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Undergraduate Student Leadership Program

Overview


The Undergraduate Student Leadership (USL) program is designed to build community between BSW students and facilitate the exchange of accurate and timely information.  Each BSW student in the program is assigned to a USL, a fellow student who has received training on leadership, communication, and information on the School of Social Work and BSW program. 
 

What do USLs do?

USLs serve as advocates and communication facilitators for BSW students, fielding questions about all of aspects of the undergraduate experience, including advising, field, registration, orientation, scholarships, deadlines, program policies, and more.  They are able to track down accurate answers to questions quickly by reaching out directly to program administrators and connecting students to services and resources.  Students who reach out to their USL with a question most often receive resolution to their presenting issue within minutes or hours of posing a question.
 

How do I contact my USL?

Your USL can be reached anytime via email or on Microsoft Teams.  Your USL will be reaching out to you every week to check in via email or Teams conference. If you are unsure of who your USL is or have not received a response to your inquiry within 24 hours, please email BSW Intern Esther Rocha (esther.rocha@uta.edu)

 

Undergraduate Student Leaders

Torrace Dotie

Torrace Dotie

Hello, my name is Torrace Dotie, prefer to be called Tori and I am a transfer student entering into my third semester as a BSW major. I found my passion for Social Work on my journey to become a registered nurse. I worked as a case manager in a treatment facility where I was encouraged to investigate the world of social work. Best decision I ever made. Now I find myself being a part of the student leadership here at UTA from further encouragement from Professors. I am excited to embark upon this new venture at UTA. There is a saying I heard years ago, and it states that, "leaders are born and not made." I believe this to be true. Eventually destiny catches up to you. Thanks for welcoming me.

Julie Gottlieb

Julie Gottlieb

Hi, my name is Julie Gottlieb (pronouns she/her). I am in the BSW program here at UTA, I am a transfer student from TCC where I very slowly received my Associates Degree. My goal is to graduate December of 2022 and going into the Master’s program here at UTA. A little bit about me is that I have been married for 20 years and have two children (18 and 15). We have 4 dogs and a cat, I love my dogs, the joke at my house is that my favorite child is my Great Dane, Belle; and some days it might be true (totally kidding). I have been a foster parent to many children and have a love/hate relationship with the foster world; it was one of the most rewarding and hard experiences in my life. I am excited to be an Undergraduate Student Leader and helping my fellow peers through their journey as well.

Kristen Karr

Kristen Kerr

Greetings! My name is Kristen Kerr and this is my first semester serving as an undergraduate student leader. I am a senior expected to graduate in spring 2023. I am interested in becoming a community social worker in which I help impoverished communities and at the same time help people who are struggling with mental health. I plan on advocating as much as possible and really enhance and uplift the social work niche. I also plan to get my MSW next year as well. In my spare time, I absolutely love to volunteer and find new skills. I am excited for this new role and journey, and a pleasure and honor to share it with you!

Hannah Rae Martin

Hannah Rae Martin

Hi! My name is Hannah and it is my first semester to serve as an Undergraduate Student Leader. I am a Senior in the BSW program and plan to obtain my MSW at UTA as well. I hope to go into direct practice, either with children and families or with populations dealing with substance misuse. I love animals, especially cats, coffee, and reading and writing poetry. I am so excited to serve you!

Twana Miller

Twana Miller

Hello, my name is Twana. I am a transfer student from Dallas County Community College and a first-time Undergraduate Student Leader. My education goals are to complete my BSW degree in the spring of 2022. Immediately after graduation, I will start in the graduate program summer of 2022. After obtaining my MSW degree, I would like to work in behavioral health in a hospital setting as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and within the criminal justice population. Besides being a full-time student, working a full-time job, a wife, and a mother, I enjoy listening to worship music, volunteering at a nursing home, cooking & baking and reading a good book. I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve as your USL this semester.

