GeLisha (Gia) Alexander (she/her)

Greetings Mavs!I am a volunteer in the GSL program and a member of the Student Association for Macro Social Work (SAMSW) and the Social Work Council.

I licensed in Texas after earning a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. And now, as an MSW student specializing in Community and Administrative Practice (CAP), I plan to develop and work within areas of leadership, supervision, and administration to add value and strengthen the lives of individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities. 

I encourage you to find increasing levels of student involvement that will enhance your UTA Mav experience and develop the leader in you!

Motivating Mavericks, Go! 

Dunya Benghozi

Hi Mavs!  I am halfway through my MSW graduate program. This will be my first semester as a Graduate Student Leader Volunteer. I received my undergrad in Kinesiology here at UTA and decided to take the social work route. I am currently in my advanced year with a concentration in Mental Health and Substance Use with my ultimate goal becoming an LCSW. It will be a busy year for us all, but I hope to gain the knowledge and offer my constituents the support and answers needed. I look forward to this volunteer experience and want to assist other students in any way possible. Have a wonderful semester!

"A failure is not always a mistake; it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying."

Makita Johnson (Intern)

Makita Johnson is currently in her last year of the advanced standing MSW program with a CAP specialty. She completed her BSW at St. Edward’s University located in Austin, TX where she resides with her partner, children, and four pets. She spends her time outside of work as an account manager at an IT company advocating for her community and in the best interests of others. She enjoys teaching others how to find and use their voice and working on projects to help create or redefine equitable and inclusive opportunities. 

Blake McCafferty

I am an Army veteran and I loved serving my country. I am so glad to be in my Advanced year in MH-SM including Thesis.  I plan to use my education to advocate for veterans.  While I learn how to serve my country again by becoming a social worker, I choose to serve my peers as a GSL.  I am grateful for this opportunity and will be here for anyone that needs it.

Skarlar Egans (Intern)

My pronouns are she/her. I am a Texas native. I have a bachelor's degree in Family and Community Services from Prairie View A&M University. I have over 10 years of professional experience as a Case Manager, assisting individuals and families. My current concentration is Children and Families with certification in Administrative Leadership. I am a mother of 2. I am excited to join GSL to help and connect with my fellow peers. I am looking forward to connecting with others and becoming more involved with SSW.

Michelle Gonzalez

I am a first-generation, non-traditional student. I work full time as an Immigration Paralegal. My concentration for my MSW is Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Melissa Griffiths

Melissa's formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University in Public Relations and an MBA from Stevens-Henager College. She has received Special Education Advocacy Training provided by the Council of Parent Attorneys, and Advocates, coursework by Down Syndrome Education International, and has attended conferences and trainings on learning disabilities. As a Texas Partners in Policy Making Graduate, she continues to make strides to improve legislation at the state level. Melissa is especially passionate about education advocacy and actively supports families in navigating the IEP process through the company she founded, DFW Advocacy. DFW Advocacy aims to promote inclusion, person-centered practices and policies, and encourage self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Melissa plans to use her MSW degree to continue to support individuals with disabilities and their families through direct counseling, and local and state advocacy.

Sandra Miller

Howdy, all! I am in my Advanced year (or years in my case) at UTA. This is my seventh semester as a GSL. I received my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State in 1994 and worked for many years as an adult probation officer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to my two awesome boys, now 12 and 17. My goal is to graduate when my oldest son finishes high school and enter direct practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In my free time, I love camping, fishing, reading, and experimenting with new recipes for my brave friends and family. I also play a number of musical instruments very badly, much to the delight of my long-suffering family and neighbors. I love helping people find answers to their questions, and I have asked many questions myself since returning to school. Remember we are ALL in this together with the common goal of helping others!

Angie Outlaw

Angie has lived in San Antonio for seventeen years with her husband, William.  In 2014, he retired from the Army, and they decided to make the San Antonio area their home.  She is currently in her foundation year, and her concentration is Mental Health and Substance Misuse.  Angie has a BS in Human Sciences from Texas Tech University and a BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University.  She and William love the dachshund breed and all the crazy things they do.  In her free time, Angie likes to cross stitch, needlepoint, and explore new places to photograph.  She looks forward to being a Graduate Student Leader for her fellow MSW students this fall.

DeLaina Pruitt

Greetings! My name is DeLaina McBryde-Pruitt, and I am finishing up my foundation year(s) and starting my advanced year(s). I am a traditional part-time student and work full-time at a small private school where my son is in his senior year. I have a B.A. in Music/Business that I obtained from UTA many years ago and have returned to UTA to acquire a master's in social work. After finishing my foundation field work with the Academic Advising Office at UTA's School of Social Work Summer '23, I loved the work so much I decided to volunteer as a GSL. I can see myself excelling in an academic advising role for a university in the near future. In the meantime, I desire to advocate for my students at work, my constituents at school, and teach everyone the art of problem solving. I'm looking forward to serving you as a GSL.

Aida Rachid

Hello! I am a practicing Muslim and was born in a Muslim family. I was born in Kigali, Rwanda which is in Central-Eastern Africa, but I was partially raised in the state of Michigan for many years prior to living in Texas. I have been set on Social Work as my career goal and path since my Junior year in High school. Growing up I watched my maternal grandmother do social work-like things and sometimes I would assist her in helping people, so from then on, I fell in love with helping people in a social work framework. I recently finished my bachelor’s degree in social work at UTA. I plan to further my education in social work and obtain my MSW with a Mental health and Substance misuse specialty.  After MSW my plan is to start the process towards obtaining the LCSW, and then later go 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. I look forward to working and serving you all as your Graduate Student Leader (GSL)! 

Trinity Rodriguez

Hello Mavs! I am from Humacao, Puerto Rico. This is my first semester as an advanced standing MSW student and as a GSL. I earned my BSW from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2022, with a minor in Child Studies. Beyond my academics, I am a passionate videographer and have filmed and produced three documentaries so far. I aspire to fuse my videography skills in social work one day. My ultimate goal is to create a meaningful impact by combining my creativity and compassion in the field. I am excited to be contributing to UTA as a GSL and look forward to assisting you!

Pauline Sias

Hello! I am a full-time student, wife, and mother of two very energetic boys. I graduated in May with my BSW from UTA. My next chapter is graduating with my MSW and becoming 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 for helping others, this passion grew when I worked as a Parent Liaison at a school that had many needs. 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 our academic goals and I am looking forward to assigning in this journey however I can.

Sheteria Waters

I am 32 years old and reside in Greenville, TX with my two kids. I earned my BA in Early Childhood education in 2021 from the University of Arizona Global Campus. This will be my first semester as a Graduate Student Lead as I am a practicum student starting this semester in the Fall. The GSL program is a great opportunity for students to connect with other social work students who may have the same questions or concerns. I have always thought of myself as the go to person for questions and concerns, so when I learned of the GSL program I knew it was my calling. My specialization is in mental health and substance abuse. After graduation I plan on using my skills learned here at UTA in a health setting assisting our veterans. I am so excited to be on this journey with you all.

Go Mavs!!