Tag: Class of 2017

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T.I. ATKINS ’17

Wedding

T.I. ATKINS ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Religious Studies, and Spanish (2017)

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary: M.Div in Divinity (2022)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, T.I. was involved with the Human Rights Council (formerly known as the SMU Human Rights Program’s Student Leadership Initiative). He also served as Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) Fraternity President, Spanish Club President, International Justice Mission Campus Chapter Founder and President, and Highland Park Presbyterian Church (HPPC) College Ministry Student Advisor. His SMU honors and awards include the SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility Public Service Fellowship and the Sheri Mooney Memorial Recognition Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Since graduating, T.I. has worked as an HPPC Ministry Intern and HPPC Missions Intern in Dallas, TX; RUF Campus Ministry Intern at Boston University; Christ The King Presbyterian Church Youth Pastor in Cambridge, MA; and Center Grace Church Youth Pastor in Beverly, MA. His academic honors include his involvement in the Partnership Program, Discipleship Initiative, Center for Pastor Theologians Fellowship, and Pierce Center for Discipleship Fellowship.

Updated May 2022

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ABIGAIL BUCK ’17

ABIGAIL BUCK ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, International Studies (2017)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Abby was involved with Alpha Chi Omega and worked as a Student Teacher for the SMU Preschool.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Since graduating, Abby worked as File Clerk for Crain, Caton, & James from 2016-2018 and Human Resources Assistant for SEARCH Homeless Services from 2018-2019. Since 2019, Abby has served at Good Reason Houston, an educational equity startup. As People Operations & Executive Assistant, she works at the district level to improve student outcomes and increase the number of high quality seats in Houston.

Updated January 2022

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ALEC EDWARDS ’17

ALEC EDWARDS ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, International Studies; Minors in Business Administration, History, and Spanish (2017)

King’s College London: MA in Political Economy of the Middle East (2019)

SMU Accomplishments: Alec deepened his passion for international affairs by working as a Study Abroad Peer Advisor with SMU Abroad and studying abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as with the SMU-in-Madrid and SMU-in-Israel study abroad programs. Outside the classroom, Alec was active in the Dallas community by volunteering with Readers 2 Leaders, Mindful Mentoring, and the YMCA Texas Youth & Government program. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating SMU, Alec gained his master’s degree from King’s College London. He then stayed in Europe to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova, where he worked as a Health Education volunteer in a rural Moldovan school. He is now an Associate at the Washington D.C. office of Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), where he works on international development projects in Latin America and Eastern Europe. 

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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DOMINIQUE EARLAND ’17

DOMINIQUE EARLAND ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, BS in Biological Sciences; Minor in Biomedical Anthropology (2017)

University of Minnesota Medical School: MD/PhD (2027)

SMU Accomplishments: Dominique led a variety of social justice events and workshops as a student leader on the Human Rights Council and was also active in Alternative Breaks, organizing the organization’s first service trip to Selma, AL. In response to Dallas’s high maternal mortality rates, Dominique pursued the SMU Human Rights Fellowship and used this opportunity to create a Maternal Child Health Toolkit designed for women of color who are most impacted by health care disparities. In recognition of her outstanding service to the university, Dominique received the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Dominique is now an MD/PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She is an active leader for racial equity on campus and is a leading advocate in the Minneapolis chapter of White Coats for Black Lives. Following the murder of George Floyd, she and her fellow organizers led sit-ins at the State Capitol and at the county’s medical examiner’s office. In June 2020, Dominique was featured in The New York Times for her activism as a street medic for  wounded protesters. Today, she continues her passion for global health through her epidemiology work. As a researcher and advocate, she seeks opportunities to better partner with global communities in their fight for public health access. Dominique has received the Minnesota Medical Association Medical Student Leadership Award, the MSTP Leadership in Diversity Fellowship, the Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Service and Leadership, and is a Member of Student National Medical Association. 

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

Updated January 2022