Alaa Alises

Hi! My name is Alaa Alises and this is my second semester serving as a USL. 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 teaching 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!

Maria Cruz (Intern)

I am a returning USL Intern for the BSW/BSSUT program. I graduated from Dallas college with my Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. While looking for my career path, I stumbled into the field of Social Work. I realized helping to protect vulnerable individuals, groups, and families from harm or abuse or supporting them to live independently helps me feel like a candle that was needed in the darkness. Someone once said to me "Be the change you want to see in the world". I will graduate with my BSW in Spring 2023 and persist to earn a MSW all the way to LCSW.

Amari Dillon

Torrace (Tori) 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.

Cosette Eisenhauer

Hello everyone! My name is Cosette Eisenhauer, and this is my first semester as a USL. I am a senior graduating in the fall of 2023. I spent my first year at Dallas Baptist University and a year at TCC. I was a transfer student to UTA, so I understand it can be daunting to transfer to a new school. Growing up as a Chinese adoptee in America has allowed me to become an adoptee advocate, and I am hoping to continue my passion and advocate for adoptees, go into legislation and change policies to better the adoptees and not just the state or go into sports social work! Once I graduate, I am hoping to continue to obtain my MSW. Outside of school, I love to go to coffee shops and watch the sunsets! I am so excited to serve you and work with you all! 

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.

Tamika Hayes (Intern)

Hello everyone. My name is Tamika Hayes. I'm from Minnesota and moved to Texas wanting to change my 20+ years of transportation and logistics career. I'm a transfer student of TCC from the Sign Language Interpreting Program. I want to use my ASL skills under the Social Work umbrella. During my free time, I enjoy the perks of working for American Airlines and traveling with my husband.

Kristen Kerr

Hello everyone! My name is Kristen Kerr and this is my third semester serving as an undergraduate student leader. I am a senior graduating in May 2023. I am interested in becoming a community social worker in which I help impoverished and vulnerable communities, and work at local nonprofits. I plan on advocating for the social work community as best as I can. I will pursue my MSW in fall 2023 with a concentration in community and administrative practice. It's a pleasure and honor to serve my fellow constituents here at the School of Social Work and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!

Mayte Ledezma

Hannah Rae Martin

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Rae! This is my fourth 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!

Jessica Quinones

Hello everyone! My name is Jessica, and this is my third semester as a USL. My pronouns are She/Her. I am an undergraduate senior graduating in May! I don't like to stick with one plan so I would love to be a medical SW, school SW, or an immigration social worker. Maybe I could be all three! I love attending concerts and traveling. As an Undergraduate Student Leader, I am here to 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!

Emily Rappaport

Hi everyone! My name is Emily Rappaport, and this is my first semester as an Undergraduate Student Leader. I am actually a transfer student here at UTA. I am in my second semester of my BSW and hope to complete my MSW here at UTA as well, what practice would I focus on you ask? Well that’s the fun of Social Work, there’s so many options; I am still curious what is out there! I hope everyone has a great semester, and if you see me around campus; don’t be afraid to say hi! I am so excited for this opportunity to serve other peers.

Aida Rachid (Intern)

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.

Tava Romaine

Hi! My name is Tava Romaine, and this is my third 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 (Intern)

Hi, everyone. My name is Laina, and I am a senior at UTA. When I started school, I knew I wanted to make an impact on others and help improve their lives. When I learned about UTA’s social work program, I was sure this was the right profession for me. This is my second semester serving as a USL intern, and I am excited to get to know my peers further and grow in this leadership role. I am set to graduate with my BSW in Spring 2023. In my future practice, I hope to assist individuals and families in health care or through adoption agencies. I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of future clients I serve. I am excited to work with you all this semester!

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 four 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-Brave

My name is Stephen Silva Brave, 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. This will be my second semester as a USL. This semester I will be part of the CSWE Substance Use Treatment Professionals Program and doing my field placement. I will also be completing my undergraduate thesis, which is focused on grassroots Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) organizations. I am the Vice President of the UTA Native American Student Association. Outside of school, I am a consultant for Texas’ first statewide Native American Studies course and work with North Texas' MMIW group.

Anadja Magoueno Tamofo

Hi, I’m Anadja. Whenever I’m not working on assignments I love to hang out with friends & family and discover new places to eat in the DFW area. Do not hesitate to ask me any questions. I’d be more than happy to help! I’m excited to serve as a USL this semester.