Andy Maish, BS’10, MS’11, and Sarah Trowsdale Maish, BS’10, MS’12, recently made a significant donation to the Naveen Jindal School of Management to fulfill a long-held promise to themselves to give their support to organizations that helped them.

The funds establish the Andy and Sarah Maish Endowment of Excellence.

“Creating an endowment for excellence is one of the most meaningful ways that alumni can give back,” said Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School dean. “We will remain forever grateful to Andy and Sarah for their generous gift.”

While at UT Dallas, Sarah was involved in student government; she studied accounting and finance as an undergraduate and then healthcare leadership and management in graduate school. Andy played basketball for the Comets while studying accounting and finance and then accounting in graduate school. He continues to support the basketball program and the athletic department, having made donations to both. The couple, who met while attending the Jindal School, both moved around frequently while growing up.

“Dallas was the first place that felt like home to us,” Andy said. “We lived on campus and were involved in campus activities. UT Dallas became our home. It was a small community with big-school benefits. Dallas is not a college town that you have to leave after you graduate to find a job. You can find a good job right here.”

John Barden, associate dean in the Executive Education Area, has been with UT Dallas for 17 years and got to know the couple while they were attending JSOM.

“They were great students and you could tell they were going to be successful,” he said. “Their donation will help the University grow, as well as help to fund faculty research, case competitions, scholarships and engagement of students, all of which will lead to excellence in educational outcomes.”

After graduating, Sarah joined AA Care Services, a San Antonio-based medical home care services firm founded by her mother. Andy joined RSM US LLP, worked at Colmore Inc., and later joined his wife at AA Care Services as CPA and chief financial officer. In August 2022, the company was sold to a private equity firm. The couple now owns equity in the firm and both serve on the board.

“We would not be where we are today without our education,” Andy said. “We wanted to do something to support the school forever, not just in the here and now. The school was such a good place in our lives and we want them to continue to be that for others.”– Andy Maish

Many in administration and on the faculty were at the Jindal School when the couple attended. The Maishes have complete faith that the funds will be used to benefit the school in the best ways.“We want them to use the funds where they are needed,” Sarah said.