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RACHEL MUMAW ‘19

RACHEL MUMAW ’19

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, BS in Biology (2019).

Perkins School of Theology: Master of Divinity (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Rachel worked as a Social and Clinical Neuroscience Lab Research Assistant from 2017-2018, and she held leadership positions with the Wesley House from 2016-2018 and MHPS Commons Council from 2016-2017. Her SMU honors and awards include the 2018-2019 SMU Human Rights Fellowship, 2018-2019 Engaged Learning Fellowship, 2018-2019 Caswell Leadership Program, 2018 Clinton Global Initiative University, 2018 Robert L. Mayer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2018 Cooper McElvaney Peace and Justice Fellowship, 2017-2018 SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility Public Service Fellowship (through which she interned with the Resource Center’s GenderBrave program), and 2017-2018 Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars Program.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Rachel began pursuing her MDiv at the Perkins School of Theology, where she won the 2021 William K. McElvaney Preaching Award. In 2021, Rachel published a dystopian novel, Jericho (barnesandnoble.com/w/jericho-rachel-mumaw/1139374351).

Updated May 2022

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ASIA RODGERS ’15

ASIA RODGERS ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies (2015)

SMU Accomplishments: Asia traveled globally with the SMU Human Rights Program to Costa Rica. She engaged the Dallas community by volunteering with anti-trafficking organizations Mosaic Family Services and New Friends New Life. Asia worked to organize the SMU Women’s Symposium through her leadership in SMU Core, the student organization that brings this symposium to life each year. Through the SMU Engaged Learning Fellowship, she founded Art Healing, a program that used art to build the confidence of formerly trafficked or incarcerated women. Through Art Healing, she provided access to art classes and events where these women are able to showcase their creative work.

Through her anti-trafficking initiative, she was selected to attend the eighth annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) meeting in 2015. She also served as a campus representative for CGI U, connecting more SMU students to this opportunity. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Asia deepened her relationship with Dallas’ nonprofit community. She has worked for more than eight different nonprofits helping them with fundraising strategies, campaign planning, donor engagement, and team building workshops. Her work in the nonprofit/philanthropy sector has included roles with the Texas Women’s Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas. Today, Asia continues to fuse her passion for community engagement and data-driven analytics through Asia Rodgers Consulting, her consulting business for nonprofits. 

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

Updated January 2022

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JESSICA PIRES-JANCOSE ‘18

JESSICA PIRES-JANCOSE ’18

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; BS in Health and Society (2018)  

SMU Accomplishments: Jessica left their mark on campus through both academics and activism. Jessica was a President’s Scholar, SMU Public Service Fellow, and a Clinton Global Initiative Fellow.  Through their Engaged Learning Fellowship, they conducted international research on “The Role and Nature of Women’s Movements in Peru.” Jessica also worked to address menstrual access at SMU through the Hope Project, a donation drive for menstrual products, and by creating the “Menstruation Celebration,” a campus-wide event to spark conversation on menstruation equity at SMU. For their service to the university, Jessica was a recipient of the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Jessica was selected as a SMU Human Rights Postbaccalaureate Fellow and worked to mentor students on their paths to activism. They also were selected for the John Lewis Fellowship with Humanity in Action. Today, Jessica is Avow’s Dallas Outreach & Organizing Manager; they are also a trained abortion doula. Through their work and adovacy, Jessica fights for abortion access as they collaborate with marginalized communities to demand reproductive justice. 

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

Updated January 2022