Author: Lamisa Ali

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TANNAH OPPLIGER ’20

TANNAH OPPLIGER ’20

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Public Policy; Minor in Advertising (2020) 

University of Southern California: MPP in Public Policy (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: Tannah’s academic achievements at SMU include her selection as a Hunt Leadership Scholar, Dedman College Scholar, Mustang Scholar, and Phi Beta Kappa Honoree. Through her research on college access and immigrant youth, she also served as a Cooper-McElvaney Peace and Justice Fellow, SMU Engaged Learning Fellow, and Undergraduate Research Assistant. She was the Executive Director of the SMU Human Rights Council from 2019 – 2020. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Fueled by her research interests in education, juvenile interactions with legal systems, and the prison industrial complex, Tannah went on to pursue a master’s in public policy at USC. She aspires to craft equitable public policies through collaboration with marginalized communities. 

Updated January 2022

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MELANIE PRUITT ‘09

MELANIE PRUITT ’09

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in English; Minor in Human Rights (2009)

SMU Accomplishments: Melanie is proud to have been among the first group of students to minor in Human Rights. She was recognized for both her academic achievements and her service to the university; she won the Dedman College Pascal Covici Jr. Prize for Best Essay in American Studies, 2008/2009 and won the Dorothy Amaan Award for Service to the University. She graduated summa cumm laude, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and won a research grant to study young adult literature and LGBTQ teens. In 2009, through a partnership with both the Women’s Center and the SMU Human Rights program, she organized a week-long event marking the 40-year anniversary of Stonewall Riots. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: For over eight years, Melanie has worked as the Capstone Coordinator at the Richland Collegiate High School on the Richland campus of Dallas College. Over the course of three semesters, beginning in the spring of students’ junior year, she teaches high school students how to research and write at a grad school level. She continues to leverage her human rights degree as she connects students studying issues like human trafficking, refugees, or anti-Semitism to the SMU Human Rights Program for futher study. At the Richland campus, Melanie has been recognized with the Excellence in Teaching Award for Associate Faculty at Richland, 2013-2014 and the Phi Theta Kappa Outstanding Chapter Advisor for the state of Texas, 2020-2021.

Updated January 2022

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NIICOLE A. VENO ‘09

NICOLE A. VENO ’09

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Political Science; Minor in Human Rights (2009)

Quinnipiac University School of Law: Juris Doctor (2012)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Nicole was involved with the Ballroom Dance Team, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and Mock Trial. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Motivated by her experience in the SMU Human Rights Program, Nicole interned with a public defender’s office, working on a high-profile death penalty case in Connecticut. Following this experience, Nicole went to law school where she served as the Associate Editor of the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal. 

She currently represents plaintiffs in complex litigation as an Associate Attorney at Kirby McInerney LLP in New York City.  Additionally, she represents individuals in litigation against large corporations, including in whistleblower, employment, and antitrust matters.

Updated January 2022

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ANNA RAMIREZ ’20

ANNA RAMIREZ ’20

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Psychology (2020)

University of Denver: MA in International Disaster Psychology (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: During her undergraduate career, Anna was a member of the University Honors Program, a Dedman College Scholar, and also served as a student leader on the SMU Human Rights Council (HRC). She volunteered with refugee children as an after-school tutor with Heart House, interned with the World Affairs Council, and spent over three years with the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC) as a volunteer advocate. She also received the Santos Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship through the SMU Human Rights Program. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Anna worked as a legal advocate with DARCC, where helped survivors navigate legal systems and seek justice. Today, she is completing her master’s in International Disaster Psychology as she interweaves her passions for trauma-informed care with human rights advocacy. 

Updated January 2022

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HOPE ANDERSON ’17

HOPE ANDERSON ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, History; BS in Sociology; Minor in Spanish (2017)

Southern Methodist University: MA in Design & Innovation (2022)

Duke Divinity School: M.Div in Divinity (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: Hope’s passion for human rights led her to intern with global nonprofits dedicated to anti-trafficking and refugee resettlement like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as with local anti-poverty organizations like CitySquare. As an SMU Engaged Learning Fellow, Hope conducted research on forced migration in Nepal, Jordan, and Chile. Through the SMU Human Rights Program, she helped to organize and lead trips focused on civil rights history and criminal justice reform. Hope was recognized as a Maguire Public Service Fellow, a Dedman College Scholar, a Phi Beta Kappa member, and a recipient of the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Hope is a community advocate specializing in inclusive pedagogy, youth organizing, and human rights education. Following graduation, she learned alongside a new generation of social justice practitioners through the John Lewis Fellowship – a community that continues to fuel her social justice work. 

In her graduate work in human-centered design, Hope merged creativity with equity through her study of inclusive design. Working to unite designers and marginalized communities together in the design process, she has engaged issues ranging from environmental racism to LGBTQ youth homelessness. 

Hope worked as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the SMU Human Rights Program for five years, connecting the program’s changemakers to the Dallas community through community organizing, social impact projects, and field placements. Describing her gratitude to the SMU Human Rights Program, Hope shares: “I would not be where I am today without these people – my people.”

Today, Hope is a graduate student at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, where she is pursuing ordination for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. At Duke, Hope explores issues of local socioeconomics and racial justice as a Thriving Communities Fellow. She continues to mentor young LGBTQ people and advocate for inclusive faith communities. Hope writes, “The SMU Human Rights Program shaped my commitment to uphold human dignity as both a priest and human rights practitioner.”

