Xavier and Tiffany Egan

Tiffany Egan, LCSW ('04 MSW; '02 BA, Psychology) is a Dallas native and now lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Xavier, and their two children. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, celebrating 25 years this year! She is also a social worker at Fort Worth ISD, event director of Paramount Affairs, director of Paramount Pageants, and adjunct professor. She is also the alumni relations committee chair for the Black Alumni of UTA Chapter. 

Xavier Egan ('11 BBA) is a Houston native but has enjoyed the North Texas area since his initiation to it via UTA. Xavier is an entrepreneur, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, and president of the Black Alumni of UTA Chapter.

Why did you choose to attend UTA?
Tiffany: I chose UTA to stay close to home. UTA also had great marketing and the mail correspondence sparked more interest. 

Xavier: It was far enough from home to not have the family just swing by, but close enough for me to still visit! Also, I received a full academic scholarship to attend. Without this aid, I do not believe I would have attended college. Having the freedom to focus on education only versus sports was a huge opportunity for growth.

What did you study at UTA? What attracted you to those fields?
Tiffany: I wanted to work with troubled teenagers, which led to the psychology and social work fields. 

Xavier: I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but first I believed some basic business skills would help me along the way. That is what started my business school journey. Accounting and finance were a perfect base to understanding business.

Describe your UTA experience. How did UTA help prepare you for your career?
Tiffany: I had the best experience at UTA being involved in the psychology club, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, NAACP, and often enjoying the free lunch at BSA. I lived on campus and found close friends. I also found a community in every class I was in. UTA's social work program helps set a person up for a career. Also, if I didn't choose social work, I believe one of the research professors, Dr. Jenerson, would have encouraged me on any path in psychology. 

Xavier: I had a great experience at UTA. For one of the best prices in Texas, I was surprised how good the education really was. I was involved in numerous clubs that provided lunch daily! I was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity on campus. We were known across DFW as a great campus and a great group to connect with. The balance of both is what helped me work so well in the business ecosystem. Working hard and playing hard is a part of the greater ethos of management. 

What drew you to your career paths? Can you share any defining moments in your career that inspired you to continue your work?
Tiffany: I always wanted to work with children. Becoming a social worker gave me numerous ways to make that goal happen. It started with an internship at CPS, and led to diverse moments in health care, higher education, and schools. Becoming an adjunct professor at Purdue and UTA was a great uplift in my career. It was an opportunity to work to come full circle.

Xavier: I wanted to be a successful entrepreneur, and I thought a background in accounting might help. The last company I worked for was doing $2B in revenue when I arrived and $5B when I left. The realization that private companies could be that large changed my path for sure, and I later left that organization to start my own. 

What interested you in becoming involved with the UTA community as alumni? What has been your favorite memory or event with the Black Alumni of UTA Chapter?
Tiffany: I've been on the UTA campus a lot since graduating as my sorority's chapter is affiliated with the Zeta Mu chapter of AKA on campus. I've seen the growth and I know that UTA does great things. I wanted to connect with alumni to see what impact and influence we can have on the current generation and school culture. Getting together with Black alumni has been great. I enjoy meeting and getting to know new faces. Our alumni have so many great things going on and it's great to hear.

Xavier: I realized how pivotal UTA was as a part of my growth. I attended other universities as well, but the foundation provided at UTA is what helped me be successful in the business world. I wanted to ensure the next generation had just as great if not a better opportunity to succeed. Alumni with history, success, and failure stories helped guide my path. 

To learn more about the Black Alumni of UTA Chapter, visit the webpage.

What's one lesson you learned at UTA that has stayed with you still today? 
Tiffany: A lesson that I've learned is that you have to put yourself out there. Without trying you'd never know. 

Xavier: People put a lot of credit into talent, but learning skills can be a lifelong tool. Always take an opportunity to grow your skill set. For me, that was opting into the communications programming. 

What message do you have for the next generation of UTA graduates?
Xavier: Connect with the generation before you and learn what you can from them to give yourself a head start!