Class of 2020 Leads On! TCU Grads Already Impacting the World
Finishing strong in a year like none before, TCU’s newest graduates continue to prove their tenacity, resiliency and innovation. The Class of 2020 will be remembered in history as the class who completed their degrees amid a pandemic and set off to pursue passions and careers in a world that is changing by the moment.
All TCU graduates have a noteworthy story to share, and it is always a challenge to select only a few for our roundup. From overcoming personal challenges to launching new businesses and helping others succeed, the following Horned Frogs are a force for the greater good and we are excited to watch their leadership and creativity in action.
Though the pandemic prevents us from gathering this December for in-person commencement, hooding and pinning ceremonies, we enthusiastically celebrate the accomplishments of all TCU Class of 2020 graduates and will host a Virtual Graduation Celebration at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, on TCU’s Facebook page. Visit commencement.tcu.edu for details (and to download the virtual party pack).
Follow TCU on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share your congratulatory messages #TCUgrad2020 #TCUtogether.
Annette Rios
Columbus, Texas
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences: Nursing
Horned Frog Annette Rios believes there is no mountain too high to climb. She started TCU as a single mom and first-generation college student, battled cancer and then fought back from a below-the-knee leg amputation on her journey to a BS in nursing — graduating on time.
Rios will soon join the ICU team at Medical City. She also is excited about giving back as an alumna.
“I really want to be involved and be able to talk to other students who come along who may have different adversities and think that they can’t make it,” she says. “No matter the size of the mountain, you can climb it — just push yourself.”
James Sang ’18
Yangon, Myanmar
College of Education: MEd in Higher Education Leadership
Driven by his own experiences, two-time TCU graduate James Sang is passionate about helping refugee and first-generation students succeed academically.
“I came to the United States in 2011 with very limited education. Though I knew that education was a door to many opportunities in this country, I had to learn the hard way to do well in school. I was forced to grow and learn almost everything by myself,” he says. “I am highly inspired to walk this path because I have seen and understood what education can offer. In fact, it has ultimately changed my life and my community. I believe that we need to inspire everyone to follow their passion while letting them inspire us to do the same.”
Noelle Flores
Burleson, Texas
School of Interdisciplinary Studies: Women and Gender Studies
Transferring in as a sophomore, Noelle Flores appreciated the breadth of majors as well as the time TCU afforded her to choose just the right one. She found the perfect match in women and gender studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Among her honors, she was awarded the Priscilla W. Tate Scholarship in the spring, served as a WGST intern in the fall and was named the 2020 WGST Department Senior Scholar, an honor that goes to a WGST major who best exemplifies academic excellence and a commitment to critical inquiry and feminist praxis in women’s, gender and sexuality studies.
Lindsey Dixon
Dallas, Texas
Neeley School of Business: Professional MBA
Turning a fashion preference into a profitable business, Lindsey Dixon founded Riff Ram Vintage because she was frustrated by the small number of stores available to buy TCU clothes.
“I like to be kind of different and edgy, and not wear the same thing as everybody else,” she says.
“The hardest part is getting going, and my brain especially has a tendency to overanalyze,” adds Dixon, who enrolled in a venture ideas class. “This class was the swift kick in the pants I needed to stop overthinking, stop fearing the possibility of failure, rip off the Band-Aid and go.”
Brandi Wright Muñoz
Tampa, Florida
College of Fine Arts: Graphic Design
Army veteran Brandi Wright Muñoz was drawn to graphic design by the way it inspires and motivates people in different ways. “The added research and knowledge that comes with graphic design fit perfectly with my skill set as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army,” she says.
“Some of my proudest moments have been awards I’ve won — specifically, the Graphics New Talent Award and seeing my work in TCU recognitions, such as the TCU Juried Art Show and the TCU Eleven40seven journal.”
Next up: relocating to England with her husband.
Read more about other College of Fine Arts 2020 grads:
Audrey Holden, Austin: Music Education
T.K. Gray, Madison, Mississippi: Theatre
Mirasol Rangel, Houston: Fashion Merchandising and Strategic Communication
Sofia Stocker, Austin: Art Education
Gabrielle Saleh
Bedford, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication: Strategic Communication
Currently interning at the National Audubon Society as a Walker Social Media Fellow, Gabrielle Saleh is pursuing graduate school next year.
“My time at TCU has been amazing, especially being involved in all of what the Schieffer College offers,” she says. “From participating in the Six Flags Hackathon to being a part of PRSSA, Ad Lab and wrapping up my undergraduate journey in Roxo — I have met so many wonderful people and gained important experiences that will help me for my future.”
Read about other Schieffer College 2020 grads:
Nick Noguez, Sachse, Texas: Communication Studies
Tim Daly, San Diego: Sports Broadcasting
Madison Olmo, Azle, Texas: Film, Television and Digital Media