Updated May 2022

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DARYL PARKER ‘16

DARYL PARKER ’16

Educational Background: University of North Texas: BAS in Public Administration (2013)

Southern Methodist University: MLS in Liberal Studies: Human Rights and Social Justice concentration (2016)

SMU Accomplishments: Daryl volunteered with the Innocence Project of Texas and was selected as a Soros Foundation Community Outreach Fellow. Through the SMU Human Rights Fellowship, he built on his background as a Marine and police officer to launch a new nonprofit organization, Actual Innocence Review, which conducted criminal investigations in cases of wrongfully convicted persons. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Daryl continues to advance justice as a private investigator and nonprofit leader. Through the Actual Innocence Review, Daryl assisted with the release of Ben Spencer, wrongfully convicted for 34 years. His work has been featured in 48 Hours, NPR, the Atlantic magazine, and various podcasts. 

Learn more about Daryl’s post-graduation journey through the following links:

Updated January 2022

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CAROL SALE ‘20

CAROL SALE ’20

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; BS in Health & Society, Biology (2020)

University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine: MD/MPH in Public Health (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: As a President’s Scholar, Carol was heavily involved in both service and research at SMU. She served as project leader for Special Olympics through Mustang Heroes and as a mentor with SMU Best Buddies, which helps students with intellectual and developmental disabilities become friends with other students at our school or in the community. As an SMU Maguire Public Service Fellow, she engaged in public health research in São Paulo, Brazil. She also conducted research as an SMU Engaged Learning Fellow and Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholar. She earned distinction in Health & Society. She traveled globally with SMU Human Rights to Israel & Palestine. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, Carol went on to work as a AmeriCorps National Health Corps Patient Navigator in Jacksonville, FL. Following her AmeriCorp Service, she worked as a client navigator for both the Miami Med Re-Entry Program and the University of Miami Human Rights Clinic. She is also involved as a Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Trainee with the Miami Mailman Center’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. Today, Carol is a MD/MPH candidate at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. 

Learn more about Carol’s post-graduation journey through the following link:

Updated January 2022

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CLAIRE KRIZMAN ‘18

CLAIRE KRIZMAN ’18

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Psychology (2018)

University of Denver: MS in International Disaster Psychology (2020)

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: PsyD in Clinical Psychology (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: During her undergraduate career, Claire was a member of SMU Amnesty International, Delta Delta Delta sorority, and served as VP of External Recruitment with SMU’s Panhellenic Council. She was recognized as a Hilltop Scholar and studied abroad in Prague and Copenhagen. In addition to doing grant writing for charter schools, she also worked as research assistant in SMU Psychology’s Positive Parenting Lab and presented this research on positive parenting to the academic community. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Through University of Denver’s M.A. in International Disaster Psychology, Claire studied clinical trauma psychology from a cross-cultural lens. She is now a student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology working toward her PsyD in clinical psychology and planning to specialize in international and human rights psychology. In addition to providing psychosocial support at a children’s home in Nepal, she has experience working with survivors of torture, refugees, and both child and adult domestic abuse survivors.

Learn more about Claire’s post-graduation journey through the following link:

Updated January 2022

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JOSÉ MANUEL SANTOYO ‘16

JOSÉ MANUEL SANTOYO ’16

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Spanish (2016)

SMU Accomplishments: José served the campus community as a Hispanic American Senator in SMU Senate. He was involved with SMU’s chapters of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), College Hispanic American Students (CHAS), and Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity. In the Dallas community, his grassroots activism included work with the North Texas Dream Team (NTDT). His advocacy work with the SMU Human Rights Program played a significant role in the creation of the Santos Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship. In recognition of his service to the university, José spoke at the SMU’s Commencement ceremony in December 2016. He later received the “M” Award, the university’s highest recognition.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, José continued to engage the Dallas community as the director of the YoSoyDMA Initiative through the Latino Center for Leadership Development. He also served as a steering committee member for 2018-2019 CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Inaugural Cohort. He was a development coordinator for After8toEducate, Dallas’ first all-encompassing program to support unsheltered high school youth in DISD. He now works as the Co-Founder and a managing member of Leo de Verzay, Champagne, U.S. José also does business development as an assistant underwriter for On the Road Lending, a nonprofit that helps individuals from low-income and marginalized communities to improve their credit. He shares that he is “forever grateful for everything I’ve experienced because of this program.”

Learn more about José’s post-graduation journey through the following links:

Updated January 2022

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SAMANTHA MATTHEWS ‘12

SAMANTHA MATTHEWS ‘12

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights (2012)

Hunter College: MS in Early Childhood Education, Special Education (2015)

SMU Accomplishments: Through the SMU Human Rights Program, Samantha traveled globally with the program to Rwanda. At SMU, Samantha was involved with Best Buddies and served as the Community Service Chair for Chi Omega sorority. She connected with the Dallas community by volunteering as an after-school tutor and the director of a summer camp for refugee youth in Dallas’ Vickery Meadow neighborhood. She and Shireen Tavakoli ‘12 were the first SMU students to receive a B.A. in Human Rights. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Samantha moved to New York City after graduation, where, through her Teach For America (TFA) fellowship, she served as a lead teacher with SCO Family of Services and worked with Special Education Teacher Support Services at Harlem Village Academy. Upon her return to Dallas, Samantha gave back to her community as a volunteer and consultant with Save the Children, a member of the Lynn McBee for Dallas Mayor Campaign, a Board Member at Hearts Across Romania, and as a Board Member with the AT&T Performing Arts Center Auxiliary Board. She has impacted Dallas’ nonprofit community in her work as the Executive Director at Texas Legends Care, through which the NBA G League basketball team Texas Legends (affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks) helps disadvantaged children via educational and sports initiatives. Later, as an associate at Allyn Media, she focused on nonprofit development and public affairs campaigns. Most recently, she has worked directly with Afghan refugee families arriving at Fort Bliss as they resettle in the United States. Samantha shares that she is “forever grateful to be honored as one of the first to receive a Human Rights degree at SMU.”

Learn more about Samantha’s post-graduation journey through the following links:

Updated January 2022