Tag: design

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WREN LEE ’21

WREN LEE ’21

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Creative Computation; Minor in Human Rights (2021)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Wren served as the Co-Founder and Lead Designer of Green Book, Co-Primary Investigator of the “Gay and Greek” project, and a Hegi Career Center Student Advisory Board Member. Their SMU honors and awards include the SMU Human Rights Fellowship and Engaged Learning Fellowship.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Wren began working in the advertising industry as a Junior Experience Designer at Publicis Sapient. In the greater Boston community, they serve as a Producer of The Chinatown Project.

Updated January 2022

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KAREN TRAN ’15

KAREN TRAN ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Anthropology, Journalism; Minor in Human Rights (2015)

SMU Accomplishments: Karen was heavily involved in both academic work and service during her undergraduate career. This Rotunda scholar was also selected for the McNair Scholars Program, a fellowship that allowed her to conduct independent research.  She was also active in her living-learning community, the SMU Service House, as well as Circle K International and Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, Karen worked in both nonprofit and business organizations as she leveraged data analytics for social impact. She has worked with design-thinking firm New Sector Alliance/MENTOR Illinois, engaged in data analysis and consulting for Brandtrust, and supported innovative companies like BuildCentral as they fuse tech with design and data. Today she works as Associate Product Manager at Strongarm Technologies. 

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