engineering – SMU Human Rights Program

ANDREA NGUYEN ’19

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Anthropology, Markets & Culture; Minor in Human Rights (2019)

University of California at David: MS in Transportation, Technology and Policy (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: Andrea 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, she was heavily involved with the SMU Service House, led Kairos SMU Creative Journal as Co-Editor-in-Chief, and served as a trip developer with SMU Alternative Breaks. Andrea volunteered with the CONNECT Leadership Development Program as a peer mentor and worked with the Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity. Through her Hunt Institute Research, she led the Blockchain Impact Project team, exploring the impact of blockchain on start-ups and nonprofits. Meanwhile, Andrea deepened her passion for transportation equity through her research with the SMU Anthropology Department research, where she used GIS mapping to study multi-modal transportation models and their relationship to socioeconomic segregation.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, Andrea worked with the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, was selected as a Fellow with March for Science, and interned for the Alliance for Automotive Innovators. Today, Andrea is advancing her commitment to transportation equity and environmental justice through her graduate studies in Transportation, Technology, and Policy at UC Davis.

Updated January 2022

AMANDA STEINKE ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; BS in Environmental Engineering (2015)

Relay Graduate School of Education: MAT in Teaching (2018)

SMU Accomplishments: Amanda was involved in Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity, as well as campus organizations like Lyle Engineering in the City. As an SMU Human Rights Fellow, she facilitated a 1200-square foot aquaponics project at St. Philip’s School and Community Center in south Dallas, an area identified as a food desert.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Amanda has advanced her passion for STEM education as an elementary-school science teacher. She also explores instructional strategies to close the achievement gap between English proficient students and English language learners. Today, Amanda is a fifth-grade science teacher with Houston KIPP Public Schools.

Updated January 2022