Help The Moody Writing Support Program Help Young Communicators
WHO WE ARE
Even the best students struggle as they transition from a lifetime of rhetorical writing to professional communication. The Moody College Writing Support Program is the only writing resource on the University of Texas at Austin campus designed to meet the unique writing needs of all communication majors. Peer writing coaches assist communication students — without charge — whether they are writing news articles, magazine narratives, advertising copy, press releases, screenplays or cover letters for internships.
WHAT WE ARE FUNDRAISING FOR
Our program was funded in 2013 when the University of Texas at Austin created a Student Success Initiatives program to increase the four-year graduation rate. Since then, we've grown to employ about a dozen students each year who help more than 3,000 students annually through one-on-one appointments, workshops, class visits and more. We have a proven record of success in helping students gain skills and confidence, but because of budget cuts, we rely completely on donors to keep our program going. For all our majors, this program has become increasingly important as public schools have reduced their emphasis on basic writing skills. Now more than ever, we cannot lose the resource that helps that next generation lay its foundation.
YOUR IMPACT
Your donation will let us continue the vital work we do to help students improve their writing so they can be better prepared to work as professional communicators. Former students, coaches and faculty members can attest to the importance of this program in ensuring student success:
“Years ago, I was a journalism major who needed a lot of help. Thanks to the Moody Writing Support Program, I got the mentorship and guidance that helped me thrive.”
— Cassandra Jaramillo, 2016 journalism graduate, 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner
“Access to the Moody Writing Support Program has significantly improved our students’ writing abilities across critical predictors of academic and career success. I have observed marked improvement in the quality of their research papers and article critiques, as well as in their resumes and statements of purpose. As a result, these students have excelled in the classroom and in their professional pursuits.”
— Courtney Byrd, professor of speech, language and hearing and founding director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research.
“When I arrived to Moody College, I often felt overwhelmed and out of my league, and I thought that maybe I wasn’t cut out to be a journalist. I attended the writing program countless times to work on class projects, and my confidence and grades boosted. When I received an invitation to apply to become a writing coach a couple years later, I felt like I really began a second chapter of my college experience. I ended up loving college, and I credit that almost completely to the writing program. In many ways, the writing program continues to help me build confidence today.”
— Sierra Juarez, fact-checker and researcher for NPR’s “Planet Money”
Thanks to our major donors in 2025-2026
The Tejemos Foundation
The Headliners Foundation of Texas
Linda Garza
Gifts to Moody Writing Support Program contribute to...
Advocates 📣
Community Advocates
Generated 3281 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 295 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 174 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233Leaderboards & Donors 🎁
View All Donors
Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 232
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Rizky Pratama – 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 231
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraHere’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
36 days ago by Pablo MoraWe’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
36 days ago by Pablo Mora