Tag: criminal justice reform

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SOPHIE ARKUSINSKI ‘20

SOPHIE ARKUSINSKI ’20

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

Columbia University, Columbia School of Law: Juris Doctorate (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: Sophie traveled globally with the SMU Human Rights Program on the Poland Holocaust Education Trip. She also volunteered with the service-organization SMU Alternative Breaks, was a site leader for SMU’s annual MLK Day of service, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK). Sophie graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors in the liberal arts.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following her service with the Education Equity Program of AmeriCorps Vista, Sophie is currently pursuing her law degree at Columbia University, as she works to support and strengthen efforts to defend civil liberties within the context of technological innovation. She remains particularly interested in privacy issues, such as curbing the illegal and unnecessary surveillance of lawful and peaceful protesters by police and government forces. Sophie shares: “I can’t stress enough how much SMU’s Human Rights Program gave me the tools and direction with which to focus and follow my passion for advocacy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without y’all.”

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

Updated January 2022

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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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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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GREG GUGGENMOS ’19

GREG GUGGENMOS ’19

Educational Background:
Southern Methodist University: BS in Statistical Science, Minor in Human Rights; MS in Applied Statistics (2019)

SMU Accomplishments: Greg traveled globally with the SMU Human Rights Program to Latvia and Lithuania through the program’s Holocaust education trip focused on Eastern Europe. At SMU, he was an Engaged Learning Fellow and a Resident Assistant. Through the SMU Human Rights Fellowship, Greg launched his own nonprofit, the Community Bail Fund of North Texas, which provided grants to indigent defendants awaiting trial in the Dallas County justice system and drew from best practices of organizations in other cities such as the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund (which Greg visited as part of a Richter Fellowship). In recognition of his service to the university, Greg received the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Greg continued to engage his passion for criminal justice reform as a Statistical Consultant with the Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center at SMU Dedman School of Law. Through his research on AI and pre-trial detention, he was selected as a Landecker Democracy Fellow with Humanity in Action.

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

Updated January 2022