There are no slow days for Mazie Johnson ’26, a business honors and management student and the executive director of Texas A&M’s student-led food pantry, The 12th Can.

Wake up and get ready for the day. Grabbing a bagel and coffee, I leave for campus early so I can work on a few things before class.

Walk from West Campus Garage to the CHEM building for Spanish.

Practice Spanish legal vocabulary with a partner. I hope these skills will help me connect with clients in my future legal career.

While I enjoy a good walk, The 12th Can pantry is located on West Campus, and I need to get there fast! I catch the Aggie Spirit bus and listen to a podcast on the way.

At the first pantry opening of the semester, The 12th Can is busy! I sort frozen chicken and fish. Before I know it, it’s time to head back to class.

After grabbing a quick snack, I walk to my Strategic Philanthropy class (BUSN 432) in Wehner. I’ve been so excited to take this course, since I am learning about these same concepts at The 12th Can.

The end of the day at The 12th Can is slower, so I have more time to chat with clients. We just added a Hygiene Room to our pantry, and it is a hit.

We read Rules of Civility by Amor Towles for our business honors winter book club, and we have such a great discussion about it!

I attend an informational meeting to learn more about an organization I’m interested in getting involved in.

Head home to get some homework done before it’s time to head to bed, but not before watching an episode of my favorite show, Psych.

About The 12th Can

“The 12th Can has been fundamental to my time at Texas A&M. I joined during my first semester when I learned the mission: to eliminate hunger at Texas A&M, raise awareness about food insecurity in college communities, and demonstrate the power of the Aggie Spirit. My passion for this led me to join the executive team, first as logistics director and then as executive director this year.

“Beyond the scope of food insecurity, The 12th Can sparked my interest in nonprofits, and I hope to continue working with organizations like The 12th Can in the future.

“The 12th Can is about people. I work with kind-hearted, selfless leaders who inspire me every day. The atmosphere is comfortable and fun, and I enjoy chatting with clients about everything from the weather to more personal topics. The 12th Can is a place of love and respect for our Aggie Family, and I treasure the relationships I have built through it.”

Fun Facts

Hometown: Rockwall, TX

Favorite Aggie tradition: Muster

Favorite Mays professor: Professor Camille Hailey

Best day ever: Texas State Fair with my family

Career goals: I hope to utilize my business knowledge as an attorney, perhaps in corporate law, estate planning, or even nonprofit law. Regardless of whether my career takes me into the nonprofit sector directly, I know that I will maintain my commitment to nonprofits by lending my legal services, time, and passion to organizations that serve our communities.

Activities

The 12th Can (Executive Director), Student Government Association Executive Cabinet (Vice President of External Relations), Junior Class Council, University Disciplinary Appeals Panel, Muster Host

Voices of Mays

To hear Mazie talk about her Mays experience, watch the below video.