Dianey Leal
2014-2015 St. Edward's University McNair Scholar/IE Pre Grad intern Dianey Leal has been accepted to The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University to earn a graduate degree in Public Service and Administration. She describes the role played by IE in this outcome:
"Last semester, I had the pleasure of meeting Mercedes Gonzalez, my University of Texas mentor in the Intellectual Entrepreneurship Internship (IE) Program. Together, we worked on my graduate school applications and discussed my future career goals and what life would be as a graduate student. Mercedes not only reviewed my purpose statement multiple times, but she also offered constructive criticism, which helped me grow as a writer. During our meetings, we would discuss how my graduate school program searches were going, and she always reassured me that things would be okay. Moreover, Mercedes would constantly keep me updated on events. In fact, thanks to her, I was able to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, where I was given the opportunity to learn about the program's curriculum, the professors' expectations, and the application process. With the guidance and patience of Mercedes, I was able to confidently apply to different graduate school programs and earn an amazing fellowship that will help me pay for my Master's for the next two years. I am extremely grateful that I was partnered with Mercedes-an excellent and caring role model and mentor."