Howdy, Mason Alexander-Hawk '20

Get to know Mason Alexander-Hawk ’20, a graduate student and fellowship recipient at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

By Michele Schevikhoven

October 11, 2019

Mason Alexander-Hawk '20 is currently pursuing her Master of Public Service and Administration at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, where she is the recipient of the Kathy B. ’81 and Peter D. Huddleston ’80 Endowed Fellowship. This fellowship allows her to focus on her studies without worrying about how to pay tuition.

Major: Master of Public Service and Administration

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Scholarship: Kathy B. ’81 and Peter D. Huddleston ’80 Endowed Fellowship

How do you overcome challenges?

Growing up, sports were a big outlet for me because they created commonality and comfort in uncomfortable spaces. I had coaches who influenced my success and helped me achieve milestones in my life. During my undergraduate years at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, I had the opportunity to play basketball and find that commonality in college.

As a child, I never lived in a place where there were people of color, so having a white mom with five biracial kids led to experiences that helped me grow and shaped who I am. Providing for and helping my family gave me strength and taught me to never give up.

When I face challenges now, I try to be honest with myself as to why I’m facing them. I see them as opportunities to learn and better myself, and I focus on turning everything into a positive. It was easy to be intimidated by adversity as a child, but today I tell myself to face problems head-on. I’ve learned that everything happens for a reason and that I should never accept failure; instead, I must be resilient and bounce back.

What has your experience at Texas A&M been like?

It’s been great! Everyone is welcoming and wants to help in any way they can. Even though the university is so big, there is tremendous pride in the Aggie family. I was worried about navigating this new space as a person of color, but I feel that there is a network of support and a community for me here. Plus, the Bush School’s willingness to work with my career plan is amazing. When I visited for interviews and met the students and faculty at the Bush School, I immediately felt they wanted me here and like Aggieland was home.

FUN FACTS ABOUT MASON:

Hidden talent:

I am surprisingly good at bowling backwards between my legs!

Fondest memory:

The best memories I have are with my four sisters. I always had the most fun when we were all together in one space.

Hobbies:

I love cooking and baking as well as doing any physical activity, especially if it’s outside. I also have a newfound love for Sudoku and other mind puzzles!

When you are happiest:

When I am living up to my personal expectations mentally, physically and emotionally.

Three bucket list items:

Travel the other half of the continent, skydive and train my dog to stop chasing squirrels!

Funding the Future

The state of Texas contributes limited amounts to Texas A&M University’s graduate programs, so private support is essential. Graduate fellowships provide recipients with a yearly stipend and can help attract the best and brightest students to the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Ranked in the top 10% of graduate public affairs schools, the Bush School produces hardworking and dedicated individuals ready to serve at all levels of government and the private sector. You can endow a graduate fellowship with a $25,000 gift and help the school’s exceptional students pursue their degrees without financial burden.

How has the Kathy B. ’81 and Peter D. Huddleston ’80 Endowed Fellowship impacted you?

It was a blessing to receive. Growing up in a low-income family for most of my life meant that I had to work extremely hard to support myself and my family. I didn’t like feeling uncertain and out of control, so when I started graduate school and that uncertainty came back, I kept thinking, “How can I afford this?” Receiving this fellowship and having someone recognize my hard work and see the potential in me was gratifying. The fellowship allows me to devote all of my time to graduate school instead of worrying about how to pay my next tuition bill. I attribute my first-year success to this fellowship; I really don’t know where I would have ended up without it.

The Bush School is ranked in the nation's top 10% of graduate public affairs schools and produces dedicated individuals who are ready to serve the public. Graduate fellowships help attract the best and brightest students to the school and aid them in pursuing their degrees without financial burden.

How did you know you wanted to do nonprofit work?

After I graduated from Texas A&M International University, I went into corporate sales and hated it because when I left at the end of the day, I felt empty. I knew I had more to offer the world. I was recommended to work at a nonprofit called Elevate Oregon, which allowed me to build relationships with youth who face similar barriers that I did. It changed my life in a way I never imagined and made me fall in love with nonprofit work!

What impact do you hope to create in the future?

Anyone can start an organization to help others, but I want to create a sustainable nonprofit with longevity. My passion is empowering youth, but I realize there’s so much that goes into helping kids. They have to have a safe and stable environment around them, so I want my nonprofit’s focus to be on relieving housing insecurities in the whole community in order to help kids succeed and realize their potential.

To support students like Mason at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, contact Ale Rainey '15 below.

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