Sophia Kayani’s route to graduation was a journey filled with adversity. Her pathway included detours at other universities, different career paths and becoming a mother.
But through it all she found her home at UT San Antonio.
When Kayani graduated in December with her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, she had found the confidence, leadership and professional development skills to be successful.
“UT San Antonio invested a lot in me as a student,” said Kayani, who worked full time as an esthetician while attending school. “They made me think about the future.”
Community among peers
Her first step was finding her academic passion. During an accounting class, she was surprised to learn that other classmates were struggling even though it came naturally.
“Our accounting professors teach in a way that was compatible for me,” said the Temple native. “For the first time, I thought, maybe this is where I belong.”
Kayani soon found a community among her peers through the college’s student organizations. She joined the Professional Businesswomen Society (PBWS), the Accounting Professionals of Tomorrow and the Investment Society.
“I had the privilege to mentor Sophia as the advisor to PBWS,” said Rosa Garza-Girdy, assistant dean of student services. “It was inspiring to watch her spread her wings, gain confidence and shine.”
Building relationships with students is at the heart of what the Alvarez Student Success Center does, she added.
Looking to expand her leadership skills, Kayani sought a bigger role with PBWS and was elected president. “I love their mission of empowering women,” she said. “I raised PBWS like my baby. I worked hard to create the best structure and programming for our organization.”
Personal struggle
Amid her successes, Kayani also faced a personal struggle — an unexpected pregnancy. She gave birth to her son Rahfee one week before the start of her junior year.
“My professors were understanding, encouraging and supporting,” she said. “I always bring him the last day of class to meet my professors. And he attended many PBWS meetings and events with me. I felt so supported by UT San Antonio.”
Kayani took advantage of the resources UT San Antonio provides to parents. Through the university’s Student Assistance program, she learned about on-campus and local resources, including child care and transportation assistance, as well as academic support. She also participated in the Pathways to Thriving program, where she met other students who are parents, and participated in workshops to help her achieve her goals.
Though Kayani was a new parent, she made the time to expand her horizons. She was selected for a two-week college immersion program in Prague, Czech Republic, and also a leadership development conference in Atlanta.
“It was hard since it was the first time that I was away from my son, but I knew that, in the end, those types of experiences would support both our futures,” Kayani said.
In 2025, she earned the Mentoring Award from the college’s Student Success Center.
Internship in accounting
Leveraging the skills she learned in the classroom and her leadership acumen, she attended the college’s Accounting, Finance and Economics Expo, and connected with a recruiter from the accounting firm BDO. While attending the Atlanta conference, she met another employee from the firm.
Kayani will intern during the summer with the Dallas firm.
“That connection helped me secure my internship,” she said. “Networking and connections can really help you get in the door.”
Her professional goal is to work in public accounting. “I feel confident graduating and going on to the next step in my life,” said Kayani, who also plans to pursue CPA certification. “This internship is my first step. I’m looking forward to seeing if this is the right path for me.”
Looking back at her time at UT San Antonio, she is most grateful for the connections and the opportunities that the college and university provided.
“My community at UT San Antonio supported me on my journey,” Kayani said. For other parents uncertain about making the leap, she offers this encouragement. “Don’t give up. Look for resources available to you and know that you don’t have to do it alone.”
