UTA is committed to keeping our alumni connected to the vibrant Maverick community.
CEO OF DALLAS AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Ashley O. Brundage said working on housing and homelessness “can definitely feel like you’re beating your head against a wall sometimes.” But that won't slow her down as she takes on her new role as CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.
SOCIAL WORKER II AT THE FWISD FAMILY ACTION CENTER
She has more than 15 years of hands-on, comprehensive experience in social services, which includes working with and advocating for abused women and children, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the homeless population, and children in the foster care system. Before joining the FAC team, Sharon worked as a long-term substitute teacher, a case manager, and an Adolescent Pregnancy Services social worker.
GENERAL COUNSEL, DART
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors has selected Gene Gamez as the agency’s new General Counsel. Gamez graduated from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Texas at Arlington.
DIRECTOR OF THE ARLINGTON VET CENTER, TX
Joel Chaverri is a MSW alumnus from UTA SSW and is featured in the 'Borne the Battle' Podcast. Joel is also an adjunct assistant professor at UTA, and the Vet Center Director in Arlington, TX. In this podcast, Joel discusses his time in the Marine Corps, his path to becoming a social worker, and what everyone needs to know about how Vet Centers serve Veterans and their families.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Shannon Sliva is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver, where she conducts national and local research on the impacts of sentencing and correctional policy with an emphasis on restorative and transformative justice solutions. Dr. Sliva tracks state-level restorative justice legislation across the U.S., and is currently partnering with Colorado practitioners, policymakers, and advocates to document the impacts of leading-edge restorative justice laws and develop recommendations for policy transfer.
NASW TEXAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Miriam Nisenbaum is a Master’s level Social Worker licensed in the state of Texas and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She has been a professional social worker for over thirty years. She has managed at the executive level at a variety of agencies with several different focuses ranging from children’s services to disabilities.
NASW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
On March 7, 2013, the National Association of Social Workers named Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW its new Chief Executive Officer to lead efforts that grow and support the social work profession in the United States. Dr. McClain joins NASW after serving six years as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, a position appointed by Governor Deval Patrick. While there, he oversaw a budget of $850 million and a workforce of 3,500 employees to address reports of abuse and neglect for the state’s most vulnerable children, partnering with families to help them better nurture and protect their children.
NASW REGION REPRESENTATIVE XI [AZ, LA, TX]
Pat Gleason-Wynn, PhD, LCSW, CSW-G (Texas Chapter) has a MSSW and PhD in social work from The University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Gleason-Wynn consults and lectures on aging and long-term care. She volunteers at the United Way of Tarrant County, Texas as the Chair of the Health Council, as a member of the United Way Cabinet, and as a member of the Tarrant County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Committee.
Senior Project Manager with the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research and Training at the University of Washington Founder, Progressive Strategies
Jonathan R. Beard holds a Master of Science in Social Work degree (1989) from the University of Texas at Arlington with dual concentrations in mental health and administration and planning. He is a Washington State Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and also holds the credential of Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner as issued by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
Congratulations to the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work alumna Jeanette Davidson. She was recognized in "Diverse: Issues in Higher Education" magazine as one of its top 25 women in higher education. OUDaily.com reported Davidson earned her master's degree in social work at UTA.
Congratulations to the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work alumna Dr. Cynthia Franklin, who was named a NASW Texas Lifetime Achievement awardee in March 2017. Dr. Franklin is the associate dean for doctoral education at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work and is the Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health. Dr. Franklin was named a University of Texas at Arlington Distinguished Alumna in 2003.
Jane Avila, MSSW ‘90 is founder of The Art Station, a nonprofit organization in Fort Worth offering individual and group art therapy and community programs to children and adults. She received the Esteemed Alumni award at the School of Social Work’s Night of Excellence and has also been named as the Alumni Association’s 2011 Distinguished Alumni. She will be honored at the annual gala held on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
Joseph P. Bohanon, BSW ‘96 and MSSW ’97, has been named President of the Pawnee Nation College, located on the Pawnee Nation Reserve in Oklahoma.
David Cory, (MSSW ’78) was honored as Social Worker of the Year at the October 2010 NASW/TX Annual Conference in Houston. This award honors NASW workers who exemplify the best of the profession’s values and achievements through specific accomplishments.
Curtis Mooney, (PhD ’90) has served as CEO of DePelchin Children’s Center in Houston, TX, for the past 14 years. DePelchin Children’s Center is committed to meeting the needs of Houston’s children as the largest, most comprehensive provider of mental health, prevention and early intervention, and foster care and adoption services.
Michael R. Hoskins, (MS ’89) works as Special Assistant, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) in Washington, D.C. In his current assignment, Mr. Hoskins directs the Military and Family Life Consultant program and the counseling component of Military OneSource. These critical war-time programs provide world-wide counseling support to members of Active and Reserve component, and their families. Mr. Hoskins’ awards include the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Department of the Navy Social Worker of the Year, Civilian of the Quarter and letters of commendation.
