During 40 Hours for the Forty Acres—UT’s biannual day of giving—we encourage you to give to our many units that are making a difference in the community and in the lives of our students! Go here for more information about this year’s giving campaign on April 12-13.

Disability and Access

Disability and Access (D&A) ensures students with disabilities have equal access to their academic experiences at UT Austin by determining eligibility and approving reasonable accommodations. D&A also engages in outreach education to students, faculty and staff across campus in order to make campus a more inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for people with disabilities. Read more.

Disability Cultural Center

Established in 2023, the Disability Cultural Center (DCC) serves as a hub for disability organizing, community-building and expression. In tandem with other DDCE units, the DCC encourages interpersonal connection and collaborative learning toward more equitable spaces for disabled people. The DCC is the first of its kind in the state of Texas, positioning UT Austin as a leader in exploring more equitable futures for this segment of the population who study, teach and work in higher education. Read more. 

Explore Law

Explore Law helps students learn what it takes to succeed in law school and the legal profession. Throughout the four-week summer experience, students spend 120 hours engaged in law school coursework, legal reading and writing, professional development and networking. By summer’s end, students will have the skills they need to navigate the law school application process. Read More.

First-Gen Equity

Housed within the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity, First-Gen Equity serves students whose parents or guardians did not receive a four-year degree or higher from a college or university in the United States. With a focus on success—in college and beyond—First Gen Equity provides a community on campus as well as a support network with faculty, staff, alumni and mentors. Throughout the school year, the program provides celebratory events, professional development workshops, resources and more. Read more.

Fearless Leadership Institute

In an effort to ensure Black women at UT Austin are equipped to thrive in their personal and professional lives, the Fearless Leadership Institute (FLI) provides a community on campus where participating students who identify as Black feel loved and supported throughout their college experience. Read more.

Global Leadership and Social Impact (GLSI)

Housed within the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity, Global Leadership and Social Impact (GLSI) provides accessible education abroad programs in four different destinations across the globe: the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Mexico and South Africa. With about 80% of participants who identify as Black and Latino, the GLSI is moving the needle on the study abroad gap—showing students the many possibilities of world travel. Read more.

GSC Crisis Fund

Established in 2020, a challenging year for many students, the Gender and Sexuality Center’s (GSC) Crisis Fund helps students who need financial assistance with housing, text books and school supplies, medical bills and many other critical needs. Every dollar goes directly to students who need immediate assistance. Read more.

The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

A unit within the DDCE, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health envisions a future in which the people of Texas thrive in communities that support mental health and well-being. Using a variety of approaches, including grantmaking, convening, research and public policy, the foundation works collaboratively to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life. Read more.

Strive Grad Prep Academy (GPA)

Launched in 2022 by the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity (LCAE), Strive Grad Prep Academy (GPA) provides experiences, resources, guidance and networking to undergraduates who want to pursue postgraduate degrees. With an emphasis on supporting students who are low-income, first-generation or from historically excluded communities, Strive GPA seeks to increase students’ likelihood and prospects of attending graduate and professional schools. Read more.

Women in STEM

Women in STEM (WiSTEM) is closing the STEM gender gap by creating an inspired and diverse community of confident STEM leaders. WiSTEM’s university-wide outreach, recruiting and retention programs for pre-college and undergraduate STEM students are designed to increase STEM identity, self-efficacy and a sense of belonging. Read more.