Alumni Tapped for Notable Positions
UTA grads have earned notable positions in the realm of professional education.
Several UTA graduates have achieved notable positions at school districts, universities, nonprofits, and other education organizations.
Dec. 19, 2023:
- Dr. Shanna Banda was recently appointed to the position of the new assistant vice provost for faculty success at UTA. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UTA's College of Education in 2020.
July 3, 2023:
- Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. has named Irene Ruiz as the new assistant superintendent of school leadership. Ruiz graduated from UTA with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
June 2023
- Sandra Esquivel was recently announced as a winner of the Ford Motor Company’s 2023 "Mujeres Legendarias" or "Legendary Women" Award. Among her accomplishments, she is recognized for her contributions in the fields of leadership, community participation, innovation, and environmental and human sustainability. But she's also a champion for high school seniors -- helping guide them in their pursuit of a college degree. Esquivel completed her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with higher ed emphasis in 2016.
2022:
- In September 2022, Dr. Jeannie Stone was appointed as the Superintendent-in-Residence for Commit Partnership, a collective impact organization composed of 200+ partners across Dallas County and the State of Texas. Dr. Stone completed her Bachelor of Arts in English from UTA.
2021:
- In June 2021, Rafael Huerta was appointed as the Assistant Principal for Bellaire Elementary School for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. He was previously awarded the 2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year award for the district. Huerta is also the owner of 817 Vintage Hype inside Magnolia Avenue’s Historic 1208 building, which was featured in Fort Worth Magazine. He graduated from UTA in December 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and teacher certification as an Early Childhood-Grade 6 Generalist.
2020:
- Deja Banks was selected by the 2020-21 Fulbright U.S. Student Program to be an English Teacher Assistant in Spain. She graduated from UTA in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts and Early Childhood- Grade 6 English as a Second Language teacher certification.
2019:
- Dr. Rachel Jones was appointed as an Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Burnet Consolidated ISD. Dr. Jones earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.