TOWER Fellow - Monica Samuels
'Comeback Mom' Finds Her Next Calling Through TOWER Program
From student to author and back to student, Samuels discovers new inspiration learning from authors she has long admired
Monica Samuels, TOWER Fellow 2018
The Journey
Monica is an entrepreneur with a diverse background including, law (immigration and environmental), politics (worked on the staff of a presidential campaign), and publishing (authored, published, and promoted with Random House). Monica is a 1987 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as Administrative Editor of the Texas Law Review. She is also the co-author of Comeback Moms: How to Leave Work, Raise Children, and Restart Your Career Even if You Haven't Had a Job in Years.
In 2018 Monica found herself transitioning back to work after some time away. An alumnus of UT, Monica thought going back to school through TOWER Fellows sounded like a great way to facilitate this transition. She entered the program excited to see the principles outlined in her book "in action," and thrilled about the prospect of meeting new people. She also hoped to connect with others who found themselves in a similar position.
Monica is an entrepreneur with a diverse background including, law (immigration and environmental), politics (worked on the staff of a presidential campaign), and publishing (authored, published, and promoted with Random House). Monica is a 1987 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as Administrative Editor of the Texas Law Review. She is also the co-author of Comeback Moms: How to Leave Work, Raise Children, and Restart Your Career Even if You Haven't Had a Job in Years.
In 2018 Monica found herself transitioning back to work after some time away. An alumnus of UT, Monica thought going back to school through TOWER Fellows sounded like a great way to facilitate this transition. She entered the program excited to see the principles outlined in her book "in action," and thrilled about the prospect of meeting new people. She also hoped to connect with others who found themselves in a similar position.
The Experience
Monica enrolled in a variety of courses during her time as a TOWER Fellow. Two of her favorites were Foreign Policy and Presidents, each taught by H.W. Brands, author of more than 30 books including two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. TOWER Fellows afforded her access to this preeminent historian and popular professor, and she found it extremely interesting to hear directly from the author of books she admired. She also enrolled in a graduate-level Crisis Management class with Retired Admiral Bobby Inman, who worked in high levels of government throughout his career. The course was eye-opening, and active participation was encouraged.
The highlight of the program came in working with the head of the university's prominent Michener Writing Center, Bret Anthony Johnston. Monica enrolled in an independent study with another Fellow, and they went through the process of writing a novel together. While Monica is a published author, writing fiction was a departure from her business-oriented works and thus something entirely new. TOWER Fellows allowed her to build on her existing skills in a new way, and her creative writing seminar proved invaluable:
"[The entire program] was worth it all right there. And of course, the rest of the courses were excellent, too."
Monica also appreciated the guest speakers and access to university events as part of TOWER Fellows, including exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to areas around campus, such as the robotics lab and lunch on stage at Bass Concert Hall. She also had time to visit several exhibits on campus, places she had passed over during her previous studies at UT.
Monica enrolled in a variety of courses during her time as a TOWER Fellow. Two of her favorites were Foreign Policy and Presidents, each taught by H.W. Brands, author of more than 30 books including two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. TOWER Fellows afforded her access to this preeminent historian and popular professor, and she found it extremely interesting to hear directly from the author of books she admired. She also enrolled in a graduate-level Crisis Management class with Retired Admiral Bobby Inman, who worked in high levels of government throughout his career. The course was eye-opening, and active participation was encouraged.
The highlight of the program came in working with the head of the university's prominent Michener Writing Center, Bret Anthony Johnston. Monica enrolled in an independent study with another Fellow, and they went through the process of writing a novel together. While Monica is a published author, writing fiction was a departure from her business-oriented works and thus something entirely new. TOWER Fellows allowed her to build on her existing skills in a new way, and her creative writing seminar proved invaluable:
"[The entire program] was worth it all right there. And of course, the rest of the courses were excellent, too."
Monica also appreciated the guest speakers and access to university events as part of TOWER Fellows, including exclusive behind-the-scenes visits to areas around campus, such as the robotics lab and lunch on stage at Bass Concert Hall. She also had time to visit several exhibits on campus, places she had passed over during her previous studies at UT.
"Every week was good. I never looked back and thought, 'why did I spend my time doing that?'"
– MONICA SAMUELS
– MONICA SAMUELS
The Impact
The TOWER Fellows Program allowed Monica to meet great people from around the country with interesting backgrounds and experiences. She now considers many of these people friends.
For Monica, the course at the Michener Center was exceptionally impactful, and one of the highlights of her life to date. She is currently working on the children's book she started during her independent study and looking forward to completing it soon.
She also continues to pursue projects she was engaged in before the program, including writing a screenplay with her co-author from Comeback Moms. The TOWER Fellows Program inspired Monica to dive back into her work in ways she hadn't done in years, and energized her to pursue her interests for years to come.
The TOWER Fellows Program allowed Monica to meet great people from around the country with interesting backgrounds and experiences. She now considers many of these people friends.
For Monica, the course at the Michener Center was exceptionally impactful, and one of the highlights of her life to date. She is currently working on the children's book she started during her independent study and looking forward to completing it soon.
She also continues to pursue projects she was engaged in before the program, including writing a screenplay with her co-author from Comeback Moms. The TOWER Fellows Program inspired Monica to dive back into her work in ways she hadn't done in years, and energized her to pursue her interests for years to come.
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