As another academic year comes to a close, we wanted to highlight a few extraordinary AddRan seniors and their plans after graduation. From pursuing graduate degrees to serving their community, these soon-to-be-grads have eventful futures ahead of them!
Noe Bernabe Barrera ’23
First-generation and transfer student Noe Bernabe ’23 is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Bernabe is a referee for semi-pro and collegiate soccer games (including the Big 12 and Southland conferences), and he recently spoke on House Bill 1076, a bill that would allow legal permanent residents like himself to apply for police officer jobs in Texas.
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I knew I didn’t want to go out of state for college. Every time I would go out of state for refereeing, I would become homesick. I’m a very family-oriented person, so I didn’t want to leave Fort Worth. I also had friends who went to TCU, and I started hearing good stuff about the criminology and criminal Justice department. Growing up, I always wanted to be a police officer, especially after I learned it was all about community involvement. After I met a criminology professor, and I realized I wanted to pursue a degree in criminal justice; I knew I wanted to go to TCU.
What were you involved in while attending TCU?
I had an internship with the TCU Department of Public Safety and Assistant Vice Chancellor Adrian Andrews. I also worked as a security guard. I also was involved with the Criminal Justice (CJ) Society, and this year I was elected the Vice President. The CJ Society hosts community events, and we recently hosted a police panel featuring Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, who is now a close friend of mine. When I first met Chief Noakes, I explained that I could not apply to his department because of my citizenship status. He then told me about House Bill 1076, a bill that would allow legal permanent residents to apply for police officer jobs in Texas. Later, Chief Noakes invited me to speak on behalf of the committee for this bill in Austin. There, I met leaders from the Dallas Police Department as well as State Representative Victoria Neave Criado. I also spoke at a press conference in Dallas, and I received a lot of texts and support from people in my community. The bill is being sent to the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. It’s a bipartisan bill, so I’m very hopeful that it will pass.
What was your proudest accomplishment at TCU?
I am proud of all the connections I’ve made. I am thankful for the people I met through the TCU Department of Public Safety and the Intercultural Center who opened so many doors for me.
What will you miss most about TCU?
I think it has to be the entire criminology and criminal justice department. The love they have for their career passed on to us, and they made classes really interesting. I will also miss the people at the TCU Department of Public Safety and the Intercultural Center. My godmother, Jennifer Rodriguez, works at the Intercultural Center and she has been my support system at TCU. She motivated me and always made sure I was taking care of my mental health.
What’s next?
If House Bill 1076 passes, I want to join law enforcement. If it doesn’t pass, then I want to use my degree as an arson investigator in a fire department. I don’t have a preference for either profession because both jobs allow me to give back to the community.
Holly Harris ’23
Los Angeles native Holly Harris ’23 is graduating as a Paul and Judy Andrews Honors Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in psychology. Holly will be pursuing a Ph.D. in history at Southern Methodist University as a Moody Fellow this fall.
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I chose to attend TCU because I fell in love with the people, the atmosphere and the campus. Everyone was so incredibly welcoming and friendly. I initially came to Texas for the first time to interview as a Chancellor’s Scholar. The girl who hosted me during Chancellor’s Scholar Weekend ended up becoming a good friend. Her entire family picked me up from the airport and helped me move in freshman year. I think that kindness symbolizes the people and energy at TCU.
What were you involved in while attending TCU?
I was part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Program (CLP), and my CLP project was Snapshot: LA Artists, an adult coloring book that my friend and I made to share our love for the LA art scene while giving artists a platform to create during the pandemic. I worked as a scribe for Texas Health Huguely in Burleson, Texas. During my junior year, I had an archives internship at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art that instilled in me an appreciation for the archives. I was the Oral History Intern for the TCU Race and Reconciliation Initiative (RRI). Dr. Greensword, RRI postdoctoral fellow, does an amazing job spearheading the project, and I feel grateful to have helped her. I also received a summer undergraduate research grant and a Gilder Lehrman College Fellowship to pursue my history research about the prisoners of war on the eastern front during World War II. I feel very thankful to TCU and the Gilder Lehrman Institute for giving me those opportunities. They were very formative experiences that taught me about how history research works.
What was your proudest accomplishment at TCU?
My proudest accomplishment at TCU has been my self growth. I’ve become much more self-aware and grounded, and my best friends Savanna Simmack and Natalia Perez have been important parts of that journey. I came to TCU searching for who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. I’m leaving with a much clearer picture of what I value and what I want to accomplish. I am also proud to be a Christian and to have grown in my faith during my time at TCU.
What will you miss most about TCU?
I will miss the TCU History Department the most. They are truly so fantastic, caring and accomplished. Dr. Meier is an incredible professor, and I feel so lucky that I got to study under him in my Senior Seminar class. I can’t talk about my time at TCU without mentioning Dr. Vuic. She has undoubtedly been the best advisor I could ever ask for. I feel so fortunate that I got to learn from her and her brilliant history mind. She is also so kind and supportive, and I can’t imagine being where I am today without her. Dr. Gallay and Dr. Hammad have also been so wonderful. The history department’s graduate students are also incredible scholars. I’m so thankful for Jorden Pitt, Ryan Poff, Bobbi Couch and Lucius Seger for their mentorship and support. I will, of course, also miss game days at the Carter.
What’s next?
I will be going on a family vacation to Ireland, Scotland, and France right after graduation and I will be on World War II TV in June. I have a history research associateship at the University of Illinois this summer as well. Then, I will be starting my Ph.D. in history at Southern Methodist University as a Moody Fellow this fall. I am excited to continue doing history research, improve my skills and work on bringing to fruition my ideas. Go Frogs!
Maya Miller ’23
Maya Miller ’23 is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Spanish. Originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, Maya is also an honors student.
Why did you choose to attend TCU?
I chose TCU because I could tell it would be the perfect fit for me! It not only has rigorous academics, but also has an amazing community. The tight-knit, friendly, and helpful group of students and faculty stood out when I first visited the campus and has continued to make TCU feel like home. Also, the anthropology department is outstanding and has prepared me well for future endeavors.
What were you involved in while attending TCU?
In the past four years, I have led the Anthropological Society, served on the executive board of the Geography Club, and participated in Alpha Delta Pi and Order of Omega. In addition, I have attended archaeological field schools in North Carolina and Greece.
What was your proudest accomplishment at TCU?
One of my proudest accomplishments was the completion of my honors project. I have been working on this project for the past year and a half and completing it has been exciting. The process has helped me grow as an academic, and I am looking forward to taking the lessons and experiences from this project with me after I graduate from TCU.
What will you miss most about TCU?
I will miss the coffee at Common Grounds and the wonderful conversations I’ve had with friends while at TCU.
What’s next?
Following my graduation in May, I will attend graduate school at the University of Kentucky. I will be working towards a Ph.D. in Anthropological Archaeology. In the future I would like to become a university professor and conduct archaeological and anthropological research in Latin America.
Editor’s Note: The questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity.
