University of Austin Founding Freshman Argues for Reinventing Higher Education

A high school senior’s investigation into the student loan crisis leads to a meeting with UATX President Pano Kanelos — and a decision to join the university’s founding class.

Kyle Choy spent his senior year exploring how higher education has missed the mark —  and how to address the crisis.

Born and raised in Austin, Choy graduated from Regents School of Austin in May with a 4.22 GPA. He is an Eagle Scout, a varsity swimmer, and the recipient of numerous awards for academics and service.  

His senior thesis, “Separating Pomp from Circumstance: The Need for New Universities to Revitalize Higher Education,” argued that Americans must establish new institutions of higher education to ensure academic excellence and affordability. Neither accreditation agencies nor Congress nor the states could reverse damaging trends.

Choy completed the project over the course of the 2023-24 academic year in dedicated classes four days a week.

“We were given various assignments to help us refine our logic, source material, and evidence and prepare for our final presentations which consisted of a 20-minute speech and 20 minutes of Q&A,” Choy told UATX. “The content of our theses is largely self-directed, so a majority of our class time was spent conducting research with a few classes dedicated to logic and rhetoric skills.”

“My initial interest and research focused on the causes and consequences of the student debt crisis in America," he said. “As a high school senior, I was particularly interested in rising tuition costs and the role of student loans.”

In continuing his research, Choy identified broader issues confronting higher education: overspending on administrators and amenities at the expense of academic quality, unsustainable financial models, and incentives to maximize federal funding that have homogenized academic programs.

His thesis argued that "by refocusing higher education on academics and institutional quality rather than costly amenities and a failing financial model, new universities will pave a new path forward."

New institutions “have the unique ability to implement new measures to focus on improving the higher education industry rather than conforming to standard practices," Choy wrote.

Choy's search for solutions had led him to Dr. Pano Kanelos, President of the University of Austin, whom his advisors identified as a Regents parent with relevant expertise. In January, Choy met Kanelos in Austin.

“Going into the interview I was primarily focused on the feasibility of bringing down tuition costs,” Choy told UATX. “I was asking questions from a consumer’s perspective, but coming out of the interview I learned a lot about universities’ perspectives and struggles.”

"I gained valuable insight into the underlying issues and behind-the-scenes struggles on college campuses," he said.

Choy submitted his thesis in April. His conclusion helped him resolve a more personal dilemma: where he would continue his education. Spending months reading about universities had helped to clarify what he wanted for his own future.

In September, Kyle Choy will begin classes as a founding freshman at the University of Austin.

“I was drawn to UATX for its innovative approach to the university administrative and financial model,” he said.  

“But what won me over is their genuine commitment to academic excellence.”

“At UATX, I look forward to learning in an environment where staff aren’t fixated on transforming the school into a country club, where professors genuinely care about their students, and where students are authentically eager to learn.”

“I'm excited to gain an education grounded in great texts and historical perspectives, yet future-facing in its commitment to real-world experiences and innovation. I look forward to engaging my fellow classmates in meaningful discussions and debates.”

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