Come join us as we commemorate 130 years of UTA! From its humble beginnings as a private school with just 75 students to its current incarnation as a national research university, UT Arlington has flourished over the past century-plus—and we're ready to celebrate.
UTA is committed to keeping our alumni connected to the vibrant Maverick community.
'09 PhD Alumnus
Dr. Adam McCormick ('09 PhD) is a professor of social work at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas
A nationally recognized educator and speaker, his work explores childhood trauma, burnout, authenticity, masculinity and the emotional lives of helping professionals.
'15 BSW Alumna
Neurodiversity-affirming educator, children’s author, and inclusion strategist
Ashley Finley's work bridges social work, education, and child psychology to help professionals move beyond deficit-based models and embrace strength-centered, culturally responsive practices.
'97 MSSW Alumnus
Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Night Shelter
Toby Owen has made a lasting impact on efforts to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness across North Texas.
'94 MSSW Alumna
CEO of Center for Transforming Lives
For Carol Klocek, social work has always been about creating stability, dignity, and generational change for families navigating poverty.
'01 MSW Alumnus
Published poet, Award-winning actor, International Spoken Word Champion, Motivational speaker, and Housing coach at TRAC
For Michael Guinn, the path to social work has always been about purpose, healing, and the transformative power of human connection.
'14 MSW Alumna
Case Manager in the Tarrant County Criminal Courts supporting the Domestic Violence Diversion Program, and as the Founder and Executive Director of Cheryl’s Voice
For LaTasha Williams, serving her community through social work is deeply rooted in lived experience, generational resilience, and a commitment to breaking the cycle of violence.
'19 MSW Alumna
Director of Outpatient Services at Nexus Family Recovery Center in East Dallas
UTA taught me how to network, how to advocate, and how to be a resource broker.
United Way of Tarrant County new president and CEO
United Way of Tarrant County’s board of directors is pleased to announce the selection of Adam Powell as UWTC’s new president and CEO effective January 13, 2025.
CEO at The Family Place, LCSW-S Board Approved Supervisor
I am so honored to be named one of Dallas' 500 most influential business leaders for 2024. Thank you to D CEO magazine for recognizing the important work of The Family Place in our region, and for including so many nonprofit leaders and friends on this distinguished list.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and UTA BSW & MSW graduate
She gained her experience working at Children’s Health, Medical City Healthcare, Parkland Hospital Texas Dept of Family and Protective Services, MHMR, and New Horizons Ranch and Center.
Chair of the NASW National Committee on Women’s Issues and UTA Ph.D. graduate
Dr. Yasoda Sharma, professor and director of the Bachelor of Social Work program at Kutztown University, has been re-elected to the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (Region IV), the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world.
Lawyer and UTA MSW graduate
Leslee Matthews - speaks to Social Work and broader but connected field of law and domestic violence awareness
The Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to alleviating domestic abuse in Hawaii, welcomes attorney and social worker Leslee Matthews of Maui, as its vice president of legal services.
VDFHC WELCOMES NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST
Denise McDuffey-Bauer has joined the behavioral health team at Van Diest Family Health Clinic. McDuffey-Bauer received her Bachelor of Science and Social Work in 2016 from West Texas A&M and her Master of Social Work in 2017 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked as a transitional housing case manager in Amarillo, Texas.
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.
Contact Info
Director of Alumni Relations and Community Outreach
Email: elizabeth.tejada@uta.edu
