What I've Learned: Brad Burnett

University of Texas (UT) student Brad Burnett wasn't always cut out to be a college student. As a high school drop out with a 1.3 GPA who eventually graduated in 2003, Burnett attended Austin Community College from Fall 2007 to Spring 2009 to give himself a fresh start and a better shot at getting into a university.

"What I took away most from ACC were the skills I learned," Burnett said. "ACC made me a college student. There is absolutely no way I would have been ready for UT had it not been for ACC."

Currently Burnett is a triple major at UT in government, history and Islamic studies.

"The plan is to take a year off of school after I graduate to have some fun and see the country a bit," Burnett said. "Then it's off to law school to get a Juris Doctor degree. I also want to get a PhD in either government or Islamic studies. My hope is to become a professor. I'm not sure if I want to teach law and government or American law and Islamic law, but one of those two things."

Burnett credits ACC professors as playing a role in helping him get to where he is today.

"David Lauderback and Jeff Millstone both have been incredibly helpful during my academic career," Burnett said. "By demanding excellence from me academically, they have both made me a better student. They have continued advising me throughout my academic career and I can say without a doubt that without their generous help and interest in me as both a student and as a person, I would not be the student I am today."

Communication with ACC professors is something that Burnett says is a big difference between attending ACC and UT.

"Both [UT and ACC] have great professors who are demanding academically." Burnett said. "What differentiates a professor at ACC from one at UT is that, by and large, the professors at ACC are more accessible and put more effort into getting to know their students. Earlier this week, I walked past a professor I have had for two classes. He looked at me and didn't even recognize me. In the first class I had with him, I sat in the front row every class period; in the second class, I sat directly next to him at a table with 9 other students. I sat next to this man for sixteen weeks and there wasn't even a hint of recognition on his face. On the other hand, I had one class with Dr. Lauderback and we still talk to this day. If I had a problem academically or personally, I could go to Dr. Lauderback and he would be more than happy to sit down and talk with me."

In addition to taking classes at ACC, Burnett was also very involved with student organizations including serving as ACC Student Government Association president.

"Being involved at ACC was very important to my development as both a student and a person," Burnett said. "The lessons in leadership, public speaking, and organization I learned have served me well at UT and in my life in general. I also met many wonderful people as a direct result of my involvement at ACC. I have kept in contact with many of the people I met at ACC and they are always there for me whenever I need guidance academically or in life."

Based on his experience, Burnett encourages current students to get involved on campus also.

"You can actually make a difference!" Burnett exclaimed. "As students, we have lots of great ideas about how things could be even better at our college. Over my two and a half years at ACC, I saw over and over again how students with a good idea can change things for the better."

Through connections with ACC's Center for Public Policy and Political Studies Burnett even landed an internship at the State Capitol in Representative Mark Strama's office during the 2009 legislative and special sessions to which he earned college credit through ACC"s governmental internship class.

"I was the constituent relations coordinator, Burnett said. "Basically, I worked one-on-one with constituents to help their government work for them. So, if someone needed their driver's license expedited or needed help navigating the food stamp system, I would be the person to help them. I also did some policy work — tracking changes and amendments to bills mostly — and I met with quite a few lobbyists both professional and non-professional."

Burnett encourages current students to take advantage of all the resources ACC offers.

"ACC is an awesome place," Burnett said. "The people who work here are incredible professionals who, by and large, could work at any place of higher education in the state. They chose to work at ACC because they want to make a difference in the lives of students. Take advantage of this."