Christina Belden
The University of Texas at Arlington
Christina Belden was awarded a ROTC scholarship for her undergraduate studies at Rhodes College and served in the Army four years active duty, predominantly with 6th Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry- an Attack Helicopter Squadron. She was their Personnel Officer overseeing up to 470 soldiers when they deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Forge. She was one of the first two female officers commissioned at Rhodes College and the third generation of her family to serve in the military.
When she got out of the military, Christina utilized her Texas military benefits to earn an associate degree in cosmetology and spent the last half of her 16-year career at the top Goldwell Titanium salon The Upper Hand in Houston, TX. She ultimately had to medically retire after a 2nd bout with cancer.
After transferring to Fort Worth, Christina seized upon the prospect that The University of Texas at Arlington allows to earn an accounting graduate degree without having it as an undergraduate degree through its Masters of Professional Accounting program. UTA has been #1 in the United States for the past two years in its support of veterans. The Accounting Department in the College of Business has been tremendously encouraging of the diverse needs of its students including those returning to college after decades.
Christina Belden continues to serve as a Captain on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s (HLSR) Armed Forces Appreciation Committee starting her 10th year as a volunteer. She oversees a team of 22 volunteers on a special HLSR day that honors the service and selfless sacrifice of over 4,000 currently serving military and their families in front of over 70,000 Houstonians. Christina was also recognized as one of two hundred 2018 Volunteers of the Year from over 34,000 volunteers.
While at UTA, Christina Belden was initiated into Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies, participated in the Accounting Society, and volunteered at Mission Arlington which serves food insecurity for a larger DFW community.
Christina was able to earn a spot in 2021 Charles Schwab Intern Academy’s summer class and looks forward to returning full-time in June 2022 as an Internal Audit Specialist within their banks. She will earn her CPA license by 2023 and CIA certificate following.
She is thrilled to enter the DFW accounting industry where she can continue to serve her community. Christina is also excited to advocate UTA’s recruiting inclusion for those companies’ seeking diversity that matches their consumer base.
Christina has also been enormously supported by her phenomenal husband of 16 years, John, and her intelligent daughter, Adeline, about to enter high school.