GeoFORCE Longhorn Events End of Year Wrap-Up

April 29, 2026

What a year it has been for our GeoFORCE Longhorn Alumni at UT Austin. From welcoming new students in the fall to celebrating graduating seniors in the spring, this year was defined by connection, growth, and meaningful engagement. Across the academic year, this community of alumni supported one another; and engaged in experiences that blended academic, personal, and professional development.  

Twice a month during the academic year, GeoFORCE college-aged alumni meet at UT for a GeoFORCE Longhorns event. These events consistently create space for students to step away from the demands of college life, connect with peers, and explore new opportunities. As one first-year student, Joselyn, shared, the program offered the chance to “meet new people, reconnect with my cohort, and learn how to navigate college while finding others with similar interests.”  

The 2025-2026 academic year began with the Welcome Social, where new and returning alumni came together to reconnect and learn about campus resources. That sense of connection quickly extended into professional exploration through the next event, an ExxonMobil Mixer, where students engaged with industry professionals and gained insight into internships and careers in the energy sector. Together, these early events established a foundation that intentionally combined community building with exposure to real-world pathways.  

That foundation continued to shape student experiences throughout the year. As one student, Melissa, explained, GeoFORCE meetings became a space to “de-stress, connect with peers in the same field, and learn about professional opportunities.” One such shared opportunity directly led to her getting a job as an undergraduate assistant at the Bureau of Economic Geology. Her experience reflects how informal peer spaces can translate into tangible academic and career outcomes.  

As the semester progressed, programming shifted between professional development and community-centered events. The Spooky and Friendsgiving Social offered opportunities for creativity, reflection, and peer connection, while also reinforcing awareness of resources such as scholarships and financial aid. These events provided a consistent rhythm of engagement during a demanding academic period, helping students remain connected while managing coursework and responsibilities.  

That rhythm carried into the Winter Social, where students gathered to set aside studying for finals and engage in a low-stress environment. As one student, Maddie, shared, it was “a fun way to be creative and take a break from classes that are so focused on STEM.”   

Another student, Heba, added that these events come at the right time in the semester, describing them as “a great break to recharge, have fun, and catch up with people I would not usually see.” Heba enjoys the GeoFORCE Longhorn events so much that she intends to continue attending even as she transitions to being a UT graduate student next school year. 

As the spring semester began, the Welcome Back Social helped students re-engage with the community and prepare for upcoming career opportunities. This momentum continued through the Valentine’s-themed Friendship Social, which emphasized connection and appreciation in a more relaxed setting, reinforcing the peer relationships built throughout the year.  

Professional development remained a consistent focus through Puzzles and PD sessions, which combined interactive activities with career readiness conversations. The Spring Social further supported student engagement by offering another space to recharge and reconnect during a busy academic period. Across these events, students continued to build relationships while strengthening both academic confidence and professional awareness.  

The GeoFORCE Longhorns also volunteered at UT’s STEM Girl Day, giving back to the broader community through a high-energy event focused on getting young girls excited about science, technology, engineering, and math. Through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations, they connected with thousands of students and helped make STEM feel more approachable, engaging, and fun. 

Vice President of the GeoFORCE Longhorns, Benjamin, who helped co-coordinate the GeoFORCE table for the event, shared that building the activity from the ground up made the experience even more meaningful and talked about how it gave him the chance to connect with students outside of his own cohort and see the bigger picture of the program. As he put it, “everyone has their own stories that showcase the uniqueness of the program and what it means to be a steward of the Austin community.” For Benjamin, the day reflected the passion people have for continuing GeoFORCE’s mission, getting students curious about the natural world and excited about STEM. He described it as time well spent “inspiring thousands of aspiring scientists, problem solvers, innovators, and leaders of the future.” 

For others, the experience was just as personal. Jili shared that STEM Girl Day was a reminder that “there’s a place for everyone” in STEM. They reflected on how important it is for young students to see people they can relate to, saying it reminded them “why we do what we do, why we chose the degrees we chose,” and that being someone others can look up to “is what I would have wanted to see as a kid.”  

Adriana echoed that sentiment in a simple but powerful way, sharing that “seeing the girls come up excited about science reminded me of myself.” Moments like these show that STEM Girl Day is not just about outreach. It is about connection, representation, and reminding both the students and the volunteers why this work matters. 

The year concluded with the End-of-Year Social, where graduating seniors were recognized for their accomplishments and received their GeoFORCE cords. The event served as both a celebration and a transition point, honoring the growth of students who have been shaped by their involvement in the program. As the organization’s president, Roxell Bonilla, reflected, “the community has grown so much, not just in size, but in relationships and connection. It is powerful to look around and see everyone engaged and building something together.” Her reflection captures a broader shift seen throughout the year, as engagement expanded alongside a deepening sense of belonging among students.  

Throughout the year, GeoFORCE Longhorn Alumni programming demonstrated a consistent impact in fostering connections, supporting academic persistence, and creating pathways to professional opportunity. These experiences continue to shape students not only during their time at UT Austin, but as they move into their careers and future academic journeys.  

We are incredibly proud of all that our alumni have accomplished this year and look forward to what lies ahead. Here’s to another year of growth, connection, and opportunity.  

Hook ’em 🤘  

Written by Akeem Todd