The Communication Council launched a scholarship fundraiser on Feb. 6 after learning only six percent of students from the Moody College of Communication study abroad each year. 

According to Riya Ashok, Communication Council’s co-director of diversity and inclusion, the scholarship would be the first Moody-specific study abroad scholarship, and aims to raise $5,000 toward a $25,000 endowment that would allow the scholarship to continue forever. As of Sunday night, 70 percent of the Communication Council’s goal had been met.

“The Communication Council Scholarship Taskforce has been working for almost a year to try and start a scholarship for low-income students,” Ashok said.

Ashok, an advertising and textiles and apparel junior, said Moody College offers several faculty-led study abroad scholarships, but this one is different because it would be the first study abroad scholarship just for Moody students.

Each year, more than 4,400 students from the University study abroad, but the number of Moody students remains at six percent, according to the scholarship fundraising page. The scholarship taskforce aims to increase the amount to 10 percent in order to maintain UT’s ranking as a top communication school in the country.

“There is an incredible need for this scholarship,” said Lydia Medhanie, Communication Council co-director of diversity and inclusion and corporate communication senior. “Studying abroad has proven to be an invaluable learning experience, especially for communication students. I am thrilled seeing members of Communication Council band together for this amazing cause.”

The scholarship fund is a completely student-led initiative.

Communication Council member Chantal Poitras said she hopes to study abroad in England and is glad to see these changes being made. 

“I think so many people don’t study abroad because they assume it’s too expensive and don’t know about opportunities available,” corporate communication freshman Poitras said. “This scholarship shows that UT cares about their students and gives my peers a chance to study overseas, too.”

The fundraiser is happening through March 8, and contributions can be made through the Hornslink fundraiser page. 

“As the official student voice of the Moody College, it is our job as a council to work towards the betterment of the Moody College, and I think the scholarship is proof of that happening,” Medhanie said. “It is truly mind blowing to see something bigger than ourselves be built in front of our eyes, and even more amazing to have the opportunity to create a lasting impact on campus.”