Daniel MacKenzie ’24 didn’t grow up dreaming of being an Aggie. And the Noblesville, Indiana, native certainly didn’t expect to discover some of his life’s greatest passions in Texas.
But personal reflection, life experiences and changes in learning during COVID all shaped the college and career trajectory of MacKenzie. He will graduate this spring after studying ecology and conservation in the Texas A&M Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology — a love for both that he discovered in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Today he couldn’t imagine life as anything but being an Aggie, a member of C-Company, the Corps of Cadets or serving as Band Commander, overseeing the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.
MacKenzie sat down with us to chat about how he was inspired to study ecosystems and conservation while juggling a busy schedule in the Corps of Cadets and Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. He offers his advice for prospective students and gives us a glimpse into his life as a student.
What drew you to study ecology and conservation biology at Texas A&M?
When I was applying to colleges, ecological restoration was a major that sounded kind of cool. I spoke with a woman from Texas A&M who went into environmental consulting and what she did sounded intriguing. Psychology also appealed to me, but upon choosing A&M, I stuck with ecological restoration. Then, when COVID happened, I found myself really getting into outdoor stuff and wanting to do more for the environment.
Both my stepmother and step-grandfather were Aggies, so I grew up around Aggie stuff. With my interests growing toward ecology and conservation, the Texas A&M program sounded like it was going to be something that was very hands-on that I thought would be right up my alley. Turns out, my major was the perfect fit, even though I wasn’t totally sold on it at first. I’m so thankful I chose Texas A&M rather than going somewhere else and studying psychology.
What sparked your interest in ecological restoration/natural resource management? Was it always your passion?
Ecological restoration seemed like something tangible to me, a way to make a real difference for something or someone, or even the planet. But once I started taking classes here, I realized that ecological restoration is much more than that — it’s a highly process-driven field that focuses on a broader perspective. It’s about understanding all the components of an ecosystem and how to nurture them effectively.
What career path do you hope to pursue with your education?
I’ve completed two internships that provided a really big, broad experience and insight on where I could go with my degree. One of them was in Indiana at a county park where I was doing hands-on invasive management alongside the county and other municipalities.
Last summer, I worked with Lloyd Engineering, a civil engineering firm in Houston, focusing on environmental consulting. I was doing a lot of sampling around the coastline in Texas and assisted with permitting and regulations. I’m definitely leaning towards environmental consulting, with potential interest in environmental policy at some point in the future. Regardless of my career path, I will always have a passion for getting my hands dirty and engaging directly with environmental work.
What’s your favorite thing about being a student in the department?
The best part about being a student in ECCB is that it’s such a tight-knit community. Even though Texas A&M is huge, ECCB is like its own little family. You walk into class and see friendly faces every time, and the classes are small, which I love. Plus, all the professors really care — they’re passionate about what they teach and always have cool stories to share. I’ve been lucky to have such a tight, supportive community in every class I’ve taken.
You are an ambassador for the department, can you explain what that is?
ECCB ambassadors are fairly new. The role is all about recruitment, retention and helping students find opportunities within the department. We’re there for students who are still figuring things out, offering support and guidance. Once they’re here, we make sure they have what they need, whether it’s more resources, fun events or just a friendly face to feel more at home. That is a huge part of why I love this department, there’s a sense of community there.
Tell us about being a Band Commander. What does that role entail?
The whole Corps has 2,100 students, roughly. The Corps is split up into four major units. The band is one unit of the Corps that’s about 350 people. The Band Commander oversees the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. I’m not the person conducting during the actual halftime drill; that’s the drum major.
As a Band Commander, I connect between what the band does and what the Corps does. I work with our staff and oversee everything, ensuring everyone within the band can excel. The band is split into battalions and outfits, and my role is to ensure they have the resources they need to run properly.
Balancing being a Band Commander and a student takes discipline and time management. Setting aside time to establish habits and focusing on self-care are essential. The Corps taught me to prioritize self-care first, enabling me to take care of others and manage increased responsibilities.
The most rewarding part of being a Band Commander is seeing the band or individuals excel, whether in a performance or accomplishing significant goals. It’s a privilege to lead a group of incredible people.
What is the greatest lesson your roles in the Corps of Cadets have taught you?
I came into college very focused on myself. I’ve experienced success and achievement within my groups and that’s very fulfilling, but I think just the Corps and the band made me appreciate others so much more and helped me realize what it means to serve others and work or live for others versus just yourself.
What advice would you give to prospective students?
Be open-minded. It’s OK if you’re still trying to figure out your passion. I think the biggest thing for any prospective student, especially if they’re struggling to decide what they are going to pursue, is to not put too much pressure on yourself if you don’t know what you want to do yet.
I came in not knowing if ecological restoration or this whole field would be anything I’d enjoy. Luckily, it aligned with a lot of my values and what I wanted to pursue. Come into college with an open mind because the things that make Texas A&M so incredible are the traditions, the people and the culture. If you buy into it and just love it, then I think the right major and everything else will follow suit.
What’s your favorite Aggie tradition and why?
I think for me, it’s got to be Aggie Muster. Coming here, I knew some of the traditions roughly. But as soon as I started to really see what they were and experience them for myself, it was very, very humbling. Texas A&M does such a good job at taking moments and slowing them down to appreciate people in the little moments. We do that with Silver Taps, and we do that with Muster. I have a personal connection with Muster. About a year and a half ago, I lost my step-grandfather, who was an Aggie. It was a tough time for me and my family. But we were fortunate enough to honor him at the campus Muster during my junior year. Standing on the floor that day, alongside a dear friend who had also lost his grandfather, was one of the most humbling and sobering experiences of my life. It’s a moment I’ll always remember.
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