Alumni Profile: Nathan McDaniel

With the aesthetic of tattooed arms and business casual attire, Nathan McDaniel thrives in the classic Austin startup and political environment.

Nathan went to Texas State in 2009 and studied political science and history. He rushed a fraternity and jumped right into campus leadership positions starting with a job in the Dean of Students office.

“That was pivotal for me,” he said.

The first year Bill Poston started teaching Housley Principled Leadership, Nathan enrolled. He was immediately surrounded by student leaders who wanted to invest in people. It was transformative, he said.

“I went from one understanding of leadership to now my understanding which is servant leadership - mentoring others,” Nathan said.

After being surrounded by great student leaders, Nathan thought it might be too arrogant of him to run for student body president. But, a former student body president and mentor encouraged him to run and he won the election. At that time, he also had to juggle time as president of his fraternity and doing normal college things like studying and laundry.

After graduating, he worked in the Texas Capitol, was a campaign manager and is now doing business development in Austin. Nathan’s also recently married and lives with his wife and their two dogs.