In this AMA-UTA CreateCollab, Victoria Alvarez explores how a UTA student organization strives to install knightly virtues of humility, courage, and sacrifice in her audio story (mini-podcast), Valiant Knights of UT Arlington
Read more about our CreateCollab partnership below.
VALIANT KNIGHTS OF UT ARLINGTON
ABOUT MY ONE MINUTE DOCUMENTARY
Valiant Knights of UT Arlington by Victoria Alvarez
Many virtues were bestowed upon medieval knights, but among the most important were honor, sacrifice, humility, and courage. These are the attributes that embody the UT Arlington Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, who are otherwise known as MAPS. They have a long history as a charitable organization with the city of Arlington and surrounding North Texas communities. They aspire to stand as one of UTA’s strongest organizations as they always try to lead by example.
Medieval knights were known for being pillars of their communities and leading the way in times of uncertainty. MAPS wants their future healthcare professionals to carry a mindset like this one along with them in their journey – never losing sight of their humility, courage, or sacrifice.
Veterinarians, physician assistants, dentists, and doctors are only a few of the careers that members are preparing for. As pre-health students themselves, MAPS officers aim to prepare other pre-health students for a smooth transition into rewarding careers as future healthcare professionals.
Along with their charitable work, MAPS works to make the college experience worthwhile and fun. They work year-round to include students of all disciplines in their events and often think back to the moments shared with others in social gatherings and special events like “MAPS-giving” which is organized for any student on campus during the holidays.
Aside from career support, which is given with an endless supply, one of their greatest ambitions is embracing the humanitarian side of working in healthcare so that students may keep that present as they continue in their professional journey. They believe this is at the forefront of what it truly means to be a healthcare professional.
MAPS strongly believes in uniting and uplifting others just as the knights so fiercely protected and guarded their communities centuries ago. Their spirit of camaraderie, togetherness, and inclusion lives on in not only MAPS but in the UTA student body.
Although the organization is geared toward pre-health students, MAPS always includes anyone wanting to join. Additionally, the members happily extend an invitation to non-students and nearby Arlington residents! To learn more about the UTA MAPS organization or participate in any of their upcoming 2023 events, please visit their Instagram page @uta.maps. Everyone is welcomed with open arms.
Meet Victoria Alvarez
Victoria is a University of Texas at Arlington journalism senior who, with her final semester ahead, is longing to sleep more than five hours a night! With a double minor in biology and psychology, Victoria has an avid interest in science writing and public health journalism. Coming from a Hispanic background, she would ultimately love to help her community become more comfortable with all things related to health, or science in general!
Although Victoria is enamored with screaming along to her favorite songs at concerts, she’s happiest sitting at home with her favorite blanket and a good (or bad!) movie.
About AMA-UTA CreateCollab
Throughout the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art is partnering with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by “A Knight’s Tale.”
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and one-minute podcasts about themes as broad as sword fighting with light sabers, fulfilling family legacies, every day heroes, and modern metalsmithing.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith, who teaches the class, values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
