Meet Chioma Aguoru, a senior from Pearland, Texas, who is double majoring in Marketing and Canfield Business Honors while also pursuing a Digital Art and Media Certificate. From the moment she stepped on campus, Chioma has embraced every opportunity with curiosity and enthusiasm, carving out a college experience that is uniquely her own. Whether through her academic journey, her leadership roles across McCombs, or her adventurous internships, she has found ways to blend creativity, community, and ambition into everything she does.
When Chioma was a senior in high school, she was already used to balancing rigorous coursework and challenging herself academically. She always knew she wanted to study business, but it wasn’t until she visited UT Austin during a campus tour in March 2020 when her path became clear. She describes McCombs as “the best business school in Texas” and recalls how impressed she was by its opportunities and energy. Business appealed to her because of its versatility, a “spoon that works for every meal.” Marketing in particular stood out to her as a people-centered major, a place where her natural interpersonal skills could merge with analytical thinking and creativity. When she learned about Canfield BHP, she was immediately drawn to its hands-on learning and honors environment.
Throughout her journey in Canfield BHP, several professors and classes have shaped her experience and encouraged her growth. Chioma speaks highly of Professor Prentice in Legal Environment of Business, who shifted her mindset toward learning for the sake of curiosity rather than chasing grades. She found herself genuinely engaged with case discussions and valued becoming more aware of the laws that shape the business world. She also recalls Professor Barnes in BA 324H , who created a classroom environment that was lively and meaningful, and Professor Hirst in Accounting 311 H, whose class challenged her deeply but left her proud of her accomplishments. These classes not only strengthened her academic foundation but also gave her confidence that she could take on difficult material and thrive.
Chioma’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Since her freshman year, she has been heavily involved in the Undergraduate Business Council, where she has held multiple leadership positions ranging from Sports & Wellness Co-Chair, Recruitment Chair, and Engagement Director. As Engagement Director, she played a key role in major events such as McCombs Kickoff, Mental Health Week, and the Barbara Jordan George Mitchell Awards, and she describes this as one of her most rewarding positions because of how people-facing and impactful it was. Beyond UBC, Chioma has contributed to Canfield BHP as a Senior Recruiter, helping prospective students learn about the program. She also works as a Peer Mentor, meeting regularly with younger students and supporting them through their first year. She also works as the program’s Social Media Assistant, where she captured moments that showcase Canfield BHP’s community spirit and has built relationships with staff “the backbone of the program”.
During her freshman year, Chioma traveled with Canfield BHP to Copenhagen, which she describes as a defining moment of her college career. Beyond bonding with classmates through activities like kayaking (where she admits to capsizing twice) and flour fights, she was introduced to a new style of learning from a Scandinavian professor that left a lasting impression. That trip set the tone for her willingness to try new things and embrace challenges. Sophomore year, she pursued a marketing internship with Adjuvant Behavioral Health, an Austin-based company providing mental health services for cancer patients and their families. That summer, Chioma’s adventurous side took center stage when she competed in the Mr. Beast Games in Las Vegas. Through a connection in UBC, she joined over 2,000 contestants for a weekend of challenges, including a capture the flag competition and an intense money run that ultimately left her walking away with prize money. She looks back on it as a thrilling and surreal experience that would not have been possible if she had not been open to new opportunities.
After applying to numerous internships throughout her Junior Year, she landed an Audience Development Intern role with the National Football League (NFL) in Inglewood, California, through the Emma Bowen Foundation. Her work focused on strategic planning, analyzing metrics to understand trends, and exploring ways for the NFL to stay competitive in the digital space. The experience was not only exciting because it showed Chioma that she could succeed in industries she hadn’t initially considered. For Chioma, internships have been a way to “taste test” different industries, and her time at the NFL gave her confidence that she was moving in the right direction.
Outside of academics and work, Chioma fills her life with hobbies that allow her creativity and personality to shine. She enjoys playing volleyball, especially intramurals with friends and UBC peers, and she’s an avid Sims 4 player. She has a deep love for crafting and channeling her memories into journaling, drawing, painting, and even sewing. She also enjoys anime, cosplay, and organizing small traditions with friends, such as a bingo card-making session at the beginning of the year. These activities not only give her balance but also reflect her desire to connect with others in fun and meaningful ways.
Looking ahead, Chioma hopes to find happiness in her career above all else. She envisions herself as someone who will remain connected to the Canfield BHP community even after graduation. She wants to be remembered not for following the most traditional McCombs path but for carving out her own. She wants to pursue roles that inspire her passion, not just those that carry prestige, and she sees Canfield BHP as the foundation that has given her both the confidence and the community to make that possible. Her advice to incoming students is to “be involved in the community. Go visit the office beyond the free snacks and really connect with the staff and students”. She says that Canfield BHP is not just a group of smart students, we are collaborative and not competitive. It is important to balance your academics with a genuine interest in others.