Bachelor of Social Work 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 Precious Bell (precious.bell@mavs.uta.edu)

Undergraduate Student Leadership

Undergraduate Student Leadership

Undergraduate Student Leaders

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.

Alaa Alises

Alaa Alises

Hi! My name is Alaa Alises and this is my last year as a BSW student and psychology minor at UTA. In my third year, I was a research assistant in the Attention, Memory and Aging lab in the psychology department and our project made it to finals in the Discover Symposium. I plan on continuing my education to obtain my MSW here at UTA and become a licensed clinical social worker. After my MSW, I want to practice in the field of therapy and mental health, especially focusing on the Muslim and Arab community and help get rid of the stigma behind mental health. In the future, I hope to continue to earn my PhD in Psychology and continue with practice in therapy while also teach at the university level and research. Outside of academia, I like to go to the gym and binge watch The Office! I am very excited to be a USL this semester and help support you all!

Precious Bell

Precious Bell (Intern)

Hello everyone! My name is Precious Bell, and this is my second semester with the Undergraduate Student Leadership Program as an intern. I graduate from Arlington High School in 2018 and have been at UTA since 2019. My freshmen year I switched majors from psychology to social work because I wanted to do more focused work. I am currently wrapping up my undergraduate degree and am looking forward to completing my MSW at UTA! I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and attending church on Sundays. I love to laugh and enjoy making other people laugh and smile. My hope is that no matter where life takes me, I can always do that! I am excited for this upcoming chapter in my journey!

Maria Cruz

Maria Cruz (Intern)

Hello to all, my name is Maria Cruz. This is my first year as a USL intern at UTA. I graduated from Dallas college with my associate degree in Arts. While looking for my career path, I stumbled into the field of Social Work. I realized that assisting people when they need it the most makes me feel as a candle that was needed in the darkness. Someone once said to me "Be the change you want to see in the world". I am set to graduate with my BSW in Spring 2023.

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.

Andwelah Givens

Andwelah Givens (Intern)

Hello, my name is Andwelah Givens, and this is my senior year as an undergraduate. What I like to do in my free time is go to the mall, hangout with friends, cook, learn new hobbies, reading, and going to the gym. I am super excited to be a part of the USL group and I am happy to assist you with any problems.

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 everyone! My name is Hannah Rae! This is my third semester serving as USL and my final year 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!

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 and this is my second semester as a USL. My pronouns are She/Her. I am a senior, graduating in Spring 2023 hoping to continue in the MSW program. I don't like to stick with one plan so I would love to be a medical SW, school SW, or immigration social worker. Maybe I could be all three! I love attending concerts and traveling anywhere with a beautiful beach. As an Undergraduate Student Leader, I am here to serve you and help with any questions that may arise. I am excited to serve as a USL again and am wishing you all the best this 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 own private practice working with Sexual assault and domestic violence victims, and families. I would also like to work with abused and neglected children/adolescents. My long-term goal is to do...

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.

Laina Scivally

Laina Scivally (intern)

Hi, everyone! My name is Laina, and I am a senior at UTA. When I started college, I knew I wanted to help others but wasn’t sure exactly how to do it. I became interested in social work during my journey of working as a nursing assistant and applying to nursing school. I quickly realized through the pandemic that there are endless ways to help others, and nursing became only one possibility. I knew I wanted to make an impact on others and help improve their lives, so when I learned about UTA’s social work program, I was sure this was the right profession for me. This is my first semester as a USL, and I am excited to get to know some of my peers and make connections with others. I am hopeful that this new role will allow me to expand my comfort zone and help me grow in the profession. A couple of fun facts about me: I am a dog mom to two sweet fur babies, Gizmo and Sissy. They are both seniors and have me wrapped around their fingers. I am also recently engaged, so along with finishing my bachelor’s degree in the spring, we are planning a wedding. I am excited to be here and work alongside you guys!

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. I have been a USL for three semesters. 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 led me here to UTA I have also found a love for helping my fellow students achieve their own academic goals and I am looking forward to assigning in this journey however I can.

Stephen Silva

Stephen Silva

I am from the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas and I'm an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Nation also known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I am in my senior year of the Bachelor of Social Work Program and obtained a minor in Substance Abuse Treatment since I am a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. I was honored to win the Outstanding Student Activist and Outstanding Substance Abuse Minor awards in Spring 2022. Starting in Fall 2022 I will be doing undergraduate research on grassroots Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women organizations. I am the Vice President of the UTA Native American Student Association. Additionally, I am a consultant for Texas’ first statewide Native American Studies course. My biggest achievement is being the father of two young men, one of whom will be a Freshman at UTA starting this semester!

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

Maria Cruz
USL Intern
mxc5965@mavs.uta.edu

Andwelah Givens
USL Intern
andwelah.givens@mavs.uta.edu

Laina Scivally
USL Intern
lms1135@mavs.uta.edu