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Diana Davila Elizondo

UTSA senior lands coveted D.C. fellowship thanks to Great Conversation!

With just three months to graduation, Diana Davila Elizondo, a political science major at The University of Texas at San Antonio is proud of just how far she's come.

"Growing up in Mexico I never imagined I would be working in Washington D.C.," said Elizondo, who is spending her final undergraduate semester in D.C. with the Archer Fellowship program. "It is UTSA, the Honors College, Dr. Ann Eisenberg and of course my scholarship donors who made this possible."

During her time at UTSA, Elizondo has flourished into a stand-out student. She joined the Honors College, became an avid debater traveling across the U.S. competing in national challenges, worked as a research assistant for Dr. Bryan Gervais, and has conducted public policy research in Mexico City.

It was Elizondo's campus involvement that landed her the Great Conversation! Scholarship. Awarded to students enrolled in the Honors College at UTSA, the scholarship provided her with the resources to pursue new opportunities, like the chance to participate in Archer Fellowship Program.

Named after former congressman Bill Archer, the prestigious fellowship takes students from UT System to the nation's capital for a full semester of classes and internships.

"This scholarship gave me the chance to leave my house for the first time and explore the realm of possibilities this country has to offer," said Elizondo, who maintains a 3.7 GPA. "The scholarship I received was critical for me to participate in the Archer Fellowship. I come from a working class family, my dad recently had to switch jobs for health reasons, and our economic situation is not very stable. I would not have been able to afford the housing fee if it weren't for donors. I am incredibly grateful to all the donors who made this possible for me."

More about the Great Conversation! Scholarship.
Great Conversation! Is an annual event bringing together some of the city's top leaders from the business, government, culinary, art worlds and everywhere else in between. Hosted at the iconic UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, the event benefits scholarships in the Honors College, allowing students like Anusha opportunities to explore their academic interests.

- Yvonne Zamora Byrd