From left: Savannah Bowman, Ashley Parks and Matt McSweeney
Another graduating class of Horned Frogs is ready to change the world for the greater good. Finishing strong amid a pandemic, members of the class of 2021 have proved their resilience and grit, skills valued by potential employers. The TCU Center for Career & Professional Development shines the spotlight on a sampling of TCU’s amazing spring class of 2021, who share about their time on campus and what’s next for their careers.
“We have seen significant changes from the traditional recruiting processes and hiring timelines this year,” said Mike Caldwell, executive director of the TCU Center for Career & Professional Development. “Throughout this process, TCU students and grads have adapted quickly and effectively, successfully demonstrating their career readiness skills.”
From the John V. Roach Honors College:
Savannah Bowman
Georgetown, Texas
B.S. in early childhood education (EC-6) with a specialty in ESL and special education
John V. Roach Honors College
TCU MEd class of 2022
What brought you to TCU?
SB: I chose TCU because it has a great education program, it was not too big and it
was the perfect distance from home.
What have you enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog?
SB: The TCU community has been the best part of being a Horned Frog. I love wearing
TCU gear when not in Fort Worth and having random people say, “Go Frogs!” The professors
are the best and many have helped me semesters after taking their classes.
What are your plans after graduation?
SB: I am excited to stay at TCU another year to complete my Master of Education in
curriculum and instruction.
How has TCU helped prepare you for your future career?
SB: The College of Education has been amazing about providing experiences out in the
community — from my first class freshman year getting to go into schools and now finishing
with my student teaching semester. We have been exposed to a diverse array of schools
that have allowed me to narrow in on where I want to teach after graduation.
Was there any particular experience that was especially helpful?
SB: Student teaching has been so helpful to learn how schools operate and the daily
ins and outs of being a teacher as we spend all day five days a week in our classrooms
at local schools.
What makes TCU so special to you?
SB: TCU has allowed me to take classes that helped me explore our community and our
country. I have made lifelong friends and have grown so much through what I have learned.
Anything else to add?
SB: Some of my favorite courses were in the Honors College. I still talk about and
reflect upon things I learned from the classes I took in the Honors College.
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Matt McSweeney
Danville, California
BBA in marketing with a certificate in consultative sales
John V. Roach Honors College
Incoming Azure sales specialist, Microsoft, Charlotte, North Carolina
What brought you to TCU?
MM: My sister attended TCU for a few years before me and I got the chance to come
to the parents’ weekends while I was in high school. After being on campus for only
a few days, I felt like I was at home. I felt comfortable on campus, and everyone
I met seemed like an incredible person.
What have you enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog?
MM: I think that throughout my time as a Horned Frog, the most enjoyable aspect has
been my fellow students. I have met and spent time with so many incredible people.
They are some of the most passionate, disciplined, supportive and fun people I have
ever met, and I would have never gotten the chance to know them if it weren’t for
my time at TCU.
What are your plans after graduation?
MM: I will be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, and be working for Microsoft as
an Azure sales specialist.
How did TCU help prepare you for your future career?
MM: I think the Neeley School has done a phenomenal job preparing me for my full-time
career. Dynamic, team-based classrooms helped me feel prepared for office teams. I
especially need to give credit to the Neeley Fellows organization for my professional
development. Without that program, I would not feel nearly as prepared for my career
as I do.
Was there any particular experience that was especially helpful?
MM: The Neeley Fellows program has been the single most impactful experience for me
at TCU. The faculty and staff have helped me immensely, and all of my fellow classmates
have helped me along the way as well.
What makes TCU so special to you?
MM: TCU is special to me because it is where I met my lifelong friends. The relationships
that I formed while at TCU will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I am so
thankful for that.
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Ashley Parks
Woodbridge, Virginia
B.A. in writing and theatre
Incoming associate editor, Red Ventures, Charlotte, North Carolina
What brought you to TCU?
AP: The sense of community! And the proximity to my parents, who had just moved to
Oklahoma City.
What have you enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog?
AP: The amazing people I’ve met and the countless opportunities I’ve had to grow and
hone my craft.
What are your plans after graduation?
AP: After graduation, I will be moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, to start my career
as an associate editor for Red Ventures.
How did TCU help prepare you for your future career?
AP: TCU opened the door for a lot of opportunities to get hands-on experience in a
lot of things I’ll be doing in my future job. The classes I’ve taken have been really
beneficial.
Was there any particular experience that was especially helpful?
AP: My Multimedia Authoring class was probably the one class I’ve taken that’s had
the most direct link to my subsequent professional experiences.
Were you involved in any research during your time at TCU?
AP: I’ve done more than a few surveys for various individuals and projects throughout
my time at TCU, usually related to the experience of being a marginalized individual.
I recently worked on a research project that centers Black Joy and defining what that
is for my Writing Major Seminar class.
What makes TCU so special to you?
AP: The people that I’ve met and the relationships I’ve cultivated that will last
a lifetime.
Read more stories about career-ready Horned Frogs: TCU Class of 2021 Already Making an Impact