UTA'S E-NEWSLETTER FOR STUDENTS

TUESDAY, DEC. 2, 2025

🚀 11-year-old aerospace engineering major Matthew Howard is one of the youngest students in UTA's 130-year history.

 

Today's Trailblazer is 1,211 words, a four-minute read.

Admissions and Enrollment

Ready, Set, Register now for spring

Spring registration is underway. Make sure you have confirmed spring courses in MavPlanner, cleared any registration-preventing holds, and are enrolled in courses before the end of the semester. 

 

Why it matters: Ensure your academic progress by taking care of registration as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last minute to address your holds, confirm your courses, and be set for spring—get it out of the way today. 

  

Log in to MyUTA to find your advisor, holds, and MavPlanner and to register for courses.

Student Success

Your one-stop shop for hands-on support

Register for classes, explore payment plan options, discuss financial aid, learn about campus living, and more at the Student Solutions Hub on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Why it matters: Get help organizing everything before winter break and set yourself up for the new year by completing outstanding tasks. Whether you're new on campus or heading into your last semester, this is a valuable resource for all.

 

Important details: Check-in will take place on the basement level of the University Administration Building and on the first floor of Trinity Hall, with signage to help guide you.

Sign up in advance. Although walk-ins are welcome, registering helps us prepare to serve you. 

Student Success

Geology major excels in the field and the lab

Isabella Rios, an Honors College senior, forged a unique and interdisciplinary journey at UTA through her passions for environmental science and languages.

 

Why it matters: Rios discovered geology in her freshman year and was drawn to the hands-on fieldwork. She now studies geology with a concentration in environmental science and added a second major in Spanish translation and interpretation following a summer study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain.

 

Going deeper: Since her sophomore year, she has conducted research in Un-Jung Kim’s lab, analyzing contaminants such as PAHs, PFAs, PCBs, and microplastics. Her honors thesis focuses on disinfection byproducts in local children’s splash parks. She has presented at conferences, earned major scholarships, and participated in programs including McNair, inSTEM, I-Engage, and CU Boulder’s SMART program, where she won the Best Visual Poster Presentation award.

Read more about Rios’ journey at UTA here.

Campus Updates

Outdoor pool closure

After careful consideration, the outdoor pool will remain permanently closed.

 

Why it matters: The facility has faced significant mechanical and maintenance challenges in recent years, and the resources required to restore it to operational standards are better allocated elsewhere.

 

Going deeper: As the spring semester begins, Campus Recreation will explore alternative options for recreational outdoor pool use at our campus apartment communities. They will also begin planning a new use for the outdoor pool space that will benefit the recreation and fitness needs of the UTA community.

 

More information will be shared as plans progress. For further questions, please contact Campus Recreation.

Around Campus 

MyUTA empowers students to discover campus resources

Thriving at Midterms was MyUTA’s first interactive event, which encouraged students to discover campus resources.

 

Why it matters: More than 3,000 students participated in the campaign, learning about vital resources like Health Services, the Maverick Pantry, and the Academic Success Center.

 

Going deeper: Students who completed the checklist by visiting all 22 locations were entered into a drawing for one of four $250 scholarships.

 

Stay tuned for more interactive events and resources on MyUTA.

UTA Traditions 

Turkey, tradition, and Mavericks

UTA’s growing Thanksgiving Dinner gathered hundreds of students, faculty, and staff for a festive meal last Tuesday. 

 

Why it matters: Mavericks gathered with peers, families, and loved ones. All across Connections Café, they feasted and reflected on what they’re grateful for as the fall semester nears its end.

 

Going deeper: The tradition began in 2017 as an annual potluck organized by the Office of International Education to introduce international and study-abroad students to the American Thanksgiving experience. The first dinner hosted about a dozen people. In recent years, the dinner has grown exponentially, serving more than 700 people.

 

Read more about the Thanksgiving dinner here.

Around Campus 

Put your best face forward with Iris

Looking for a professional headshot? Visit the Iris booth—your easy, self-serve studio for high-quality photos made effortless.

 

Why it matters: The Iris booth lets you capture the perfect headshot without an appointment, a photographer, or stress. Make a professional first impression and boost your online presence with a headshot.

 

Going deeper: The built-in studio lighting ensures your photos always look sharp, professional, and polished. With easy on-screen instructions, the booth guides you through each step; adjust your pose, experiment with expressions, and retake as many photos as you like. 

If you require an accommodation or assistance, contact the Career Services front desk or the Campus Information Center after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

Around Campus

Glass art roasting (and on sale) by an open fire 

Get ready to glow into the holiday season with the Annual Holiday Glass Art Sale and Fundraiser.

 

Why it matters: Every purchase supports the UTA Glass Studio, the students, funding scholarships, visiting artists, and essential studio materials. When you shop, you help fellow students keep the flame of creativity burning bright.

Going deeper: Feel the warmth of the season as students and faculty turn hot glass into holiday creations during live shows. Walk into a sparkling winter wonderland and see hundreds of handmade glass pieces, each made with care, warmth, and a bit of holiday magic.

 

Important information: The glass sale is happening Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until all the treasures find their home. Admission is free and open to everyone. For questions, email Katerina Verguelis.

Student Success

Undergraduate and master's exit surveys

Fall graduation is here, and we need your help to shape the future of our University. 
 
Why it matters: The exit surveys provide data on the overall student satisfaction with the services and opportunities provided by UTA, their colleges and programs, and how those can be improved. 



 

Going deeper: The results give us a better understanding of your preparedness and plans for employment and education after graduation, as well as how well we achieve those outcomes as an institution.

 

You will receive an invitation from gradteam@uta.edu with the link to the survey. The link will also be available in Canvas. The survey is available from through Friday, Dec. 19.

Blaze Bites

🍪 With final exams coming up, there are several opportunities for you to treat yourself and decompress tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 3. Don't miss the second day of Good Luck on Finals Cookies, a hot cocoa bar, and free finals resources.

📸 Legendary journalist Bob Schieffer donated his Vietnam collection, capturing the lives and voices of Texas soldiers, to UTA Libraries' Special Collections. A free exhibit, Our Man in Vietnam, will open in January 2026.

📅 MavInspire will soon have a new appointment scheduler. Available in spring, this scheduler makes it easier to book advising appointments and work with academic advisors to reach your goals. The Division of Student Success will have more information soon. 

🧦 Donate a pair of new socks today to help support our local homeless veterans. This drive was organized by UTA Veterans Upward Bound. The socks will be donated to homeless veterans at the Liberty House in Fort Worth. Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 10. 

Upcoming Events

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3

Hug in a Mug

Take a Study Break with Open Education

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

Ride of Passage

THURSDAY, DEC. 4

10th Annual Typography Exhibition

Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition 

Full calendar >

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The University of Texas at Arlington

701 S. Nedderman Drive | Arlington, TX 76019 US