Contact

Bio: Shabaz Brown is a Mississippi native and received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Mississippi State University, where she was a Cultural Diversity Center Peer Ambassador and Vice President of the Nu Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of North Texas, where she was the Early Learning Initiatives Coordinator for UNT Admissions and Outreach, providing intentional and equitable experiences for prospective students from marginalized identities. Shabaz's professional journey continued on as a Coordinator and, eventually, an Assistant Director of the UNT Multicultural Center, where she oversaw identity-based mentorship initiatives such as the FLY Peer Ambassador Program and the Black Student Experience Retreat (BSE). She also advised multiple student organizations, including Black Student Union, Asian Student Association, Professional Women’s Council, and the Zeta Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. With servant leadership in mind, Shabaz also served on institutional and community committees, including UNT's HSI Task-force, Men of Color Task- force, Student Conduct Review Committee and the Ethnic-Minorities committee for the National Council on Family Relations. She served as the Vice President of Finance for the UNT Black Professional Network, which is an employee resource group that serves to amplify the voices of Black faculty and staff, as well as enhance the campus climate and Black professional development. As Shabaz desired to connect the relations of human development to overall student development, she served as adjunct faculty in the UNT Department of Educational Psychology. She is a member of several research teams that work to understand the impacts of systemic oppression on the well-being of marginalized folks, including the effects of discrimination on young Black adults’ mental health and the impact of COVID-19 on the Black student experience. Shabaz believes in working daily to empower the communities she serves, as well as provide education and consultation to community partners, allies, and stakeholders. Her goal is always to advocate for and assist communities in leading sustainable, secure, and fulfilling lives, through an equity and inclusion lens. In her leisure time, she likes to practice mindfulness, meditation and spend time in nature by hiking. She is excited to bring a wealth of knowledge into her new role, serve the UTA campus community, and build relationships that will have lasting impact.

Bio: Leo Grandison has been building community as a Student Affairs professional for over 15 years. He has been involved in creating institutional change to improve access and retention of students, through advising student organizations and directing strategic programming. He enjoys growing food, traveling, and playing soccer in his free time.

Bio: An Austin Native, Alexander Leyva (he/él) first moved to the DFW metroplex in 2013 where he pursued his B.A. in Media Arts at the University of North Texas as a First Generation Mexican-American. After graduation, Alexander began his higher education career at the University of Texas at Dallas where he worked with students, staff, and faculty to bring a more affirming campus to the LGBTQ+ and Women/Femme communities on campus. In 2020, he began the pursuit of a Masters in Public Affairs where he concentrated his studies on organizational equity work through the non-profit sector. As a Maverick, Alexander is excited to work together with the campus community and ensure that UTA is a place where our collective thrives, and students are welcomed and celebrated for their innovative/engaging spirits. When restorative care is necessary, Alexander enjoys cooking, swimming, watching and learning about all things related to movies, and finding the next anime must watch series.

Bio: Mireya Contreras was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to Honduran parents. In 2010, Mireya moved to Texas where she completed both her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Health Promotion at Texas A&M University- Commerce, while working in Housing. Upon graduation, she went to work in the nonprofit world for 2+ years. On her spare time, she loves to visit coffee shops and have a cafecito con pan.