Katie Murillo

Katie Murillo

Hello! My name is Katie Murillo (they/them), and this is my first semester serving as a USL. I am a transfer student and am currently in my senior year of the BSW program with plans to enter the MSW program Spring 2023. I am interning at UTA’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention program for my field placement, and I hope to eventually work in the field of survivor advocacy once I receive my license. My passion for social justice and my intersecting identities as a Latinx nonbinary lesbian have informed the ways in which I navigate society and have played a large role in why I chose social work. Outside of academia, I love to spend time with friends, play video games, and spend time with my cat! I’m honored to serve as a USL and foster community and create connections with my peers!

Jessica Quinones

Jessica Quinones

Hello everyone! My name is Jessica Quiñones and this is my first semester in the USL Program. I am a full time BSW student at UTA and will graduate next Spring! My goal is to obtain my LCSW and help others in need as a traveling medical social worker. A little bit about me is that I enjoy going to concerts and playing with my wildly energetic golden retriever. I am so excited to be part of this program and to help you all! I hope you all have a great and fun semester!

Aida Rachid

Aida Rachid

Hello! My name is Aida Rachid. I was born in Kigali, Rwanda which is located in Central-Eastern Africa. I moved to the U.S at the age of 8. I settled in Michigan with my family for thirteen years. I have been set on Social Work as my career goal and path since my Junior year in High school. Ever since I was young, I have always loved the feeling I get when I am able to offer support and help others around me like my friends/family. While in Michigan I attended a 2-year community college (Lansing Community college) for 2 years. In the summer 2020, my family and I relocated to Texas. I am a transfer student. I started at UTA in Fall 2021 as social work INT student. Now, I am in the process of going from an Intended Social work major to social work major to obtain my Bachelor of Social work (BSW). I plan to further my education in social work and obtain my MSW, as well as getting licensed as a Clinical social worker (LCSW), and then later going further to obtain a PhD. I plan to start my...

Esther Rocha

Esther Rocha

Hello, my name is Esther, and I am currently on my senior year at UTA. I am very thrilled to graduate with my BSW and begin on my MSW in the Fall of 2022. Never did I imagine myself becoming a social worker, but fast forward to the present here I am right where I needed to be all along. A few of my hobbies are playing volleyball, singing, watching Netflix and spending some time with friends and family. My goal is to continue to learn more about what this amazing field has to offer not only to better myself, but also help others grow and learn along the way. I am a very passionate person when it comes to helping those around me and I hope I can be of great help this year. Wishing everyone a great semester full of opportunities!

Tava Romaine

Tava Romaine

Hi! My name is Tava Romaine, and this is my first semester serving as a USL. I worked on my Associates at DCCCD before transferring to UTA, I plan to finish the BSW and continue with my MSW here at UTA with a specialization in teens and young adults. In my free time I enjoy working with kids from church, and the community. Giving back and helping others have always been my passion and teens are my soft spot. I look forward to learning from all above me while continuing my passion.

Pauline Sias

Pauline Sias

Hello! My name is Pauline Sias. I am a full-time student, wife and mother of two very energetic boys. I am in the BSW program and plan to graduate in Summer of 2023. My next chapter will be to obtain my MSW and become a licensed social worker so that I will be able to work in a school district with students and families. I have always had a passion of helping others, this passion grew when I worked as a Parent Liaison at a school that had many needs. Some of these needs were basic school supplies for everyday use to students and families needing emotional support outside the school setting. Here is where I found my calling to become a social worker. As this journey has lead me here to UTA I have also found a love for helping my fellow students achieve their our academic goals and I am looking forward to assigning in this journey however I can.

Contact Us

Allison Tomlinson, PhD, LCSW-S
Director of Undergraduate Programs
Assistant Professor of Practice
allison.tomlinson@uta.edu

Precious Bell
USL Intern
precious.bell@mavs.uta.edu

Esther Rocha
USL Intern
esther.rocha@uta.edu