Officers

Public Relations Officer David Carrothers

David Carrothers
President
dc1266@txstate.edu

As a divorced 29 year old coming back to college, I was a little concerned about where I would fit in with the student body. I had a desire to get involved on campus, so the first organization I looked for was NTSO. NTSO has helped me assimilate back into the classroom environment as well as being able to balance my studies as a Pre-Sound Recording Technology major along with my adult life of being self supporting. Additionally, NTSO has given me opportunities to develop my leadership abilities by being an officer with the organization. The leadership skills that I am developing will aid me in my future career goals in the audio production industry.

Blanca Ruiz
Historian
br1221@txstate.edu

I am a Respiratory Care major and the mother of four children. After many years of being a wife and mother, I made the decision to continue my education and be an example for my children. My involvement with NTSO has provided me with much needed support and given me the opportunity to understand that learning isn’t just done in a classroom. Being the Historian for NTSO has also given me the opportunity to help others at Texas State University.

Russell Jenness
Public Relations
rj1092@txstate.edu

Working in retail, for a little more than 10 years, I finally came to the conclusion that this form of work was simply not for me. After taking a few courses here and there, I decided it was time to make a full commitment to the fields of Wildlife Biology and Geography. I found my first semester at Texas State to be a challenge, to say the least. I felt out of place with the average, freshmen level, student body and it wasn’t until I found out about NTSO that I was able to relate to other students. NTSO helped me to acclimate to college life and to better focus on my studies. Being an officer of the NTSO has been a wonderful experience. It has allowed me to meet and make friends with people who share the similar challenges of a nontraditional student.

Vickie Nordick
Finance
vn1030@txstate.edu

After a major change in my life, I made the decision to go back to school to further my career. I am an Accounting Major, married, and a mother of 4. The Non Traditional Student Organization has provided me the support I needed from other students in similar situations. As the Finance Officer for the NTSO I am given the opportunity to help others while attending Texas State and furthering my education.

Jennifer Britt
Programmer
jb2033@txstate.edu

My name is Jennifer Britt and I am an Elementary Education Major. After working in the corporate world for many years, I realized it just wasn’t for me. Sitting behind a computer, doing the same redundant job over and over every day and only working my way towards lateral moves within the company was not what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Going back to school and pursuing my dream of becoming someone who can help others on a daily basis was the best decision of my life. What better way to accomplish my goals of helping others than to be a teacher! I transferred to Texas State University-San Marcos in January and have had the most amazing experiences of my life. I look forward to all my future semesters and the foundation I've started building for my future!

Ruby Dale Austin
Grad Advisor
da1107@txstate.edu

Ruby Dale Austin is currently the Graduate Research Assistant for NTSO. She is a graduate student in the Professional Counseling program and will be doing her internship at the Texas State Counseling Center for the 2009-10 academic year. While Ruby completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of South Carolina as a traditional college student, she returned to school to study counseling at that age of 33 thus making her at least 10 years older than her classroom peers. It has been a privilege for Ruby to work with the officers & members of NTSO. This opportunity has allowed Ruby to learn of the unique challenges that non-traditional students face.