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Shannon Bumpas

Junior from Brownwood, Texas
Accounting

What do you like about living on campus?
I have grown up a lot living on my own away from home, and I am slowly but surely learning how to cook. Living on campus, also makes it easier to be involved. I don’t have to travel far to get to meetings and events at UTD.

List some clubs or organizations you are involved in at UT Dallas.
RatPAC, Comet Cat Coalition, Delta Delta Delta, Mock Trial, and Destination Imagination. I also volunteer with Feral Friends off campus.

List some of your hobbies.
Theatre, reading, video games, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

List something unique about yourself.
I’m double-jointed in my big toes.

Why did you decide to become a First-Year Leader?
The more sources that new students have on campus, the more likely they will be involved and happy. I am very excited to have a chance to be one of those sources ideally assisting students in finding their niches on campus.

What advice do you have for the freshman class coming into UT Dallas?
Get involved! It helps you get connected to the University, and provides you with people who can assist you when you have questions. There is no better way to enjoy your college experience.

What do you wish you did during your freshman year that you didn’t?
I wish I had cooked for myself more. I wasted money going out too much. When I didn’t have my freshman roommates to guide the main cooking efforts, I became very lost in the kitchen.

What do you like about UT Dallas?
Because it is a relatively young university, there is room for undergraduates to get involved in a variety of different programs. I am an accounting major, but I have performed in the University Theatre and competed in mock trial.

Why did you decide to attend UT Dallas?
Partly because I received a scholarship, but the school was also in a good location. Richardson is suburb-like enough that it is convenient, but it is easy to go into Dallas and enjoy the opportunities a city offers. It was also far enough from home that I could get some independence but close enough that I could go back and visit when I wanted to.

What has been your favorite or best UT Dallas experience so far?
I had a great experience at the Regional Conference that I went to for my sorority. I was able to meet our national president and representatives from our national philanthropic partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It really helped me connect the events we do on campus to its impact on a larger level.

What did you learn about college life that you didn’t know before?
Time management is so unbelievably important. I had never used a planner before, but I definitely do now.

What do you like to do to unwind after class?
Cook and eat breakfast food. Sometimes it is bacon and eggs, sometimes pancakes, sometimes just a bowl of Reese’s puffs.