build their peer networks and obtain early career advice from experts in the field.

“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned from the trainings is how to improve my interviewing skills,” Perez said. “The program has given me practical strategies on how to present myself more confidently and effectively in interviews, which I know will be a major asset in my future career. I’ve also learned how to network more confidently and build genuine connections with people who are already succeeding in the industry.”

They’ve met with professionals from firms including AllianceBernstein, BlackRock, Brevan Howard, Dimensional Fund Advisors, J.P. Morgan, PIMCO Investments and TriPost Capital Partners. In addition, the program included a trip to UT Austin in May to work with cohort participants from other UT institutions on their interviewing and networking skills.

“Being able to listen to finance professionals share their journeys has been invaluable and eye-opening,” Custer said. “I have learned from the program’s sessions that everyone’s career path is different, and it is OK to have a nontraditional one.”

In addition to confirming his interest in the asset management field and helping him understand the environments and roles that align with his strengths and interests, the UTIMCO Scholars program gave Perez a whole new mindset.

“Stay curious and open to learning — not just about the job but also about the people and purpose behind the work,” he said. “That mindset has helped me grow not only professionally but personally as well.”

For future participants in the program, Perez offers the following advice.

“Be ready to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there,” he said. “This program pushes you to grow — not just in knowledge but in confidence and professionalism. Also, be prepared to not always be the smartest person in the room. What matters most is showing up, staying curious and being the hardest worker. The experience is what you make of it, and if you’re willing to invest in yourself, this program will absolutely pay off.”

The students completed the program in July, and UTIMCO began sharing their résumés with its recruiting partners who are filling internship positions for summer 2026. UTIMCO team members will work with program participants during the 2025-26 academic year to help them secure internships.

“The students’ commitment to this rigorous program over the spring and summer has been impressive,” Kouliavtsev said. “Being selected for one of the internships will be a well-earned honor.”

For more information on opportunities like these in the Rusche College of Business, visit sfasu.edu/cob.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Dr. John Allen Hendricks, professor and chair of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Media and Communication, presented research in May at the Global Communication Association conference in Casablanca, Morocco, related to two books he recently completed.

Dr. John Allen Hendricks, professor and chair of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Media and Communication, presented research in May at the Global Communication Association conference in Casablanca, Morocco, related to two books he recently completed.

Hendricks co-edited the books and presentation with Dr. Dan Schill, professor in the School of Communication Studies and affiliate professor of political science at James Madison University. According to Hendricks, the conference serves as a vital platform for scholarly exchange, enabling researchers to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and contribute to the global discourse on media, politics and democracy.

“The Global Communication Association draws scholars from around the globe, creating an international forum for the sharing of ideas,” Hendricks said. “The conference offered a valuable opportunity for me to present some of the key findings from these books and to engage with colleagues from diverse cultural and academic perspectives. Sharing this research on such a stage underscores the importance of understanding the role of media in politics and democracies, not just in the United States but within the broader global context.”

The first of the two books published, “Media Messages in the 2022 Midterm Election: Division, Deniers, Dobbs, and the Donald,” analyzes how social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube shaped voter experience in a fragmented and polarized information environment, and how campaigns and citizens leveraged those tools to reach diverse audiences. The book was published in April by Routledge.

The second, “Political Communication and Digital Advocacy: Strategies and Implications,” explores how digital and social media have reshaped political discourse and civic engagement — addressing misinformation, partisan polarization and media consumption patterns. The book also considers the dynamics that fueled digital advocacy around the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the implications for future elections. The book is slated to be published in September.

“My research has consistently focused on the vital role media plays in society, particularly within the context of American politics,” Hendricks said. “The work presented in these books builds upon and extends that emphasis. With nearly 250 million Americans actively engaged on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, it is essential to examine the influence these social media networks have on the political process in our nation. Combined with the heightened political polarization of the past decade, the research in these books is especially timely and relevant. I hope these books help provide greater insight into both the positive and negative influence of media on politics and democracy.”

Hendricks, who is beginning his 17th year at SFA and 29th year as a professor, has authored or edited 15 books on political communication and the media industry.

For more information on SFA’s Department of Media and Communication, visit sfasu.edu/media-communication.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications