Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Kristine Witkowski
Fall 2005 Archer Fellow
Internship: Feminist Majority Foundation
Education
The University of Texas at Arlington
B.A. Sociology; May 2005
Brandeis University
M.A. Sociology, M.A. Women and Gender Studies; May 2012
Career
Assistant Director at The University of Texas at Arlington
Fall 2005 Archer Fellow
Internship: Feminist Majority Foundation
Education
The University of Texas at Arlington
B.A. Sociology; May 2005
Brandeis University
M.A. Sociology, M.A. Women and Gender Studies; May 2012
Career
Assistant Director at The University of Texas at Arlington
“I value the relationships that came out of my experience as an Archer Fellow more than anything else.”
Q & A with Kristine
Please tell us more about your current position.
I manage the University of Texas at Arlington's Veteran Benefits Office. My office is responsible for certifications for over 3,000 federal, state, and Department of Defense Veteran Education Benefit-users.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
The interns at the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) attended hearings, organized and participated in protests, reviewed/summarized legislation and policy for the FMF website, and contacted donors. The semester that I interned happened to coincide with the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts so we spent a majority of our time sitting in on hearings of the Senate Judiciary Committee and protesting outside the Supreme Court building. When we were not doing things related to Roberts confirmation, I was assigned to the Title IX group and we were working on updating the website.
What has been your general career path?
I have spent my entire professional career in higher education. I've worked in various departments around the University of Texas at Arlington's campus including our MSW affiliated mental health clinic, libraries, with students completing their theses and dissertations, and on issues surrounding open access and graduate student degree completion. In addition to my current duties in Veteran Benefits, I taught our MAVS 1000 Freshman seminar and am currently a Student Conduct Hearing Officer.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Being an Archer Fellow gave me more confidence in all aspects of my life but especially with my professional abilities. It taught me to trust my voice and feel comfortable stepping into leadership roles. One lesson in particular stands out and I continue to use it in all aspects of my life: Don't interject unless you have something meaningful to contribute. This simple idea guides most of my professional interactions. I am constantly looking at ways to improve processes, the quality of work-life for my staff, and relationships with my colleagues and superiors.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
I value the relationships that came out of my experience as an Archer Fellow more than anything else.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
I appreciate being connected to other Texans who are engaged with their communities, state and country in meaningful ways.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
I got a few texts from fellow Archer Fellows after they saw me on CNN protesting the confirmation hearings for Chief Justice John Roberts.
Please tell us more about your current position.
I manage the University of Texas at Arlington's Veteran Benefits Office. My office is responsible for certifications for over 3,000 federal, state, and Department of Defense Veteran Education Benefit-users.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
The interns at the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) attended hearings, organized and participated in protests, reviewed/summarized legislation and policy for the FMF website, and contacted donors. The semester that I interned happened to coincide with the confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts so we spent a majority of our time sitting in on hearings of the Senate Judiciary Committee and protesting outside the Supreme Court building. When we were not doing things related to Roberts confirmation, I was assigned to the Title IX group and we were working on updating the website.
What has been your general career path?
I have spent my entire professional career in higher education. I've worked in various departments around the University of Texas at Arlington's campus including our MSW affiliated mental health clinic, libraries, with students completing their theses and dissertations, and on issues surrounding open access and graduate student degree completion. In addition to my current duties in Veteran Benefits, I taught our MAVS 1000 Freshman seminar and am currently a Student Conduct Hearing Officer.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Being an Archer Fellow gave me more confidence in all aspects of my life but especially with my professional abilities. It taught me to trust my voice and feel comfortable stepping into leadership roles. One lesson in particular stands out and I continue to use it in all aspects of my life: Don't interject unless you have something meaningful to contribute. This simple idea guides most of my professional interactions. I am constantly looking at ways to improve processes, the quality of work-life for my staff, and relationships with my colleagues and superiors.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
I value the relationships that came out of my experience as an Archer Fellow more than anything else.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
I appreciate being connected to other Texans who are engaged with their communities, state and country in meaningful ways.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
I got a few texts from fellow Archer Fellows after they saw me on CNN protesting the confirmation hearings for Chief Justice John Roberts.
